(2024) Fixed: Can’t Change YouTube Shorts Thumbnails

You’re likely here because you:

• Want to change the thumbnail on a Shorts video
• But you get an error saying…
• “For now, you can’t change the thumbnail on your Short”

But this guide answers all of your questions.

Related: How to add thumbnails to Shorts.

Why can’t I change thumbnail on Shorts?

There are two main reasons why this doesn’t work anymore:

1. Simplification: In 2022, YouTube removed the option to upload custom thumbnails through YouTube Studio for desktops.
2. Mobile users: Currently, you can only select a thumbnail from a few auto-generated options when uploading through YouTube Studio on desktop.

Here’s what YouTube said on X (Twitter):

FIX: How to change thumbnails for YouTube Shorts

To set a custom Shorts thumbnail, choose a frame during upload on mobile or design a custom one and add it to your video before uploading.

1. Before uploading

A. Use a frame from your Short

1. Start uploading your Short
2. Look for a pencil icon next to the auto-generated thumbnail.
3. Tap that
4. Choose the frame you want as a thumbnail

B. Edit the thumbnail within your Short

1. Create a thumbnail
2. When editing the Short, add it as the last frame
3. Start uploading the video
4. Select that frame as your thumbnail

This way, the custom frame you designed becomes the thumbnail when you upload the Short.

2. After uploading

If you’ve already uploaded a Shorts and want to change its thumbnail, it’s too late — sorry. YouTube doesn’t let you change the thumbnail after upload.

Though, they might be working on it — check this out:

No clear sign yet, though we know they’re aware of our needs.

Thank you for reading this,
ThumbnailTest