Netflix Password Sharing Rules: Everything You Need to Know

It has been an open secret for some time that Netflix has been looking for ways to stop password sharing among users. The company even tested ways to find a feasible solution to this. Now, after waiting months for the virtual guillotine to drop, Netflix has finally revealed exact information on how it will crack down on password sharing. So if you’re wondering if your days of hogging your friend’s Netflix password are over, this guide is for you. We have compiled everything you need to know about Netflix’s new password sharing rules in 2023. So without further ado, let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

When is Netflix Password Sharing Ending?

The new Netflix password sharing rules have already been imposed in the United States, the UK, and Australia. It will gradually roll out to the rest of the world too. On July 20, 2023, Netflix officially started sending out emails to folks sharing Netflix with people outside of their household. Moreover, the password sharing crackdown has now been imposed on not just the US and UK, but India and the rest of the world too.

What is a Netflix Household?

Netflix Household is basically a digital fortress that allows Netflix to determine that the devices using their service are within the same “household”. People who do not live in the same household will need to use their own Netflix account to use the streaming service. However, setting up a Netflix Household means that you won’t be able to use your 2 or 4-device plans from different locations like you used to.

So, if you are getting the Standard or Premium plans, make sure that the devices that will be using the account are within a household. Else, as per the new Netflix password sharing rules, they will lose access to this Household if and when they move away from the primary location.

What is the Netflix Household Rule?

As per Netflix, the primary location or Netflix Household refers to the collection of devices connected to the same internet where you watch Netflix primarily. The Netflix Household rule suggests that all the devices connected to the same internet that use the same Netflix account will be considered a part of the Household.

Since most Netflix users sharing a single account are geographically spread apart, it can be difficult to set a primary location. However, as mentioned above, the new Netflix password sharing rules will apply to the primary account holder. Therefore, the account holder themselves will have to set a primary location. Netflix will then use this location, and the Wi-Fi network you use to make your account a household and manage its profiles.

How is Netflix Ending Password Sharing?

Visually, Netflix accounts will remain the same and have the same profile layout. However, Netflix itself will enforce its new “household rules” more forcefully. As per the new Netflix password sharing rules, the primary account holder’s location will be used as the primary location for all profiles living in the same household, as revealed through a new support page.

To combat password sharing, Netflix has introduced invite-based extra member slots if you want to share your Netflix account with others who are not living in a household. Extra members will have their own account, password, and profile. However, the membership fees for the extra slot will be paid by the primary account holder.

Moreover, the feature to add extra members is not available on all Netflix plans. Currently, Netflix offers four plans in the U.S. – Standard with ads, Basic, Standard, and Premium. Only Standard and Premium Netflix account holders will be able to add extra members to their plan. Meanwhile, Standard Netflix plan account holders can add only one extra member, whereas, this limit is two for the Premium plan holders.

In the U.S., Netflix is charging $7.99 per account per month for adding extra members. Similarly, in the U.K., the price to add extra members in the Standard and Premium plans is £4.99 per account per month.

To clear the confusion, these rules do not apply to “Netflix Profiles”. Meaning, users with Standard and Premium plans will still be able to watch Netflix on two supported devices and four supported devices at a time respectively if they are living in the same household.

How does Netflix Know Who is in the Same Household?

Netflix users will have to rely on the Netflix TV app to set a primary location. As detailed in an official support page, users will have to log into Netflix from a TV connected to their home Wi-Fi network to set or update the primary location.

And if in case, the user doesn’t have a compatible TV, Netflix will set the primary location automatically based on the user’s IP address, device IDs, and account activity. So, anyone who uses this Netflix account from a different location will not be a part of the primary account holder’s household. Automatically, Netflix will detect such a user and prevent them from accessing the platform.

How will Netflix Know Who is Sharing Passwords?

According to Netflix, it will use information such as IP address, device IDs, and account activity to determine whether a device is part of the household. If you have multiple WiFi connections at your home or WiFi networks with different external IP addresses, you will need to use the one that you use the most to set a Netflix Household on your TV. Anyone who doesn’t use the same WiFi network as your primary device is will not be a part of your household. Hence, will automatically not be able to access Netflix.

Can Passwords be Shared on Netflix Now?

Yes, passwords can be shared with users outside of the household, but for a fee. By default, a Netflix account can only be shared with members of the same household. However, one needs to be on a Standard or Premium Plan if they want to add extra users, who are not living in the same household, to their account.

