If you pay for YouTube Premium on your old account, you cannot transfer that subscription to a new account. You must cancel the old one and re-subscribe on the new account. However, Google does allow you to add a "family member" (your new account) to your Premium family plan for up to 6 months while you transition.
Yes. Spending 30 minutes to export and import 200 subscriptions is infinitely better than spending 3 hours manually clicking buttons.
The ultimate workflow:
While Google has neglected to build a "Merge Accounts" feature for over a decade, the combination of Takeout and open-source extensions has become the de facto standard. It is safe, effective, and—once you’ve done it once—surprisingly easy.
Note: There is no native "Import" button on YouTube. You have two options here:
While YouTube does not offer a single-click "Transfer" button, you can move your subscriptions between accounts using official data tools, browser extensions, or channel migration features If you pay for YouTube Premium on your
Method 1: Using Browser Extensions (Fastest for Bulk Transfer)
Browser extensions are the most common third-party solution for automatically re-subscribing to channels on a new account. Extensions : Tools like YouTube Subscriptions Transfer (Chrome) or SmartSwitch (Firefox) are popular options. Log into your
account and use the extension to "Collect" or "Export" your subscription list. Switch to your account in the same browser.
Open the extension and click "Subscribe" to begin the automated process. Important Note
: YouTube has "soft limits" on how many channels you can subscribe to in a short window. If you have hundreds of subscriptions, you may need to wait if the process pauses. Chrome Web Store Method 2: Google Takeout (Official Data Export) While Google has neglected to build a "Merge
This method uses Google's official data backup tool to get a permanent list of your subscriptions.
SubShift: Transfer your YouTube subscriptions - Chrome Web Store
Moving to a new YouTube account doesn't have to mean losing your carefully curated feed of creators. While YouTube doesn't offer a "one-click" migration button, you can move your digital world manually or with a little help from some clever tools. Here is the most effective way to handle the transition: The Manual (and Most Reliable) Method
If you have a manageable number of subscriptions, doing it by hand ensures you don't miss a beat. Export your list: Log into your old account, go to the "Manage Subscriptions"
page, and take a quick screenshot or copy the channel names into a doc. The Quick-Switch: go to the "Manage Subscriptions" page
Open YouTube in two different browser tabs (or use Incognito mode for the second one). Search and Subscribe:
Search for each creator on your new account and hit that subscribe button. It’s a great time to "spring clean" and leave behind channels you no longer watch. The "Power User" Method (Third-Party Tools) If you’re subscribed to hundreds of channels, tools like "YouTube Subscription Transfer"
(available on GitHub) or various Chrome extensions can automate the process. These usually work by exporting your subscription list as a from Google Takeout and importing it into the new account.
Note: Always be cautious when giving third-party apps access to your Google account permissions. Don't Forget Your Playlists
If you have "Watch Later" lists or custom playlists you love: Set the playlist privacy on your old account to "Unlisted" Share the playlist link to your new account. On the new account, click "Save Playlist" to add it to your library instantly. Google Takeout to export your data for a bulk transfer?
This is the most secure method because it uses Google’s official data export tool and a desktop email client. It requires no third-party apps accessing your passwords.