You can clear your YouTube search history from almost any device, although in the case of streaming-TV devices the easiest way to do this might be to use a computer. To remove all traces of what you view and search for on YouTube, remember to clear both your watch history and your search history.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Clear History of Displayed Videos
Step 1. Log into your YouTube account
If you are able to browse your main YouTube page, you should already be subscribed. Otherwise, press the Sign in button at the top right of the page, then enter the information relating to your Google account.
Step 2. Access the YouTube main menu by selecting the button featuring three parallel horizontal lines
In the upper left corner of the page, next to the YouTube logo, there should be an icon consisting of three parallel horizontal red lines and a small arrow. Select the icon in question to display the YouTube main menu on the left side of the interface (only if the menu is not already present).
Alternatively, go directly to the page relating to your history by selecting this youtube.com/feed/history link and go directly to the step concerning the complete cancellation of the history
Step 3. Select the History item
From the main YouTube options menu, located on the left of the interface, select the "History" item.
Step 4. Delete all displayed videos
You should see the complete list of all watched videos, sorted by the most recent. If you want to clear your entire viewing history, press the "Clear All Viewing History" button at the top of the list.
Step 5. Delete only one history item
To delete just one video from your watch history list, place the mouse cursor on the desired item, then select the vertically aligned three dots icon that appears on the right side of the list and choose the "Remove from view history ".
If you don't see the three-dot icon, try using a different internet browser, such as the latest version of Firefox
Step 6. Turn off viewing history
If you want YouTube to no longer track the videos you view, press the Pause Watch History button. To reactivate the view history, access this page again and press the Reactivate view history button located in the same position as the previous one.
Step 7. Manage your search history
Find and select the "Search History" link at the top of the list to see the full list of all searches performed on YouTube. The mechanics of managing the search history list is exactly the same as that of the "view history" list:
- The Clear All Search History button permanently deletes all searches performed on YouTube.
- Move the mouse cursor over a history item to display the three-dot icon on the right side of the list (this icon is only available on some browsers, such as the latest version of Firefox). Select it to remove only the relevant item from the history.
- Press the Pause Search History button to prevent YouTube from tracking your searches.
Step 8. Delete YouTube from your internet browser history
By now you will have removed all information stored in YouTube history, but your internet browser (such as Internet Explorer or Chrome) will continue to keep track of the videos you watch in your browsing history. Clear your browser history using the recommendations in this guide or go to the "History" tab from the main menu and proceed by deleting all YouTube videos individually from the list.
Method 2 of 4: Clear YouTube History from iOS Devices
Step 1. Launch the YouTube application from your device
This method is valid for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or any other device that uses the iOS operating system.
By using the YouTube mobile site and not the application, you will not be able to clear all history in one go. Download the mobile application or use your computer
Step 2. Select the Help icon
It is characterized by three parallel horizontal lines of gray color. Select it to access the menu of available options.
Step 3. Select the History item to access the list of all the videos you have viewed
Step 4. Select the trash can icon
It's a gray trash can icon. This will delete all items in your viewing history.
If you want to delete a single item from the history, you must use the YouTube site for mobile devices, or access the YouTube site on a computer. In both cases, consult the section of the help on clearing history on a computer
Step 5. Log out to clear your search history
All information about searches performed using the YouTube application will only remain in memory for as long as you use the application.
If the YouTube app crashes preventing you from disconnecting your account, force it to close by pressing the device's Home button twice, then locate the YouTube app running in the background and swipe it up off the screen
Method 3 of 4: Clear YouTube History from Android Devices
Step 1. Open the YouTube application
Use this method for any device that uses the Android operating system. To have access to all YouTube clearing history options, use the application or log in from a computer instead of using the YouTube mobile site.
The YouTube mobile site only allows you to delete history items individually and not in a single operation
Step 2. Select the Help icon
On Android devices, this icon is characterized by three horizontal and parallel gray lines, and is placed next to the red YouTube logo. Select this icon to access the settings menu.
In some versions of the YouTube application you may need to select the "Settings" icon
Step 3. Select the History item
Choose this option from the menu that appeared to access the history.
Step 4. Use the Menu items to clear your history
Select the "Menu" button to access other options. The "Remove from Control Panel" item deletes the history items individually. The "Clear History" item removes all items contained in the history in a single operation.
Step 5. Clear your search history
Return to the main YouTube application screen. Press the Menu button, select the Settings item, choose the Search option and finally choose the Clear search history option to delete all searches performed on YouTube.
You can prevent the application from tracking your future searches by selecting the "Pause Search History" option found in the same Search menu where you also found the "Clear Search History" option
Method 4 of 4: Clear YouTube History from the TV or Console
Step 1. Access the Help menu
Access YouTube from your console, TV, or streaming device. Different devices have different organization of menus and options, but usually the Help menu can be reached in one of the following ways:
- Selecting an icon characterized by three parallel horizontal lines of gray color.
- By selecting the YouTube logo placed next to or superimposed on three gray bars.
- By selecting the word "Guide".
Step 2. Select the Settings item
The Settings option should redirect you to the list of all the videos you have viewed.
Step 3. Clear your viewing history
Select the Clear View History button to delete all history items. If this option is not available on your device, you will need to log in to the same YouTube user account using a computer to be able to delete the history.
Step 4. Clear your search history
On most devices, you have the option to delete your search history. This way everything you've searched for won't show up as a suggestion in subsequent searches. Select the search icon (usually characterized by a magnifying glass) and select the item Clear search history.
