Apple TV has evolved into a must-have device for entertainment enthusiasts, providing access to a wide range of shows, movies, and apps. However, one feature that can be annoying for some users is the “Continue Watching” section. This prompt reminds you of all the content you’ve yet to finish, which can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve lost interest in those particular shows or movies. If you want to clean up your viewing habits or simply wish to remove this feature, you’re in the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through various methods to remove “Continue Watching” from Apple TV.
Understanding the “Continue Watching” Feature
The “Continue Watching” section serves a couple of key purposes:
Convenience: It allows quick access to the content you’ve started but not yet completed.
Recommendations: It can help identify what might be worth finishing up given your viewing history.
However, as useful as it may be, there are valid reasons to want to remove or hide this feature.
How to Remove “Continue Watching” from Your Apple TV
There are several methods to manage or entirely remove the shows and movies you no longer want to see in your “Continue Watching” list. Below are actionable steps to guide you through the process.
Method 1: Remove Individual Shows or Movies
Removing content individually is one of the simplest ways to manage your “Continue Watching” list. To do this, follow these steps:
Open the Apple TV App: Launch the Apple TV app on your device.
Navigate to the “Watch Now” Section: This is typically the first section that appears when you open the app.
Locate “Continue Watching”: Scroll down until you see the “Continue Watching” row.
Highlight the Content: Use your remote to scroll to the specific show or movie you wish to remove.
Remove the Item:
- For tvOS 14 and later, you can swipe left on the title until different options appear. Alternatively, you may also press and hold the touchpad on your remote until you see a “Remove” option.
For earlier versions, you may have to click on the show and then look for the “Remove from Up Next” option.
Confirm Removal: When prompted, confirm that you would like to remove the content from your “Continue Watching” list.
By following these steps, you can keep your viewing options tailored to your current preferences.
Method 2: Clear All History on Apple TV
If you want to clear the entirety of your “Continue Watching” list, this method is for you. Here is how you can do it:
Open Settings: From your Apple TV home screen, navigate to the Settings app.
Scroll Down to “Users and Accounts”: Click to enter this section.
Select Your Account: Choose the account you are using (if you have multiple accounts).
Choose “Clear Play History”: Look for the option to clear your play history. This will remove all titles from your “Continue Watching” list.
Confirm Your Choice: Once you hit this option, you may need to confirm your action. Do this, and your “Continue Watching” section will be wiped clean.
This method is quite effective, especially for those who want a fresh start without navigating through individual titles.
Managing Watch History Across Different Apps
The Apple TV consolidates your watch history from various streaming platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. Each app may have its own way of managing your viewing history, so it’s beneficial to understand these nuances.
Removing Content from Specific Streaming Apps
If you are using multiple applications to watch your shows, it’s important to manage each app individually. Here’s how you might do this for popular services:
Netflix
Visit Your Profile on Netflix: Use a web browser on your computer and sign in to your Netflix account.
Go to “Account”: You can find this option in the dropdown menu.
Select “Viewing Activity”: On this page, you’ll see a list of everything you’ve watched.
Remove Titles: You can click on the ‘X’ next to any title you wish to remove from your viewing activity. After this, the removed titles won’t appear in the “Continue Watching” section on your Apple TV.
Hulu
Access Hulu on a Web Browser: Go to Hulu.com and log in.
Select “Account”: You will find this option in the dropdown.
Manage Your Viewing History: Navigate to “Privacy and Settings” and find your viewing history.
Remove Shows: You can click on the “x” next to shows to remove them.
This way, by managing your watch history across various apps, you can ensure a cleaner “Continue Watching” list on Apple TV.
Using Apple TV with Family Sharing
If you share your Apple TV with family members, things might get a little more complicated. Content watched by any family member will show up in the collective “Continue Watching” section. Here’s how you can streamline this:
Set Up Individual Profiles (if available)
Some apps provide the option to set individual profiles. This way, each user can have their unique viewing history without intersecting with others. Here’s how:
Open the app: For example, Netflix or Hulu.
Create Separate Profiles: Follow the respective interface prompts to create individual profiles for each family member.
Utilizing Family Sharing Features
Ensure that as you add or remove users from Family Sharing, you adjust their settings appropriately. This action can affect how content is curated on your Apple TV.
