Add and remove YouTube channel access

Before you invite anyone, list the tasks they need to do so you can choose a role with the right scope. If your channel still uses a Brand Account, YouTube requires you to migrate to channel permissions before managing access in Studio. Check YouTube’s documentation for roles and supported actions.

Match the role to the work

YouTube lists roles including Manager, Editor, Editor (Limited), Viewer, Viewer (Limited), and Subtitle Editor. An Editor can upload and publish content but cannot manage permissions or delete published content. Subtitle Editor is limited to adding, editing, publishing, or deleting subtitles on eligible videos. Delegates do not have access to every channel feature: for example, YouTube APIs and YouTube Music do not support some delegate actions.

Before sending an invitation, write down what the person needs to do. For caption work, choose the narrowest role that supports it. If someone must manage other people’s access, review the Manager role’s scope. Avoid using Owner as a shortcut: that role includes broad controls, such as deleting the channel.

Invite someone in YouTube Studio

In YouTube Studio on a computer:

1. Open Settings → Permissions on the correct channel.
2. Choose Invite and enter the person’s email address.
3. Select their role under Access and confirm with Done. Check the account and role in the list.

YouTube says a pending invitation expires after 30 days. An Owner or Manager can manage permissions; an Editor cannot invite the rest of the team.

Control names and placement can differ by device and version. Use the matching device tab in YouTube’s help if you work in an app.

Fictional example

A production contractor only needs to correct captions on eligible videos. Invite them as a Subtitle Editor using their work email. Confirm they received the invitation and identify the caption tracks they should update.

Remove access and check the list

In Settings → Permissions, find the person, open their role dropdown, and choose Remove access. Return to the list to confirm they no longer appear. If the name is unclear or several people use the same company, check the email before removing access.

Channel permissions are separate from access on an old Brand Account. If the person is missing, check whether migration is complete and whether you selected the right channel. Sharing the password is not a temporary fix because it does not let you limit actions by role.

Access review: confirm the account, role, channel, invitation status, and whether the access is still needed. When a project ends, remove access from the same channel and check the updated list.

If you need to hand over channel ownership, see how to change the primary owner through a Brand Account, including the new owner’s requirements and waiting period.