15 Cool Netflix Tips and Tricks You Should Try

Despite the stiff competition from major rivals like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV+, Netflix remains the most loved video-streaming platform. And going by the massive numbers (around 175 million subscribers), it looks all set to reign supreme for many more years. Aside from featuring a boatload of highly-rated movies and TV shows, the video-streaming service has got a lot of tricks under-the-hood. So, whether you have set your sight on having a fully customized experience or wish to unlock a ton of secret codes, we have got you checked off with the 15 cool Netflix tips and tricks.

Best Netflix Tips and Tricks to Enhance Your Binge-Watching

When you have a feature-rich app like Netflix at the disposal, having the best tricks plays a vital role in boosting the video-streaming experience. Thus, I have sorted out all the best Netflix hacks primed to amp up the video-streaming game.

When you can dive straight into a specific category of movies, there is no point in digging into the entire library. Similarly, if you can lock your profile to keep the prying eyes at bay, there is no reason to worry about your privacy. Well, that’s just the tip of the ice-berg as this meticulously compiled lineup of the cool Netflix tricks has got a lot more for you to explore. So, what’s holding you back now?

1. Remove Watch History

Watch history is a piece of sensitive information that can tell a lot about one’s personality. If you prefer not to disclose your viewing activity with everyone who has access to your Netflix account, Netflix has an option to do so. To remove an episode or movie from your watch history, head to Account -> Viewing Activity.

You’ll be able to view your entire watch history here. Just click on the ???? icon to remove an entry from your watch history. You can also hide the entire viewing activity by clicking the Hide all button while the Download all button lets you download your viewing activity as a CSV file.

Note: If you want to remove continue watching titles from Netflix on Android, click on the link to read the article.

2. Netflix Roulette

We all have been in a situation where we’re simply confused regarding what to watch next from the huge collection of content across various genres on Netflix. Well, not anymore. Netflix Roulette is a website that suggests a movie or a TV show based on various parameters like the genre you prefer, IMDB score, and Rotten Tomatoes score.

Once you visit the website, you will have to select your preferred genre, choose between Movies or TV Shows, and pick IMDB rating and Rotten Tomatoes score from the drop-down list provided on the website.

Netflix Roulette website

3. Tweak Subtitle Appearance

Subtitles are life savers when it comes to watching movies in foreign languages. Netflix allows users to modify the appearance of subtitles so they look less obtrusive on the screen.

To do so, go to Account -> Subtitle Appearance and choose your desired font, shadow, text size, and background. Now, depending on your needs, customize fonts, font size, text size, background color, and more. If you want the step-by-step guide, check our article on customizing Netflix subtitles.

4. Enable Smart Downloads

Downloading your TV shows to watch when you’re offline is fine but Netflix can do much more than that. With Smart Downloads, the app downloads the next episode once you’re done watching the previous episode.

That’s not all. It automatically removes the watched episode so you don’t have to worry about managing storage on your phone.

To avoid unexpected data charges, the feature is designed to work only when your device is connected to a Wi-Fi network. If you have an unlimited Wi-Fi connection, I’d recommend turning the Smart Downloads option on.

To enable Smart Downloads, open the Netflix app, tap on the Downloads, and enable Smart Downloads from the top of the section. Alternatively, you can also turn the feature on from the settings by going to More -> App Settings -> Smart Downloads.

The feature is available in the Netflix app on Android, iOS, Amazon Fire tablets, and Windows.

5. Bring IMDb Ratings to Netflix

I always check IMDb ratings before watching a movie or a TV show so that I can get a better idea regarding what to expect from the content. While Netflix does not show IMDb ratings, there is a Chrome extension named Enhancer for Netflix that brings IMDb ratings straight to Netflix.

However, this involves creating an account on their website which can be done in a single click by signing up with a Google account. After creating the account, you will be able to view the IMDb ratings on Netflix as seen in the below image.

