YouTube stores two separate histories you can clear independently
YouTube keeps track of what you watch and what you search for, and stores both in your account. Clearing your watch history removes the list of videos you've viewed. Clearing your search history removes the terms you've typed into YouTube's search box. You can delete all of it at once, or remove individual items. You can also pause YouTube from recording new history going forward — though pausing doesn't delete what's already there.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're on a computer, phone, or tablet, but the settings live in the same place: your YouTube account menu.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube watch history and search history are stored separately, and you can clear one without touching the other.
- On any device, go to your account icon in the top right corner, then select "History" to see what YouTube has recorded.
- You can delete individual videos or searches by clicking the X next to them, or clear everything at once through settings.
- Pausing history stops YouTube from recording new activity, but does not erase videos or searches already saved.
- Clearing your YouTube history does not affect your watch history on other Google services like Gmail or Google Search.
How to clear all watch history at once on a computer
Open YouTube in your web browser and sign in to your account. In the top right corner, click your account icon (usually a circle with your initial or profile photo). From the dropdown menu, click "History." This takes you to a page showing all the videos you've watched.
On the left side of the screen, you'll see a menu. Click "Clear all watch history." YouTube will ask you to confirm. Click "Clear watch history" in the popup. All videos will be removed from your watch history immediately. Note that this does not delete the videos themselves from YouTube — it only removes them from your personal record of what you've watched.
How to clear all search history at once on a computer
From the same History page, click "Search history" in the left menu. This shows all the terms you've searched for on YouTube. Click "Clear all search history" at the top of the page. YouTube will ask you to confirm. Click "Clear search history" in the popup.
If you want to keep some searches but delete others, you can click the X next to any individual search term instead of clearing everything. This removes just that one search from your history.
How to clear history on a phone or tablet
Open the YouTube app and tap your account icon in the top right corner. Tap "History." You'll see your watch history. To clear all watch history, tap the three-dot menu icon (⋮) in the top right, then tap "Clear all watch history." Confirm when YouTube asks.
To clear search history on mobile, tap "Search history" from the History menu. Tap the three-dot menu icon, then tap "Clear all search history." Confirm the action. You can also delete individual searches or videos by swiping left on them (iPhone) or long-pressing them (Android), then tapping delete.
How to pause history so YouTube stops recording new activity
Pausing history is different from clearing it. When you pause, YouTube stops recording what you watch and search for going forward, but everything you've already watched stays in your history. To pause, go to your History page (account icon, then "History"). Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right and select "Pause watch history" or "Pause search history."
When history is paused, YouTube will not use your watch or search activity to recommend videos. Your recommendations will become more generic. If you want YouTube to resume recording and personalizing recommendations, go back to the same menu and click "Resume watch history" or "Resume search history."
What happens when you clear YouTube history
Clearing your YouTube history removes videos and searches from your account on YouTube only. It does not affect your history in other Google services. For example, if you searched for something on Google Search, that search stays in your Google Search history even if you clear your YouTube search history. Similarly, clearing YouTube history does not sign you out of your account or change any of your settings.
After you clear history, YouTube's recommendations will become less personalized for a while. The service uses your watch history to suggest new videos, so clearing it means YouTube has less information about your preferences. Over time, as you watch new videos, YouTube will begin personalizing recommendations again based on your recent activity.
Clearing history on a shared device or account
If you share a YouTube account with someone else, clearing history removes it for everyone using that account. If you want to keep your viewing private on a shared device, consider using your browser's private or incognito mode instead. When you watch YouTube in private mode, nothing is added to your history, and the history is not stored when you close the browser window.
If you have your own YouTube account but are watching on someone else's device, make sure you sign out of your account when you're done. If you forget to sign out, your activity will be recorded in your account history even though you watched on their device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete just one video from my watch history?
Yes. Go to your History page, find the video you want to remove, and click the X next to it. On mobile, swipe left (iPhone) or long-press (Android) the video and tap delete. This removes only that video from your history.
Does clearing YouTube history delete my watch history on other Google services?
No. YouTube history is separate from Google Search history, Gmail history, and other Google services. Clearing your YouTube history does not affect those. If you want to clear history across all Google services, you need to go to your Google Account settings and manage each service separately.
If I pause history, will YouTube stop recommending videos?
Yes. When history is paused, YouTube cannot use your watch activity to personalize recommendations. Your recommendations will become generic and based on what's trending rather than your viewing habits. Resuming history lets YouTube start personalizing again.
What's the difference between clearing history and deleting my account?
Clearing history removes only your watch and search records. Your account, subscriptions, playlists, and uploaded videos all remain. Deleting your account removes everything associated with it permanently. Clearing history is reversible only if you remember what you watched; deleting an account cannot be undone.
Does clearing history on my phone also clear it on my computer?
Yes. Since your YouTube history is stored in your account, not on your device, clearing it on your phone clears it everywhere you're signed in. The change appears on your computer, tablet, and any other device using the same account.