How to Delete Netflix Movies: Clearing Your History and Managing Downloads

You can’t technically “delete” movies from the Netflix library itself. However, you can remove titles from your viewing history and delete downloaded content from your devices, effectively controlling what you see and how much storage Netflix occupies. This article provides a comprehensive guide to managing your Netflix viewing experience and storage space.

Table of Contents

Understanding Netflix’s Content and Your Account

Netflix operates on a streaming model, offering a vast library of movies and shows accessible to its subscribers. Unlike owning a physical copy or even a digital purchase from a service like iTunes, you’re essentially renting access to Netflix content. This means you can’t permanently remove titles from their servers. Instead, your control lies in managing your viewing history, which influences recommendations, and managing downloads on your devices. Deleting downloads frees up valuable storage space, while managing viewing history helps tailor your Netflix experience.

Removing Titles from Your Netflix Viewing History

Your viewing history significantly impacts Netflix’s recommendation algorithm. Removing unwanted or mistakenly watched titles can improve the quality of suggested content. Here’s how to do it:

Accessing Your Viewing Activity

Log in to your Netflix account via a web browser. This function isn’t consistently available across all devices or the Netflix app.
Click on your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
Select “Account” from the dropdown menu.
Scroll down to the “Profile & Parental Controls” section.
Click on the profile for which you want to remove viewing history.
Click on “Viewing activity.” This will take you to a page listing all the content watched under that profile.

Deleting Individual Titles

Once you’re on the “Viewing activity” page:

Locate the movie or episode you want to remove.
Click on the “Hide from viewing history” icon, represented by a circle with a line through it, located next to the title.

Deleting Your Entire Viewing History

Netflix also offers the option to delete your entire viewing history:

At the bottom of the “Viewing activity” page, you’ll find the option “Hide all.”
Clicking this will remove your entire viewing history.
Important Note: It may take up to 24 hours for the changes to fully reflect in your recommendations.

Managing Netflix Downloads

Downloading content allows you to watch movies and shows offline. However, these downloads consume storage space. Here’s how to manage them:

Deleting Downloads on Your Device

Open the Netflix app on your phone, tablet, or computer.
Navigate to the “Downloads” section. This is typically found in the bottom menu or side navigation.
Locate the movie or episode you want to delete.
Tap the “Edit” icon (often represented by a pencil or three vertical dots).
Select the checkbox next to the titles you want to delete.
Tap the “Delete” icon (often a trash can).

Managing Downloads on Multiple Devices (Download Restrictions)

Netflix allows you to control how many devices can download content simultaneously. This can be useful for families sharing an account.

Log in to your Netflix account via a web browser.
Click on your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
Select “Account” from the dropdown menu.
Scroll down to the “Profile & Parental Controls” section.
Click on the profile for which you want to adjust download settings.
Select “Download devices.”
From here, you can remove devices that are actively downloading content.

FAQs: Your Netflix Management Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions about managing your Netflix experience:

How long does it take for a deleted item to disappear from my viewing activity? Generally, it takes a few minutes for individual items to disappear. However, Netflix states that it can take up to 24 hours for the changes to fully reflect in your recommendations.
Can I prevent my children from accessing certain content on Netflix? Yes, Netflix offers parental controls. You can set maturity levels for each profile, block specific titles, and require a PIN to access certain content. These settings are found within the “Profile & Parental Controls” section of your account.
How do I download content in higher quality? You can adjust the download quality in the Netflix app settings. Go to “App Settings” and then “Download Video Quality” to choose between Standard and Higher quality. Keep in mind that higher quality downloads will consume more storage space.
What happens if I cancel my Netflix subscription? When you cancel your subscription, all downloaded content will become unavailable. You will no longer be able to access any Netflix movies or shows.
Can I download Netflix movies and shows to a USB drive or external hard drive? No, Netflix downloads are encrypted and can only be played within the Netflix app on the device they were downloaded to. Transferring them to external storage is not supported.
Why are my Netflix recommendations still showing shows I’ve deleted from my viewing history? Even after deleting from your viewing history, Netflix may still consider other factors, such as genres you’ve watched and similar titles, when making recommendations. Patience is key; the algorithm adapts over time.
Is there a limit to how many movies and shows I can download? The number of downloads allowed depends on your Netflix plan and device. Some plans have a limited number of devices that can have downloads at the same time. Check your plan details for specifics.
How do I find the “Profile & Parental Controls” section on my Smart TV? While you can browse Netflix on your Smart TV, account management features like “Profile & Parental Controls” are primarily accessible through a web browser on a computer or mobile device.
Can I undo a deletion from my viewing activity? Yes, on the “Viewing activity” page, you’ll see a “Show again” link next to titles you’ve hidden. Clicking this will restore the title to your viewing history.
Will deleting a title from “Continue Watching” also delete it from my viewing history? No. “Continue Watching” is a separate queue based on partially watched content. Deleting from “Continue Watching” simply removes it from that queue; it doesn’t affect your viewing history.
My Netflix app isn’t showing the “Downloads” option. Why? The “Downloads” option is only available on certain devices, primarily mobile phones and tablets running iOS or Android, and computers running Windows 10 or later with the Netflix app installed. Some smart TVs and streaming devices do not support downloads.
What does the download icon (arrow pointing down) mean on a title? The download icon indicates that the title is available for offline viewing. Not all content on Netflix is downloadable due to licensing restrictions. The absence of the icon means it’s streaming-only.

By understanding how to manage your viewing history and downloads, you can take control of your Netflix experience, ensuring that you see relevant recommendations, free up valuable storage space, and enjoy a personalized streaming journey.