Netflix stores everything you watch, and you can delete it
Netflix keeps a record of every show and movie you start, even if you stop after 30 seconds. This history feeds the recommendations you see on your home screen and follows you across all devices on your account. You can remove individual titles from your history, clear your entire viewing record, or prevent Netflix from tracking what you watch going forward — but the steps differ depending on what you want to delete and which device you're using.
Clearing your history does not affect your account settings, saved passwords, or payment information. It only removes the record of what you have watched. If you share your Netflix account with family members, clearing your history will not affect theirs — each profile on the same account maintains its own separate viewing record.
Key Takeaways
- You can delete individual titles from your history through your account settings on a web browser, or remove them one at a time from your profile's "Continue Watching" row.
- To clear your entire viewing history at once, you must use a web browser and go to your account settings — the Netflix app on phones and tablets does not offer this option.
- Clearing history removes titles from your recommendations and the "Continue Watching" section, but Netflix may still use older viewing patterns to suggest content.
- If you share your account, each profile has its own separate history, so clearing one profile's history does not affect what other household members see.
Delete individual titles from your history on any device
The fastest way to remove a single show or movie from your history is to find it on your home screen. Look for the title in your "Continue Watching" row — the section at the top that shows what you started but did not finish. Hover your cursor over the title (on a computer) or long-press it (on a phone or tablet), then select the option to remove it from your history. On some devices this appears as an X icon; on others it says "Remove from row."
This method removes the title from your "Continue Watching" section and stops it from influencing your recommendations, but it does not wipe your full viewing history. If you want to delete a title that is no longer visible on your home screen, you will need to use your account settings instead.
Clear your entire viewing history through account settings
To delete everything you have watched at once, open Netflix in a web browser — not the app — and go to your account page. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Account." Scroll down to the "Profile" section and click on the profile whose history you want to clear. Look for "Viewing activity" and click on it.
On the viewing activity page, you will see a list of every title you have watched, with the most recent at the top. To remove all of them, click the pencil icon (or "Edit" button) at the top of the page. This opens a checkbox next to each title. Select all the titles you want to delete — or use a "select all" option if your browser offers one — then click "Remove" or "Delete." Netflix will ask you to confirm; click again to complete the deletion.
This process can take several minutes if you have watched hundreds of titles. Netflix may also take a few hours to fully update your recommendations after you clear your history, so do not be surprised if old suggestions still appear for a short time.
What happens when you clear your history
Clearing your viewing history removes those titles from your "Continue Watching" section and stops them from appearing in your recommendations. Netflix will no longer suggest similar shows based on what you deleted. However, the platform may still use viewing patterns from before you cleared your history — if you watched a lot of action movies over several months, Netflix may continue to recommend action content even after you delete that history.
Clearing your history does not delete your account, change your password, remove saved payment methods, or affect any other account settings. It only removes the record of what you watched. If you want to prevent Netflix from tracking your viewing going forward, you will need to take additional steps, as Netflix does not offer a way to turn off history tracking entirely.
Clear history on a shared account without affecting other profiles
If multiple people use the same Netflix account, each profile maintains its own separate viewing history. When you clear your history, you are only clearing what appears under your own profile — other household members' profiles are not affected. To clear only your profile's history, make sure you are signed into your own profile before you go to account settings and viewing activity.
If you want to prevent other people on your account from seeing what you watch, clearing your history is one option, but it only hides what you have already watched. Going forward, anything you watch will still appear in your "Continue Watching" section and influence your recommendations. For more privacy, you could create a separate profile that only you use, or ask the account owner to set up a PIN code that prevents others from accessing your profile.
Differences between devices and browsers
The Netflix app on phones, tablets, and smart TVs does not include an option to clear your entire viewing history at once. You can only remove individual titles by long-pressing them and selecting "Remove from row." To clear everything, you must use a web browser on a computer or phone.
Some browsers may display the viewing activity page differently — for example, Safari on an iPhone may show a different layout than Chrome on a computer — but the steps are the same. If you have trouble finding the viewing activity option, make sure you are logged into your account (not a guest session) and that you are using a current version of your browser.
Why Netflix tracks your viewing history
Netflix uses your viewing history to build a profile of your preferences and show you recommendations tailored to what you have watched. The more titles you watch, the more accurate Netflix's suggestions become. This is also how Netflix decides which shows to promote on your home screen and which to bury further down.
Your viewing history is tied to your profile and is not shared with other users unless you explicitly share your account login. However, if you are concerned about what Netflix knows about your viewing habits, you can request a copy of your personal data through Netflix's privacy settings. This shows you exactly what information Netflix has collected about you and how it is being used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my history on the Netflix app instead of using a browser?
No. The Netflix app on phones, tablets, and smart TVs only lets you remove individual titles from your "Continue Watching" row. To clear your entire history at once, you must use a web browser on a computer or mobile device and go to your account settings.
If I clear my history, will Netflix stop recommending shows I used to like?
Clearing your history removes those specific titles from your recommendations, but Netflix may still suggest similar content based on older viewing patterns. If you want to change your recommendations more dramatically, you may need to watch different types of shows going forward or create a new profile.
Does clearing my history delete my account or log me out?
No. Clearing your viewing history only removes the record of what you watched. Your account, password, payment method, and all other settings remain unchanged. You will stay logged in after you clear your history.
Can I see what I deleted after I clear my history?
Once you delete your viewing history, Netflix does not show you a record of what was removed. If you need to remember what you watched, you should take a screenshot or write down the titles before you delete them.
What if I only want to hide my history from other people on my account?
Clearing your history hides what you have already watched, but anything you watch going forward will still be visible. For ongoing privacy, create a separate profile that only you use, or ask the account owner to add a PIN code to your profile so others cannot access it.