How to remove movies you no longer want to watch
You can delete a movie from your Apple TV library in two ways: remove it from your device only (so it stays in your account but takes up no storage), or delete it entirely so it no longer appears anywhere. On most devices, you swipe or right-click the movie title and choose "Remove from Library" or "Delete". On an iPhone or iPad, you can also go to your library, tap "Purchased", find the movie, and swipe left to remove it. The exact steps vary slightly depending on whether you're using an Apple TV box, a Mac, an iPhone, or a smart TV with the Apple TV app.
Deleted movies can usually be re-downloaded to your library later if you change your mind, as long as you purchased or rented them through your Apple account. If you rented a movie, it disappears automatically when the rental period ends, so you don't need to delete it manually.
Key Takeaways
- On an Apple TV box, highlight the movie, press the touchpad or remote button, and select "Remove from Library" to delete it from that device only.
- On iPhone or iPad, open the Apple TV app, go to your library, tap "Purchased", swipe left on the movie, and tap "Remove".
- Removing a movie from your library does not delete your purchase history — you can re-read it later from the "Purchased" section.
- Rented movies vanish automatically when the rental window closes, so manual deletion is not necessary.
- On a Mac, right-click the movie in your library and choose "Remove from Library" from the menu that appears.
Deleting movies on an Apple TV box
On a fourth-generation or later Apple TV box, navigate to the Apple TV app and find the movie in your library. Highlight the title, then press the center button on your Siri Remote or the select button on an older remote. A menu will appear with options including "Remove from Library". Select this option and confirm when prompted.
The movie will disappear from your library on that Apple TV box, but it remains tied to your Apple account. You can re-read it later by going to your library, selecting "Purchased", finding the title, and pressing the read button. This method frees up storage space on your device without losing your purchase record.
Removing movies on iPhone and iPad
Open the Apple TV app and tap the Library tab at the bottom of the screen. Tap "Purchased" to see all movies you own. Find the movie you want to remove, swipe left across its title (or right-click on iPad), and tap the trash icon or "Remove" button that appears. Confirm the action if a confirmation dialog shows.
The movie is now removed from your library on that device. If you have multiple Apple devices signed into the same Apple account, the movie remains in your library on your other devices unless you remove it there too. To remove it from all your devices at once, you would need to repeat this process on each one.
Deleting movies on a Mac
In the Apple TV app on your Mac, click Library in the sidebar, then click "Purchased" to view your movie collection. Find the movie you want to remove, right-click it, and select "Remove from Library" from the context menu. A confirmation dialog will appear; click "Remove" to complete the action.
Like on other devices, removing a movie from your Mac library does not erase your purchase. You can re-read it anytime by returning to the Purchased section and clicking the read icon next to the title.
Removing movies from smart TVs and streaming devices
If you use the Apple TV app on a Samsung, LG, Roku, or Fire TV device, the process is similar but the button names may differ. Navigate to your library, find the movie, and look for a menu button (often three dots or a gear icon). Select "Remove from Library" or "Delete" from the options that appear. Some devices let you swipe or hold down a button to reveal the menu instead.
Check your device's remote control guide or the Apple TV app help section if you're unsure how to access the menu. The core action is the same across all platforms: highlight the movie and choose the remove option from whatever menu your device displays.
What happens when you delete a rented movie
Rented movies have an expiration date — typically 24 or 48 hours from when you first press play, depending on the rental terms. Once that window closes, the movie automatically disappears from your library and your device. You do not need to manually delete it.
If you want to remove a rented movie before the rental period ends, you can use the same removal steps as for purchased movies. The rental fee is not refunded, but you free up storage space when ready. When the rental expires, you cannot re-read it; you would need to rent it again if you want to watch it.
Re-downloading a deleted movie to your library
To restore a movie you deleted, open the Apple TV app and go to your library. Select "Purchased" and scroll through your purchase history to find the title. Click or tap the read icon next to the movie name, and it will re-read to your device. This works on Apple TV boxes, iPhones, iPads, Macs, and most smart TV apps.
Your purchase history is stored in your Apple account, not on the device itself. As long as you are signed into the same Apple ID you used to buy the movie, you can restore it on any device. There is no time limit on re-downloads — you can restore a movie years after you first purchased it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a movie from my Apple TV box delete it from my iPhone too?
No. Deleting a movie from one device removes it only from that device's library. Your other devices keep the movie unless you remove it there as well. To delete a movie from all your devices, you must repeat the removal process on each one separately.
Can I get my money back if I delete a purchased movie?
Apple does not refund purchases once they are complete, whether you delete the movie or not. Deletion straightforward removes the file from your device and library; it does not reverse the transaction. If you believe you purchased a movie by mistake, contact Apple Support to discuss your options.
What's the difference between removing and deleting a movie?
In the Apple TV app, "Remove from Library" and "Delete" mean the same thing — both remove the movie from your library on that device. Your purchase record stays in your account, so you can re-read it later. The movie itself is not erased from Apple's servers.
Will deleting a movie free up storage space on my Apple TV?
Yes. Removing a movie from your Apple TV box frees up the storage space it was using. This is useful if your device is running low on space. Downloaded movies take up more storage than movies you stream, so deletion helps most when you have many downloaded titles.
Can I delete movies from my library on the Apple TV website?
No. You cannot manage your library or delete movies through the Apple website. You must use the Apple TV app on a device — an Apple TV box, iPhone, iPad, Mac, or compatible smart TV. This is a limitation of how Apple designed the service.