How to Remove Someone From Your YouTube Channel
Remove a collaborator from your YouTube channel through YouTube Studio Permissions — and understand what changes immediately and what does not.
Removing someone from a YouTube channel is a one-step action inside YouTube Studio → Settings → Permissions. Access ends immediately once you remove them — there is no confirmation email, no grace period, and no warning sent to the person you remove. Videos they uploaded stay on the channel.
If your situation is actually …
- You want to change a role rather than remove access entirely → Change someone's role on YouTube →
- You removed the wrong person and need to re-add them → Invite someone back to your channel →
- You are removing an agency and want to secure the channel afterwards → Secure your channel after removing an agency →
Before you start
Before you remove someone, confirm two things:
You have Manager or Owner access on the channel
Editors cannot manage permissions. Only Owners and Managers can remove other users.
Verify: Sign into studio.youtube.com — if you can see the Permissions tab under Settings, you have sufficient access.
You know who you are removing
YouTube shows the Google Account email of each collaborator. If you are unsure which email belongs to whom, check with the person before removing — re-adding requires a new invite and a fresh 30-day accept window.
Verify: Studio → Settings → Permissions. The list shows each person's email and current role.
Remove a collaborator
This removes their Studio role only — it does not affect any Google Account or Brand Account ownership they may separately hold.
Open YouTube Studio
Sign in at studio.youtube.com with your Manager or Owner account on the channel.
Where: studio.youtube.com
Go to Settings → Permissions
Click Settings in the bottom-left sidebar, then select the Permissions tab. You will see a list of everyone who currently has access.
Where: Studio → Settings (gear icon) → Permissions
Find the person and open their entry
Locate the collaborator by their email address. Click the three-dot menu or their row to reveal the options.
Confirm: A menu with "Remove access" (or similar wording) appears.
Confirm the removal
Click "Remove access". YouTube asks you to confirm — click to proceed. There is no undo.
Confirm: The person disappears from the Permissions list immediately. Their Studio access ends at that moment.
If this fails: Permissions not showing in Studio
Check for any other access points
Studio Permissions covers the channel role — but if this person was also a Brand Account manager, that is a separate list. Check myaccount.google.com/brandaccounts if you want to fully remove them.
Where: myaccount.google.com/brandaccounts
Mistakes to avoid when removing someone
Assuming videos disappear when you remove the uploader
Videos on YouTube are attributed to the channel, not the individual who uploaded them. Removing the editor who uploaded a video does not delete or unpublish anything.
Why it happens: It is a common assumption — and it is wrong. Content stays; access ends.
Removing someone without knowing their email
If you remove the wrong person by mistake, they lose access immediately. You can re-add them, but they will need to accept a new invite and wait the standard processing time.
Why it happens: Multiple collaborators with similar names in the list.
Already happened: How to re-add someone you removed by mistake
Forgetting to check Brand Account ownership
Removing a collaborator from Studio Permissions does not remove them as a Brand Account manager or owner. If they hold Brand Account ownership, that must be revoked separately at myaccount.google.com/brandaccounts.
Why it happens: YouTube Studio Permissions and Brand Account management are two distinct systems.
Already happened: Brand Account roles vs channel permissions
Not doing a post-removal security check for agency departures
When an agency or multi-person team leaves, there may be connected third-party apps, multiple users, or shared credentials you did not create. A post-removal review is worthwhile.
Why it happens: Agencies often connect tools on your behalf during the relationship.
Already happened: Secure your channel after removing an agency
Common questions
Why this keeps happening
Old access rarely cleans itself up
Freelancers, past agencies, and one-off collaborators accumulate in the Permissions list over time. YouTube has no expiry dates, no audit trail, and no reminders. Keeping a simple record of who has access — and when it should end — is the only reliable way to stay on top of it.