Troubleshooting

Why YouTube Studio shows Manage Permissions instead of invite users?

When Studio shows Manage Permissions instead of an invite option, the channel is still on Brand Account roles.

Is this your situation?

You open Settings and Permissions expecting to invite someone, but Studio shows Manage Permissions instead. A Brand Account owner must first migrate to channel permissions before granting channel access using permissions.

The short answer

Channel permissions should be used to manage user access to a channel rather than Brand Account roles. Channel permissions allow you to give other users access to your channel via specific roles. Channel settings, including permissions, can be managed in YouTube Studio.

What you see, and why

SymptomCause
You expected Invite but the screen offers Manage Permissions.Channel permissions should be used to manage user access rather than Brand Account roles.
You look for an Invite button and none appears.A Brand Account must already exist before opting into channel permissions.
You want to add a user but only see account-level options.A user must sign in as the primary owner to have the option to opt into permissions.

Check these first

  • Check which system the channel uses. Channel permissions provide the ability to give other users access via specific roles.Verify: Check whether Settings → Permissions shows Manage Permissions or Invite.
  • Check the signed-in account. A user must sign in as the primary owner to opt into permissions.Verify: Confirm you are signed in as the primary owner of the Brand Account.
  • Check that a Brand Account exists. A Brand Account must already exist before opting into channel permissions.Verify: Check the Brand Accounts section of your Google Account for this channel.

How YouTube handles this

  • Channel permissions allow you to give other users access to your channel via specific roles.
  • Migrating to channel permissions helps prevent security risks such as password sharing.
  • Channel permissions should be used to manage user access rather than Brand Account roles.
  • To opt into channel permissions, go to studio.youtube.com and click Settings on the left-hand side.

Which path applies to you?

  1. Do you expect Invite but see Manage Permissions instead? Channel permissions should be used to manage user access rather than Brand Account roles.
  2. Are you trying to opt in to channel permissions? Click Permissions after clicking Settings.
  3. Are you signed in as the primary owner? A user must sign in as the primary owner of the Brand Account to have the option to opt into permissions.
  4. Do you need to invite someone now? Click Invite to add a new user for channel permissions.

Step by step: finding the cause

  1. Open Studio settings. Go to studio.youtube.com and click Settings.Where: studio.youtube.com → SettingsConfirm: Check that the Settings panel opens on the left-hand side.
  2. Open Permissions. Click Permissions after clicking Settings.Where: Settings → PermissionsConfirm: Check whether the screen shows Manage Permissions or Invite.
  3. Confirm the account signed in. A user must sign in as the primary owner to opt into permissions.Where: Settings → Permissions → Signed-in accountConfirm: Check that the signed-in account matches the Brand Account's primary owner.
  4. Move to channel permissions. Click Move Permissions to opt into channel permissions.Where: Settings → Permissions → Move PermissionsConfirm: Check the Permissions page for an Invite option.If this fails: Check which Google Account you are signed in with.
  5. Invite a new user. Click Invite to add a new user for channel permissions.Where: Settings → Permissions → InviteConfirm: Check for the Email and Access fields on screen.
  6. Fill out the invite fields. The Email and Access fields must be filled out for each new user.Where: Settings → Permissions → InviteConfirm: Check that both the Email and Access fields are completed.
  7. Save the invite. Clicking Save may prompt the user to verify their account.Where: Settings → PermissionsConfirm: Check whether a verification prompt appears after clicking Save.If this fails: Complete the verification prompt if one appears before retrying Save.

Common mistakes

  • Expecting Invite without opting in. Channel permissions should be used to manage user access rather than Brand Account roles.Why it happens: Channel permissions should be used rather than Brand Account roles.
  • Signing in as the wrong account. A user must sign in as the primary owner of the Brand Account to have the option to opt into permissions.Why it happens: A user must sign in as the primary owner of the Brand Account to have this option.
  • Trying to opt in without a Brand Account. Opting into channel permissions requires an existing Brand Account.Why it happens: A Brand Account must already exist before opting into channel permissions.
  • Skipping the Move Permissions step. To opt into channel permissions, click Move Permissions.Why it happens: To opt in, a user must click Move Permissions.

Quick reference

SituationWhat to do
You expect Invite but see Manage Permissions.Channel permissions should be used to manage user access rather than Brand Account roles.
No Invite button appears for you.Click Permissions after clicking Settings.
You cannot find the opt-in option.A Brand Account must already exist before opting into channel permissions.
The opt-in option is not shown for your account.A user must sign in as the primary owner to have the option to opt into permissions.
You are ready to add someone.Click Invite to add a new user for channel permissions.
You click Save on the invite fields.Clicking Save may prompt the user to verify their account.

Keeping track of who has access

Delvia keeps roles visible so the Brand Account versus channel permissions confusion you diagnosed does not resurface.