In the United States and the United Kingdom, you can add one member for $7.99 or €4.99, respectively in the Standard plan. This charge will differ based on country. Furthermore, the extra account can only be created in the same country where the primary account is situated.

So, short of adding extra members to your account or buying them another account altogether, there will soon be no way to password share on Netflix anymore. You can still risk it and continue doing so at your peril or check out these best Netflix alternatives and switch over.

Can I Still Use Netflix While Travelling? Or, will it be Blocked?

Netflix promises that users traveling for short periods of time (roughly around 7 days) can continue to enjoy the streaming service. However, if you are traveling for long periods of time, your access will be blocked. So, if you are someone who travels a whole lot, for long periods of time, you will have to use your Netflix Household devices from your primary home at least once a month.

If you don’t, your devices will cease to be a part of your Netflix Household. Then, the only workaround will be getting a new Netflix account in your secondary location or the place you travel the most to. Alternatively, you can also ask the primary account holder to add you to their account by paying an additional amount. That sure is a hassle, but, that is all you can quite possibly do at this point.

So yes, the rumors and reports were right and there indeed is the concept of a “primary” home and a “secondary” home.

Will Netflix Profiles Still Exist?

Going by the new Netflix password sharing rules, existing Netflix profiles will remain untouched inside the primary household account. However, they will now be considered members of the household, so you cannot keep using them with friends or relatives who are not living with you as you were in the past. Only those that are living under the same roof as you will be able to access and create Netflix profiles. Further, those who are “extra members” in your household can only create one profile.

Is It Possible to Transfer Netflix Profiles to New Accounts?

Yes, it absolutely is. Netflix users who were previously sharing a profile but now want a separate account can move their old profile with recommendations, viewing history, and settings to a new account. If you are a Netflix user who wants to do so, learn how to transfer your Netflix profile to another account if the new rules have not been imposed in your region at the time of writing this.

How Much Netflix Will Charge For Password Sharing?

Netflix password sharing rules suggest that for every additional member added to the household, $7.99 will be charged per member in the US. Adding an extra member will cost €4.99 in the UK.

While the primary Netflix accounts will convert to household accounts, the base prices and device limits will remain the same. However, as mentioned before, you will need to pay $7.99 or €4.99 more if you get an extra member account.

However, there is a catch. Netflix doesn’t allow adding extra members to all of its plans. Only the Standard and Premium plan users will be able to use this functionality. While the Standard members will be able to add 1 extra member outside of their Netflix Household, Premium members can add 2 extra members.

Here’s what Netflix’s updated pricing structure looks like in the U.S.:

Standard with ads	Standard	Premium
2 Device Limit	2 Device Limit	4 Device Limit
Full HD	Full HD	Ultra HD
$6.99/month	$15.49/month	$19.99/month
No extra members can be added	1 extra member can be added	2 extra members can be added

In addition, Netflix will not allow adding extra members to third-party packages either. So, either way, primary Netflix account holders either have to pay for the extra member or the member needs to get a Netflix account of their own.

Why Is Netflix Ending Password Sharing?

The primary reason behind ending password sharing on Netflix is the lack of profit it creates for the company. Since Netflix relies on every user essentially paying for the service, password sharing undercuts that decision and sees the company missing out on potential customers. The company said so in its quarterly letter to the shareholders recently.

If you are a Netflix user currently sharing your password and account with a friend or parent, you are part of the demographic the company plans on rectifying. Since this will likely drive users to get their own accounts, this results in more money in the company’s pocket.

Netflix New Password Sharing Rules: Key Takeaways

Rule	Recap
Primary account location tagging	Netflix tags the account holder’s location and restricts profiles that are connected from elsewhere.
New account monitoring methods	Netflix will use a combination of IP addresses, device IDs, and account activity to keep a cap on accounts.
Extra accounts/profiles are now paid	Users who still want to share passwords will need to buy extra accounts for a price. In the US and UK, this price is set at $7.99 and €4.99 per member per month, respectively.
Netflix Household during travels	New rules won’t impact those who travel for short periods. However, When traveling for longer periods of time or shifting to a new place altogether, you will need to visit the primary location at least once a month to keep your devices connected to your Netflix Household.
Profiles can be transferred	Those wanting to make new accounts can transfer their Netflix profiles with their recommendations, history, and settings intact.