Delete Movies from iTunes Library: Full Guide

Yes, you can delete movies from your iTunes library, and the exact steps depend on whether you want to remove them from Apple’s cloud servers or just from one device. This guide covers both methods, explains the difference between deleting and hiding purchases, and shows you how to free up storage without losing your right to re-download.

Background: How iTunes Stores Movies

iTunes (now part of the Apple Music app on macOS Catalina and later) stores your movie purchases in two places: your local device and Apple’s servers. When you buy a movie from the iTunes Store, Apple associates it with your Apple ID. You can download it to any device signed in with that ID, and you can delete the local copy at any time without losing the purchase. The purchase remains in your account’s purchase history, so you can re-download it later, as long as the movie is still available in the store.

Before macOS Catalina (2019), iTunes handled all media. On modern Macs, the Apple Music app manages movies, while on Windows, the iTunes app still does. On iPhone and iPad, the TV app handles movies. The underlying account system is the same.

How to Delete Movies from iPhone or iPad

On iOS and iPadOS, deleting a movie removes the downloaded file from the device but keeps it in your purchase history. To delete a movie from your iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the TV app.
2. Tap the Library tab at the bottom.
3. Tap Downloaded to see only movies stored on the device.
4. Touch and hold the movie you want to delete.
5. Tap Delete Download from the menu.
6. Confirm by tapping Delete Download again.

The movie disappears from the Downloaded list but remains in your Library and purchase history. To re-download it, tap the cloud icon next to the title.

How to Delete Movies from Mac (Apple Music App)

On macOS Catalina or later, movies are managed in the Apple Music app, not iTunes. To delete a movie from your Mac:

1. Open the Apple Music app.
2. In the sidebar, click Movies (you may need to enable it in Settings > General).
3. Find the movie you want to delete. Right-click (or Control-click) the movie.
4. Choose Remove from Library to delete it from your library entirely, or Remove Download to only delete the file from your Mac.

If you choose Remove from Library, the movie is removed from your library on all devices signed in with the same Apple ID. However, it remains in your purchase history, so you can re-download it from the iTunes Store later.

How to Permanently Delete Movies from Your Apple ID

If you want to remove a movie from your purchase history entirely (so it no longer appears in your library or available downloads), you must use the Apple ID account page on a web browser. This is a permanent action and cannot be undone. To permanently delete a movie:

1. Go to reportaproblem.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
2. Click Purchases and then Movies.
3. Find the movie you want to delete.
4. Click Report a Problem next to the movie.
5. Choose I’d like to request a refund or I’d like to report a problem and follow the prompts.

Apple does not offer a direct “delete purchase” button. The only way to remove a movie from your account is to request a refund (if eligible) or report a problem. If Apple approves the refund, the movie is removed from your library and you get your money back. If you just want to hide it, use the Hide feature instead.

How to Hide Movies Without Deleting Them

If you want to remove a movie from your visible library but keep the purchase, use the hidden purchases feature. This is useful for movies you no longer want to see but might want to re-download later. To hide a movie on iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the App Store app.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top right.
3. Tap Purchased.
4. Tap Movies.
5. Find the movie and swipe left on it.
6. Tap Hide.

On a Mac, open the App Store app, go to your account, click Purchased, find the movie, and click the Hide button. Hidden movies can be unhidden later from the same account page.

Common Problems and Solutions

Users often run into a few issues when trying to delete movies:

• Movie won’t delete: If the delete option is grayed out, the movie may be part of a Family Sharing purchase. You cannot delete a movie that was purchased by another family member. You can only remove it from your device, not from your library.
• Storage doesn’t free up: After deleting a movie, check that you deleted the download, not just the library entry. On iOS, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and see if the movie still appears under Media.
• Movie reappears after deletion: If you delete a movie on one device but it reappears, it may be because another device in your household downloaded it. Deleting from your library removes it from all devices, but if a family member re-downloads it, it will show up again.
• Can’t re-download after deletion: If a movie is no longer available in the iTunes Store, you cannot re-download it, even if you purchased it. This is rare but can happen when licensing agreements expire. In that case, you lose access to the movie permanently.

Comparison: Delete vs. Hide vs. Refund

Understanding the three options helps you choose the right one:

• Delete download: Removes the file from your device. The purchase stays in your library. You can re-download anytime. This is what you want to free up storage.
• Hide: Removes the movie from your visible library and purchase history on all devices. The purchase remains in your account. You can unhide later. This is for decluttering without losing access.
• Refund: Removes the movie from your account entirely and returns your money (if eligible). This is permanent and cannot be undone. Use this only if you truly don’t want the movie anymore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting a movie from my iPhone delete it from my Mac?
No, deleting a download only removes the file from that device. Your library entry remains on all devices. To remove it from all devices, you must delete it from your library (which still keeps the purchase) or hide it.

Can I get a refund for a movie I accidentally bought?
Yes, you can request a refund through reportaproblem.apple.com. Apple typically approves refunds for accidental purchases, but it’s not guaranteed. If approved, the movie is removed from your account.

Why can’t I delete a movie from my library?
If the movie was purchased by a family member via Family Sharing, you can’t delete it from your library. You can only remove the download from your device. The family member who purchased it must delete it from their account.

Will I lose my movie if I delete it from my library?
No, deleting from your library does not delete the purchase. It remains in your purchase history and you can re-download it. Only a refund or a store removal (if the movie is pulled) permanently removes it.

How do I see hidden movies?
Go to the App Store app, tap your profile, tap Purchased, then tap Movies. Scroll to the bottom and tap “Hidden Purchases”. You can unhide any movie from there.

Can I delete movies from iTunes on Windows?
Yes, open iTunes, go to your Library, right-click the movie, and choose “Remove from Library”. This deletes the file from your computer but keeps the purchase. To permanently delete, use the same reportaproblem.apple.com method.

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