How to delete the Netflix watch history?
If you're frustrated with Netflix suggesting films and series based on titles you've watched out of mere curiosity or by accident, there's no need to worry. You can easily clear your viewing history and start fresh. This article will introduce you to some operations to delete your browsing history.
- Author: Augenstern
- Update: Nov 01, 2024
Where is the history on Netflix?
To view your Netflix viewing history, use a web browser. The application does not allow this.
Here’s how to do it:
1.Log in to your Netflix account on a browser.
2.Go to your Account page.
3.Select the relevant profile.
4.Open the viewing history.
You’ll find a chronological list of all the titles you’ve watched. If the list is extensive, simply click the “See more” button to reveal additional titles. Additionally, you can download this list by selecting “Download all” at the bottom of the page, which will generate an Excel file for you. Keep in mind that while the viewing time isn’t included, the dates are available. This feature is particularly useful for tracking and managing your viewing history, especially if you share your account with others.
Delete history on different devices
To clear your Netflix viewing history across different devices, start by accessing your Account page through a web browser. Select the appropriate profile and navigate to your viewing history, where you will see a list of titles you've watched. To remove a specific title, simply click the Hide icon next to it. If you prefer to delete your entire history, you can select the Hide all option located at the bottom of the page. Keep in mind that changes may take up to 24 hours to reflect on all devices.
For Smart TVs, you can delete titles by going to the details page of the title and selecting “Remove from Resume.” On mobile devices, tap the three vertical dots next to the title in the “Resume playback” section and choose “Remove from section.” These quick actions help keep your playlist organized and up-to-date.
How do you hide what you’re watching on Netflix?
If you want to hide your viewing activity on Netflix, follow these steps. First, access your Account page using a web browser. Select the appropriate profile and navigate to the viewing history section, where you'll see a list of all the titles you've watched. To hide a specific title, click the Hide icon next to the film or episode. If you prefer to erase your entire viewing history, select the Hide all option at the bottom of the page.
Keep in mind that it may take up to 24 hours for hidden titles to be removed from all devices. Once hidden, these titles will no longer influence your recommendations unless you watch them again. Note that this feature is unavailable for Youth profiles.
By hiding certain titles, you can prevent Netflix from suggesting content based on accidental viewings or choices you'd rather forget. This is an effective way to ensure your Netflix account reflects your current preferences.
What Happens When You Hide Titles
Titles will not appear in Netflix as shows or movies you've watched.
Recommendations will not include these titles unless you watch them again.
They will be removed from the Continue Watching row.
Steps to Hide Titles
Access Your Account: Open a web browser and go to your Netflix Account page.
Select Your Profile: Choose the profile for which you want to hide titles.
Open Viewing Activity: Navigate to the Viewing Activity section for that profile.
Hide Specific Titles: On the Viewing Activity page, click the hide icon next to the episode or title you wish to remove. If you're hiding an episode, you will also have the option to hide the entire series.
Hide All Titles: To clear your entire viewing history, select the Hide all option at the bottom of the page and confirm your choice.
Important Notes
It may take up to 24 hours for hidden titles to be removed from all devices.
Titles cannot be hidden if accessed through a Netflix Kids profile.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage your viewing history on Netflix and ensure that your recommendations align with your current preferences.
Delete titles from the ‘Resume playback’ section
If you've started watching a series or film on Netflix but want to remove it from the 'Resume playback' section, here’s how to do it on various devices:
On a Computer
Sign in to your account and click on your profile icon in the top-right corner, then select Account.
Under Profile & Parental Controls, click the “next” arrow next to your profile name and select Viewing activity.
Remove individual items: Click the remove icon next to the entry you want to delete. To delete all entries, scroll to the bottom and click Hide all.
On a TV
Go to the title's details page.
Select the Remove from Resume option, and it will be removed immediately.
On Mobile Devices (Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch)
Tap the three vertical dots next to the title in the Resume playback section.
Choose Delete from section from the menu that opens.
On the Web
Hover your mouse over the program you wish to remove.
Click on the Delete from section option that appears.
These actions are quick and help keep your playlist organized. Please note that it may take up to 24 hours for these changes to be reflected across all your devices.
On the Netflix iPhone and iPad app
Sign in to your account and tap the menu icon in the top-right corner. Select Account.
Tap netflix.com/more at the top. Your mobile browser will open; log in again if prompted.
On the Account settings page, tap Profiles, select your profile, then tap Viewing activity under the Preferences section.
To remove items, click the remove icon next to each entry. To delete all entries, scroll to the bottom and tap Hide all.
Save on your subscription with Sharesub
Sharesub is a legal and secure platform that allows users to share their Netflix subscriptions, significantly lowering monthly costs. This service is perfect for those who want to enjoy their favorite shows and movies without overspending.
By joining a sharing group on Sharesub, you can access Netflix at a reduced price while enjoying the same features and quality of service. If you have available slots in your subscription, you can offer them on Sharesub to share the costs with others. This way, you can optimize your budget while continuing to enjoy all that Netflix has to offer.
Several compelling reasons to consider deleting your Netflix viewing history:
Better Privacy
Deleting your Netflix history enhances your privacy. If you've watched content that you prefer to keep private—like a guilty pleasure series or a documentary you don't want others to know about—removing it from your history can help maintain your personal preferences. This is particularly important if you share your account with family or friends, as they can easily access your viewing habits and preferences, potentially leading to awkward situations or unwanted insights into your interests.
Improved Recommendations
Your Netflix recommendations are heavily influenced by your viewing history. If you've watched shows or movies that do not reflect your true tastes—perhaps out of curiosity or due to shared account usage—this can skew the algorithm's suggestions. By clearing your history, you can reset these recommendations, allowing Netflix to provide more relevant content based on what you actually enjoy watching. This is especially useful if someone else has used your account, as their viewing choices could clutter your personalized suggestions.
Resetting Account Usage
If you've recently shared your account with someone else or if their viewing habits have impacted your profile, deleting their watch history can help restore the integrity of your recommendations. This action can be particularly beneficial after a breakup or when transitioning back to using the account solely for yourself. It ensures that the content suggested aligns with your own preferences rather than those of another user.
In summary, managing your Netflix viewing history not only protects your privacy but also enhances the accuracy of the content recommendations you receive, making for a more enjoyable streaming experience.
When you delete your Netflix history, the following occurs:
Removal from Viewing Activity
Netflix allows you to hide shows and movies either individually or all at once. Once you do this, those titles will no longer appear in your account's viewing activity or in the "Continue Watching" section. Additionally, they will not be considered when Netflix generates recommendations for you.
Loss of Continuity
Hiding titles means that you will lose the ability to easily continue watching a show where you left off. If you've been watching a series and remove it from your history, you'll have to manually search for the episode to resume viewing.
Synchronization Across Devices
Any changes made to your Netflix history on one device will be reflected on all other devices linked to your account. However, it may take up to 24 hours for hidden titles to be fully removed from all devices.
Irrecoverable Action
Once a title is hidden, it cannot be recovered or unhidden. This means that if you change your mind later, there is no way to restore those entries in your viewing history.
Data Retention
It's important to note that while the titles may be hidden from your profile, Netflix likely retains a record of what you've watched internally. This is why the action is referred to as "hiding" rather than "deleting"—the data still exists on their servers.
Limitations with Kids Profiles
Titles cannot be hidden if you're accessing the viewing activity page from a Netflix Kids profile. This restriction is in place to maintain parental controls and oversight.
In summary, deleting or hiding your Netflix history can enhance privacy and improve recommendation accuracy but comes with the trade-off of losing continuity in viewing and the inability to recover hidden titles.