Conclusion
The “Continue Watching” feature is designed to enhance convenience but can sometimes feel cluttered. With the various methods outlined here, you can easily manage what appears in your “Continue Watching” list, whether by removing individual items, clearing your entire history, or managing specific app settings.
In conclusion, do remember to routinely check your “Continue Watching” list for content that may no longer interest you. Keeping your watchlist fresh enhances your overall viewing experience, making it easier to find content you genuinely want to enjoy. Whether you prefer to curate your list by managing individual items or doing a clean sweep of your history, Apple TV provides you the flexibility to take control of your viewing habits. Happy watching!
What is the “Continue Watching” section on Apple TV?
The “Continue Watching” section on Apple TV is a feature designed to allow users to easily resume their viewing of shows and movies that they have started but not finished. This section is conveniently accessible from the home screen and aggregates content from various streaming services you may have subscribed to, making it easier to find content you’ve already started.
For many users, this feature is beneficial as it offers a seamless viewing experience. However, others may find it cluttered or don’t want it displayed for personal reasons, which leads to the need for the ability to remove or hide it from their Apple TV interface.
Can I completely disable the “Continue Watching” feature?
Unfortunately, there is no way to completely disable the “Continue Watching” feature on Apple TV. This section is integrated into the platform and designed to enhance user experience. However, users have options to manage their viewing history, which can effectively minimize its visibility.
You can remove individual items from the “Continue Watching” list. By doing this, you can declutter the section and only keep the titles that you genuinely intend to finish watching. This method allows you to keep your Apple TV interface customized to your preferences without fully removing the feature.
How do I remove a specific show or movie from “Continue Watching”?
To remove a specific show or movie from the “Continue Watching” section, navigate to the home screen of your Apple TV. Locate the show or movie you wish to remove and press and hold the touchpad on your remote until options appear. Then, select “Remove from Up Next” or “Remove from Continue Watching.”
This action will immediately delete the selected content from your “Continue Watching” list, giving you a cleaner and more tailored viewing experience. Repeat this process for any other shows or movies you want to remove.
Does removing a title from “Continue Watching” delete it from my library?
No, removing a title from the “Continue Watching” section does not delete it from your library. The action simply removes it from the “Continue Watching” list, allowing you to continue accessing the content through your library anytime. Your viewing progress might be preserved based on the content’s streaming service policies.
This means you can still return to the show or movie later, and it will be where you left off, provided that the streaming service supports this feature. Thus, you can maintain your viewing records without it cluttering your home screen.
How can I hide the “Continue Watching” section entirely?
Currently, Apple TV does not offer an option to hide the entire “Continue Watching” section. Since this feature is built into the interface, users who wish to manage their viewing experience must rely on removing individual titles as previously mentioned.
If you’re looking for a less cluttered home screen, focusing on managing the content actively listed in “Continue Watching” is the only available method. By regularly curating this list, users can streamline their viewing selections and keep only what they are genuinely interested in.
Will removing shows from “Continue Watching” affect my subscriptions?
Removing shows from the “Continue Watching” section will not affect your subscriptions in any way. This action is merely a personal preference and organization choice on your Apple TV interface and does not impact your account status or availability of content from your subscription services.
Your subscriptions remain active, and you can still access all the content you have access to. Therefore, feel free to adjust your “Continue Watching” list without worrying about any consequences related to your streaming subscriptions.
Can all streaming services linked to Apple TV be managed from “Continue Watching”?
The “Continue Watching” section aggregates content from the various streaming services linked to your Apple TV. This means that if you have apps installed and linked to your Apple TV, you might see titles from all those services in the “Continue Watching” section.
However, the management options might vary depending on the individual streaming service guidelines. Some services allow you to control your watch history, while others may only let you manage visibility through the Apple TV interface. You’ll need to check the settings of each service for more specialized options.
What should I do if I encounter issues removing titles from “Continue Watching”?
If you face difficulties when trying to remove titles from the “Continue Watching” section, a good first step is to ensure that your Apple TV software is updated to the latest version. Sometimes, glitches or issues can arise from outdated software that could interfere with normal functionalities.
If updating doesn’t resolve the problem, try restarting your Apple TV device. Unplug it for a few seconds and then plug it back in. This might fix any temporary issues affecting the interface, allowing you to manage your “Continue Watching” section as intended.