YouTube has an incredible variety of content, from educational videos to comedy skits and music. Sometimes we access videos that we don’t want our family or friends to know about or that we don’t want to appear in our viewing history. Deleting your YouTube history on iPhone is a great way to ensure your privacy, as well as to prevent YouTube from recommending videos based on your viewing history.
In this article, we’ll show you how to delete your YouTube history on iPhone in detail, using several methods. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of how to get rid of all the unwanted history and keep your viewing private.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of How to Delete History from Youtube on iPhone
Deleting YouTube history on your iPhone may seem like an easy task, but it can be a bit challenging for some people. YouTube keeps track of all your activity, including searches, views and comments. So, even if you delete your browsing history on your iPhone, your YouTube history will still exist. Furthermore, YouTube only gives you the option to delete videos one by one, not the entire viewing history all at once.
However, this article is here to help you delete your YouTube history quickly and easily.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we start with methods to delete YouTube history on iPhone, there are a few things you should prepare for:
- An iPhone with the YouTube app installed
- An active internet connection
- Your YouTube account login credentials
Method 1: Via YouTube App
The first and easiest method to delete the history from YouTube on iPhone is by using the YouTube app. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open the YouTube app on your iPhone and sign in to your account.
Step 2: At the bottom of your screen, you’ll find the "Library" option. Tap on it to go to your Video Library.
Step 3: Select "History" from the options.
Step 4: You can now select the three-dot icon located next to the video you wish to remove. Tap on it and select "Remove from Watch History".
Step 5: If you want to clear your entire history, select "Clear Watch History". A pop-up will appear asking for confirmation, to which you’ll need to choose "Clear Watch History".
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Can delete videos individually.
- Few taps to delete the entire viewing history.
Cons:
- Very time-consuming method to delete each video one by one.
- YouTube does not provide the option to completely clear all history at once.
Method 2: Via Safari Browser
If you prefer using Safari on your iPhone, you can also delete your YouTube history through there. Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Open the Safari browser on your iPhone and search for "YouTube".
Step 2: Log in to your YouTube account by tapping the profile icon in the top right corner.
Step 3: Once you’re signed in, tap on the three horizontal lines located in the top left corner.
Step 4: Scroll down the menu and click on "History".
Step 5: Select the video you wish to delete by tapping on the three-dot icon located next to it.
Step 6: Tap on "Remove from Watch History".
Step 7: If you want to clear your entire watch history, press "Clear Watch History" and confirm by clicking "Clear Watch History" again.
Pros:
- You can delete individual videos quickly and easily.
- You can clear your entire watch history easily.
- You do not need to download the YouTube app to clear your history.
Cons:
- You need to go to the YouTube website through your web browser.
- You cannot delete specific videos from your search history.
Method 3: Via YouTube Settings
The third and final method to delete your YouTube history on iPhone is through YouTube Settings. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open the YouTube app on your iPhone and sign in to your account.
Step 2: Tap on your Profile picture located in the top right corner of your screen.
Step 3: Select "Settings" from the options.
Step 4: Scroll down and find the "Clear watch history" option. Tap on it.
Step 5: A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to clear your watch history. Tap on "Clear Watch History" to proceed.
Pros:
- Easy to locate the settings.
- You can delete your entire watch history with one tap.
Cons:
- You cannot delete individual videos from your history.
- You cannot delete only parts of your watch history, only the entire thing.
Why Can’t I Delete History from Youtube on iPhone
There are a few reasons why you may not be able to delete your YouTube history on iPhone:
Q1: Why is my watch history not deleting?
A: Your iPhone may be automatically syncing your YouTube history via iCloud. You’ll need to turn it off to delete the history. To disable iCloud syncing, go to "Settings" > "Apple ID, iCloud, iTunes & App Store" > "iPhone Storage" > "iCloud" > "Manage Storage" > "YouTube" > "Delete Documents and Data".
Q2: I can’t find the "History" option in my YouTube app. Why?
A: This may be because you’re logged in with a brand account. Sign out and log in to the personal account to access history.
Q3: Why is my "Clear Watch History" option grayed out?
A: You won’t be able to clear your watch history unless you’re signed in to your YouTube account. Make sure you’re logged in before attempting to clear history.
Q4: Why can’t I delete a video from my watch history?
A: Videos you’ve watched on YouTube may not be removable due to licensing restrictions.
Additional Tips
In addition to these methods, there are a few additional tips you can employ to ensure your YouTube history stays private:
- Use "Incognito mode" in Safari to browse YouTube without logging in or being tracked.
- Turn off Auto-Play to prevent viewing suggested videos.
- Regularly clear your watch history to start fresh from time to time.
5 FAQs about How to Delete History from Youtube on iPhone
Q1: Can I recover videos after I delete them?
A: No, you cannot recover a video once you delete it from your watch history.
Q2: Can I delete search history on iPhone?
A: Yes, you can delete your YouTube search history on iPhone the same way as watch history.
Q3: Can I delete my YouTube history online?
A: Yes, you can delete YouTube history via the YouTube website.
Q4: Can I delete my YouTube history on my iPad?
A: Yes, the methods mentioned in this article are applicable to iPad as well.
Q5: How often should I clear my YouTube history?
A: It depends on personal preferences. You can clear your history as often as you like to ensure privacy.
In Conclusion
With all the internet privacy concerns today, it’s important to keep your YouTube history under wraps. Deleting your YouTube history on iPhone is the perfect way to keep your viewing private and to prevent YouTube from recommending unwanted videos. You can use any of the methods mentioned in this article as per your convenience. We hope this article was helpful in teaching you how to delete your YouTube history on iPhone.