If you have a YouTube channel, you can customize its branding by changing your profile picture, banner art, and video watermark.
These can be done via YouTube studio, and some of it on the YouTube app.
Having a unique profile picture is the essence of your channel.
Similarly, having a decent channel banner is important in shaping your channel’s identity.
However, it can be challenging to navigate to the page where you can edit your channel banner.
This is more apparent if you’re using the YouTube app on your mobile device.
If you’re using the YouTube app on an iPhone or an Android device, you might be wondering how to change your YouTube channel banner/art there.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to change your channel banner on YouTube on desktop and on mobile.
- How to change your YouTube channel banner
- What is a YouTube channel banner?
- How do I change my YouTube banner on mobile?
How to change your YouTube channel banner
To change your YouTube channel banner, open YouTube on your desktop and navigate to your channel.
Then, click on the camera icon on the top right of your channel banner and click on “Change” under the “Banner image” heading.
You’ll be able to select a new banner image after you’ve clicked on “Change”.
However, if you’re using the YouTube mobile app, you won’t be able to edit your channel banner directly on it.
This is because changing your channel banner is not supported on the YouTube app.
Hence, if you want to customize your channel, it’s better to do it on a desktop instead.
If you’re persistent in changing your YouTube channel banner on your phone, you need to navigate to YouTube Studio using a mobile browser (e.g. Safari, Chrome).
Then, click on customization > branding > banner image > change.
Here’s how to change your YouTube channel banner:
1. Open YouTube on a desktop & go to your channel
Open YouTube on a desktop > click on your profile picture > click on “Your channel”.
To begin with, open YouTube on a desktop.
If you want to change your YouTube channel banner on mobile, you have to navigate to the YouTube Studio website on a browser instead.
This is because you cannot edit your profile directly on the YouTube mobile app.
Hence, it’s highly recommended that you use YouTube on a desktop for this.
Once you’re on YouTube, you need to navigate to your channel.
Firstly, click on your profile picture on the top navigation bar.
This will open up a menu with several tabs including “Your channel”, “Purchases and memberships”, “YouTube Studio”, and more.
Click on “Your channel” to go to your YouTube channel.
Proceed to the next step to learn how to edit your YouTube channel to change your banner.
2. Click on the camera icon
Click on the camera icon at the top right of your banner image.
Once you’ve clicked on “Your channel”, you’ll land on your YouTube channel.
On your YouTube channel, you’ll see your channel banner at the top.
You’ll also see a camera icon on the top right of your channel banner.
Click on the camera icon to change your channel banner.
If you’re using the YouTube mobile app, you’ll only be able to change your profile picture.
You won’t be able to change your channel banner on the YouTube mobile app as there isn’t a feature for it yet.
Hence, if you want to change your channel banner on your phone, make sure that you’re on the YouTube Studio website instead of the YouTube mobile app.
Move on to the last step to learn how to change your banner image via YouTube Studio.
3. Under “Banner image”, click on “Change”
Under the “Banner image” header, click on “Change” and select the image that you want to use for your banner image.
After you’ve clicked on the camera icon on your banner image, you’ll be redirected to YouTube Studio.
On YouTube Studio, you’ll land on the “Channel customization” page.
On the “Channel customization” page, you’ll be able to edit your profile picture, banner image, and video watermark.
Under the “Banner image” header, you’ll see two options including “Change” and “Remove”.
The “Change” option allows you to change your banner image.
On the other hand, the “Remove” option will delete your existing banner image.
Click on the “Change” option to change your banner image.
Once you’ve clicked on “Change”, the File Explorer will be opened.
On the File Explorer, navigate to the image that you want to change your banner image to.
Then, double-click the image to select it.
You should use an image that has a size of at least 2048 x 1152 pixels.
If the image that you’ve selected is too small, there will be an error message informing you of it.
If the image that you’ve selected is appropriate, a cropping page will be opened where you can crop the image.
Once you’re done cropping the image, click on “Done”.
Lastly, click on “Publish” to save your changes.
You’ve successfully learned how to change your banner image/art/cover on YouTube!
What is a YouTube channel banner?
A YouTube channel banner is a large image that appears at the top of your channel.
It’s typically used to express your channel’s brand and identity.
To make a channel banner, you can use a tool like Canva or Adobe XD.
When making your banner, you need to make sure that the image size is at least 2048 x 1152 pixels.
If the image size is too low, you might not be able to use it as your banner image.
How do I change my YouTube banner on mobile?
To change your YouTube banner on mobile, you need to visit YouTube Studio on a browser (e.g. Safari, Chrome).
Once you’re on YouTube Studio, navigate to customization > branding > banner image > change.
Then, select an image from your photo gallery, crop it, select “Done”, and publish it.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to change your banner on the YouTube mobile app as it does not support it yet.
Conclusion
A YouTube channel banner is important as it’s one of the first things that someone sees when they visit your channel.
To improve your channel banner, you can try adding a tagline.
The tagline can be a short description of your channel, or your publishing schedule.
For example, if you post a video every week, you can include a tagline that says “New video every Monday” on your banner.
This will let your viewers and subscribers know when they can expect a new video from your channel.
Further Reading
Do You Have to Pay to Subscribe to a YouTube Channel?
