What To Know About Password Sharing on Netflix: Rules, Costs and More
Netflix had been dropping spoilers about new password-sharing measures for months. Then, earlier this year, a set of guidelines came out that went viral all about Netflix's password-sharing rules. These rules seemingly confirmed that the days of using your parents' (or ex's) Netflix account were about to become a thing of the past. However, it's now official: free password-sharing days are over.
Back in October 2022, the streaming juggernaut announced a profile transfer. ICYMI, the feature allowed users to transfer profiles within someone else's account to one that's all their own (read: Keep your viewing history and personalized recs, but pony up your own membership fee).
Then, a week before the rules were shared in 2023, new co-CEO Greg Peters basically stated that those little friendly nudges were now the new policy.
“We’ve got folks that are watching Netflix who aren’t paying us as part of basically borrowing somebody else’s credentials,” Peters said at a fourth-quarter earnings call in January. “And our goal is over this year to basically work through that situation and convert many of those folks to be paid accounts or to have the account owner pay for them to get enough subscription. But either way, we’re seeking to sort of monetize the viewing value that we’re delivering."
So, it wasn't exactly a surprise when new rules were posted—however, they were swiftly removed the same day. Those rules included defining a primary location as their TV, requiring all accounts and devices for streaming Netflix to be linked to the same Wi-Fi, and anyone using Netflix on a device other than the TV must log into the app and watch something every 31 days.
Users were not happy, to say the least. They became caught up in furious tweet storms and threatened to cancel their subscriptions. Afterward, Netflix announced that those rules actually only apply to account holders in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru, and that they went live in other countries by mistake.
However, the fury is back. Netflix shared the news on Tuesday, May 23, revealing in a blog post that U.S. subscribers will now be charged a fee for sharing their Netflix account across more than one household.
So, what does this mean for your password-sharing days? Are they safe? Has anything actually changed? How much do you have to fork over for a Netflix membership? We've got answers.
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Has Netflix Stopped Password Sharing?
Netflix news went viral at the start of the year when new password-sharing information was posted on the Netflix Help Center. And while the first changes to password-sharing capabilities did not include the United States back in February, targeting countries like Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain instead, paid sharing has now reached the U.S. as well.
How Does Netflix Know You Are Sharing Passwords?
Netflix will suspect you're sharing passwords if you try to stream it using an account synced to another Wi-Fi.
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Will Netflix Start Charging for Sharing Passwords?
Yes, Netflix is going to charge you to share passwords in the United States.
Can I Use Netflix in Two Different Houses?
After the latest news, you will no longer be able to use Netflix in two different houses without paying extra. Netflix subscribers in the U.S. will be charged an extra $7.99 a month for sharing their account with someone from a different household. Even if you share your account with your parents or siblings, you'll have to pay the fee if you don't live with them.
As Netflix specifies on its site: "A Netflix account is meant to be shared in one household (people who live in the same location with the account owner)."
How Many Devices Can Be Logged Into Netflix at a Time?
It depends on the plan. A basic or basic-with-ads Netflix plan can only stream on one device simultaneously. A standard plan allows two devices to stream at once. Have premium? You can stream from four devices.
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How Much Does Netflix Cost?
It depends on your plan. The Netflix plan cost breakdown is as follows:
Basic with ads: $6.99/month
Basic: $9.99/month
Standard: $15.49/month (extra member slots will cost $7.99/month)
Premium: $19.99/month (extra member slots will cost $7.99/month)
How Can I Use Netflix While Traveling?
Booked a beach house without Netflix for the summer? Love streaming shows during your mass-transit commute?
This shouldn't be a problem at all. Netflix allows basic, standard and premium users to download and stream content offline, so you may be able to download movies and shows in advance of your travels or commute.
Also, Netflix has previously said, "Members can still easily watch Netflix on their personal devices or log into a new TV, like at a hotel or holiday rental."
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