Transferring YouTube subscriptions between accounts is not a native feature of the platform, as Google does not allow users to automatically "merge" or sync data between two separate channels. However, you can use several effective workarounds to move your favorite channels to a new account without starting from scratch. Method 1: The Automated Way (Browser Extensions)
- Log out of your Old account completely.
- Log into your New YouTube account.
- Install PocketTube on this browser (or keep it installed).
- Click the PocketTube icon -> Settings -> Import Data.
- Upload the
subscriptions.json file.
- Crucial step: PocketTube will ask, "Group or Subscribe?" Choose Subscribe.
- Watch the magic happen. The extension will automatically click the "Subscribe" button on every single channel from your old list.
Troubleshooting: Why Isn't This Working?
Problem: "My CSV file is empty."
Fix: Ensure you only selected "subscriptions" in Google Takeout. If you have zero subscriptions, the file will be empty. This sounds obvious, but people often forget they unsubscribed from everything years ago.
- Log in to your old YouTube account (the one you are leaving).
- Go to the Google Takeout page (takeout.google.com).
- By default, Google selects all data types. Click "Deselect all" at the top of the list.
- Scroll down the list of products and find "YouTube and YouTube Music." Check the box next to it.
- Click on the button that says "All YouTube data included". A pop-up window will appear.
- Click "Deselect all" at the top of the pop-up, then scroll down and check the box next to "Subscriptions".
- Click OK.
- Scroll to the bottom of the main page and click "Next step".
- Choose your delivery method (Email is default) and click "Create export".
- Google will prepare your file. This usually takes a few minutes to an hour. You will receive an email with a download link.
Method 3: The "Manual Mobile" Method (For Small Channels)
If you only subscribe to 20 or 30 channels, don't bother with software. Do it manually on your phone.