Where to Find Your Watchlist
Your watchlist on Apple TV is in the Watch Now tab at the bottom of the screen. Open the Apple TV app, tap or click the Watch Now icon (it looks like a play button inside a circle), then look for a heart icon in the top right corner of the screen. Tap that heart icon and you'll see everything you've saved.
On iPhone and iPad, the heart icon appears in the upper right of the Watch Now tab. On Apple TV boxes and smart TVs, use your remote to navigate to the same spot. On Mac and web browsers, the heart icon is also in the top right corner of the Watch Now section.
If you don't see a heart icon, you may be looking at a different tab. Make sure you're in Watch Now first — it's the leftmost tab at the bottom of the screen on phones and tablets, and the first option in the menu on TV devices.
Key Takeaways
- Your watchlist opens from the heart icon in the top right corner of the Watch Now tab on any Apple TV device.
- Items stay on your watchlist until you remove them by tapping the heart icon again to toggle it off.
- Your watchlist syncs across all your devices if you're signed into the same Apple ID.
- You can add shows and movies to your watchlist from search results, show pages, or the Browse tab by tapping the heart icon next to any title.
Adding Shows and Movies to Your Watchlist
You can add any show or movie to your watchlist from almost anywhere in the app. When you find a title you want to watch later, look for the heart icon next to it and tap once. The heart will fill in with color, showing the item is now saved.
The heart icon appears on show and movie detail pages, in search results, in the Browse section, and in lists like "New and Trending" or "Popular on Apple TV+". You don't have to open the full page for a title — you can often tap the heart right from a grid or list view.
Once you add something, it stays on your watchlist until you tap the heart again to remove it. Removing an item from your watchlist does not delete it from Apple TV — you can always find it again through search or browsing.
Syncing Your Watchlist Across Devices
Your watchlist automatically syncs to all your devices as long as you're signed in with the same Apple ID. If you add a show on your iPhone, it will appear on your Apple TV box, Mac, and iPad within a few moments.
If your watchlist isn't syncing, check that you're using the same Apple ID on each device. Go to Settings on your device and confirm which Apple ID is active. On Apple TV boxes, go to Settings > Users and Accounts. On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] at the top of the screen.
Syncing usually happens within seconds, but can take a minute or two on slower internet connections. If an item still hasn't appeared after five minutes, try signing out and back in on the device where you don't see it.
Organizing Your Watchlist
Apple TV doesn't have built-in folders or categories for your watchlist, but you can arrange items by removing and re-adding them. The most recently added items appear at the top of your watchlist, so if you want to prioritize something, remove it and add it again.
Your watchlist can hold as many items as you want — there's no limit. If your list gets long and hard to browse, you can use the search function to find a specific show or movie you saved. Type the title name and it will show up in your search results with a filled heart icon, confirming it's on your watchlist.
Removing Items from Your Watchlist
To remove something from your watchlist, find the title and tap the heart icon again. The heart will empty out, and the item will disappear from your watchlist within a few seconds. You can remove items from your watchlist view itself, or from anywhere else in the app where you see the heart icon.
Removing an item is when ready and permanent — it won't reappear unless you add it again. This action doesn't affect the show or movie in any other way; you can still search for it, find it in Browse, or watch it anytime.
Troubleshooting a Missing Watchlist
If you can't find your watchlist, first make sure you're in the Watch Now tab. On phones and tablets, swipe to the leftmost tab at the bottom. On TV devices, press the menu button on your remote and select Watch Now from the list. The heart icon should appear in the top right corner once you're there.
If the heart icon still doesn't appear, try closing and reopening the Apple TV app. On iPhone and iPad, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and close the app, then open it again. On Apple TV boxes, press the Menu button twice to go back to the home screen, then reopen Apple TV.
If you've recently changed your Apple ID or signed out, your old watchlist may not be visible. Sign in with the Apple ID you used when you created the watchlist. Your items should reappear once you're signed in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can other people see my watchlist?
No, your watchlist is private to your Apple ID. Other people using the same Apple TV device with their own Apple ID will see their own separate watchlist. If you share an Apple ID with someone else, they will see your watchlist.
Does adding something to my watchlist start playing it?
No, tapping the heart icon only saves the title to your watchlist. It won't start playback. You have to open the show or movie page and tap the play button to begin watching.
What happens to my watchlist if I delete the Apple TV app?
Your watchlist is stored on Apple's servers tied to your Apple ID, not on your device. Deleting the app won't erase your watchlist. When you reinstall Apple TV and sign in with the same Apple ID, your watchlist will reappear.
Can I see how many items are on my watchlist?
Apple TV doesn't display a count of items on your watchlist. You can only see the total by opening your watchlist and scrolling through all the items.
Why did items disappear from my watchlist?
Items disappear from your watchlist only if you remove them by tapping the heart icon. If shows or movies vanish without you removing them, check that you're signed in with the correct Apple ID and that your internet connection is stable.