Removing unwatched or unwanted titles from your “Continue Watching” row on Amazon Prime Video is surprisingly straightforward, though the method varies slightly depending on the device you’re using. Typically, you’ll need to manually edit your viewing history within your Amazon account settings to clear these titles from appearing.
Understanding the “Continue Watching” Algorithm
Amazon Prime Video’s “Continue Watching” section is designed to streamline your viewing experience. It automatically populates with any movie or TV show you’ve started watching but haven’t finished. This feature aims to provide easy access to your partially viewed content, allowing you to pick up where you left off. However, it can also become cluttered with titles you no longer wish to see or have accidentally started. Understanding how this algorithm works is crucial to effectively managing your “Continue Watching” list.
The Core Methods for Removal
While there isn’t a universal “delete” button within the Prime Video interface, there are reliable workarounds to remove content from your “Continue Watching” row. These methods revolve around manipulating your viewing history. Essentially, you’re telling Amazon you’ve never watched the title in question, prompting it to disappear from the list.
Method 1: Through Amazon’s Website
This is often the easiest and most consistent method, regardless of what device you use to stream Prime Video.
- Go to Amazon.com: Log in to your Amazon account.
- Navigate to Your Prime Video Settings: Hover over “Account & Lists” in the top right corner, then select “Prime Video” from the dropdown menu. This might require you to log in again.
- Access Viewing Activity: Click on the “Settings” gear icon in the top right corner, then select “Watch History”. This will display a list of everything you’ve watched on Prime Video.
- Remove the Title: Locate the movie or TV show episode you want to remove and click the “Remove this from watched videos” button next to it. It looks like an “X”. This should immediately remove the title from your “Continue Watching” list across all devices.
- Repeat as Necessary: Repeat step 4 for each title you want to remove.
Method 2: Through the Prime Video App (Mobile/TV)
While less consistent, some versions of the Prime Video app offer a removal option directly within the “Continue Watching” row. This functionality can be device-specific.
- Locate the Title: Navigate to the “Continue Watching” section within the Prime Video app on your device (phone, tablet, smart TV, or streaming device).
- Long Press or Hover: Depending on your device, either long-press on the movie/show tile or hover over it. This might reveal a contextual menu.
- Look for “Remove from Watch History”: Within the menu, look for an option like “Remove from Watch History,” “Hide this Video,” or something similar. Select this option.
- Confirm Removal: If prompted, confirm that you want to remove the title.
Important Note: The availability of this method depends entirely on the specific version of the Prime Video app and your device. If you don’t see a removal option, revert to Method 1 (using the Amazon website).
Method 3: Clearing Watch History in Settings
This option is sometimes available directly within the Prime Video settings. It generally clears all recently watched titles.
- Access Prime Video Settings: Navigate to the settings within the Prime Video app on your streaming device or smart TV.
- Find Watch History Options: Look for options like “Clear Watch History” or a similar phrase.
- Confirm and Clear: Confirm that you want to clear your watch history.
Caveat: This method clears all your recent watch history, not just the specific titles you want to remove. Use with caution if you want to maintain your watch history for other purposes.
Preventing Future Clutter
The best way to manage your “Continue Watching” list is to be proactive. Avoid starting movies or shows you don’t intend to finish. If you accidentally start something, immediately remove it from your watch history using Method 1. Also, consider using separate profiles within Prime Video for different members of your household to keep viewing histories distinct.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about removing content from the “Continue Watching” section on Amazon Prime Video:
Q1: Why can’t I just delete directly from the “Continue Watching” row?
Amazon’s design philosophy prioritizes ease of access to content over direct deletion functionality. The focus is on resuming playback, not necessarily managing the list. The removal process is intentionally routed through your watch history for consistency across devices.
Q2: Will removing a movie from my watch history affect my recommendations?
Yes, removing a title from your watch history can influence Amazon’s recommendation algorithm. Amazon uses your viewing habits to suggest similar movies and TV shows. Removing a title signals that you might not be interested in content of that genre or style.
Q3: I removed a show, but it keeps coming back. Why?
This usually happens if you’re accidentally re-starting the show, even for a few seconds. Ensure you haven’t resumed playback on any device linked to your account. Also, check if someone else using your account is accidentally watching it. Finally, check if the removal action has fully synchronized across all your devices. It might take a few minutes.
Q4: Can I remove multiple movies at once?
Unfortunately, Amazon doesn’t offer a bulk removal option. You need to remove each title individually from your watch history. Third-party browser extensions might offer this functionality, but use them with caution as they require access to your Amazon account data.
Q5: Does creating a separate profile help with this issue?
Yes! Creating separate profiles for each household member is highly recommended. This keeps viewing histories distinct and prevents unwanted content from appearing in your “Continue Watching” list.
Q6: How long does it take for a movie to disappear from “Continue Watching” after I remove it?
Generally, the removal is almost instantaneous. However, in some cases, it might take a few minutes to synchronize across all devices. If it persists after a few hours, try clearing your browser cache or restarting your Prime Video app.
Q7: Is there a limit to how many items can be in the “Continue Watching” row?
While there isn’t a formally documented limit, the “Continue Watching” row can become unwieldy if it contains too many titles. Removing content regularly is a good practice to maintain a manageable list.
Q8: Does this method work for removing shows from my watchlist (the “Watchlist” or “My Stuff” section)?
No, this method specifically addresses the “Continue Watching” row. The “Watchlist” is managed separately. To remove items from your “Watchlist,” you need to select the title and click the “Remove from Watchlist” (or similar) button, usually represented by a plus sign that has been converted into a checkmark or a minus sign after you’ve added the item to your watchlist.
Q9: I don’t see a “Watch History” option in my Prime Video settings. Where is it?
Amazon occasionally updates its interface. If you can’t find “Watch History” directly, look for an “Activity” or “Viewing Activity” section within your account settings. Ensure you’re logged into the correct Amazon account.
Q10: Will this remove the movie from my purchase history?
No, removing a movie from your watch history only affects the “Continue Watching” list and related recommendations. It does not affect your purchase or rental history.
Q11: Can I hide the “Continue Watching” row entirely?
Unfortunately, Amazon doesn’t provide an option to completely hide the “Continue Watching” row. You can only manage the content within it.
Q12: Is there a difference in removing titles from “Continue Watching” on different Amazon Prime Video regions (e.g., US vs. UK)?
The core method (removing titles via watch history on Amazon.com) should be consistent across different Amazon Prime Video regions. However, slight variations in the Prime Video app interface might exist, so the exact wording or location of options may differ slightly.