Netflix deletion removes your account and all its data

When you delete a Netflix account, Netflix closes it permanently. Your profile, watch history, saved titles, payment information, and login credentials all disappear. You lose access immediately — you cannot reactivate a deleted account or recover the data afterward.

Deletion is different from cancellation. If you cancel, your subscription stops but your account stays open. You can log back in later and restart without creating a new account. Deletion erases the account itself, so if you want Netflix again, you must create a completely new one.

Netflix does not charge you to delete an account. The process takes a few minutes and happens through your account settings on a web browser — you cannot delete from the Netflix app on a phone or TV.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion is permanent and removes your account, profiles, watch history, and payment information with no way to recover them.
  • You must use a web browser to delete; the Netflix app on phones and TVs does not have a deletion option.
  • If you have an active subscription, Netflix will refund any unused portion of your current billing period after deletion.
  • Cancellation pauses your subscription but keeps your account open; deletion closes the account entirely.
  • After deletion, you can create a new Netflix account with the same email address, but it will have no connection to your old account.

Steps to delete your Netflix account

Go to netflix.com and sign in with your email and password. Once logged in, click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Account from the dropdown menu.

On the Account page, scroll down until you see a section labeled Membership & Billing or Plan Details (the exact name varies by region). Below that section, look for a link that says Cancel Membership or Delete Account. Click it.

Netflix will show you a confirmation screen explaining that deletion is permanent. It will also tell you whether you are owed a refund — if your billing period does not end today, Netflix refunds the unused portion. Read the message, then click the button to confirm deletion. Netflix may ask you why you are leaving; you can skip this or answer it. Either way, your account deletes after you confirm.

After deletion, you will be logged out. If you try to log in with that email address, Netflix will tell you the account no longer exists.

What happens to your payment information

Netflix stops charging your card or payment method immediately upon deletion. If you had an active subscription with time remaining in your billing period, Netflix processes a refund to your original payment method within a few days to a few weeks, depending on your bank or credit card company.

Your payment information is removed from Netflix's servers. If you created a Netflix account using a third-party login — such as signing in with your Google account or Facebook account — that connection is severed, but your Google or Facebook account itself is not affected.

Recovering data after deletion

Netflix does not restore deleted accounts. Once you confirm deletion, your watch history, saved lists, ratings, and profiles are gone permanently. Netflix does not keep backups of deleted account data that you can request.

If you created a new Netflix account with the same email address after deletion, it will be a completely separate account with no connection to your old one. Your watch history and saved titles will not transfer over.

Shared accounts and household members

If other people use your Netflix account, deleting it removes access for everyone. They will be logged out and will no longer be able to watch. If they want to continue using Netflix, they must create their own account or be added to someone else's account.

If you are a household member on someone else's account and want to stop using it, you do not need to delete the main account. Ask the account owner to remove you from the household settings instead. This keeps their account open while removing your access.

Cancellation as an alternative to deletion

If you are unsure whether you want Netflix permanently gone, consider canceling instead of deleting. Cancellation stops your subscription and charges, but your account, profiles, and watch history remain saved. You can log back in anytime within a certain period and restart without losing your data.

To cancel without deleting, go to your Account page, find Membership & Billing, and look for a Cancel Membership button. Netflix will pause your subscription and let you know when you can restart. The exact window for restarting varies by region and plan type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Netflix account from the app?

No. The Netflix app on phones, tablets, and smart TVs does not have an account deletion option. You must use a web browser on a computer or phone to access netflix.com, sign in, and delete through your account settings.

Will I get a refund if I delete mid-billing cycle?

Yes. If your billing period does not end on the day you delete, Netflix refunds the unused portion to your original payment method. The refund appears within a few days to a few weeks depending on your bank.

Can I use the same email address for a new Netflix account after deletion?

Yes. After deletion, you can create a new Netflix account with the same email address. However, it will be a brand new account with no connection to your old one — your watch history and saved titles will not carry over.

What if I share my Netflix account with family members?

Deleting your account removes access for everyone who uses it. If you want to keep Netflix but remove specific people, ask them to create their own account instead. If you want to remove one person while keeping your account, use Netflix's household settings to remove them without deleting the whole account.

Is there a way to recover my account after I delete it?

No. Netflix does not restore deleted accounts or their data. Once you confirm deletion, the account is permanently closed. If you change your mind, you must create a new account from scratch.