Deleting movies from iTunes, now primarily known as the Apple TV app on newer macOS versions, involves a few simple steps, depending on where the movie is stored (locally downloaded or in the cloud) and the device you’re using. Primarily, you’ll want to remove the local download to free up space, and then consider removing the movie from your purchase history if desired.
Removing Movies from Your Devices: A Step-by-Step Guide
The process for deleting movies differs slightly based on whether you are using a Mac, PC, or an iOS device. Here’s a breakdown of each:
Deleting Movies on a Mac (macOS Catalina and Later)
With the introduction of macOS Catalina, iTunes was replaced by separate apps, including the Apple TV app. To delete movies on a Mac running Catalina or later:
- Open the Apple TV app. You’ll find it in your Applications folder or Launchpad.
- Navigate to your Library. In the sidebar, look for “Library” and click on “Movies.”
- Locate the movie you want to delete. Scroll through your movie library to find the specific film.
- Right-click (or Control-click) on the movie. A context menu will appear.
- Choose “Delete.” Select “Delete” from the menu. You may see options like “Remove Download” or simply “Delete.” Choosing “Remove Download” removes the movie file from your computer but leaves it available in the cloud for streaming or future download. “Delete” often refers to removing it entirely from your Library, which might impact its visibility across devices.
- Confirm the deletion. A prompt may appear asking you to confirm the deletion. Click “Delete” again to proceed.
Deleting Movies on a Mac (macOS Mojave and Earlier)
If you’re still using macOS Mojave or earlier, you’ll be using iTunes to manage your movie library. The process is similar but involves a slightly different interface:
- Open iTunes.
- Navigate to your Movies library. In the sidebar, click on “Movies” under the “Library” section. If you don’t see the sidebar, go to “View” in the menu bar and select “Show Sidebar.”
- Locate the movie you want to delete.
- Right-click (or Control-click) on the movie.
- Choose “Delete.” Again, you might see options for removing the download or deleting the movie entirely from your library.
- Confirm the deletion.
Deleting Movies on a PC (Windows)
The process for deleting movies on a PC using iTunes is very similar to the macOS Mojave and earlier steps:
- Open iTunes.
- Navigate to your Movies library. Click on “Movies” under the “Library” section in the sidebar. If you don’t see the sidebar, go to “View” in the menu bar and select “Show Sidebar.”
- Locate the movie you want to delete.
- Right-click on the movie.
- Choose “Delete.” Choose “Delete from Library” to remove the movie. It will ask if you want to keep the file or move it to the Recycle Bin. Keeping the file removes it from iTunes but keeps it on your computer. Moving it to the Recycle Bin completely removes it from your hard drive.
- Confirm the deletion.
Deleting Movies on iPhone or iPad
Deleting movies directly from your iOS device is generally done to remove downloaded content, freeing up storage space. To delete:
- Open the TV app (or the Videos app on older iOS versions).
- Go to your Library. Tap on “Library” at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap on “Downloaded.” This shows you only the movies that are physically stored on your device.
- Find the movie you want to delete.
- Swipe left on the movie title. A “Delete” button will appear.
- Tap “Delete.” This removes the downloaded file from your device.
Removing Movies from Your Purchase History
While deleting a downloaded movie removes it from your device’s storage, it doesn’t erase the record of your purchase. If you want to completely hide a movie from your purchase history, you can do so, but be aware of the limitations. Hiding a purchase is not the same as getting a refund. It simply removes it from view.
- Open the Apple TV app (or iTunes on older systems).
- Go to Account settings. This step varies slightly depending on your device:
- Mac (Apple TV app): Click on your account icon in the upper right corner, then select “View Account.” You may need to sign in.
- iTunes on PC or older Mac: Go to “Account” in the menu bar and select “View My Account.” You may need to sign in.
- Scroll down to “Purchase History.” Click on “See All” next to Purchase History.
- Find the movie you want to hide. Scroll through your purchase history or use the search bar.
