Netflix has banned password sharing. How will it work?

Netflix estimates that more than 100 million users around the world use the service using someone else’s credentials. The company hope that by putting an end to sharing accounts, they will increase their income. This is essentially the only way that Netflix can significantly increase its subscribers in North America, where the service currently has the largest share of market penetration.

The Netflix help center has a page that describes how you can and can’t access your account.

Who can use a Netflix account now?

Netflix accounts can still be shared, but only within the same household. To make sure your devices are connected to your primary residence, Netflix now asks users to connect to Wi-Fi at your primary residence, open the Netflix app or website, and watch something at least once every 31 days.

Can you share a Netflix account with someone who doesn’t live with you?

No, accounts are for use within one household only. Netflix will prompt users who try to sign in to your account elsewhere to register their own account and will block their access until they do so.

Netflix will NOT automatically start charging account holders whose information is used outside of their home.

Can other users of your Netflix account save their profiles?

Yes, Netflix offers users a profile transfer feature that will allow them to transfer their show recommendations, view history, etc. to their own account if they choose to create one. This will allow users who have shared their password to keep their profile if they sign up for their own Netflix accounts.

Can I use Netflix while traveling?

Logging in to Netflix while away from home may result in the device you’re using being locked out. This can prevent you from registering new devices while traveling, but Netflix has developed a workaround.

Users who want to use Netflix on a hotel smart TV, company laptop, etc. can request a temporary code from the service when logging in. This will give them access to their account for seven consecutive days.

How do I prevent Netflix devices from being blocked?

If you log into your home Wi-Fi network at least once every 31 days on your devices, they will become “trusted” devices that Netflix will remember and keep unlocked.

If your device was locked by mistake, you’ll need to contact Netflix to unlock it.

How does Netflix know you’re away from your home/main residence?

Netflix uses information such as IP addresses, device IDs, and account activity to determine whether to connect a device signed into your account to your primary residence.

If your device is used outside of your home by someone you didn’t authorize, you can sign in and out of your account on all other devices and then change your password.

How many devices does Netflix allow you to use at the same time in one location?

It depends on which tariff plan you subscribe to. Netflix offers four different plans, and the number of simultaneous streams depends on which plan you subscribe to.

These measures appear to be cautious first steps to avoid a mass exodus of shared account users. If they don’t meet Netflix’s expectations of limiting the spread of passwords, tougher measures could be taken, such as charging users who continue to provide their login credentials.

In 2022, in several Latin American countries, Netflix began testing methods of charging users $3 for access to their account by a third party outside the home.