Netflix lets you delete individual titles from your viewing history, and you can do it from your account settings or directly from your profile
Your Netflix viewing history is a record of every show and movie you have watched on your account. Netflix uses this history to recommend new titles and to decide where to resume playback. You can remove specific titles one at a time, or you can clear your entire history at once. The process takes less than a minute and works the same way on phones, tablets, computers, and the Netflix app.
The fastest way is to go to your account settings and find the viewing activity section. From there you can see everything you have watched and delete individual titles or wipe the whole list. Netflix does not have a button that says "clear all history" — you delete items one by one, or you use a workaround that clears everything at once by removing your profile and recreating it.
Key Takeaways
- You can delete individual shows or movies from your viewing history through your account settings under "Viewing activity".
- Removing a title from your history does not delete the show or movie from Netflix — it only removes it from your personal watch list.
- If you want to clear your entire history at once, the fastest method is to delete your profile and create a new one with the same name.
- Clearing your history will reset Netflix's recommendations, so the service will start fresh when suggesting new titles to you.
- You must be signed in as the account owner or profile manager to delete viewing history — other profile members cannot remove their own watch records.
Delete individual titles from your viewing history
Start by signing into Netflix on a computer or phone. Go to your account menu — on a computer, click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Account". On a phone or tablet, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select "Account".
Look for "Viewing activity" or "Your activity" in the account menu. Click or tap on it. You will see a list of every show and movie you have watched, with the most recent at the top. Find the title you want to remove and click the X button or circle next to it. Netflix will ask you to confirm — select "Remove from history". The title disappears from your list immediately.
Repeat this step for each title you want to delete. There is no faster way to remove multiple titles — Netflix does not have a checkbox system that lets you select several at once. If you have a long history and only want to keep a few titles, it is faster to clear your entire history and start over.
Clear your entire viewing history at once
Netflix does not offer a single "clear all" button, but you can achieve the same result by deleting your profile and creating a new one. This method works on any device and takes about two minutes.
Sign into Netflix as the account owner. Go to "Account" and select "Manage profiles". Find the profile whose history you want to clear and click the pencil or edit icon next to it. Select "Delete profile" and confirm. Netflix will ask if you are sure — click "Delete" again. The profile and all its viewing history are now gone.
Create a new profile with the same name if you want to keep your profile setup the same. Go back to "Manage profiles" and select "Add profile". Type the name you want, choose your picture icon, and click "Create". Your new profile will have no viewing history and Netflix will start making fresh recommendations based on what you watch going forward.
What happens to your recommendations when you clear history
When you delete your viewing history, Netflix stops using those titles to suggest new shows and movies. Your recommendation rows will be empty or show only generic suggestions until you watch several new titles. This usually takes three to five new shows or movies before Netflix rebuilds its recommendation engine for your profile.
Clearing your history does not affect other profiles on your account. If you share Netflix with family members, deleting your history will not change what appears on their profiles or in their recommendations. Each profile has its own separate viewing history and recommendation system.
Why you might want to clear your viewing history
Some people clear their history because they watched something they do not want Netflix to recommend again, or because they shared their account with someone else and watched titles they prefer to keep private. Others clear their history to reset recommendations if they feel Netflix is stuck suggesting the same types of shows over and over.
Clearing your history is also useful if you let someone else use your profile and want to remove their watch record. For example, if a family member watched several children's shows on your profile, you can delete those titles so they stop appearing in your recommendations and in the "Continue Watching" row.
How to prevent titles from appearing in your history
Netflix does not have a private browsing mode that hides titles from your history as you watch them. However, you can remove titles immediately after watching them by going to your viewing activity and deleting them right away. This keeps your history clean without having to wait until you have watched many unwanted titles.
Another option is to create a separate profile for titles you do not want mixed into your main recommendations. For example, you could create a profile called "Guest" or "Kids" and watch certain content there instead of on your personal profile. This keeps your main profile's recommendations focused on what you actually want to see.
Clearing history on different devices
The steps are the same whether you use Netflix on a computer, phone, tablet, or smart TV, but the menu layout is slightly different on each device. On a computer, click your profile icon in the top right. On a phone or tablet, tap the menu icon at the bottom. On a smart TV, use the remote to navigate to your profile and select "Account".
If you are having trouble finding the viewing activity section, look for menu items labeled "Account", "Settings", "Your activity", or "Viewing activity". The exact wording changes depending on your device and Netflix app version, but the function is always in your account settings, not in the main Netflix menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does clearing my history delete shows and movies from Netflix?
No. Clearing your viewing history only removes the record that you watched something — it does not delete the title from Netflix or prevent you from watching it again. The show or movie remains available in the Netflix catalog for you to watch anytime.
Can other people on my account see my viewing history?
Only if they are using the same profile as you. Each profile on a Netflix account has its own separate viewing history. If you share your account with family members, they each have their own profile and cannot see what you watched on your profile.
Will clearing my history affect my Netflix subscription or billing?
No. Clearing your viewing history does not change your subscription, your billing, or your access to Netflix. You will still have the same subscription level and can watch everything you could watch before.
How long does Netflix keep my viewing history if I do not delete it?
Netflix keeps your full viewing history indefinitely as long as your account exists. You can view and delete items from years ago if you want to. If you close your Netflix account, your viewing history is deleted automatically.
Can I see my viewing history after I delete it?
Once you delete a title from your viewing history, it is gone from your activity list. However, if you watched it on a shared account and another profile also watched it, that title may still appear in the "Continue Watching" row or in recommendations based on the other profile's history.