- Hide the purchase. Look for an option to hide the purchase. It may be a “Hide Purchase” button or a similar icon (often an ‘X’). Click on it.
- Confirm. You may be asked to confirm your decision.
Important Note: Hiding a purchase is not a permanent deletion. You can unhide purchases later if you wish. This also does not delete the movie from your family sharing group if it was shared.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions about deleting movies from iTunes and the Apple TV app:
FAQ 1: What’s the difference between “Remove Download” and “Delete” in the Apple TV app?
“Remove Download” only deletes the locally stored file from your device. The movie remains in your library and available for streaming or re-downloading later. “Delete” might remove the movie from your visible library, especially if it’s a rental that has expired. The exact behavior can vary based on whether you own the movie, rented it, or have access through Apple TV+.
FAQ 2: Can I get a refund for a movie I accidentally purchased?
It’s possible, but not guaranteed. Contact Apple Support immediately after the accidental purchase and explain the situation. They will review your case and determine if a refund is appropriate. Accidental purchases must be reported as soon as possible to increase the likelihood of a refund.
FAQ 3: How do I unhide a movie that I previously hid from my purchase history?
Go to your Account settings in the Apple TV app (or iTunes). In the “Purchase History” section, look for an option to “Unhide Purchases” or “Manage Hidden Purchases.” You’ll be able to see a list of your hidden purchases and unhide them.
FAQ 4: Why can’t I delete a movie from my iPhone or iPad?
Make sure you are in the “Downloaded” section of your Library in the TV app. If the movie isn’t downloaded to your device, you won’t be able to delete it directly from your iPhone or iPad. It will only exist in the cloud.
FAQ 5: Will deleting a movie from iTunes on my Mac delete it from my iPhone?
It depends. If you are simply removing the downloaded version from your Mac, the movie will still be available for streaming on your iPhone, as long as you are signed in to the same Apple ID. If you delete the movie completely from your library, and have iCloud syncing enabled, it may disappear from your other devices as well.
FAQ 6: How do I stop movies from automatically downloading to my devices?
Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad. Tap on TV, then turn off the “Automatic Downloads” option for Movies. This will prevent movies you purchase on other devices from automatically downloading to your iOS device.
FAQ 7: What happens if I delete a movie that’s part of a TV show season pass?
Deleting a movie that’s part of a TV show season pass only removes that individual episode from your library or device. You’ll still have access to the rest of the season pass content. You won’t be refunded for the individual episode.
FAQ 8: Can I delete a movie that I rented?
Yes, you can delete a rented movie. Deleting it only removes the downloaded file from your device. However, keep in mind that once you start watching a rental, you have a limited time to finish it. Deleting it doesn’t extend the rental period. Rented movies automatically expire after 30 days of downloading or 48 hours after you start watching.
FAQ 9: I deleted a movie, but it still shows up in my iTunes library. Why?
This could be a caching issue. Try restarting iTunes or the Apple TV app. If that doesn’t work, try signing out of your Apple ID and then signing back in. This often refreshes your library and removes any lingering entries.
FAQ 10: Is it possible to permanently delete a movie purchase from my Apple ID?
No, it is not possible to permanently delete a purchase from your Apple ID. You can only hide it from your purchase history, as described above. This is to maintain a record of your transactions for legal and accounting purposes.
FAQ 11: How does Family Sharing affect deleting movies?
If you’re using Family Sharing, deleting a movie from your device or library doesn’t necessarily delete it from the family organizer’s account or other family members’ devices. The movie will remain accessible to the family organizer, and other members can still download it if they have access. However, if the organizer hides the movie, it will be hidden for all family members.
FAQ 12: Can I delete movies from iTunes in the Cloud?
The concept of deleting something from “iTunes in the Cloud” can be confusing. If you are referring to iCloud Drive, movies are not stored there unless you manually save them there. Movies you purchase or rent from the iTunes Store are stored within Apple’s ecosystem, associated with your Apple ID. Deleting locally downloaded copies frees up device storage; hiding a purchase affects its visibility, but the original transaction record remains.