Delete your own video from the uploads page

To delete a video you uploaded, sign into YouTube, go to your channel, and select Videos from the left menu. Find the video you want to remove, click the three dots next to it, and choose Delete forever. YouTube will ask you to confirm — once you do, the video is gone permanently and viewers will no longer be able to watch it.

The video disappears from your channel, search results, and any playlists it was in. If people had links to it, those links will show a "video unavailable" message. This process takes effect immediately, though it may take a few hours for the video to fully disappear from YouTube's systems.

You can also delete multiple videos at once. In the Videos section, check the boxes next to each video you want to remove, click the trash icon at the top, and confirm the deletion.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleted videos are gone permanently — YouTube does not keep a recoverable copy after you confirm the deletion.
  • The three-dot menu next to each video in your uploads is the fastest way to delete a single video.
  • Viewers who had the link will see "video unavailable" instead of the video, but the page itself stays live.
  • You can select and delete multiple videos at the same time from the Videos page.
  • Deletion takes effect immediately, though it may take a few hours to disappear from search results and recommendations.

What happens to comments and engagement when you delete

When you delete a video, all comments on that video disappear as well. Any likes, views, or watch time the video earned will no longer count toward your channel statistics. If the video was part of a playlist, it will be removed from that playlist automatically.

Subscribers who were notified about the video when you uploaded it will not receive a notification that it has been deleted. They may notice it is missing if they go looking for it, but YouTube does not alert them to the removal.

Deleting videos from a mobile device

On the YouTube app for iPhone or Android, tap your profile picture, then select Your channel. Go to the Videos tab, find the video you want to remove, tap the three dots, and choose Delete. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

The mobile process works the same way as the desktop version — the video is permanently removed and cannot be recovered. If you are having trouble finding the three-dot menu on mobile, make sure you are looking at your own channel, not someone else's.

Difference between deleting and unlisting a video

Deleting removes the video entirely — it no longer exists on YouTube and anyone with the link will see an error. Unlisting keeps the video on YouTube but hides it from your channel page, search results, and recommendations. Only people with the direct link can watch an unlisted video.

If you want to keep a video but do not want it showing up publicly, unlisting is the better choice. To unlist a video, click the three dots next to it, select Details, change the visibility from Public to Unlisted, and save. You can always change it back to public later, or delete it entirely if you change your mind.

What you cannot recover after deletion

YouTube does not restore deleted videos. Once you confirm the deletion, the video file, all comments, and all engagement data are gone for good. If you think you might want the video back later, download a copy to your computer before you delete it from YouTube.

To download your video, go to your uploads, click the three dots, and look for a Download option if it is available. Not all videos can be downloaded through YouTube — if you do not see the option, you may need to use a third-party tool, though YouTube's terms of service restrict how videos can be downloaded.

Deleting videos that are monetized or part of a series

If your video is monetized and earning money, deleting it will stop any future earnings from that video. YouTube will not pay you for views that happened before deletion. If you are unsure whether you want to delete a monetized video, consider unlisting it first to see if you change your mind.

If the video is part of a series or playlist, deleting it removes it from that series or playlist automatically. Other videos in the series stay in place — only the deleted video disappears. Viewers watching the series will see a gap where that video was.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a deletion after I confirm it?

No. Once you confirm the deletion, YouTube permanently removes the video and does not provide an undo option. If you need the video back, you will have to re-upload it from a saved copy on your computer.

Will deleting a video hurt my channel's watch time or subscriber count?

Deleting a video removes the views and watch time it earned from your channel statistics. Your subscriber count stays the same — people do not unsubscribe when you delete a video. However, your total channel watch time will decrease by however much that video contributed.

What if someone else uploaded a video to my channel?

If you gave someone permission to upload to your channel, you can delete their videos the same way you delete your own. Go to your Videos page, find the video, click the three dots, and select Delete. The uploader will not be notified, but they will see the video is gone if they check your channel.

Does YouTube keep a copy of deleted videos for copyright or legal reasons?

YouTube may retain data for legal or safety reasons, but you cannot access or recover a deleted video through normal means. If you are involved in a legal matter, contact YouTube's legal team directly — they handle requests through official channels, not through your account.

Can I delete a video if it has a copyright claim on it?

Yes. You can delete a video even if it has a copyright claim or copyright strike. Deleting it will not remove the strike from your account, but it will stop the video from being available and stop any further copyright claims from being issued against it.