Deleting iTunes movies, regardless of whether you purchased them or rented them, is a straightforward process designed to free up storage space on your devices. The method varies slightly depending on whether you want to remove the movie entirely from your iTunes library (including your download history) or simply delete the downloaded file from your device. This article provides a comprehensive guide to deleting iTunes movies, covering various scenarios and offering practical advice to ensure a seamless experience.
Understanding iTunes Movie Deletion
Before diving into the “how,” it’s crucial to understand the difference between deleting a movie from your local storage and removing it from your iTunes account. Deleting a downloaded movie from your device (iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC) only removes the file itself. The movie will still appear in your iTunes library, marked with a cloud icon indicating it can be re-downloaded at any time (if purchased). Removing a movie entirely from your iTunes account is a more permanent action, which is typically only possible for rentals. Purchased movies are usually retained in your purchase history, even if you delete the downloaded file.
Deleting Downloaded Movies from Your Devices
Deleting Movies on iPhone and iPad
This is the most common scenario, as mobile devices often have limited storage. Here’s how to delete downloaded iTunes movies from your iPhone or iPad:
- Open the TV app (formerly the Videos app). If you are on an older iOS version, the app might still be called “Videos.”
- Navigate to the Library tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Select Downloaded to view movies stored locally on your device.
- Find the movie you wish to delete.
- Press and hold on the movie title.
- A menu will appear. Select Remove.
- Choose Remove Download. This will delete the downloaded file but leave the movie listed in your library.
Important Note: This process only removes the downloaded version of the movie. It does not delete the movie from your purchase history or your iTunes account.
Deleting Movies on a Mac or PC
Deleting movies from your computer is equally straightforward, but involves using the Apple TV app on newer macOS versions or iTunes on older macOS versions and PCs.
Using the Apple TV app (macOS Catalina and later):
- Open the Apple TV app.
- Click on Library in the sidebar.
- Select Movies.
- Locate the movie you want to delete.
- Right-click (or control-click) on the movie title.
- Choose Delete.
- A dialog box will appear asking if you want to move the movie to the Trash. Confirm by clicking Move to Trash.
Using iTunes (older macOS versions and PCs):
- Open iTunes.
- Click on Movies under the “Library” section in the left sidebar.
- Find the movie you want to delete.
- Right-click on the movie title.
- Choose Delete.
- A dialog box will appear asking if you want to move the movie to the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (macOS). Confirm by clicking Move to Recycle Bin/Trash.
- You may also be asked if you want to keep the file or move it to the Recycle Bin/Trash. Choose Move to Recycle Bin/Trash to completely remove it from your computer.
Important Note: Remember to empty the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (macOS) to permanently delete the movie file and free up disk space.
Removing Rentals
iTunes rentals have a limited viewing window. After the rental period expires, the movie will automatically be removed from your device. However, you can also manually delete a rented movie using the steps outlined above for deleting downloaded movies. Once the rental period expires, the movie will no longer be available for viewing, even if the file remains on your device.
Hiding Purchased Movies (Workaround)
While you cannot technically “delete” purchased movies from your Apple ID purchase history, you can hide them. This will prevent them from appearing in your iTunes library and on other devices connected to your Apple ID. Here’s how:
- Open the iTunes Store app on your iPhone, iPad, or computer (or the Apple TV app on macOS Catalina and later).
- Navigate to your Account settings. This usually involves clicking on your profile picture or Apple ID.
- Find the Purchased section.
- Select Movies.
- Locate the movie you want to hide.
- Tap or click the ‘X’ icon (or a similar option) that appears in the corner of the movie poster. The exact method may vary depending on the device and iTunes version.
- Confirm that you want to hide the movie.
Important Note: Hiding a movie only prevents it from appearing in your library. It remains associated with your Apple ID and can be unhidden later.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about deleting iTunes movies:
FAQ 1: Can I delete a movie permanently from my iTunes account?
No, generally you cannot permanently delete purchased movies from your iTunes account. You can only hide them from your purchase history. Rental movies, however, are automatically removed after the viewing period expires.
FAQ 2: What happens if I delete a movie and then want to watch it again?
If you purchased the movie, you can re-download it at any time from your purchase history, as long as it is still available on the iTunes Store. Just look for the cloud icon next to the movie title.
FAQ 3: Does deleting a movie from one device delete it from all my devices?
No. Deleting a downloaded movie only removes it from the specific device where you performed the deletion. It will still be available for download on other devices linked to your Apple ID.
FAQ 4: I deleted a movie, but it still shows up in my library. Why?
You likely only deleted the downloaded file. The movie listing remains in your library because it’s still associated with your Apple ID. Look for a cloud icon next to the title, indicating you can re-download it.
FAQ 5: How do I unhide a movie that I previously hid?
In the iTunes Store or Apple TV app, navigate to your Account settings, find the “Hidden Purchases” section (sometimes labeled differently depending on the iTunes version), and locate the movie you want to unhide.
FAQ 6: Will deleting a movie free up space on my device?
Yes, deleting a downloaded movie will free up the storage space that the movie file occupied. This is particularly important for iPhones and iPads with limited storage.
FAQ 7: What if I can’t find the movie I want to delete in my library?
Make sure you are looking in the correct section of your library (Movies). Also, check if the movie is already downloaded on your device. If it’s not, it might not appear in the “Downloaded” section. Finally, ensure you are logged in with the Apple ID that was used to purchase or rent the movie.
FAQ 8: I accidentally deleted a movie. Can I get it back?
If you deleted the downloaded file, you can easily re-download it from your purchase history (for purchased movies). If you deleted the movie file and then emptied your Recycle Bin/Trash, it’s generally unrecoverable without data recovery software.
FAQ 9: Is there a way to automatically delete movies after I’ve watched them?
Unfortunately, there’s no built-in feature to automatically delete movies after viewing. You’ll need to manually delete them.
FAQ 10: What’s the difference between deleting and hiding a movie?
Deleting refers to removing the downloaded movie file from a specific device. Hiding refers to removing the movie from your purchase history listing across all your devices, although it remains associated with your Apple ID and can be unhidden.
FAQ 11: Can I delete a movie that I rented from iTunes?
Yes, you can delete a rented movie at any time, even before the rental period expires. However, deleting it doesn’t extend the rental period. Once the rental period is over, the movie will no longer be playable.
FAQ 12: How do I manage my iTunes storage effectively?
Regularly delete downloaded movies and other media files that you no longer need. Consider using cloud storage services like iCloud to store photos and videos, freeing up space on your devices. Utilize features like “Optimize iPhone Storage” to automatically remove full-resolution photos and videos from your device, replacing them with smaller, optimized versions while keeping the original files in iCloud.