Want to share just the useful part of a YouTube video, but can't find the Clip button? YouTube has replaced new viewer-created Clips with timestamp sharing. Here's how to send someone straight to a moment, create a separate clip from your own upload, or turn an eligible excerpt into a Short.
Share a specific moment on your computer
The old Clip button created looping, 5–60-second excerpts. YouTube began retiring that viewer feature in April 2026 and replaced it with timestamp sharing. Existing Clips remain viewable.
To share a moment now, open the video on youtube.com and click Share. Then check Start at and enter the time you want playback to begin, such as 2:30. Click Copy to get the link. It sends viewers to your chosen starting point, but it doesn't set an ending point or create a downloadable clip.
Use the timestamp toggle on your phone
On Android, iPhone, or iPad, seek to the moment you want to share in the YouTube app. Tap Share and turn on the displayed timestamp toggle. On Android, it shows the selected time, such as 2:30.
Choose Copy link or select a sharing app. The link sets a start time without an end time. If timestamp sharing fails in the app, try the desktop website through Share and Start at.
Create a separate clip from your own upload
This creates a separate video from your own upload, including an archived stream. Open YouTube Studio in your browser. Select Content.
Choose Videos and select the upload you want to clip. Open Clips and Shorts. Click Create clip or Short.
Choose Video clip. Select your excerpt by entering timeline timestamps or highlighting the relevant transcript text. Click Confirm selection.
For an optional introduction or ending, select Add intro/outro. Choose Create draft. Complete the upload process for the new clip.
Turn an eligible excerpt into a Short
Sign in to the YouTube mobile app. This method creates a Short remix from an eligible video.
Open the remix-eligible long-form video you want to use. Tap Share, then select Remix. Choose Cut.
Select the offered excerpt and finish creating your Short. For an eligible existing Short, use Remix followed by Cut this video.
Save a downloadable clip from your own video
Need a local video file? Download your own upload first: on a computer, open YouTube Studio and select Content, then the video's Menu and Download.
On Windows, open the downloaded video in Photos. Select Trim or press Ctrl+E to edit the local file.
Adjust the beginning and ending sliders to keep the excerpt you want. Select Save as Copy to save the shortened version while preserving the downloaded original. Timestamp sharing doesn't export a file, and YouTube Premium offline viewing doesn't provide an exportable copy for editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a shared YouTube link stop at a specific time?
A timestamped sharing link has no end time, but a website embed supports one. Select Share > Embed, then edit the iframe's video URL to use parameters such as ?start=90&end=120. Both values count seconds from the original video's beginning. This controls playback without creating a new video file; the starting position is approximate.
Can I turn my own video into a Short on my phone?
Yes. Open your video's watch page and tap Remix > Edit into a Short. Select up to 60 seconds, tap Next, then edit and upload. Your video must be public, have sampling enabled, and have no third-party copyright claim. Private and unlisted videos are excluded.
Does trimming in YouTube Studio create a separate clip?
No. The Editor's Trim & cut tool changes the existing upload while preserving its URL, views, and comments. Use Clips and Shorts to create a separate video. Since June 2025, saved Studio Editor changes cannot be undone using Revert to original.
Why can't I download my own upload?
YouTube restricts downloads for removed videos, videos with strikes, and videos using preapproved audio. There's also a limit of five downloads of the same video in 24 hours.