How to Disable YouTube History

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If you don't like how Google stores your YouTube search and watch history, you can disable it. This wikiHow will teach you how to pause YouTube history using a web browser.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using the YouTube App for Android

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    Log in to your account if you haven't already done.
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    This will be located at the top-right corner of the app. When you tap on it, the menu panel will show up.
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    It will be the second last option on the list.
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    You will see this under the “Watch on tv” option.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Disable-YouTube-History-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Disable-YouTube-History-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Disable-YouTube-History-Step-5.jpg\/aid9174726-v4-728px-Disable-YouTube-History-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
     Slide the “Pause watch history” switch to On
    Android 7 Switch On
    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/2\/28\/Android7switchon.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/28\/Android7switchon.png\/35px-Android7switchon.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":394,"bigWidth":35,"bigHeight":30,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an Android icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    . A dialog box will show up on your screen, after doing so.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Disable-YouTube-History-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Disable-YouTube-History-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Disable-YouTube-History-Step-6.jpg\/aid9174726-v4-728px-Disable-YouTube-History-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you want to delete the previous watch history, use the “Clear watch history” option that you can see in the same settings. That's it!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using the YouTube Website

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    Open www.youtube.com in your web browser. Sign in to your account, if you haven't already done so.
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    A drop-down menu will show up.
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    You can see this right after the “Settings” option. This will lead you to a new page.
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    Click on the "On" option next to the "YouTube Watch History" title.
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    Click on the "Turn off" button right across “YouTube History” .
    • Make sure to tick the two options under the “YouTube History” title.
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    Click the PAUSE button from the pop-up box.
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    Note that any previous YouTube search history will be kept. You may want to read How to Clear Your YouTube History .
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      Warnings

      • You may see fewer and less precise video recommendations. [1]
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      • You can't delete any previous activity by pausing the watch history setting. So, use the "Clear watch history" option to do it.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/95725

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