No, you cannot directly delete a movie you’ve purchased from YouTube. While you cannot remove the purchase from your Google account’s history, you can hide the movie from your YouTube library and purchase history, effectively removing its visible presence within your account.
Understanding YouTube Movie Purchases and Ownership
Purchasing a movie on YouTube doesn’t equate to owning a physical copy or a digital download that you can freely control. Instead, you’re acquiring a license to stream the movie through the YouTube platform under specific terms of service. This fundamental difference explains why a deletion option doesn’t exist in the traditional sense. You’ve paid for the right to watch it, not necessarily to possess and control the digital file.
It’s crucial to differentiate between purchased movies and rented movies. Rental movies have a limited viewing window, after which they automatically disappear from your library. Purchased movies, however, remain accessible for streaming indefinitely (subject to YouTube’s terms of service, which can change over time). This permanence, while seemingly advantageous, can clutter your library with titles you no longer wish to see.
Hiding Purchased Movies: Your Primary Solution
Since outright deletion is impossible, your main recourse is to hide the purchased movie. This process removes the title from your YouTube library and purchase history, giving the impression that it’s been deleted. Here’s how to do it:
Step-by-Step Guide to Hiding a Purchased Movie
- Navigate to your Purchase History: Open YouTube in a web browser (this process is primarily desktop-based). Click on your profile icon in the top right corner and select “Purchases and memberships.”
- Locate the Movie: Find the purchased movie you want to hide in your list of transactions.
- Report a Problem: Next to the movie title, you’ll see three vertical dots (the “More Options” menu). Click on these dots and select “Report a problem.”
- Choose a Reason: You’ll be prompted to select a reason for reporting the problem. Choose the option that best fits, such as “I bought this by accident” or “I don’t want to see this anymore.” Keep in mind that YouTube isn’t necessarily going to refund you (especially if you watched the movie); this is simply a way to access the hiding feature.
- Submit Your Report: Follow the on-screen instructions to submit your report.
- Confirmation: The movie should now be hidden from your purchases and memberships list and your YouTube library.
Important Considerations:
- This method only hides the movie from your personal YouTube account. It doesn’t remove the purchase record from Google’s internal systems.
- You might occasionally see the movie reappear in search results or suggested content. This is because YouTube’s algorithm still recognizes that you’ve purchased the title.
Alternative Approaches and Limitations
While hiding is the most effective method for decluttering your YouTube library, other approaches, though limited, can contribute to minimizing the movie’s presence in your viewing experience.
Managing Your Watch History
Even if you hide the movie, it may still appear in your watch history. You can delete specific entries from your watch history to prevent the movie from appearing in your recommendations and to further distance yourself from the content within your account.
Using Incognito Mode
When browsing YouTube in incognito mode, your watch history and purchase history are not tracked, effectively preventing the movie from influencing your recommendations. This is a temporary solution and doesn’t affect your logged-in account.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 12 frequently asked questions about deleting or hiding purchased movies from YouTube:
1. Can I get a refund for a purchased movie on YouTube if I don’t like it?
YouTube’s refund policy typically only allows refunds for accidental purchases or technical issues. If you watched the movie and simply didn’t enjoy it, a refund is unlikely. Reporting a problem is still the best way to attempt hiding the title.
2. Does hiding a movie from my purchase history also hide it from my family members if I have family sharing enabled?
Yes, hiding a movie generally hides it from your family’s view as well, as it removes it from your purchase history associated with your account. However, it’s always best to confirm this on each family member’s device to be certain.
3. Will hiding a movie prevent it from appearing in my YouTube recommendations?
Hiding a movie and removing it from your watch history significantly reduces the likelihood of it appearing in your recommendations. However, YouTube’s algorithm is complex, and there’s no guarantee it will completely disappear.
4. Is there a way to permanently delete my YouTube purchase history?
No, there is no official way to permanently delete your YouTube purchase history. Google retains this information for various reasons, including accounting and legal compliance.
5. Can I hide a movie I rented, or does it automatically disappear after the rental period?
Rented movies automatically disappear from your library after the rental period expires, so there’s no need to manually hide them.
6. If I repurchase a hidden movie, will it automatically be hidden again?
No, if you repurchase a hidden movie, it will appear in your library and purchase history as a new purchase. You will need to hide it again if you wish to remove it from view.
7. Does hiding a movie on YouTube also hide it on other Google services, like Google Play Movies & TV?
Yes, since YouTube purchases are linked to your Google account, hiding a movie on YouTube will generally hide it on other Google services that use the same purchase history.
8. Can I hide multiple movies at once, or do I have to hide them individually?
You have to hide movies individually using the “Report a problem” method. There’s no bulk hiding feature available.
9. What happens if YouTube removes a movie I’ve purchased? Will I get a refund?
If YouTube removes a movie you’ve purchased due to licensing agreements or other reasons, you should be entitled to a refund. Contact YouTube support for assistance in this scenario.
10. Will hiding a movie on my computer also hide it on my phone and other devices?
Yes, hiding a movie on one device will generally hide it across all devices where you are logged into your Google account.
11. Is there a way to completely disassociate a purchased movie from my Google account?
No, there’s no way to completely disassociate a purchased movie from your Google account without closing your entire Google account. The purchase record remains tied to your account for Google’s internal records.
12. Can I contact YouTube support to request that a movie be removed from my account?
While contacting YouTube support is always an option, they are unlikely to grant a request to permanently remove a movie purchase from your account unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as an unauthorized purchase. They will likely direct you to the hiding method.
Conclusion
While the inability to truly delete purchased movies from YouTube may seem frustrating, the hiding feature provides a practical solution for decluttering your library and minimizing unwanted content. By understanding the limitations of digital ownership and employing the strategies outlined above, you can effectively manage your YouTube viewing experience and ensure that your library reflects your current preferences. Remember to manage your watch history and be mindful of the impact on family sharing if applicable. By taking these steps, you can maintain a clean and relevant YouTube experience.