You can delete a Netflix profile in your account settings in under a minute
To delete a profile, sign into Netflix on a web browser, go to your account settings, select "Manage profiles," click the profile you want to remove, and choose "Delete profile." Netflix will ask you to confirm. The profile disappears when ready, along with its watch history and personalized recommendations. You cannot undo this action, so make sure you want the profile gone before you confirm.
If you are using the Netflix app on a phone, tablet, or TV, you will need to use a web browser instead — the app does not have a delete option. Go to netflix.com, sign in with the account password, and follow the steps above. The profile will be gone from all devices within a few minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a profile removes all of its watch history, ratings, and personalized recommendations permanently and cannot be reversed.
- You must use a web browser to delete a profile; the Netflix app on phones, tablets, and TVs does not have this option.
- A deleted profile frees up one of your account's profile slots if you have reached Netflix's limit.
- If you want to keep the watch history but stop using a profile, you can leave it in place without signing into it.
Step-by-step instructions for deleting a profile on a computer
Open a web browser and go to netflix.com. Sign in with your email address and password. In the top right corner, click the profile icon (a circle with a picture or initial), then select "Account" from the dropdown menu.
On the Account page, scroll down to the "Profiles and parental controls" section and click "Manage profiles." You will see all the profiles on your account listed with their names and icons. Click on the profile you want to delete. A menu will appear with options including "Delete profile." Click that option.
Netflix will show a warning that says the profile and all of its information will be permanently deleted. Click "Delete profile" again to confirm. The profile is now gone from your account.
What happens to your watch history and recommendations when you delete a profile
When you delete a profile, Netflix erases everything tied to it: the watch history, the list of shows you rated, the "Continue Watching" queue, and all personalized recommendations based on that profile's viewing. None of this information is recoverable. If someone else was using that profile and you want to preserve their history, create a new profile for them instead of deleting the old one.
The main account holder's profile cannot be deleted. If you need to remove the main account entirely, you would need to cancel the Netflix subscription itself, which is a separate process.
When you might want to delete a profile instead of just leaving it
Delete a profile if someone no longer lives with you, if a child has outgrown Netflix, or if you straightforward do not need that many profiles. Netflix allows a set number of profiles per subscription tier — typically four or five — so deleting unused profiles makes room for new ones without paying for an upgrade.
If you are just taking a break from watching or want to hide a profile temporarily, you do not have to delete it. You can straightforward stop signing into it. The profile will remain on your account, and you can use it again later without losing the history.
How to delete a profile on a phone or tablet
The Netflix app on iOS and Android does not have a profile deletion feature. You must use a web browser instead. Open Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or another browser on your phone or tablet, go to netflix.com, and sign in. Then follow the same steps as on a computer: tap the profile icon, select Account, go to Manage profiles, and delete the profile you want to remove.
After you delete the profile through the browser, it will disappear from the Netflix app within a few minutes. You may need to close and reopen the app to see the change.
Deleting a profile on a smart TV or streaming device
Like the phone and tablet apps, the Netflix app on smart TVs, Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, and other streaming devices does not allow you to delete profiles directly. You must go to netflix.com on a computer or mobile browser to remove a profile. Once deleted, the profile will no longer appear on your TV or device.
If you want to remove a profile from just one device without deleting it from your account, you can sign out of that profile on the device. The profile stays on your account and can be used on other devices or signed back in later.
What to do if you accidentally delete a profile
Netflix does not restore deleted profiles. Once you confirm the deletion, the profile, its watch history, and all its data are gone for good. If you deleted a profile by mistake, your only option is to create a new profile with the same name and start building its watch history again from scratch.
To avoid accidental deletion, take a moment before confirming. Netflix shows a warning message and asks you to click delete a second time, so the confirmation step is built in. If you are unsure whether you want to delete a profile, close the page and come back to it later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete the main account profile?
No. The main profile that was created when you set up your Netflix account cannot be deleted. If you want to remove Netflix entirely, you would need to cancel your subscription. You can delete any other profiles on the account.
Will deleting a profile change anyone else's watch history?
No. Each profile on Netflix is separate. Deleting one profile does not affect the watch history, recommendations, or settings of any other profile on the same account. Only that specific profile's data is removed.
How many profiles can I have on Netflix?
Most Netflix plans allow four or five profiles per account, depending on your subscription tier. Check your account settings under "Manage profiles" to see how many you currently have and your limit. Deleting unused profiles frees up space for new ones.
Can I recover a deleted profile if I change my mind?
No. Deleted profiles cannot be recovered. If you want to use that profile again, you would need to create a new one. This is why Netflix asks you to confirm the deletion twice before removing it.
Do I need to delete a profile if I am canceling my Netflix subscription?
No. When you cancel your Netflix subscription, all profiles on that account are removed automatically. You only need to delete individual profiles if you want to keep your subscription but remove specific profiles from your account.