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How to delete YouTube search and watch history on iPhone or iPad

Sagar
By Sagar
Updated:

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting YouTube history resets the algorithm and lets you explore new content.
  • To delete YouTube search and watch history on iPhone, go to your YouTube profile > Settings > Select Manage all history > choose date > Tap DELETE THESE RESULTS.
  • You can also choose from manual deletion, automatic deletion after a set period, or pausing history altogether.

Repeatedly getting awkward video recommendations on YouTube feed? Then you must delete your YouTube search and watch history to embrace a clean slate. Let’s learn how to clear your YouTube search and watch history on your iPhone and iPad!

Why must you clear YouTube search and watch history?

Based on your past activities, YouTube curates your video feed. So you can access your favorite content quickly. However, if others use your YouTube account, their search and watch history can alter your preferences algorithm.

So, you must delete the past activities to reset your YouTube feed. Besides, clearing your YouTube view and search history is essential for several reasons.

  • It prevents others from gaining access to your browsing habits or past video views. So, your personal interests remain private.
  • Removing your search history can prevent YouTube from personalizing recommendations based on your searches, helping to avoid potential biases in the feed.
  • Moreover, deleting your YouTube history can free up space on your Google Account.

How to delete YouTube search history on iPhone and iPad

  1. Go to YouTube → Tap the search icon.
  2. Here, your YouTube search history will be listed in chronological order.
  3. Swipe left a search term → Hit Delete.

    Search icon, swipe left the result, delete the YouTube search history

The deleted search entry will not show up as suggestions in the search box anymore. However, remember that clearing one search history won’t affect the suggestions you receive.

Note: There is no direct way to completely clear YouTube search history with one tap. You must manually remove the results that you don’t want to appear.

How to delete YouTube search and watch history on iPhone and iPad

  1. Launch the YouTube app on your iPhone or iPad
  2. Tap your profile → Settings icon.
  3. Select Manage all history.

    YouTube profile → Settings → Manage all history
  4. Now, you can view your YouTube search and watch history listed according to the date.
  5. To delete activities for a certain period:
    • Tap the Calendar icon → Choose a date.
    • Hit Ok → Apply to filter the desired results.

      Tap Calendar, choose a date, Apply
    • Your search history till the chosen date will be displayed.
    • Tap DELETE THESE RESULTS → Delete → OK to clear all history in one go.

      Tap Delete these results, Delete, OK
  6. Alternatively, you can tap Delete and select either of the following:
    • Delete today: Clear the YouTube search history of the past 24 hours.
    • Delete custom range: Clear the YouTube search history for a specific time period.
    • Delete all time: Clear all YouTube history from iPhone.
  7. Once you choose one, verify the data and hit Delete.

    Tap delete, and choose an option

How to turn off YouTube search and watch history on iPhone and iPad

If you desire, you can permanently disable your YouTube search and watch history. Thus, any searches you make or videos you watch won’t be saved. Also, you will get a fresh video feed always without deleting the history.

  1. Go to your YouTube profile → Settings → Manage all history.
  2. Choose Saving your YouTube history.
  3. Tap TURN OFF → Pause → OK.

    Saving your YouTube history, TURN OFF, Pause

Tip: If you want to keep your watch history and disable search history only, uncheck Include the YouTube videos that you watch and then tap TURN OFF.

How to remove a video from YouTube watch history on iPhone

In case there is a particular video that you’d like to remove from the watch history of your YouTube account, here’s the right way to proceed.

  1. Navigate to your YouTube profile → Settings → Manage all history.
  2. Tap the cross icon beside the respective video → Hit Delete.
  3. Choose OK to conclude.

    Tap the cross icon, Delete, OK
  4. The following activity will not appear on your YouTube watch history again.

Note: This action may take a few minutes to reflect on your account. So don’t worry!

How to find YouTube watch history on iPhone

If you’re looking for a particular activity from your YouTube history, the process is pretty simple and straightforward.

  1. Head over to your YouTube profile → Settings → Manage all history.
  2. Tap the Search icon → Enter any relatable keywords → Tap Apply.
  3. The videos with that keyword will appear in search results.
  4. Here, clear all results or delete a particular one as per your choice.

    Search for keyword, delete the YouTube video

How to automatically delete your YouTube history on iPhone

There’s a way you can avoid the hassle of manually deleting your search and watch history. You can enable a cycle to auto-delete your YouTube history and forget all about it.

  1. Follow the path to your YouTube profile → Settings → Manage all history.
  2. Tap Auto-delete.
    It should be labeled off if disabled.
  3. Select Auto-delete activity older than → Choose a period.
    You can select from 3, 18, or 36 months.
  4. Hit Next → Confirm → OK to save your preference for auto-deleting YouTube activity older than the selected period.

    Enable auto-delete in YouTube history

Pro tip: Use Incognito mode to watch videos on YouTube

If you find clearing the search and view history of YouTube tedious, I have a gift for you. Follow the steps below to access YouTube in Incognito mode without any third-party application or browser.

  1. Launch YouTube → Go to your account.
  2. Tap the Turn on Incognito option.
  3. You can now watch videos on YouTube without leaving any traces behind.
  4. Once you are done watching, tap You → Select Turn off Incognito.

    Turn on Incognito, Turn off incognito
  5. This action will return you to regular browsing mode, where your activities will be saved as usual.

By using Incognito mode, you can enjoy YouTube content privately and maintain a sense of security regarding your personal preferences or viewing habits on the platform.

Is clearing YouTube history on iPhone reversible?

No, once you clear your YouTube history on your iPhone, it cannot be undone. So, make sure you are certain about clearing your history.

Do the steps to clear YouTube history on iPhone differ for the YouTube website and the YouTube app?

Yes, the steps may vary slightly. The provided steps are specific to the YouTube app on iPhone. If you are using the YouTube website on a browser, you may need to access your history through the menu options.

Erase your digital trail!

By following the steps mentioned above, you can easily clear your YouTube search and watch history. This will help you maintain your privacy and keep your viewing habits confidential.

Also, it’s essential if you share your device with others or want to keep your search and watch history private.

Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Author

  • Sagar

    I am an aspiring tech blogger who is always in love with new generation iPhones and iPads. At iGeeksBlog, I am dedicated to rendering the How-To's, Troubleshooting bugs, and reviewing apps that are a great deal of help. When I am not writing, I am daydreaming about the future of all things Apple and watching videos of smartphone battles on YouTube.

    View all posts

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