So, those were some of the tips and tricks from us for Netflix. Do you have any similar suggestions? Tell us in the comments and don’t forget to share your experience using these tricks with us.

6. Disable Autoplay 

Though I find the “Autoplay” feature very helpful as it automatically plays the next episode, I don’t think everyone would like to go this way, especially the ones who prefer to have complete control over streaming. If you are among them, you would appreciate the option to disable the autoplay.

To do it, log in to your account and then click on the “Manage Profiles” option from the menu at the top right corner of the screen. Next, select the profile you wish t make changes to.

Next up, make the desired changes to Autoplay controls. In the end, make sure to click on Save to confirm the changes.

7. Use voice-activated controls with Netflix

With voice commands, you can perform several common actions faster. Perfect for the times where you don’t want to fiddle with the keyboard.

When searching, browsing, or playing a TV show or movie, make sure to add the “on Netflix” to the command to make it easier for the personal assistant to perform the assigned task.

Notably, Netflix supports all the major virtual assistants including Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, Google Assistant, and Samsung Bixby. So, irrespective of which platform you are using, you can make the most of voice commands to perform actions faster.

Here Are Some of the Supported Voice Commands Actions:

• Open Netflix: Simply say “Launch Netflix” or “Open Netflix.”
• To browse by category, director, or actor: “Show me comedies on Netflix” “Find movies by Martin Scorsese on Netflix” “Show me movies with Brad Pitt on Netflix”
• Search for a specific title, season, or episode: “Find Black Panther on Netflix.” “Show me Incredibles 2 on Netflix”
• Play a TV show or movie: Activate the personal assistant and then tell it the name of the show or movie you wish to watch. For instance, “Play Fast and Furious 8 on Netflix.”
• Control playback: To pause the TV show or movie, say “Pause.” Besides, you can also” “fast forward,” and “rewind” using the voice commands.

8. Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Perform Actions Faster

Keyboard shortcuts come in pretty handy when you want to perform common actions like play/pause, full screen or fast-forward fast. Netflix offers some quick shortcuts to let you enhance your video-streaming. So, if you want to amp up your video-streaming game, make sure to try them out.

The List of Keyboard Shortcuts for Netflix:  

• Play/Pause: Enter/Space Bar 
• Full-screen: F
• Exit full screen: Esc
• Rewind 10 seconds: Left arrow
• Fast forward 10 seconds: Right arrow
• Increase volume: Up arrow
• Decrease volume: Down arrow
• Mute: M
• Skip Intro: S

9. Prevent Netflix From Eating Into Your Mobile Data

It’s no secret that Netflix requires a strong internet connection for streaming high-quality content. But what if you are on limited bandwidth and often find the video-streaming app eating into a lot more data than what you can afford. To manage data while streaming on phone, go to App Settings -> Mobile Data usage.

Here, select the “Save Data” option.

You can also enable the download only on WiFi option to make sure that you mistakenly don’t end up downloading shows on mobile data.

10. Try Out Netflix Beta

If you are fond of Netflix, chances are you would love to give a try to the upcoming Netflix features. The video-streaming platform allows users to take part in the beta testing program to use potential changes and all-new features before they are rolled out officially.

To get started, launch Netflix and navigate to Accounts > Test Participation. Then, turn on the switch. Going forward, you will have access to all the changes and upcoming features. If you ever want to go back to the standard experience, come back to this same setting and then turn on the switch for Test participation.

11. Get the Most Out of the Netflix Secret Codes

To me, what sets Netflix apart from the rest is a massive collection of movies and TV shows. Thus, it doesn’t matter what appeals to your taste, you will always find something really hot to stream.

But have you ever dived into the huge library and found it a bit inconvenient to track down specific categories of content? If yes, you should make the most of the secret codes which let you access certain content quickly. To get started, all you need to do is head over to this page and then enter the specific number given below.

