To clear YouTube data, most users want to delete their watch history and search history from the mobile app or website to reset recommendations or protect privacy. The documented way to clear YouTube data is to go to Settings > History & privacy in the app and use the clear watch history and search-history controls, or use YouTube’s web history pages for broader deletion options.
What clearing YouTube data means
For most users, clearing YouTube data means deleting watch history and search history from the app or web. YouTube’s help pages treat watch history and search history as separate controls, and note that search history can affect recommendations and search results. Deleting search history with DELETE also deletes watch history from the selected time frame. YouTube also collects data on liked videos and channel subscriptions, which serve as curated playlists and influence recommendations.
Clear watch history on iPhone and Android
- Open the YouTube app.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap History & privacy.
- Tap clear watch history.
YouTube also documents a pause watch history option alongside clear watch history, so you can stop recording new watch history without deleting what is already there. Clearing watch history does not delete videos from playlists or liked videos.
Clear watch history on a computer
- Go to YouTube.
- Click the left-hand Menu.
- Click Settings.
- Click Clear watch history.
- Click the Clear watch history button to confirm.
On the watch history page, you can remove specific videos individually using the three-dot menu next to each video instead of clearing all history.
Delete search history on iPhone and Android
Use the YouTube app’s History & privacy settings. The search-history help page says that using DELETE to delete search history also deletes watch history from the selected time frame. If you want to keep your watch history intact, consider pausing watch history before deleting search history.
Delete search history on a computer
Use My Activity on the web. YouTube also documents auto-delete for search history on the web, with retention choices of 3, 18, or 36 months. This means you can set YouTube to automatically remove search history older than your chosen period, which is useful if you want to keep recent searches but avoid a growing archive.
What happens after you clear YouTube data
Recommendations reset, search suggestions change, and the action cannot be undone. If you are worried about losing data on another platform, you might want to check how to delete switch save data separately, since that process is unrelated to YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can watch history be paused instead of cleared?
Yes.
Does deleting search history affect watch history?
Yes.
Is there a documented carrier-specific method?
The steps for clearing YouTube data are the same regardless of your mobile carrier.
Will clearing my YouTube data affect my subscriptions?
No. Clearing your watch or search history does not remove your channel subscriptions or liked videos.
How long does it take for changes to appear after clearing data?
Changes typically appear immediately, though it may take a few moments for recommendations and search suggestions to update across all devices.
How do I clear my YouTube search history?
Go to the History tab, then the Search History tab, and tap the three-dot icon next to individual searches or select Clear all search history.
How do I delete my YouTube watch history?
Related reading: How To See Dislikes On Youtube Mobile.
