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How to Verify Your Identity on a New YouTube Device
Repeated identity checks on new devices follow YouTube's verification rules, not a problem with your account.
Is this your situation?
When linking an AdSense for YouTube account, YouTube Studio asks you to Verify It's You using the email address you use to sign in to YouTube. You want to know why this keeps happening and what to do about it.
The short answer
A creator can unlock Advanced features by verifying identity using a valid ID or video. Building sufficient channel history is an alternative to ID or video verification for unlocking advanced features.
Before you start
- Confirm which account signed in Only primary channel owners can verify their identity to get access to additional features.Verify: Check that you are signed in as the primary owner.
- Check your feature eligibility status Creators can check current feature eligibility status in YouTube Studio.Verify: Click Settings, click Channel, then click Feature eligibility.
- Have a valid ID ready A valid ID for verification must be current.Verify: Check that your ID is current and not expired.
How YouTube handles this
- Verification for advanced features is not the same as the age estimation model.
- Creators can unlock advanced features right away by verifying identity using a valid ID or video.
- Active channels that have consistently followed Community Guidelines can usually rebuild sufficient channel history within 2 months.
- ID or video verification is not available to all creators.
Step by step
- Sign in to YouTube Studio Sign in to YouTube Studio, click Settings, Channel, Feature eligibility, Advanced features, ACCESS FEATURES.Confirm: Check that you are signed in on the computer you plan to use.
- Open Settings Click Settings in YouTube Studio.Confirm: Check for the Settings option in the left menu.
- Open Channel Click Channel after clicking Settings.Confirm: Check for the Channel option under Settings.
- Open Feature eligibility Click Feature eligibility after clicking Channel.Confirm: Features you have access to show as Enabled.
- Select Advanced features Click Advanced features, then ACCESS FEATURES.Confirm: Check the screen for verification method options.
- Choose video verification Select Use video verification, then click Next and Get email.Confirm: Check your inbox for the verification email.
- Open the email on your phone Open the email on the phone and tap Start verification.Confirm: Check your phone screen for the verification flow.
- Agree to ID use and submit Agree to how Google will use and store the ID before continuing.Confirm: Check the screen for a submission confirmation.If this fails: Wait 30 days before trying either verification method again.
- Wait for review YouTube reviews a submitted ID or video.Confirm: Check your email for a decision notice.
Common mistakes
- Birthdate mismatch The birthdate on the submitted ID must match the birthdate on the Google Account.Why it happens: You notice the ID you hold does not show the same birthdate as your account.
- Deleting verification too soon Deleting ID or video verification before establishing channel history causes loss of access to advanced features.Why it happens: You want to clear old verification data from your account without checking your channel history first.Already happened: You can resubmit ID or video verification to restore access if this happens.
- Wrong account signed in Only the primary owner of a Brand Account channel is eligible to perform identity verification.Why it happens: You are signed in on an account that is not the one you manage the channel from.
Roles at a glance
| Path to access | Who can use it | What it requires | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone verification | Not stated by YouTube | A verified phone number | Unlocks intermediate features |
| Channel history | An active creator with sufficient established channel history will likely automatically qualify for advanced features. | Sufficient established activity | Most active channels already qualify |
| ID or video verification | Primary owner only | A valid ID or short video | Not available to all creators |
| Brand Account channel | Primary owner of the Brand Account | Identity verification by that owner | All users get the same features as the primary owner, depending on verification status |
| Review cadence | After applying for verification, YouTube reviews the channel. | Continued Community Guidelines compliance | Not stated by YouTube |
Keeping track of who has access
After you have verified your identity, note which devices and accounts you expect to hold access. Delvia is where you track that access.
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