Action and Adventure

• 1365: Action & Adventure
• 8985: Martial Arts Movies
• 2125: Military Action & Adventure
• 7442: Adventures
• 10118: Comic Book and Superhero Movies
• 11828: Foreign Action & Adventure
• 77232: Asian Action Movies
• 46576: Classic Action & Adventure
• 7700: Westerns
• 10702: Spy Action & Adventure
• 9584: Crime Action & Adventure
• 43040: Action Comedies
• 43048: Action Thrillers

Anime

• 7424: Anime
• 452: Anime Dramas
• 3063: Anime Features
• 2729: Anime Sci-Fi
• 10695: Anime Horror
• 11881: Adult Animation
• 2653: Anime Action
• 9302: Anime Comedies
• 11146: Anime Fantasy
• 6721: Anime Series

Classic Movies

• 48744: Classic War Movies
• 52858: Epics
• 32473: Classic Foreign Movies
• 31694: Classic Comedies
• 29809: Classic Dramas
• 47147: Classic Sci-Fi & Fantasy
• 46588: Classic Thrillers
• 7687: Film Noir
• 53310: Silent Movies
• 47465: Classic Westerns
• 31574: Classic Movies

Drama

• 5763: Dramas
• 3179: Biographical Dramas
• 29809: Classic Dramas
• 528582748: Courtroom Dramas
• 7243: Sports Dramas
• 500: Gay & Lesbian Dramas
• 384: Independent Dramas
• 9299: Teen Dramas
• 11: Military Dramas
• 12123: Period Pieces
• 6889: Crime Dramas
• 4961: Dramas based on Books
• 3653: Dramas based on real life
• 6384: Tearjerkers
• 2150: Foreign Dramas
• 6616: Political Dramas
• 1255: Romantic Dramas
• 5012: Showbiz Dramas
• 3947: Social Issue Dramas
• 26835: Faith & Spirituality
• 52804: Faith & Spirituality Movies
• 2760: Spiritual Documentaries
• 751423: Kids Faith & Spirituality
• 384: Independent Dramas

Comedies

• 869: Dark Comedies
• 4426: Foreign Comedies
• 1402: Late Night Comedies
• 26: Mockumentaries
• 2700: Political Comedies
• 1252: Campy Movies
• 10944: Cult Horror Movies
• 4734: Cult Sci-Fi & Fantasy
• 9434: Cult Comedies
• 4195: Independent Comedies
• 6548: Comedies
• 9702: Screwball Comedies
• 5286: Sports Comedies
• 5475: Romantic Comedies
• 10256: Slapstick Comedies
• 7627: Cult Movies
• 8195: B-Horror Movies
• 11559: Stand-up Comedy
• 3519: Teen Comedies
• 4922: Satires

Children and Family

• 6218: Movies for ages 2 to 4
• 5455: Movies for ages 5 to 7
• 561: Movies for ages 8 to 10
• 6962: Movies for ages 11 to 12
• 10056: Movies based on children’s books
• 51056: Family Features
• 11177: TV Cartoons
• 783: Children & Family Movies
• 6796: Movies for ages 0 to 2
• 52843: Kids Music
• 5507: Animal Tales
• 10659: Education for Kids
• 27346: Kids’ TV

Documentary

• 9875: Crime Documentaries
• 90361: Music & Concert Documentaries
• 1159: Travel & Adventure Documentaries
• 7018: Political Documentaries
• 5161: Foreign Documentaries
• 5349: Historical Documentaries
• 4006: Military Documentaries
• 180: Sports Documentaries
• 10005: Religious Documentaries
• 2595: Science & Nature Documentaries
• 3675: Social & Cultural Documentaries
• 6839: Documentaries
• 3652: Biographical Documentaries

