How to Delete All Watch Later Videos on YouTube? That Watch Later List Isn’t Going to Clean Itself
We’ve all been there. You click “Save to Watch Later” thinking you’ll get around to it soon. One video turns into five, then fifty, and before you know it, your Watch Later playlist looks more like a digital junk drawer than a curated list of must-watch content.
If you’re ready to clean house and finally clear out that cluttered list, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll show you exactly how to delete all Watch Later videos on YouTube in just a few simple steps. Whether you’re using a phone, tablet, or computer, this guide will help you wipe the slate clean.
Let’s dive in and take control of your YouTube experience.
Why Clean Your Watch Later List?
Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the why. Here’s why it’s a smart move to regularly clean up your Watch Later playlist:
- Better organization: A clean list makes it easier to keep track of videos you actually want to watch soon.
- Improved recommendations: YouTube uses your activity to recommend videos. A cluttered list can send mixed signals.
- Less distraction: Deleting old or unwanted videos reduces the chance of mindless scrolling.
- Faster performance: Though minor, loading a list of hundreds of saved videos can slow things down, especially on mobile.
Now that you know why it’s worth doing, let’s get into the steps for deleting everything from your Watch Later playlist.
How to Delete All Watch Later Videos on YouTube (Desktop)
If you’re on a laptop or desktop computer, this is the easiest way to delete every video from your Watch Later list.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Go to YouTube.com
Open your preferred web browser and head to https://www.youtube.com. Make sure you’re signed in to the correct Google account. - Click on the Menu Icon (Top Left Corner)
This icon looks like three horizontal lines. Clicking it will open the left-hand sidebar. - Select “Watch Later”
Under the “Library” section, click on Watch Later to open your playlist. - Click the Three-Dot Menu (⋮)
You’ll see this next to each video thumbnail. Click it to bring up the video options. - Choose “Remove from Watch Later”
Unfortunately, YouTube does not currently offer a “Delete All” button for this playlist. So, here’s the trick: - Use Playlist View for Bulk Deletion
Click on the “View Full Playlist” link at the top right of the Watch Later page. - Click the Three Dots Beside Each Video
Now you can scroll and quickly click Remove from Watch Later for each video.
Pro Tip: Use your mouse scroll wheel and keyboard (hold down
CtrlorCmdwhile clicking) to open multiple video menus faster and remove them quickly.
Is There a Faster Way?
Yes — kind of. If you’re tech-savvy and use a browser like Chrome, you can run a script in the developer console to automate the process. However, this method is not officially supported by YouTube and could stop working at any time due to platform updates.
How to Delete All Watch Later Videos on YouTube (Mobile)
Using a phone or tablet? Here’s how to do it using the YouTube app.
On Android or iOS:
- Open the YouTube App
Make sure you’re signed in to the correct account. - Tap “Library” in the Bottom Menu
This is the last icon on the bottom right. - Select “Watch Later”
You’ll find it under the “Playlists” section. - Tap the Three Dots Next to a Video
Just like on desktop, you’ll need to remove each video individually. - Choose “Remove from Watch Later”
Tap to remove the video. Repeat for each one.
Unfortunately, the mobile app does not support bulk deletion either. But here’s a workaround:
Faster Option on Mobile:
- Use YouTube in your mobile browser (like Chrome) and switch to Desktop Mode.
- Then follow the same steps listed above for desktop users.
It’s not as smooth as using a computer, but it’s faster than deleting one video at a time in the app.
Can You Delete the Entire Playlist?
No, YouTube does not allow you to delete the Watch Later playlist entirely. It’s a built-in feature tied to your account. You can remove all the videos inside it, but the playlist itself stays.
What About Using Third-Party Tools?
There are browser extensions and scripts out there that claim to help with bulk deletion. While some do work, there are risks:
- Account security: Giving access to your YouTube account or browser data is risky.
- Violating YouTube’s terms: Using automation scripts can go against YouTube’s policy and result in account warnings or restrictions.
Unless you’re comfortable with those risks, it’s safer to stick with the manual method described above.
Tips to Keep Your Watch Later List Clean
Once you’ve cleared it out, don’t let it pile up again. Here are a few ways to stay organized:
- Be selective: Only save videos you plan to watch within the next few days.
- Create custom playlists: Instead of using Watch Later for everything, create topic-based playlists like “Marketing Tips” or “Travel Ideas.”
- Clear it weekly: Make it a habit to clean your Watch Later list every Friday or Sunday.
By using it intentionally, your Watch Later list can become a powerful tool instead of a digital mess.
Final Thoughts
Your Watch Later playlist should be a helpful reminder of videos you actually want to see, not a forgotten wasteland of content you’ll never get around to. Taking a few minutes to clear it out can make your YouTube experience feel fresh and focused again.
While there’s no official “clear all” button (yet), using the desktop method or mobile browser workaround will help you clean up fast. Once it’s done, try to stay on top of it by regularly reviewing and removing videos.
A tidy Watch Later playlist means less distraction, better video suggestions, and a smoother time navigating YouTube.
So go ahead, give it a fresh start.
Need more YouTube tips? Stay tuned for our next guide on how to organize your playlists and get the most out of your YouTube account.
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