YouTube replaces clips feature with custom timestamp sharing on mobile

YouTube has introduced a new feature that allows users to share videos from a specific timestamp directly via its mobile app, bringing a long-available web feature to smartphones.

With this update, users can now select a particular moment in a video and share a link that begins playback exactly from that point, making it easier to highlight specific segments without additional steps.

The feature, referred to as “Share at Timestamp,” simplifies a process that previously required manual link editing on mobile devices.

Users can navigate to a specific point in a video, tap the share button, and generate a link that automatically starts playback from that exact moment.

This brings mobile functionality in line with desktop, where timestamp sharing has been available for years, and removes the need for external tools or workarounds.

Clips feature being phased out

Alongside the rollout, YouTube is moving away from its Clips feature, which was introduced in 2021 to allow users to create short, shareable segments from videos.

With timestamp sharing now available across devices, YouTube is positioning it as the primary way to share specific moments. Existing Clips will still be viewable, but users will no longer be able to create new ones or customise segments with end times or descriptions.

YouTube acknowledged the role Clips played in discovery, stating: “We recognize that community clipping is an important way for creators to reach new audiences, and a number of third-party tools with advanced clipping features and authorized creator programs are now available to do this across different video platforms.”

However, some creators expressed concerns about the shift. One user noted, “The main point of the Clips feature was being able to select a specific moment from a video… As a creator, this allowed my audience to share their favourite moments while also helping me decide which moments to highlight for Shorts.”

Another added, “Mobile timestamps is a long overdue update, but removing clips? Are you serious? This is a vital way of sharing short parts of long streams or videos… as well as a useful tool for creators to quickly timestamp both ends of a segment for later editing.”

At the same time, some users pointed to existing alternatives, with one comment stating, “Using Creator Tools: You can find the current ‘Video Clips’ feature directly in your YouTube Studio Editor to trim and repurpose your longer content.”

Together, the reactions reflect a broader concern: while timestamp sharing simplifies viewing, Clips had evolved into a discovery and editing tool, especially for long-form creators and streamers.

Why this shift

The change reflects YouTube’s preference for keeping viewers within full-length videos rather than circulating shortened clips.

By sharing entire videos with a defined starting point, the platform retains more context and potentially increases watch time, while still allowing users to highlight key moments.

For creators, this could mean more complete views and better engagement tracking, while for users, it simplifies how specific content is shared.