Horror Movies

• 8711: Horror Movies
• 89585: Horror Comedy
• 947: Monster Movies
• 8646: Slasher and Serial Killer Movies
• 42023: Supernatural Horror Movies
• 52147: Teen Screams
• 75804: Vampire Horror Movies
• 75930: Werewolf Horror Movies
• 8195: B-Horror Movies
• 6895: Creature Features
• 10944: Cult Horror Movies
• 45028: Deep Sea Horror Movies
• 8654: Foreign Horror Movies
• 75405: Zombie Horror Movies
• 6998: Satanic Stories
• 7077: Independent Movies
• 11079: Experimental Movies
• 11804: Independent Action & Adventure
• 3269: Independent Thrillers

Romance

• 8883: Romantic Movies
• 35800: Steamy Romantic Movies
• 9916: Romantic Independent Movies
• 502675: Romantic Favorites
• 36103: Quirky Romance
• 9916: Romantic Independent Movies
• 7153: Romantic Foreign Movies
• 1255: Romantic Dramas
• 31273: Classic Romantic Movies
• 5475: Romantic Comedies

Foreign Movies

• 32473: Classic Foreign Movies
• 4426: Foreign Comedies
• 5161: Foreign Documentaries
• 2150: Foreign Dramas
• 8243: Foreign Gay & Lesbian Movies
• 8654: Foreign Horror Movies
• 6485: Foreign Sci-Fi & Fantasy
• 10306: Foreign Thrillers
• 7153: Romantic Foreign Movies
• 3761: African Movies
• 5230: Australian Movies
• 262: Belgian Movies
• 5685: Korean Movies
• 1613: Latin American Movies
• 5875: Middle Eastern Movies
• 63782: New Zealand Movies
• 11567: Russian
• 9292: Scandinavian Movies
• 9196: Southeast Asian Movies
• 58741: Spanish Movies
• 61115: Greek Movies
• 58886: German Movies
• 58807: French Movies
• 5254: Eastern European Movies
• 10606: Dutch Movies
• 10398: Japanese Movies
• 8221: Italian Movies
• 10463: Indian Movies
• 3960: Chinese Movies
• 10757: British Movies
• 7462: Foreign Movies
• 29764: Art House Movies
• 11828: Foreign Action & Adventure
• 58750: Irish Movies

Musicals

• 1701: Music
• 3278: Rock & Pop Concerts
• 13335: Musicals
• 32392: Classic Musicals
• 59433: Disney Musicals
• 13573: Showbiz Musicals
• 52843: Kids Music
• 1105: Country & Western/Folk
• 10271: Jazz & Easy Listening
• 10741: Latin Music
• 9472: Urban & Dance Concerts
• 2856: World Music Concerts
• 55774: Stage Musicals

Sports

• 4370: Sports Movies
• 12443: Boxing Movies
• 12549: Soccer Movies
• 6695: Martial Arts, Boxing & Wrestling
• 12762: Basketball Movies
• 5286: Sports Comedies
• 180: Sports Documentaries
• 7243: Sports Dramas
• 12339: Baseball Movies
• 12803: Football Movies
• 9327: Sports & Fitness

Thrillers

• 8933: Thrillers
• 9994: Mysteries
• 11014: Sci-Fi Thrillers
• 9147: Spy Thrillers
• 972: Steamy Thrillers
• 43048: Action Thrillers
• 46588: Classic Thrillers
• 10499: Crime Thrillers
• 10306: Foreign Thrillers
• 3269: Independent Thrillers
• 31851: Gangster Movies
• 5505: Psychological Thrillers
• 10504: Political Thrillers
• 11140: Supernatural Thrillers

Sci-Fi and Fantasy

• 1492: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
• 6926: Sci-Fi Adventure
• 3916: Sci-Fi Dramas
• 1694: Sci-Fi Horror Movies
• 11014: Sci-Fi Thrillers
• 1568: Action Sci-Fi & Fantasy
• 3327: Alien Sci-Fi
• 47147: Classic Sci-Fi & Fantasy
• 4734: Cult Sci-Fi & Fantasy
• 9744: Fantasy Movies
• 6485: Foreign Sci-Fi & Fantasy

