How To Purge Your Amazon Prime Video “Continue Watching” List: A Definitive Guide

Tired of seeing that half-watched documentary or forgettable rom-com staring back at you every time you log into Amazon Prime Video? The “Continue Watching” list, while convenient, can quickly become a cluttered graveyard of cinematic intentions gone awry. Fear not, fellow streamer! Reclaiming your viewing sanity is easier than you think.

To remove movies or TV shows from the “Continue Watching” section on Amazon Prime Video, you primarily have two methods: directly from the Prime Video website/app or through your Amazon account’s viewing history. Both effectively tell Amazon that you’re not going to continue watching that particular title, banishing it from the dreaded list. Let’s delve into the how-to.

Method 1: Removing Directly from the Prime Video App or Website

This is the most direct and generally preferred method.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Navigate to the “Continue Watching” section: Open the Amazon Prime Video app on your device (TV, phone, tablet, or computer) or visit the Amazon Prime Video website in your browser. Find the “Continue Watching” section. It’s usually prominently displayed on the home screen.
2. Hover (Website) or Long Press/Select (App): On the website, hover your mouse over the title you want to remove. In the app, long-press or select and hold the title.
3. Look for the “Watch Options” icon: A dropdown menu or a set of icons will appear. This may be represented by three vertical dots (ellipsis) or a pencil icon. The exact appearance varies slightly depending on the device and app version.
4. Select “Remove from Watch History”: From the options presented, choose the option that says “Remove from Watch History” or similar phrasing (e.g., “Delete from Watch History”).
5. Confirm (If Prompted): In some cases, a confirmation prompt will appear to ensure you didn’t click it accidentally. Confirm your decision to remove the title.

The title should now disappear from your “Continue Watching” list. You might need to refresh the page or close and reopen the app for the change to take effect immediately.

Method 2: Clearing Through Your Amazon Account’s Viewing History

This method is particularly useful for titles that are stubborn and refuse to budge from the Prime Video interface, or when you want to bulk-remove several items at once.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Access Your Amazon Account: Go to Amazon.com and sign in to your account.
2. Navigate to “Account & Lists”: Hover over “Account & Lists” in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. A dropdown menu will appear.
3. Find “Video Purchases & Rentals”: In the “Account & Lists” dropdown, look for “Video Purchases & Rentals.” It may be under a section labelled “Digital Content and Devices.”
4. Go to “Settings”: On the “Video Purchases & Rentals” page, locate and click on the “Settings” tab.
5. Access “Watch History”: Within the “Settings” page, find the “Watch History” section and click on “View Watch History.”
6. Remove Titles Individually: A list of all the videos you’ve watched on Prime Video will appear. Locate the title you want to remove and click the “Remove this from watched videos” button next to it.
7. Confirmation: The page should refresh, and the title should disappear from your watch history.

Important Note: This method removes the title from your entire viewing history, not just the “Continue Watching” list. This may affect Amazon’s recommendations for you.

Why Won’t Titles Disappear Immediately?

Sometimes, even after following these steps, titles linger like unwelcome guests. Here’s why:

• Caching: Your device or browser might be storing cached data. Try clearing your browser’s cache or restarting your device.
• Server Delay: There can be a slight delay in the changes being reflected across Amazon’s servers. Give it a few minutes.
• Multiple Devices: If you’re using Prime Video on multiple devices, the change might not sync immediately. Try refreshing or restarting the app on all devices.
• Profile Issues: If you have multiple profiles on your account, ensure you’re removing the title from the correct profile’s watch history.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about managing your “Continue Watching” list on Amazon Prime Video:

1. Can I remove a movie from “Continue Watching” on all devices at once?

Yes, removing a title from your watch history, using either method, should sync across all devices associated with your Amazon account, provided they are connected to the internet. However, as mentioned earlier, there may be a slight delay, so patience is sometimes required. Make sure you have the latest version of the Prime Video app installed on all devices to ensure optimal syncing.

2. Is there a way to clear my entire “Continue Watching” list at once?

Unfortunately, Amazon does not offer a “clear all” button for the “Continue Watching” list. You must remove titles individually. However, using the “Watch History” method, you can remove several titles in rapid succession.

3. Does removing a movie from “Continue Watching” also remove it from my purchase history?

No. Removing a movie from your “Continue Watching” list or watch history only affects what appears in those sections. It doesn’t affect your purchase or rental history. If you bought or rented a movie, it will still be listed in your order history.

4. Will removing a movie from “Continue Watching” stop Amazon from recommending similar movies?

Potentially. Amazon’s recommendation algorithm uses your viewing history to suggest content. Removing a title might reduce the likelihood of similar titles being recommended, but it’s not a guaranteed outcome. Amazon also considers other factors, such as trending titles and popular genres.

5. Can I prevent movies from automatically being added to “Continue Watching”?

No, there’s no setting to disable the “Continue Watching” feature entirely. However, you can minimize clutter by being mindful of what you start watching. If you know you’re only going to watch a few minutes of something, avoid starting it in the first place.

6. What if the “Remove from Watch History” option is missing?

This is rare, but it can happen, especially on older devices or app versions. Ensure you have the latest version of the Amazon Prime Video app installed. If the problem persists, try accessing your watch history through the Amazon website on a computer, as described in Method 2.

7. Does removing a movie from “Continue Watching” affect my progress if I decide to watch it again later?

Yes. Removing a title from “Continue Watching” also removes your watch progress. If you start watching the movie again, it will start from the beginning. So, think carefully before removing something you might actually want to finish!

8. Can I remove content from “Continue Watching” on profiles that are not my own?

Yes, if you are the primary account holder, you can manage the watch history for other profiles associated with your account. Simply switch to the desired profile within the Amazon Prime Video app or website and follow the steps outlined above.

9. I removed a title, but it reappeared. Why?

This is usually due to one of two reasons: either another profile on your account is still watching the title, or there was a glitch in the system. Check other profiles and ensure the title is removed from their watch history as well. If the problem persists, contact Amazon Prime Video customer support.

10. Is there a way to “mark as watched” without actually watching the entire movie?

Unfortunately, no. Amazon Prime Video doesn’t offer a “mark as watched” feature. You would need to fast-forward to the end of the movie to remove it from the “Continue Watching” list this way.

11. How long does content stay in my Amazon Prime Video watch history?

Amazon doesn’t specify a definitive timeframe for how long content remains in your watch history. However, it’s safe to assume that it will stay there indefinitely unless you manually remove it.

12. Will clearing my watch history affect my ability to download movies for offline viewing?

No. Your watch history is separate from your downloaded content. Clearing your watch history won’t affect any movies or TV shows you’ve downloaded for offline viewing. Those downloaded files will remain on your device until you manually delete them.

By following these steps and understanding the nuances of the “Continue Watching” feature, you can effectively curate your Amazon Prime Video experience and banish those unwanted titles to the digital abyss. Happy streaming!