Seeing which movies you’ve watched on Netflix is easier than you might think, although the process differs slightly depending on whether you’re using a web browser or the mobile app. While Netflix doesn’t offer a single, elegantly designed “watched movies” section, you can access your Viewing Activity to reconstruct your viewing history and identify the films you’ve enjoyed (or endured).
Accessing Your Netflix Viewing Activity: A Step-by-Step Guide
The primary method for reviewing your Netflix viewing history lies within the Account Settings. While the mobile app allows you to manage profiles, removing titles, and downloading, accessing the comprehensive viewing activity requires using a web browser.
Using a Web Browser (Desktop or Mobile)
- Log in to Netflix: Open your preferred web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) and navigate to the Netflix website (www.netflix.com). Enter your email address and password to log in.
- Select Your Profile: If you have multiple profiles on your account, choose the profile you want to review.
- Access Account Settings: Hover over your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear. Click on “Account.”
- Find “Profile & Parental Controls”: Scroll down the Account page until you find the “Profile & Parental Controls” section. This section lists all profiles associated with your account.
- Choose the Profile: Select the specific profile whose viewing activity you wish to examine. Click on the arrow next to the profile name to expand its options.
- View Viewing Activity: Under the selected profile, you will see several options, including “Viewing Activity.” Click on “Viewing Activity.”
- Review Your History: This page displays a chronological list of everything you’ve watched on Netflix, including movies, TV shows, and individual episodes. You can scroll through the list to see past viewing sessions.
- Download Your History (Optional): Netflix allows you to download your entire viewing history as a CSV file. Click the “Download” link at the bottom of the page to obtain this file. This is useful for offline analysis or creating personalized recommendations.
Understanding Your Viewing Activity
The Viewing Activity page shows a chronological list of what you’ve watched. Each entry includes the title of the movie or TV show and the date it was watched. Keep in mind that if you only watched a portion of a movie or show, it might still appear in your history. If you share your account, the history will reflect the viewing activity of all users on that profile.
Managing Your Netflix Viewing History
Beyond simply viewing your history, you can also manage it. This allows you to remove items from your viewing activity, preventing them from influencing Netflix’s recommendation algorithms.
Removing Titles From Your Viewing Activity
- Locate the Title: Find the movie or TV show you want to remove from your viewing activity on the “Viewing Activity” page (following the steps above).
- Click the “Hide” Icon: Next to each title, you’ll see a small “Hide” icon (usually represented by a crossed-out circle). Click this icon to remove the title from your viewing activity.
- Hide Entire Series (TV Shows): For TV shows, you have the option to hide the entire series by clicking the “Hide series?” link that appears after you hide a single episode.
- Confirm Removal: Netflix will ask you to confirm that you want to hide the selected title or series. Confirm your selection.
- Refresh the Page: The removed title should disappear from your viewing activity within a few minutes. If it doesn’t, try refreshing the page.
Why Remove Items From Your Viewing Activity?
Removing items from your viewing activity has several benefits:
- Improved Recommendations: It prevents Netflix from recommending similar titles based on movies or shows you didn’t enjoy or only watched accidentally.
- Account Privacy: It allows you to keep your viewing history private, especially if you share your account with others.
- Algorithm Training: Netflix uses your viewing history to refine its algorithms. Removing titles ensures that your recommendations are based on your genuine preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about viewing and managing your Netflix history:
FAQ 1: Can I see my Netflix viewing activity on the mobile app?
No, the full Viewing Activity page is only accessible through a web browser (desktop or mobile). The mobile app allows you to remove titles from the “Continue Watching” section and manage downloads, but not view the complete history.
FAQ 2: How far back does my Netflix viewing history go?
Netflix retains your viewing history indefinitely. You can scroll back to the very beginning of your account’s activity.
FAQ 3: Can I recover a title I accidentally removed from my viewing activity?
Unfortunately, no. Once you’ve removed a title from your viewing activity, there’s no way to undo the action or retrieve it.
FAQ 4: Does deleting a profile also delete its viewing history?
Yes, deleting a profile permanently deletes all associated data, including its viewing history, My List, and personalized recommendations.
FAQ 5: How can I prevent others from seeing my viewing history on a shared Netflix account?
The best way is to create a separate profile for each user. This ensures that each person has their own viewing history and personalized recommendations. Also, remember to always log out of your Netflix account on shared devices.
FAQ 6: Can I export my Netflix viewing history to a spreadsheet?
Yes, as mentioned earlier, Netflix allows you to download your viewing history as a CSV file. You can then open this file in a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for further analysis.
FAQ 7: Does Netflix use my viewing history for anything other than recommendations?
Yes, Netflix uses your viewing history to understand viewing trends, personalize marketing communications, and develop new content. This data is anonymized and aggregated to protect user privacy.
FAQ 8: What’s the difference between “Continue Watching” and “Viewing Activity?”
“Continue Watching” displays titles you’ve started but haven’t finished. “Viewing Activity” shows a comprehensive chronological list of everything you’ve watched, regardless of whether you finished it or not.
FAQ 9: Can I clear my entire Netflix viewing history at once?
No, Netflix doesn’t offer a “clear all” button. You have to manually remove titles one by one. However, you can use browser extensions or scripts to automate this process (at your own risk, as these are not officially supported by Netflix).
FAQ 10: Does Netflix track viewing activity on all devices equally?
Yes, Netflix tracks your viewing activity regardless of the device you’re using (smart TV, smartphone, tablet, computer, etc.) as long as you are logged into the same profile.
FAQ 11: I’m seeing titles in my viewing activity that I didn’t watch. What could be happening?
This usually indicates that someone else is using your Netflix account or that your profile is linked to another user’s viewing activity (if you share your account). Change your password immediately and ensure each user has their own profile.
FAQ 12: If I switch to a different Netflix plan (e.g., from Standard to Premium), will my viewing history be affected?
No, your viewing history is tied to your account, not your subscription plan. Changing your plan will not affect your viewing history, My List, or other personalized settings.
By understanding how to access and manage your Netflix viewing activity, you can take control of your recommendations, protect your privacy, and gain a better understanding of your own viewing habits.