Ethan Brooks
How To Create YouTube Shorts on Android
Getting your Shorts rolling on Android isn’t exactly rocket science, but it’s got its quirks. Sometimes videos don’t get picked up as Shorts because of aspect ratio issues, or maybe the app isn’t cooperating when trying to upload. This guide covers the nuts and bolts, focusing on making sure your vertical videos actually qualify as Shorts and don’t get buried in the vast stream of content. After following these tips, your videos should pop up in the Shorts feed, give or take a few tries. It’s kinda weird, but just a matter of checking your settings, editing the right way, and making sure the metadata (like hashtags) match up. Expect to be able to produce content faster, with less frustration, once all the pieces come together.
How to Fix Your YouTube Shorts on Android
Method 1: Make Sure Your Video is Properly Aspect-Ratioed (9:16)
This step is pretty much the core. Without the correct vertical format, YouTube just ignores it as a Short, even if it’s under 60 seconds. When you’re shooting or editing, keep an eye on the aspect ratio settings. If you’re using apps like CapCut or InShot, you’ll find the Ratio option usually at the bottom or in the export settings.
- Click on Ratio and pick
9:16. If you’re editing in CapCut, it’s right at the bottom menu or under the Format options. - In InShot, go to Canvas and select the vertical 9:16 ratio.
This helps because YouTube’s Shorts require that vertical frame. On some setups, though, if you upload a landscape video, it simply won’t show up as a Short. Sometimes, you gotta double-check after editing that the ratio is maintained before saving.
Method 2: Use Proper Metadata – Add #Shorts in Titles or Descriptions
Yeah, it’s dumb, but including #Shorts in your title or description really helps Google’s algorithm recognize your video as a Short. On one setup it worked first try, on another, not so much – kind of inconsistent, but hey, it’s worth a shot. You want that hashtag to connect your content, especially if your video fits the criteria but isn’t showing up as a Short in the feed. Also, keep your title eye-catching but relevant, and don’t forget keywords that relate to your niche.
Method 3: Upload from the Correct Folder & Verify Upload Settings
Sometimes, the issue isn’t with the video but where you’re selecting it from. Make sure you’re choosing the right video file in your gallery—preferably one that’s already been exported with correct dimensions and format. When uploading via the YouTube app, check that you haven’t accidentally uploaded a longer, landscape-format version or a video with the wrong metadata.
- Go to https://www.youtube.com/upload or tap + (Create) in the app, then Upload a video.
- Find your edited Shorts video—double-check the length is under 60 seconds.
- In the upload screen, toggle the visibility, add a compelling title, and ensure Close friends / Public is selected.
Honestly, this is where I’ve seen videos slip through because of small overlooked details—like improper export settings or the video not being really 9:16 anymore. Because of course, Android devices and editing apps can be inconsistent about this. On some phones, re-exporting once with correct ratio fixed the issue.
Method 4: Use Official Guidelines in YouTube Settings
Gotta peek into the app’s settings if things aren’t lining up. Sometimes, the YouTube app’s upload defaults or restrictions are the culprit. Head over to Settings > Uploads or Content preferences and make sure your account isn’t flagged or restricted for Shorts because of previous violation. Also, check that the upload defaults for tags, categories, and visibility are set correctly to promote Shorts content.
Admittedly, not everyone thinks to look there, but this sometimes turns up the reason why videos aren’t classified properly. On some devices, resetting app cache or updating YouTube helped things along.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
If your Shorts still aren’t showing up or getting views, consider these:
- Make sure your video length is really under 60 seconds—trim if necessary.
- Use trending sounds or music—Google’s library is free and safe, so avoid third-party sources that might cause copyright headaches.
- Post at peak hours—usually around early evening or lunchtime, depending on your audience.
Sometimes, videos don’t qualify simply because they aren’t in the right format or are a tiny bit longer. Oh, and try to keep the resolution decent; too compressed or pixelated might hurt engagement.
Summary
- Check that videos are exported in 9:16 format.
- Add
#Shortsin the title or description. - Confirm the video length is under a minute.
- Upload from a reliable network connection and verify file quality.
Wrap-up
Getting Shorts to actually qualify and appear in the feed can be a bit of trial and error—tweaking ratios, metadata, and upload processes. Not every app or device handles it perfectly, but once everything lines up, your videos are way more likely to get seen. Just keep an eye on those aspect ratios and hashtags, and don’t forget to double-check the video length. Fingers crossed this helps a few folks get their Shorts out there without too much hassle.