TV Shows

• 83: TV Shows
• 27346: Kids’ TV
• 67879: Korean TV Shows
• 4814: Miniseries
• 25804: Military TV Shows
• 52780: Science & Nature TV
• 10673: TV Action & Adventure
• 10375: TV Comedies
• 10105: TV Documentaries
• 11714: TV Dramas
• 83059: TV Horror
• 4366: TV Mysteries
• 1372: TV Sci-Fi & Fantasy
• 9833: Reality TV
• 52117: British TV Shows
• 46553: Classic TV Shows
• 26146: Crime TV Shows
• 74652: Cult TV Shows
• 72436: Food & Travel TV
• 60951: Teen TV Shows

12. Create a Netflix Kids Experience Profile

Netflix lets you create a Kids experience profile that has a simplified look and feel. Notably, it removes direct access to account settings and plays only meticulously selected TV shows and movies that kids would enjoy.

To get going, head over to your Manage Profiles page and select Add Profile. Now, give a suitable name to the profile and then select Kids. After that, choose Continue.

13. Choose Maturity Ratings

Another parental control feature that has caught my attention is the ability to choose maturity ratings. When you set a maturity rating for a profile, it will show only the TV shows and movies that fit that specific rating. If you want to have better control over the content that shows on your kid’s profile, you should take advantage of this helpful feature.

Open a web browser and go to your Account page. Then, open the Profile & Parental Controls settings for the profile in question. After that, head over to Viewing Restrictions setting and set the maturity rating level for the TV shows and movies. Once you have made the changes, make sure to click on Save.

14. Lock/Unlock Profiles

No longer want anyone to access a specific profile on your account without your permission? If the straightforward answer is yes, this cool Netflix hack is for you.

Netflix lets you protect a profile with a Profile Lock PIN. To do it, open a browser and navigate to your Account page. Now, open Profile & Parental Controls settings and then select Profile lock. If prompted, enter your account password.

After that, tick the box to Require a PIN. Later, if you want to unlock a profile, come back to this very setting and uncheck the box. Overall, it’s a great Netflix hack from a privacy perspective.

15. Stream Ultra HD Content

You can choose to stream ultra HD content if there is no concern about rapid cellular data consumption or if you have the luxury of a fast internet connection. To get started, launch the Netflix app, and go to your Account.

Then, select playback settings and choose “High” on data usage. Finally, make sure to click on the Save button to confirm the change.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the most out of Netflix?

To me, the best way to get the most out of Netflix is to try out all the cool hacks like secret codes, customizing subtitles, streaming Ultra HD content, and more. And for that, look no further than this complete guide.

How do you use Netflix effectively?

The best way to use Netflix is to personalize it in keeping with your needs. Whether it’s parental controls, locking the profile, or customizing subtitles, the video-streaming service has got a lot to enhance your experience.

How do I find the secret menu on Netflix?

We have mentioned all the secret menu codes in this article. You can find them in this article and use them surface hidden content

How do you get Netflix to stop buffering?

Make sure you have a strong internet connection especially while streaming high-quality content. Play a movie and pause it to let it buffer for a few minutes before you start watching.

Why does my Netflix just keep loading?

It mostly happens due to poor internet connection. If the problem continues even after you have a good internet connection, make sure it’s updated to the latest version.

What speed do I need for Netflix?

It’s recommended to have 3 Mbps connection for a standard-quality stream and 5 Mbps for a high-definition stream. Do note that it requires around 10 Mbps for two simultaneous HD quality streams.

Make the Most of Cool Netflix Tips and Tricks to Spice Up Your Binge-Watching

So, these are the top Netflix hacks that can let you get the most out of the video-streaming platform. Now that you have got the tricks under your radar, fine-tune the streaming app in line with your taste.

Besides, also let us know the Netflix tricks that you have found quite helpful. And if there are any other hacks worth including in this guide, do let us know that as well in the comments section below.