The ability to delete watched movies on a Firestick isn’t always straightforward. While you can’t directly “delete” movies you’ve streamed from a service like Netflix or Amazon Prime, you can clear your viewing history and manage installed apps to optimize your Firestick’s performance and privacy. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough of these processes, along with tips for managing storage and preventing unwanted content from appearing on your device.
Understanding Viewing History vs. App Management
Many users conflate “watched movies” with “movies taking up space” on their Firestick. It’s important to distinguish between clearing your viewing history – which removes traces of what you’ve watched – and managing apps and storage – which frees up physical space on your device. Let’s break down each concept.
Clearing Viewing History (Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.)
Services like Netflix and Amazon Prime keep track of your viewing activity to personalize recommendations. Deleting “watched movies” in this context usually means removing them from your “Continue Watching” list or your overall viewing history. The methods vary depending on the specific streaming service.
Managing Apps and Storage
If you’ve downloaded movies through apps like Kodi (with legitimate add-ons, of course) or have downloaded apps that store downloaded content, deleting those apps or content is crucial to managing your Firestick’s storage. This process focuses on freeing up space, not simply removing viewing records.
Methods for Clearing Your Viewing History
Netflix Viewing History
- Access your Netflix account via a web browser: You’ll need to use a computer or mobile device. You cannot directly clear viewing history from the Firestick app itself.
- Navigate to “Account”: Find the “Account” section on your Netflix profile page.
- Find “Profile & Parental Controls”: Select the specific profile you want to edit.
- Click “Viewing Activity”: This will display a list of all movies and shows you’ve watched.
- Delete individual entries or entire series: You can remove titles one by one by clicking the “hide from viewing history” icon (a circle with a line through it). To remove an entire series, select the option to hide the series. Note that it can take up to 24 hours for changes to reflect on all devices.
Amazon Prime Video Viewing History
- Access your Amazon account via a web browser: Similar to Netflix, you’ll manage this via a web browser.
- Navigate to “Your Video Activity”: Go to the Amazon website and find the “Your Video Activity” section. This is usually located under “Accounts & Lists” and then “Digital Content & Devices.”
- Locate the unwanted movie: Find the movie you wish to remove from your viewing history.
- Click “Remove this from watched”: You will see an option to “Remove this from watched”. Clicking this will delete the movie from your viewing history.
Clearing Other Streaming App Viewing History
The method for clearing viewing history will vary depending on the app. Most apps do not offer this feature directly on the Firestick interface. Always check the app’s settings or help documentation on a separate device to understand how viewing history is managed.
Managing Apps and Storage on Your Firestick
This section focuses on freeing up space by deleting apps and cached data.
Uninstalling Apps
- Go to “Settings”: From the Firestick home screen, navigate to the “Settings” icon.
- Select “Applications”: In the settings menu, choose “Applications.”
- Go to “Manage Installed Applications”: Select this option to see a list of all apps installed on your Firestick.
- Choose the app you want to uninstall: Select the app you wish to remove.
- Click “Uninstall”: Confirm your decision to uninstall the app.
Clearing App Cache and Data
- Go to “Settings”: As before, navigate to the “Settings” icon from the home screen.
- Select “Applications”: In the settings menu, choose “Applications.”
- Go to “Manage Installed Applications”: Select this option to see a list of all apps installed on your Firestick.
- Choose the app you want to clear: Select the app you wish to clear cache and data from.
- Click “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data”: Select each option individually. Be aware that clearing data will often reset the app to its default settings, requiring you to log in again.
Using the Firestick’s Built-in Cleaner
The Firestick sometimes offers a built-in cleaner to help optimize performance. This is usually located under the “Settings” menu, often within the “Device” or “Storage” section. This tool can help remove unnecessary files and free up storage space.
Optimizing Your Firestick for Performance
Beyond simply deleting watched movies, several steps can improve your Firestick’s overall performance.
- Regularly clear cache and data: Make this a routine practice to prevent apps from accumulating unnecessary files.
- Uninstall unused apps: Only keep apps you actively use to maximize storage.
- Restart your Firestick regularly: A simple restart can often resolve minor performance issues. To restart, go to Settings -> My Fire TV -> Restart.
- Check for software updates: Ensure your Firestick is running the latest software version for optimal performance and security. This is found under Settings -> My Fire TV -> About -> Check for Updates.
- Consider an external storage device: If you frequently download content, an external USB drive can significantly expand your storage capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to deleting watched movies and managing storage on your Firestick:
FAQ 1: Can I delete movies I’ve purchased from Amazon Prime Video?
No, you cannot permanently delete movies you’ve purchased from your Amazon account. You can, however, remove them from your viewing history and hide them from your library. The purchased content remains tied to your Amazon account.
FAQ 2: Will uninstalling an app delete my account information?
Uninstalling an app typically removes the app and its associated data from your Firestick, but it does not delete your account on the service itself (like Netflix or Hulu). Your account information remains with the service provider.
FAQ 3: How do I prevent my viewing history from being tracked in the first place?
Most streaming services have privacy settings that allow you to control data collection and personalized recommendations. Explore the privacy settings within each app to adjust these preferences.
FAQ 4: Is there a way to automatically clear the cache on my Firestick?
While there’s no built-in feature for automated cache clearing, you can use third-party apps that claim to offer this functionality. However, exercise caution when installing third-party apps, as some may be malicious.
FAQ 5: How do I know which apps are taking up the most space on my Firestick?
Go to “Settings” -> “Applications” -> “Manage Installed Applications.” This screen shows a list of all apps along with their storage usage. This helps you identify which apps are consuming the most space.
FAQ 6: What happens if I clear data for an app I use frequently?
Clearing data resets the app to its default state, essentially as if you just installed it. This means you’ll need to log in again and reconfigure your settings. It can be useful for troubleshooting app issues but should be done cautiously.
FAQ 7: Can I delete watched movies on apps like Kodi?
If you’ve streamed content via Kodi using add-ons, the process for deleting watched movies depends on the specific add-on. Some add-ons have their own built-in history or cache that needs to be cleared within the add-on’s settings.
FAQ 8: Does clearing my viewing history affect other devices connected to the same account?
Yes, clearing your viewing history on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video will typically affect all devices connected to the same account. Changes may take up to 24 hours to synchronize across all devices.
FAQ 9: How do I stop my kids from watching inappropriate content on the Firestick?
Utilize the Firestick’s parental controls to restrict access to certain apps and content. You can set a PIN to prevent unauthorized purchases and restrict access to specific age ratings.
FAQ 10: My Firestick is still slow even after clearing the cache and uninstalling apps. What else can I do?
Consider performing a factory reset. This will erase all data on your Firestick and restore it to its original factory settings. Be sure to back up any important data before performing a factory reset.
FAQ 11: Is it safe to use third-party cleaner apps on my Firestick?
Exercise caution when using third-party cleaner apps. Some may be legitimate, but others could be malicious or ineffective. Read reviews and research the app thoroughly before installing it.
FAQ 12: I cleared the cache, but the app still shows up under “Manage Installed Applications”. Why?
Clearing the cache only removes temporary files. The app itself remains installed. To remove the app entirely, you need to uninstall it.
By understanding the difference between viewing history and app management, and by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively manage your Firestick, optimize its performance, and maintain your privacy.