Netflix stores everything you watch, and you can remove 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, but it also means Netflix knows your viewing patterns in detail. You can delete individual titles from your history, clear your entire history at once, or remove a single device's history without touching the rest. The process takes less than a minute, but the choice of what to delete — and why — depends on what you're trying to accomplish.
The reason this matters: Netflix uses your history to build a profile of your preferences, which shapes what the service shows you next time you open it. Deleting history does not stop Netflix from collecting new data going forward, but it does reset what the company already knows about your past viewing.
Key Takeaways
- You can delete individual titles from your Netflix history on the website or app, and Netflix will stop recommending similar content.
- Clearing your entire history removes all viewing records from your account, but Netflix will start building a new profile based on what you watch next.
- Removing a device from your account deletes only that device's history and stops Netflix from using that device's viewing data for recommendations.
- Deleting history does not prevent Netflix from collecting new data — it only removes the past record.
- If you share your account with others, clearing your history affects recommendations for everyone on that account unless you remove only specific titles.
How to delete individual titles from your history
Open Netflix on the website and go to your account menu. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Account" and scroll to "Profile & Parental Controls." Click your profile name, then find "Viewing activity" near the bottom of the page. You will see a list of everything you have watched, with an X button next to each title. Click the X to remove that title from your history.
On the Netflix app for phones or tablets, the process is similar but the menu location varies slightly. Go to "More" or the menu icon, then "Account," then "Viewing activity" under your profile. Tap the X next to any title you want to remove. Netflix will stop recommending shows similar to that title, and the title will no longer appear in your "Continue Watching" row.
Removing individual titles is useful if you watched something you do not want Netflix to factor into your recommendations — a show you watched with someone else, a title you clicked by accident, or content you want to keep private from household members who share the account.
How to clear your entire viewing history at once
Go to your account settings on the Netflix website. Click your profile icon, select "Account," then "Profile & Parental Controls," and click your profile name. Scroll to "Viewing activity" and look for the option to clear all viewing activity. Netflix will ask you to confirm; once you do, your entire history is deleted.
After you clear your history, Netflix will have no data about what you have watched. Your recommendations will be blank or generic until you watch several new titles. This takes longer than removing individual titles, but it is the fastest way to reset your profile if you want Netflix to stop using your past viewing to suggest content.
Clearing your entire history is most useful if you are sharing an account and want to separate your viewing from someone else's, or if you want to start fresh with recommendations. It does not affect anyone else's profile on the same account — each profile has its own separate history.
How to remove a device from your account
If you watched Netflix on a device you no longer use or no longer want associated with your account, you can remove that device entirely. Go to "Account" in your settings, then find "Sign out of all devices" or "Manage access and devices" (the exact wording depends on your Netflix plan and region). You will see a list of devices currently signed into your account, with options to sign out of each one individually.
When you remove a device, Netflix deletes that device's viewing history from your account and stops using that device's data for recommendations. This is different from clearing your entire history — it only removes the history from that specific device. If you watched on your laptop and your phone, removing the laptop will not affect your phone's history.
Removing a device is useful if you used Netflix on a shared computer, a device you sold, or a phone you no longer own. It prevents Netflix from continuing to collect viewing data from a device you no longer control.
What happens to your data after you delete history
Deleting your history removes the visible record from your account, but Netflix continues to collect data about what you watch going forward. The company uses this information for recommendations, content licensing decisions, and internal analytics. Deleting your history does not opt you out of data collection — it only removes the past.
Netflix also keeps other data beyond viewing history, including your search queries, the time you spend on the app, and which profiles you use most often. Deleting your history does not remove this information. If you want to understand what data Netflix holds about you beyond viewing history, you can request a data read through your account settings, though the process and availability vary by region.
Why Netflix tracks your viewing in the first place
Netflix uses your viewing history to build a profile of your preferences, which it uses to recommend new shows and movies. The company also uses aggregated viewing data — patterns across millions of users, not your individual history — to decide which shows to renew and which to cancel. This is why Netflix can tell you that a show is "trending" or "popular in your region."
Your viewing history also helps Netflix understand which content is worth licensing. If millions of people watch a particular genre, Netflix knows to buy more of it. If a show gets abandoned halfway through, Netflix learns something about what does not work. This is a trade-off: you get personalized recommendations and a service that learns what content you want, but Netflix gets detailed data about your preferences in return.
Shared accounts and history visibility
If you share your Netflix account with family members or roommates, each person can have a separate profile with a separate viewing history. Netflix will not show one person's history to another person on the same account — each profile is private. However, if you use the same profile as someone else, your histories are combined, and clearing the history affects both of you.
If you share an account and want to keep your viewing private, create a separate profile for yourself. You can do this in account settings without creating a new Netflix subscription. Each profile has its own history, recommendations, and "Continue Watching" row. This is the clearest way to separate your viewing from someone else's on the same account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting my history stop Netflix from recommending similar content?
Yes. When you remove a title from your history, Netflix stops using that title to build recommendations. If you delete your entire history, Netflix will have no past data to base recommendations on and will show generic suggestions until you watch new content. However, Netflix may still recommend content based on other signals, like your search history or the time of day you use the app.
Can I delete history from just one device without affecting my other devices?
Partially. If you remove a device from your account entirely, that device's history is deleted. But if you want to keep using Netflix on that device, you can only delete individual titles or your entire history — both of which affect your whole account. There is no way to clear history from one device while keeping it on another without removing the device entirely.
What if I share my account and want to hide what I watched from other people?
Create a separate profile for yourself in your account settings. Each profile has its own viewing history and recommendations, and other people on the account cannot see your profile's history. This is more effective than deleting history, because it keeps your viewing separate from the start rather than trying to hide it after the fact.
Does Netflix delete my history if I cancel my subscription?
No. Your viewing history remains on your account even after you cancel. If you resubscribe later, your history will still be there. If you want to delete your history before canceling, you must do so manually through your account settings.
Can I see what data Netflix has about me beyond my viewing history?
Yes, depending on where you live. In the European Union and some other regions, you can request a copy of all data Netflix holds about you through your account settings. This includes viewing history, search queries, device information, and other behavioral data. The request process and response time vary by region.