How to Manage Your YouTube Subscriptions on Any Device
So, you’re really into YouTube. Maybe a little too into it. You’ve clicked “Subscribe” more times than you can count, and now your feed is a messy jungle of channels you don’t remember subscribing to. Don’t worry! Managing your subscriptions is easier than you think—and we’re going to make it surprisingly fun.
TL;DR
Table of Contents
You can manage your YouTube subscriptions easily on any device. Just head to the Subscriptions page on YouTube and organize away. Use folders, unsubscribe from old channels, and turn on notifications only where it matters. Whether you’re on your phone, tablet, or computer—it works almost the same.
Why Should You Manage Your Subscriptions?
YouTube is like a buffet. You pile on a little bit of everything until the plate’s overflowing. Suddenly, you’re drowning in videos.
- Your feed becomes cluttered.
- You miss videos from your favorite creators.
- You waste time scrolling through channels you no longer care about.
Let’s fix that! Time to clean house 🧹.
Managing Subscriptions on Desktop
Using a computer or laptop? Great. The big screen makes it simple.
Here’s what to do:
- Go to YouTube.com and log in.
- On the left sidebar, click Subscriptions.
- Click Manage in the upper-right corner of the subscriptions list.
Now you’ll see a full list of all your subscribed channels. From here, you can:
- Hover over a channel and click Unsubscribe.
- Click the bell icon to manage notifications.
- Visit the channel page to catch up or remove it completely.
Hot tip: YouTube doesn’t offer folders, but tools like PocketTube let you organize channels into categories like “Cooking” or “Gaming.”
Managing Subscriptions on Mobile Devices
Prefer scrolling on your phone while curled up on the couch? No problem.
Android or iPhone:
- Open the YouTube app and log in.
- Tap Subscriptions from the bottom menu.
- Tap All in the top-right corner to see your list.
- Tap the three dots next to a channel for options.
From there, you can:
- Unsubscribe from channels you’re no longer into.
- Manage notifications (get all, personalized, or none).
- Visit their channel for a quick peek before deciding.
Tip: Holding down your finger on a channel can pop up a menu on some phones—try it!
Notifications: You Control the Buzz
Are your devices buzzing like a bee every time a YouTuber sneezes? Let’s fix that.
Set Notifications Smartly:
- Go to the channel you subscribe to.
- Tap or click the bell icon.
- Choose from:
- All – Get notified for everything (great for faves).
- Personalized – Let YouTube decide (🤷).
- None – Total silence.
This helps you keep the channels you love and silence the ones you just check occasionally.
Spring Cleaning: Unsubscribe Like a Pro
It’s time to break up…with some channels.
Go through your list and ask:
- When did I last watch this channel?
- Do I still enjoy this content?
- Is it cluttering my feed?
Don’t feel guilty. You can always re-subscribe later.
Bonus Tip:
Do this every 3-6 months. Think of it like decluttering your digital wardrobe.
Sort and Organize (with Help)
YouTube doesn’t make it super easy to sort subscriptions. But there’s hope!
PocketTube (available as a browser extension and mobile app) lets you:
- Group subscriptions into folders.
- Filter by genre or topic.
- See what’s new by group.
This can give your YouTube habits some serious structure. Perfect for those who subscribe to 50+ channels.
Watch History Can Help You Too
Not sure which channels are still your vibe?
Check your watch history:
- Click or tap your profile icon.
- Select History.
- Scroll through and note which creators grab your attention lately.
Subscribe to more like those. Unsubscribe from the rest. Let the good rise to the top!
Switching Devices? No Problem.
Your subscription list follows your account. So whether you’re on a phone, tablet, smart TV, or computer, it’s all synced.
Just make sure you’re logged in with the same Google account. Easy peasy.
Smart TVs
You can’t manage subscriptions much here, but you can view them and discover new content easily. To edit anything, switch to your phone.
Stay Subscribed, Stay Happy
YouTube should be fun, not frustrating. Managing your subscriptions gives you:
- A cleaner feed full of videos you’ll actually watch.
- More time, less endless scrolling.
- Notifications that matter to you—not noise.
So go ahead—clean up, organize, and enjoy the endless world of YouTube on your own terms.
Final Thoughts
YouTube didn’t build the best tools for subscription management. But with a little effort and maybe some help from tools like PocketTube, you can take control. From desktop to mobile to smart TVs, you’re the boss now. Get out there and make YouTube your happy place!
Happy watching!
