Delete a profile in three steps from your account settings
You can delete any profile on your Netflix account except the primary account holder's profile. Open Netflix on any device, go to your account settings, find the profile you want to remove, and select the delete option. The process takes less than a minute and is permanent — once deleted, that profile's watch history and saved shows are gone.
Netflix lets you have up to five profiles per account. If you have profiles you no longer use — old kids' profiles, a roommate's profile, or a test account — removing them cleans up your account and prevents accidental viewing on the wrong profile.
Key Takeaways
- You cannot delete the primary account holder's profile, only additional profiles created under that account.
- Deleting a profile removes all its watch history, saved shows, and personalized recommendations permanently.
- The delete option is in account settings under "Manage Profiles," not in the profile selection screen.
- You can delete a profile from a phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV — the steps are the same across all devices.
- If you delete a profile by mistake, you will need to create a new one; Netflix does not restore deleted profiles.
Delete a profile on a phone or tablet
Open the Netflix app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap "Manage Profiles" at the top of the screen. Find the profile you want to delete and tap the pencil icon next to its name. Scroll down and tap "Delete Profile." Netflix will ask you to confirm — tap "Delete" again to remove it permanently.
On some older Android versions, the pencil icon may appear as three dots. Tap that instead and look for "Delete Profile" in the menu that appears. The confirmation step is the same.
Delete a profile on a computer or web browser
Go to netflix.com and sign in. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Account." Under "Profiles," find the profile you want to delete and hover over it. A pencil icon will appear — click it. Scroll down to the bottom of the profile settings page and click "Delete Profile." Confirm the deletion when Netflix asks.
If you are using a shared computer, make sure you are signed into the correct account before you start. Deleting a profile from one account does not affect profiles on other accounts.
Delete a profile on a smart TV or streaming device
From the Netflix home screen, navigate to your profile icon using your remote. Select "Manage Profiles." Highlight the profile you want to delete and press the options button on your remote (usually labeled "Menu" or shown as three dots). Select "Delete Profile" from the menu. Confirm the deletion.
On some TV devices, you may need to go through your account settings instead of the home screen. If you do not see "Manage Profiles" in the profile menu, press the menu button and look for "Settings" or "Account," then find "Profiles" from there.
What happens when you delete a profile
Deleting a profile removes everything tied to it: watch history, saved shows in "My List," personalized recommendations, and viewing preferences like subtitles or language settings. The profile name and icon disappear from the profile selection screen immediately. Other people on your account will no longer see that profile when they open Netflix.
If you delete a profile and later change your mind, you cannot restore it. You would need to create a new profile from scratch. Netflix does not keep deleted profiles in a recovery folder or backup. This is why you should double-check the profile name before confirming the deletion, especially if you have multiple profiles with similar names.
Why you might want to delete a profile
The most common reason is removing profiles for people who no longer use your account — a roommate who moved out, a friend who borrowed your login, or a child who has grown up and has their own subscription. Deleting unused profiles also makes the profile selection screen less cluttered, which is helpful if you have multiple people in your household.
Some people delete and recreate profiles to reset recommendations if Netflix keeps suggesting shows they no longer want to see. This works because a new profile starts with no watch history. However, this is not necessary — you can also remove individual shows from your history or use the "Not Interested" option on show tiles to adjust recommendations without deleting the entire profile.
The primary profile cannot be deleted
Netflix does not allow you to delete the account owner's profile — the one created when you first set up the account. This profile is tied to the account itself and controls billing and account settings. If you want to stop using that profile, you would need to delete the entire Netflix account, which also cancels your subscription.
If you are the account owner and want a fresh start with recommendations, create a new profile instead of trying to delete the primary one. You can then use the new profile as your main viewing profile while keeping the original one inactive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover a deleted profile?
No. Netflix does not restore deleted profiles. Once you confirm the deletion, the profile and all its data are permanently removed. If you need that profile back, you will have to create a new one with the same name, but it will start with no watch history or saved shows.
Will deleting a profile affect other people's accounts?
No. Deleting a profile only removes it from your Netflix account. Other people who have their own Netflix accounts are not affected. If someone else on your account shares a profile with you, deleting it removes it for everyone on that account, but not for anyone outside it.
What if I delete a profile by accident?
Contact Netflix support through the Help Center on your account page. While Netflix cannot restore the deleted profile itself, support can sometimes help if you deleted it within a very short time window. However, do not count on recovery — treat deletion as permanent and create a new profile if you need one.
Can I delete a profile if I am not the account owner?
No. Only the account owner can delete profiles. If you are a family member or roommate using a shared account, you will need to ask the account owner to delete the profile for you. The account owner can access profile management through account settings.
Does deleting a profile free up space for a new one?
Yes. Netflix accounts can have up to five profiles. If you are at the limit and want to create a new profile, you must delete an existing one first. Once you delete a profile, you can immediately create a new one in its place.