YouTube just got an upgrade that simplifies your home screen — here’s how to turn it on

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Here's how to stop YouTube's home screen from doing too much

A shot of the YouTube app icon on the Apple TV 4K home screen
(Image credit: Henry T. Casey / Tom's Guide)

This might sound weird, but the YouTube home screen does too much. At least for some folks (yours truly included). It would appear YouTube knows this, as a new setting announced yesterday (August 8) will aim to simplify things.

This streamlined YouTube home screen will be free of recommended videos from channels you don't subscribe to (and don't have the time to provide direct feedback on). You just need to disable your YouTube watch history.

There's just one catch, as we've noticed when trying this out for ourselves: it's not available for all yet. Hazel explained this, writing "We’re rolling these changes out slowly, over the next few months." So, if you want to try this out, you'll want to start now and then ... wait. 

How to get the simpler, cleaner YouTube home screen

1. On a device you're logged into, visit My Google Activity

(Image: © Alphabet)

We've even got the link for you here: My Google Activity. Once you're there, you'll want to scroll down.

2. Turn off Youtube History

(Image: © Alphabet)

Once you've scrolled down to YouTube History, select Turn Off.

3. Confirm your decision

(Image: © Alphabet)

Select Pause on this screen here to confirm your intent.

4. Now, let's delete your history

(Image: © Alphabet)

To make sure YouTube has no data to serve recommendations, you should now select Delete old activity.

5. It's time to delete

(Image: © Alphabet)

Look over your history of videos, and select Delete.

6. You're done! Time to wait

(Image: © Alphabet)

In my experience, I found that this doesn't lead to a super-clean home screen, but at least you've gotten this work done now.

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Henry T. Casey
Henry T. Casey

Henry was a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.