How to Delete Movies on Apple TV: A Comprehensive Guide
Deleting movies on your Apple TV might seem straightforward, but the process actually depends on where those movies reside. Are they purchased from the iTunes Store (now the Apple TV app), rented, or part of your Apple TV+ subscription? Are they streaming services that you’ve accessed via their individual apps like Netflix or Amazon Prime? The answer dictates the method. Generally, you can’t delete movies that are part of a subscription service’s catalog from your Apple TV, only remove them from your “Up Next” queue or viewing history. But you can remove purchased and rented titles.
Here’s a breakdown:
Deleting Movies Purchased or Rented from Apple:
Locate the Apple TV App: On your Apple TV home screen, find and open the Apple TV app. It’s the central hub for all your Apple-related video content.
Navigate to Your Library: Within the Apple TV app, head to the “Library” tab. This is where all your purchased and rented movies (and TV shows) are stored.
Find the Movie to Delete: Scroll through your library to find the movie you want to remove.
Long Press the Select Button: Select the movie icon and hold down the Select button on your Apple TV Remote. This action should bring up a menu.
Choose “Delete”: In the menu that appears, you should see a “Delete” option. Select it. Important Note: If you’re deleting a rented movie, understand that deleting it doesn’t stop the rental timer. It simply removes it from your Apple TV.
Confirm Deletion: A confirmation prompt will appear. Confirm that you want to delete the movie.
Removing Movies from Other Apps (Netflix, Prime Video, etc.):
You can’t directly delete content from these services from your Apple TV. Instead, you manage your viewing history and “continue watching” lists within the respective app.
Open the Relevant App: Launch the Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, or other streaming app.
Navigate to Viewing History or Similar: Each app has its own interface, but look for sections like “My Activity,” “Viewing History,” or “Continue Watching.”
Remove the Title: The exact steps vary. In Netflix, for example, you typically go to “Account” settings on a web browser and then “Viewing Activity” to remove titles. Prime Video lets you remove items from your “Continue Watching” row.
Removing Movies from Your Computer’s iTunes/Apple TV App Library (Synched Content):
If you’ve synched movies from your computer’s iTunes library (or the Apple TV app on newer macOS versions) to your Apple TV, deleting them requires a different approach.
On Your Computer: Open iTunes (or the Apple TV app if you’re on macOS Catalina or later).
Find the Movie: Navigate to your movie library.
Delete the Movie: Right-click (or control-click on a Mac) the movie you want to remove and choose “Delete.”
Update Synching (if necessary): If the movie doesn’t disappear from your Apple TV automatically, you may need to manually resync your Apple TV with your computer. This process is typically found in the Apple TV‘s settings under “Computers” or “Home Sharing.”
Deleting Movie Files from Your Apple TV Storage (Sideloaded Content):
If you’ve sideloaded movie files (a more advanced process often involving developer accounts) onto your Apple TV, you’ll need to use a file manager app to delete them. The exact steps will depend on the specific file manager you’re using. Typically, you’ll navigate to the directory where the movie file is stored and then select a “Delete” option.
FAQs: Deleting Movies on Apple TV
How do I permanently delete a movie I purchased on Apple TV?
When you delete a movie purchased from the Apple TV app, it’s removed from your Apple TV. However, it’s still associated with your Apple ID and can be redownloaded at any time without repurchasing it. To truly “permanently” remove it so you can’t redownload it, you would need to hide the purchase in your iTunes Store purchase history on a computer (not on the Apple TV itself).
Can I get a refund for a movie I accidentally purchased or rented on Apple TV?
Apple’s policy typically doesn’t offer refunds for accidental purchases, but it’s worth trying. Go to reportaproblem.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, and explain the situation. Be polite and concise. They may make an exception, especially if it’s a first-time occurrence.
Why can’t I delete a movie from my Apple TV? The “Delete” option is missing!
The most common reason for a missing “Delete” option is that the movie is part of a subscription service (like Apple TV+, Netflix, etc.). You can’t delete content that’s part of a streaming service’s catalog. You can only remove it from your “Up Next” queue or viewing history. Make sure you are in your “Library” within the Apple TV App when trying to delete to ensure you are not trying to delete from a different streaming service.
How do I remove a movie from the “Up Next” queue on my Apple TV?
Highlight the movie in the “Up Next” queue on the Apple TV app home screen. Press and hold the Select button on your remote. A menu should appear, and you’ll see an option to “Remove from Up Next.”
Will deleting a movie from my Apple TV also delete it from my other Apple devices?
Deleting a movie purchased from Apple on your Apple TV only removes it from that device. If you have iCloud syncing enabled, it might remove the download from other devices, but the purchase remains associated with your Apple ID. You’ll still be able to redownload it. Movies on other streaming apps must be removed from those apps individually, and only removes it from “continue watching” section.
Does deleting a rented movie stop the rental timer?
No. Deleting a rented movie only removes it from your Apple TV. The rental period continues to run until it expires, regardless of whether the movie is on your device.
How much storage space do I need on my Apple TV to download movies?
The amount of storage space required depends on the movie’s file size, which varies based on resolution and length. High-definition movies can easily be several gigabytes in size. Check your Apple TV‘s storage under “Settings” > “General” > “Manage Storage” to see how much space you have available.
How can I clear space on my Apple TV without deleting movies?
You can offload unused apps to free up space. Offloading removes the app but keeps its data, so you can easily reinstall it later. Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Manage Storage” and select apps you don’t use often to offload them. Another option is to clear cached data from apps, although this option isn’t always readily available.
Can I watch movies on my Apple TV without downloading them?
Yes. Streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and Apple TV+ allow you to stream movies directly without downloading them. This uses your internet connection but doesn’t consume storage space on your Apple TV.
I have a movie that won’t delete, and I didn’t purchase it from Apple. What could be the issue?
If you didn’t purchase the movie from Apple, and you’re sure it’s not part of a streaming service, it’s possible the movie file was sideloaded onto your Apple TV. In this case, you’ll need to use a file manager app (if you have one installed) to locate and delete the file.
How do I hide a purchased movie from my Apple TV purchase history?
You can’t hide purchases directly from your Apple TV. You need to do this on a computer. Open iTunes (or the Apple TV app on macOS Catalina or later), go to your account settings, find your purchase history, and there will be an option to hide individual purchases.
My Apple TV keeps redownloading movies I deleted. How do I stop this?
This usually happens if you have automatic downloads enabled. Go to “Settings” > “Apps” > “iTunes Movies and TV Shows” and turn off “Automatic Downloads.”
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