How to Create and Use an AI Avatar on YouTube

YouTube's AI avatar feature creates a digital version of your face and voice for generated videos. You set up the avatar with a live recording, then describe the scene you want to create. This is separate from your channel's profile picture.

The feature is rolling out gradually. You must be at least 18 and own an existing YouTube channel, but meeting those requirements does not guarantee the controls will already appear in your account. The steps below follow YouTube's avatar instructions; labels may differ as the apps change.

Prepare your face and voice recording

Sign in to the correct channel before starting. The account owner must record their own face and voice; do not use another person's likeness or let a minor complete the recording.

• Hold your phone at eye level and keep your face centered.
• Use even lighting so your eyes, nose and mouth are visible. Avoid sunglasses, masks and hats.
• Choose a quiet room without other voices.
• Keep other people and pictures of faces out of the background.
• Follow the movement prompts and return your face to the center when asked.

Because setup involves your face and voice, read YouTube's AI features privacy notice before proceeding. An avatar is convenient, but it is not a reason to overlook how your recording is handled.

Create an avatar in the YouTube app

1. Open YouTube on your phone and sign in.
2. Tap Create , then open AI playground from the upper-right corner .
3. Select Create video → Make a video with my avatar.
4. Follow the instructions to record your live selfie and voice.
5. Preview the result. Select Next to continue, or Retake if the recording needs another attempt.
6. Enter a scene prompt and tap the generate control.

Start with one clear action in one setting. For example: “Show my avatar in a bright home studio, waving to the camera and welcoming viewers to a gardening tutorial.” Review the generated speech and appearance before using the clip.

Add yourself to an eligible Short

Some Shorts offer an alternative entry point: tap Remix , choose Reimagine, then Add me to this scene. This option is available only on eligible content. If it is absent, use the normal creation flow rather than assuming every Short supports it.

Create an avatar in YouTube Create

1. Sign in to the YouTube Create mobile app.
2. Find the My Avatar banner on the home page and open it.
3. Record your face and voice using the on-screen prompts.
4. Check the preview. Choose Next to use it or Start over to record again.
5. Enter a prompt and generate your first video.

You only need to create the avatar once. Creating, updating or deleting it in one of these apps is reflected in the other when you use the same account.

Use an existing avatar in another video

In YouTube, return to Create → AI playground → Create video → Make a video with my avatar.

In YouTube Create, select Generate video. On the prompt page, tap your avatar in the available references , then describe the scene you want.

Check pronunciation, lip movement, unwanted objects and any factual statements in the result. Shorten or simplify the prompt if the scene is confusing. For finishing work, see these YouTube video editing options. If your account lacks the avatar feature, other AI video tools may offer different workflows, but they have their own permissions, costs and privacy terms.

Update or delete your avatar

In the YouTube app, add the avatar during video creation, open its edit control, then choose the retake or delete option. In YouTube Create, open You → Manage avatar to update or delete it.

Deleting the avatar does not delete published videos or their remixes. Likewise, deleting a video does not remove the avatar. Review uploaded videos and remix settings separately if you no longer want that content available.

YouTube labels videos generated with this feature as AI content. Keep those disclosures intact, review the final video before publishing and avoid presenting a generated scene as a recording of something that actually happened.