Your watchlist is in the Watch Next tab at the bottom of the Apple TV app
Open the Apple TV app on your device and look at the bottom of the screen. You'll see five tabs: Watch Now, Originals, Sports, Search, and Watch Next. Tap or click Watch Next — that's where your watchlist lives. Everything you've added shows up there in the order you added it, with the most recent additions at the top.
The watchlist is the same across all your devices. If you add a show on your iPhone, it appears on your Apple TV, Mac, and any other device where you're signed in with the same Apple ID. The app syncs automatically, so you don't have to do anything to keep them in sync.
Key Takeaways
- Your watchlist is the Watch Next tab at the bottom of the Apple TV app — it's the fifth tab from the left.
- Everything you add appears in Watch Next in reverse chronological order, with newest additions at the top.
- Your watchlist syncs across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV hardware, and any other device signed in with your Apple ID.
- You can add shows and movies by tapping the plus icon next to the title, or remove them by swiping left on the item in Watch Next.
How to add something to your watchlist
When you're looking at a show or movie detail page, you'll see a plus icon (usually in the top right or near the title). Tap or click it to add that title to your watchlist. The icon changes to a checkmark once it's added, so you know it worked.
You can also add titles from search results, from recommendations on the Watch Now tab, or from any detail page. The plus icon appears in the same spot no matter where you find the title.
How to remove something from your watchlist
Open Watch Next and find the title you want to remove. On iPhone or iPad, swipe left on the item and tap the trash icon. On Mac or Apple TV, highlight the item and press the Delete key, or look for a remove option in the menu.
Removing something from Watch Next doesn't delete it from Apple TV or affect your account in any way — it just takes it off your personal list. You can add it back anytime by going to the title page and tapping the plus icon again.
Why you might not see your watchlist
If Watch Next is empty or looks different than expected, check that you're signed in with the correct Apple ID. Open Settings on your device, go to your Apple ID account, and confirm the name matches the account you use for Apple TV purchases.
If you recently switched devices or signed out and back in, the watchlist may take a few minutes to sync. Try closing the Apple TV app completely and opening it again. If items still don't appear after a few minutes, sign out of your Apple ID in the app settings, wait 30 seconds, and sign back in.
Watchlist on different devices
On iPhone and iPad, Watch Next is the rightmost tab at the bottom. Swipe left on any item to remove it, or tap and hold to see more options like marking it as watched.
On Mac, Watch Next is also the rightmost tab at the bottom of the window. Click an item to see its detail page, or right-click to remove it from your list.
On Apple TV hardware (the box connected to your television), Watch Next is the fifth tab. Use your remote to navigate to it. You can also ask Siri to "show my watchlist" on newer Apple TV models.
On web browsers at tv.apple.com, your watchlist appears in the sidebar on the left under "Watch Next" when you're signed in. Click any title to play it or see details.
How to organize your watchlist
Apple TV doesn't have a built-in way to reorder items in your watchlist or create separate lists. Items appear in the order you added them, with the newest at the top. If you want to prioritize something, you can remove it and add it again — it will move to the top of the list.
Some people use the Notes app or a separate list to keep track of what they want to watch and in what order, then add titles to Apple TV's watchlist when they're ready to start them. This is a workaround, not a feature Apple TV offers, but it works if you like to plan ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see what's in my watchlist on the Apple TV website?
Yes. Go to tv.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, and look for Watch Next in the left sidebar. Your entire watchlist appears there, and you can remove items by clicking the X next to them. Changes sync back to your devices automatically.
Does my watchlist include shows I've already watched?
No. Once you finish a show or movie, Apple TV moves it out of Watch Next and into a separate "Continue Watching" section. You can still find it by searching or browsing, but it won't clutter your watchlist.
What happens to my watchlist if I cancel my Apple TV+ subscription?
Your watchlist stays on your account. You can still see it and add to it. You just won't be able to watch Apple TV+ originals unless you resubscribe. Titles from other services (like movies you own or shows from other apps) remain playable.
Can I share my watchlist with someone else?
No. Each person who uses Apple TV needs their own Apple ID, and each ID has its own watchlist. If you share a device, you can switch between accounts in Settings, and each person's watchlist will appear when they sign in.