Netflix deletion removes your account and all its data

To delete your Netflix account, you log in, go to your account settings, find the "Cancel membership" or "Delete account" option, and confirm. Netflix will stop charging you when ready, though you keep access until your current billing period ends. After that date, your account, viewing history, saved shows, and profiles all disappear.

The process takes about five minutes. You do not need to contact Netflix support unless something blocks you from accessing your account — like a forgotten password or a payment method that no longer works. Netflix does not ask why you are leaving and does not offer a pause option; cancellation is final.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting your account stops all charges when ready, but you keep watching until your current billing period ends.
  • You can delete your account from any device where you are signed in — phone, tablet, computer, or streaming device.
  • Netflix permanently removes your viewing history, saved shows, and all profiles when you delete, with no way to recover them.
  • If you cannot access your account, reset your password or contact Netflix support before attempting deletion.
  • Deleting your account is different from removing a profile; removing a profile keeps your main account active.

Steps to delete your account on a computer or phone

Sign in to your Netflix account on a web browser or the Netflix app. On a computer, click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Account" from the dropdown menu. On a phone or tablet, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right, then tap your profile icon and select "Account."

Look for a section labeled "Membership & Billing" or "Plan Details." Below that, you will see a button that says "Cancel Membership" or "Delete Account" — the exact wording varies by region and account type. Click or tap it. Netflix will show you a confirmation screen explaining that you will lose access after your current billing period ends. Confirm the deletion, and your account is scheduled for removal.

What happens to your account after deletion

Your Netflix account does not vanish when ready. You keep full access — watching, downloading, creating profiles — until midnight on the last day of your current billing cycle. If you pay monthly and delete on the 15th of the month, you watch until the end of that month. If you pay annually, you watch until the anniversary date of your last payment.

After that date, Netflix locks you out completely. Your viewing history, saved shows, watchlist, and all profiles are permanently deleted. You cannot recover them. If you want to use Netflix again later, you create a brand-new account from scratch.

Deleting a profile versus deleting your entire account

Netflix lets you remove individual profiles without touching your main account. If you only want to delete one profile — like a child's profile or a roommate's profile — your account stays active and you keep paying. To remove a single profile, go to "Manage Profiles" in your account settings, select the profile you want to remove, and choose "Delete Profile."

Deleting a profile removes only that profile's viewing history and settings. Your other profiles and your main account continue working. This is useful if someone moves out or stops using Netflix but you want to keep your own account. Full account deletion, by contrast, shuts down everything.

If you cannot access your account

If you forgot your password, go to the Netflix login page and click "Forgot password?" Enter your email address, and Netflix sends a reset link. Check your spam folder if you do not see it in your inbox. Once you reset your password, sign in and follow the deletion steps above.

If your payment method is expired or invalid and Netflix locked your account, update your payment information in the account settings first. You may need to contact Netflix support if your account is fully suspended. Use the "Help" section on Netflix.com to start a chat or request a callback. Tell them you want to delete your account, and they will walk you through it or delete it for you.

Cancellation versus deletion

Netflix uses "cancel membership" and "delete account" somewhat interchangeably, but they mean the same thing: your account stops being charged and eventually disappears. Some regions or account types show one phrase, others show the other. Either button does the job.

Netflix does not offer a pause or freeze option. You cannot temporarily stop your subscription and resume it later at the same price. If you want to come back, you start fresh with whatever current pricing Netflix offers at that time.

What to do before you delete

If you share your Netflix account with family or roommates, tell them before you delete. They will lose access when your billing period ends. If you want them to keep watching, they can create their own accounts or you can add them as paid members on a plan that supports multiple users.

If you have downloaded shows or movies to watch offline, delete them from your device first if you want to keep them. Netflix removes access to all downloads when your account closes. Take screenshots of your watchlist or favorite shows if you want a record of what you watched.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I delete my account mid-month?

No. Netflix does not issue refunds for partial months. You keep access until the end of your current billing period, but you do not get money back for unused days. If you delete on the 15th of a 30-day month, you watch free for the remaining 15 days, but Netflix keeps the full month's payment.

Will Netflix ask me why I am leaving?

Netflix shows a cancellation survey after you delete, asking why you are leaving. You can answer or skip it. Your answers do not affect the deletion — they just help Netflix understand why people cancel. You do not have to fill it out.

Can I delete my account from a TV or streaming device?

Most streaming devices and smart TVs do not let you delete your account directly from the Netflix app. Sign in on a computer or phone instead, follow the deletion steps, and your account closes. The app on your TV will stop working after your billing period ends.

What if I share my account with someone else and they do not want to delete it?

If you both want to keep Netflix, one of you can create a separate account instead of sharing. Netflix offers plans with multiple profiles and simultaneous streams. The other person can start their own account and pay for their own plan, or you can add them as a paid member if your plan supports it.

Can I reactivate my account after I delete it?

You cannot reactivate a deleted account. If you want Netflix again, you create a brand-new account. You start with a fresh viewing history and no saved shows. Current pricing and available plans may have changed since you deleted.