How to Schedule YouTube Shorts on Desktop & Mobile?

Last Updated on May 16, 2025 by Himanshu Rawat

YouTube Shorts has become a powerful tool for content creators looking to expand their reach. With short-form videos gaining massive engagement, scheduling and uploading your Shorts at the right time can maximize visibility and audience interaction. 

This blog will walk you through different ways to schedule YouTube Shorts, including mobile and third-party tools like Outfy. We’ll also discuss how to determine the best time to post for maximum impact.

How to Schedule YouTube Shorts

YouTube allows scheduling Shorts through YouTube Studio on desktop. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1.
Go to YouTube Studio: Visit studio.youtube.com and log in to your account.

Step 2. Upload Your Short Video: Click the “Create” button and select “Upload videos.” Choose your pre-made Short video.

Step 3.
Select Your File: Choose your vertical video (must be less than 60 seconds).

Step 4. Add Details:

• Title & Description: Include keywords and add #Shorts for better reach.
• Thumbnail: Choose or upload an eye-catching thumbnail.
• Audience Settings: Select whether your video is made for kids or not.

Step 5. Schedule Your Short:

• Click “Visibility” and choose “Schedule”.
• Select your preferred date and time.
• Click “Done” to confirm.

How to Schedule YouTube Shorts on Mobile

Step 1. Open YouTube App: Launch the YouTube app on your mobile device and log in to your account.

Step 2. Tap Create Icon: Click the plus sign (+) at the bottom center of the screen. Select “Upload a video” or “Create a Short.”

Step 3. Select Video: Choose a pre-recorded Short from your camera roll (less than 60 seconds, vertical format). Note that YouTube doesn’t allow navigation to albums, so you may need to scroll through your camera roll.

Step 4. Add Video Details:

• Enter a title and description.
• Add hashtags like #Shorts.
• Customize the thumbnail by clicking the pencil icon.

Step 5. Set Visibility:

• Tap “Visibility” and select “Schedule.”
• Choose the desired date and time for publication.
• Ensure the time zone aligns with your audience’s activity.

Step 6. Confirm and Upload:

• Go back to the details page to verify the scheduled date and time.
• Tap “Upload Short” to finalize the scheduling process.

Note: If your account has a Community Guidelines strike, any scheduled video won’t be published during the penalty period. Instead, it will be set to private until the restriction is lifted. You’ll need to reschedule it once the freeze period ends.

How to Schedule YouTube Shorts using Outfy

Outfy is a social media automation tool that helps creators and businesses schedule and post content across multiple platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and more. It streamlines content distribution, saving time and ensuring consistency.

Step 1. Sign up for Outfy: 

• Create an account at Outfy.com.

Step 2. Sign Up & Connect YouTube: 

• Ensure your YouTube channel is connected under “Manage Accounts.”

Step 3. Upload Your Short Video: 

• Click Create Post, then go to Your Media.
• In Your Media, click Upload Video and select your preferred video.
• Enter a title or description for your video, then click Upload Video.

Step 4: Add Video Details

• Outfy will automatically generate a caption, hashtags, and other details based on your title or description.

(Optional: You can manually edit the caption and hashtags if you prefer.)

Step 5. Schedule Your Post:

• Select “Schedule For Later” instead of “Post Now.“
• Choose the date and time for publishing.
• Click “Confirm“—Outfy will handle the posting automatically.

Finding the Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts

Posting at the right time can significantly boost engagement and maximize reach. Here are some in-depth strategies to determine the best posting time:

Analyze Your Audience Insights 

Use YouTube Analytics to check when your viewers are most active. Look at key metrics such as watch time, engagement, and recurring views to identify peak hours.

Consider Time Zones 

If you have a global audience, schedule Shorts at peak hours for major regions. For example, if your audience is spread across the US and UK, aim for a time that overlaps well for both.

Test Different Time Slots 

Experiment with posting at different times of the day and track the engagement levels for each. Monitor trends over a few weeks to pinpoint the most effective posting window.

Weekdays vs. Weekends 

Generally, evenings and weekends tend to have higher engagement as viewers are more relaxed. However, niche-specific content might perform better on weekdays, especially during lunch breaks or late afternoons.

Leverage Industry Trends

Stay updated on YouTube Shorts trends by observing top-performing creators in your niche. Identify when they post and analyze audience responses.

Adjust Based on Performance 

Use A/B testing to compare different posting schedules and refine your strategy based on performance data.

Summary

Scheduling YouTube Shorts is a powerful way to maximize reach, engagement, and channel growth. By using YouTube Studio, mobile scheduling, or third-party tools like Outfy, you can automate and optimize your posting strategy. Finding the best time to post through analytics, testing, and audience insights ensures your content reaches the right viewers at the right time. Stay consistent, track performance, and refine your approach to keep growing on YouTube Shorts!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can You Schedule YouTube Shorts?

Yes, you can schedule YouTube Shorts using YouTube Studio (desktop) or third-party tools like Outfy.

2. Can I edit a scheduled YouTube Short?

Yes! You can edit the title, description, tags, and thumbnail of a scheduled Short through YouTube Studio before it goes live.

3. Can I Monetize Scheduled YouTube Shorts?

Yes! Shorts can earn through the YouTube Shorts Fund or Ads (if part of YouTube Partner Program).

4. Does scheduling YouTube Shorts affect views?

Yes, scheduling YouTube Shorts can boost views by reaching your audience at peak times, increasing engagement. Consistent posting also improves channel growth and retention.

5. What’s the best way to measure the success of my YouTube Shorts?

Track success using YouTube Analytics, focusing on views, engagement, and subscriber growth. Adjust your content strategy based on these insights.