Deleting movies you’ve purchased or rented on iTunes (now accessed through the Apple TV app) is a straightforward process, but it differs slightly depending on whether you want to remove the downloaded file from your device or hide the movie from your purchase history altogether. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of both scenarios, ensuring you can manage your digital library effectively.
Understanding Movie Deletion on iTunes/Apple TV
The term “delete” in the context of iTunes (now the Apple TV app) can be misleading. Generally, you’re not permanently deleting the movie from Apple’s servers (if it’s a purchase). Instead, you are either:
- Removing the downloaded movie file from your device, freeing up storage space. The movie remains in your purchase history and can be downloaded again later.
- Hiding the movie from your purchase history. This doesn’t delete the movie, but it won’t appear in your list of purchased items. This option is primarily for organizational purposes.
The method you choose depends on your goal: saving storage or decluttering your purchase history.
Deleting Downloaded Movie Files
This is the most common scenario. You’ve watched the movie and now want to free up space on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV.
On iPhone or iPad
- Open the Apple TV app. (The icon is typically a white TV on a red background).
- Tap the “Library” tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Select “Downloaded”. This will show you only the movies currently downloaded to your device.
- Locate the movie you want to delete.
- Tap and hold on the movie title until a menu appears.
- Select “Remove Download”. This will delete the movie file from your device but keep it in your purchase history.
- Alternatively, for some older iOS versions, swipe left on the movie title and tap the “Delete” button that appears. Choose “Remove Download” here as well.
On Mac
Since the iTunes app was replaced by separate Music, TV, and Podcast apps on macOS Catalina and later, movie management is now done through the Apple TV app.
- Open the Apple TV app.
- In the sidebar, click “Library”.
- Click “Movies”.
- Find the movie you want to delete.
- Right-click (or Ctrl-click) on the movie title.
- Select “Remove Download”. This will remove the downloaded file from your Mac.
On Apple TV
- From the Apple TV home screen, navigate to the “Movies” app (likely named “TV”).
- Go to the “Library” tab.
- Scroll down to find the movie you want to delete.
- Highlight the movie and press and hold the Select button (the center button) on your Apple TV remote.
- A menu will appear. Select “Remove Download”. This will free up storage space on your Apple TV.
Hiding Movies from Your Purchase History
If you want to clean up your purchase history and prevent a movie from appearing in your list of purchased items, you can hide it. This does not delete the movie; you can still access it if you know the direct link or search for it specifically. This is useful for movies you don’t want others (or yourself) to accidentally re-download or see in your shared family library.
On iPhone, iPad, or Mac
- Open the App Store app. (Not the Apple TV app for this process!)
- Tap your profile picture at the top right of the screen.
- Tap “Purchased”.
- Find the movie you want to hide.
- Swipe left on the movie title (on iOS devices) or hover your mouse over the movie title (on Mac) until a hide button (usually a three-dot menu or a “X”) appears.
- Tap the “Hide” button.
- Confirm that you want to hide the movie.
Restoring Hidden Purchases
If you change your mind, you can unhide movies.
- Open the App Store app.
- Tap your profile picture at the top right of the screen.
- Tap your Apple ID (You might need to authenticate with Touch ID, Face ID, or your password).
- Scroll down and tap “Hidden Purchases”.
- Find the movie you want to unhide and tap the “Unhide” button.
FAQs: Your Movie Deletion Questions Answered
Here are some frequently asked questions about deleting movies on iTunes (now the Apple TV app):
FAQ 1: What’s the difference between “Remove Download” and “Delete” on iTunes/Apple TV?
“Remove Download” only deletes the downloaded file from your device. The movie remains in your purchase history and can be re-downloaded at any time, assuming it’s still available in the iTunes Store. True “deletion” (completely removing it from your account and Apple’s servers) is not typically an option for purchased movies. “Delete” is sometimes used interchangeably, but it’s essential to understand that it typically refers to “Remove Download.”
FAQ 2: Can I permanently delete a movie I purchased from my Apple ID?
Unfortunately, no. Apple does not offer a way to permanently delete purchased movies from your Apple ID. You can only hide them from your purchase history.
FAQ 3: I accidentally deleted a movie I purchased. How do I get it back?
If you removed the downloaded file, simply go to the “Purchased” section of the Apple TV app (or the “Movies” section of your Library in the TV app on macOS) and re-download the movie. It will be free of charge since you already purchased it.
FAQ 4: Will deleting a movie on one device delete it on all my devices?
Deleting a downloaded file from one device only removes it from that specific device. The movie remains in your purchase history and accessible on your other devices connected to the same Apple ID. Hiding a movie from your purchase history, however, will hide it across all devices linked to that Apple ID.
FAQ 5: I rented a movie. What happens when the rental period expires?
When your rental period expires, the movie is automatically removed from your device. You typically don’t need to manually delete it.
FAQ 6: How do I free up storage space on my Apple TV?
Deleting downloaded movies (as described above) is the primary way to free up storage space on your Apple TV. You can also check for and delete unused apps.
FAQ 7: My Apple TV is almost full. What should I delete first?
Prioritize deleting downloaded movies and TV shows that you’ve already watched. Large apps that you rarely use are also good candidates for deletion.
FAQ 8: Why can’t I find the “Remove Download” option?
Ensure you’re looking at the downloaded version of the movie. Go to the “Downloaded” section of your library within the Apple TV app to see only movies currently on your device. The option may also be named slightly differently depending on your device and operating system version (e.g., “Remove”).
FAQ 9: Can I download movies to an external hard drive on my Mac?
While the Apple TV app doesn’t officially support downloading directly to an external drive, you can move the downloaded files after they’re on your Mac. Find the location of the downloaded movies (typically in the “Movies” folder within your user directory) and move them to your external drive.
FAQ 10: How do I share movies I purchased with my family?
Use Apple’s Family Sharing feature. This allows up to six family members to share purchases from the App Store, iTunes Store, and Apple Books, as well as an Apple Music family subscription and iCloud storage plan. Enable Family Sharing in your iCloud settings.
FAQ 11: I hid a movie, but it still shows up in search results. Why?
Hiding a movie only removes it from your purchase history. It doesn’t prevent it from appearing in search results. Search results are based on the iTunes Store catalog, not your purchase history.
FAQ 12: I keep getting prompted to download a movie I deleted. How do I stop this?
This usually happens when iCloud Download Optimization is enabled. Go to Settings > TV > iTunes Videos (or TV App) and turn off “Optimize Storage”. This prevents automatic downloads of previously purchased movies.