← Back to all guidesNetflix stores a detailed record of everything you have ever watched: every title, every session, which profile watched it, what device it was on, and when. You can request a full data export from your account settings — but there are a few things worth knowing before you do. This guide covers exactly what is inside, how to request it, and what the files actually look like.
What Netflix stores about you
Netflix's data export is more comprehensive than many people expect. It covers all profiles on the account, not just the one you use most.
- ViewingActivity — every title watched, with date, duration, and which profile watched it
- SearchHistory — every search you typed into Netflix, with timestamp
- Ratings — your star or thumbs ratings on titles
- BillingHistory — a record of every payment, plan change, and billing cycle
- Profiles — the list of profiles on your account with names and settings
- DeviceHistory — devices that have been used to log in
- AccountDetails — your email, country, plan type, and account creation date
- ContentInteractions — finer-grained engagement data including browse activity and row interactions
- Messages — any customer support messages sent through the Netflix platform
- IP addresses and login locations — from the security log section
A quicker route: download viewing history directly
If you only need your watch history and do not want to wait for the full export (which can take up to 30 days), Netflix has a faster option: you can download a CSV of your viewing history directly from the account page without submitting a formal data request.
This is the quickest way to get the most-used part of the data.
- Go to netflix.com and sign in.
- Click your profile icon in the top-right corner > Account.
- Under the profile section for the profile you want, click "Viewing activity".
- Scroll to the bottom of the viewing activity page.
- Click "Download all" to get a CSV of that profile's complete watch history.
- Repeat for each profile on the account.
How to request the full data export
- Go to netflix.com and sign in.
- Click your profile icon in the top-right corner > Account.
- Scroll to the bottom of the account page.
- Under the "Privacy" section, click "Get a copy of your personal information" or "Download your personal information".
- On the next page, click "Submit".
- Netflix will send a confirmation email.
- The archive takes up to 30 days to prepare, though many accounts complete faster.
- When ready, Netflix sends another email with the download link.
- The download link is valid for a limited window — download promptly.
- Save the ZIP file.
What is inside the archive
The export is a ZIP file containing a set of CSV files, one per data category. They all open directly in Excel or Google Sheets — no conversion required.
- ViewingActivity.csv — the main file: title, date, profile name, device type, country, and duration watched
- SearchHistory.csv — every search query with timestamp and profile
- Ratings.csv — titles you rated with your rating, date, and profile
- BillingHistory.csv — complete payment history with date, amount, and plan details
- Profiles.csv — list of profiles with creation date and PIN info
- Account details file — your account email, country, plan, and creation date
- DeviceHistory.csv — devices logged in with first and last seen dates
- ParentalControls.csv — PIN and maturity settings if configured
- MessagesSentByNetflix.csv — promotional or account emails sent to you
How to read ViewingActivity.csv
ViewingActivity.csv is the most useful file in the export. It is a flat CSV with one row per viewing session. Open it in Excel, Google Sheets, or any spreadsheet app.
The file covers every profile on the account, so you can filter by profile name to separate your history from other users' on the account.
- Title — the name of what was watched (includes season and episode for TV shows)
- Date — the date of the viewing session
- Profile Name — which profile watched it
- Country — the country the account was in at the time
- Device Type — the device used (Smart TV, iPhone, Browser, etc.)
- Bookmark — the point in the title where playback was last left
- Duration — how long the session lasted
- Filter by "Profile Name" column to separate households or users on a shared account
- Sort by Date descending to see recent history first
- Use a COUNTIF on the Title column to find your most-watched shows
Interesting things to look for
- DeviceHistory.csv shows every device ever used to access your account — useful for spotting logins you did not authorise
- BillingHistory.csv gives a complete payment record, including periods when the subscription was paused or changed
- SearchHistory.csv reveals what you were looking for but could not find (or chose not to watch)
- ViewingActivity across all profiles shows shared account usage — useful if you are trying to split accounts under Netflix's account-sharing rules
Netflix and account sharing — what the data shows
Netflix has tightened rules around account sharing since 2023. Your viewing history archive is a useful reference if you are splitting accounts or creating new ones.
Profile names and viewing history make it straightforward to understand who used the account and how much.
- Device history with first/last seen dates helps identify devices that may no longer need access
- If you are separating household accounts, the ViewingActivity CSV lets each profile owner see their own history before account closure
- Ratings.csv is worth exporting before closing a profile — ratings are not transferred during account splits
How to delete your Netflix viewing history
Exporting does not delete anything. If you want to clear your Netflix viewing history or close your account, those are separate actions.
- Delete individual titles: go to Account > Viewing activity and click the hide icon next to any title
- There is no "delete all" button for viewing history — individual titles must be hidden one at a time
- To remove all personal data: close your account at netflix.com > Account > Cancel membership, then submit a data deletion request via the Privacy settings
- Export before closing — once the account is cancelled, submitting a data request becomes more complicated
Where to store it
- ViewingActivity.csv is the file to keep — small, complete, and easy to reference
- BillingHistory.csv is worth keeping alongside other subscription and financial records
- Store the full archive in a folder named netflix-2026-04
- Off-site copy: pCloud (partner.pcloud.com/r/155235) or ProtonDrive (go.getproton.me/SH2aK)
Quick version
If you want the short checklist instead of the full guide, use the service page.
FAQ
How long does the Netflix data export take?
Up to 30 days. If you only need your viewing history, use the faster direct download from Account > Viewing Activity > Download all — this is available immediately.
Does the export include all profiles on my account?
Yes. ViewingActivity.csv includes data from every profile, identified by profile name.
Can I download just my viewing history without waiting 30 days?
Yes. Go to Account > Viewing Activity for any profile and click "Download all" at the bottom of the page. This gives you that profile's complete history as a CSV immediately.
Does exporting delete my Netflix data?
No. Exporting creates a copy. Your data stays on Netflix's servers unless you separately request deletion.
What format are the files in?
All CSV. They open directly in Excel or Google Sheets without any conversion.
Does the export include my ratings?
Yes. Ratings are in a separate CSV with title, rating, and date.
Can I see what devices have been used on my account?
Yes. DeviceHistory.csv lists every device with first and last seen dates.
Is there a way to see who watched what on a shared account?
Yes. ViewingActivity.csv includes a Profile Name column, so you can filter by profile to see each user's watch history.
Does the Netflix export include payment information?
Yes. BillingHistory.csv includes every payment with date, amount, and plan details. It does not include full card numbers.
What happens to my data if I cancel Netflix?
Netflix retains data for a period after account closure. Export before cancelling and submit a deletion request via privacy settings if you want your data removed.