Have you been logged out of your Netflix account and don’t know why? It may be because you were using the Netflix account of someone who isn’t part of your household.
For years family and friends have cheekily shared their Netflix passwords. It is not like the streaming giant didn’t know; they chose to turn a blind eye. They had no serious competition and were experiencing exponential growth year on year, so it wasn’t a big deal. However, in the first half of 2022, Netflix lost a significant chunk of their membership base.
This dip in memberships has been attributed to various factors. There was — and is — the rising cost of living; people are looking to reign in their spending. Netflix also has more competition to contend with, what with the likes of Apple TV, HBO Max and Disney+ bursting onto the streaming scene. These services are deemed a luxury and many will only opt in for one subscription at any one time. Plus, hopping onto a friend or family member’s Netflix account, free of charge, with no repercussions, was a no-brainer!
However, in Feb 2023, Netflix released a statement explaining that “over 100 million households are sharing accounts” and that this was “impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films.” So to keep afloat and continue to deliver classics such as Squid Games, Stranger Things or Bridgerton, the streaming giant decided to crack down on password sharing.
Tighter rules on password sharing were trialled first in Latin America and soon rolled out in Canada, Spain, New Zealand and Portugal. However, back in May 2023, it was the UK’s turn. Letters were sent out in advance to account owners, politely reminding them that any one Netflix account is to only be used by one household.
If you are guilty and do not live in the household of the account owner whose Netflix account you use, you will not be punished or incur any fines. Nor does Netflix have its own police force traversing the kingdom, knocking door-to-door to check people’s accounts! You can relax! All that happens is that you are simply logged out of the account and no longer able to access your profile.
Some of you may be despairing that all your hard work and many hours of viewing has amounted to nothing. Your perfected algorithm, viewing history and recommendations are all lost, gone! Well do not fear – Netflix has accounted for this! There are two options moving forward that enable you to carry all that information over. You can either transfer a profile or become an extra member.
However, to begin our trilogy of blogs, let’s first set the scene. We shall discuss what a Netflix Household is and how it is determined. What the implications of the password crackdown are for those on holiday or on-the-go. We will also explain how to set up or update your Netflix household.
Without further ado, let’s start reading…TUDUM!!!!!
What is a Netflix Household?
A Netflix household is:
“a collection of the devices connected to the internet at the main place you watch Netflix.”
In layman's terms, one Netflix account should only be used by members of one household i.e. “you and the people you live with”.
How does Netflix determine a household?
Netflix can work out whether a device is part of a Netflix household by using information “such as IP addresses, device IDs, and account activity.” They have explicitly said that they “do not collect GPS data to try to determine the precise physical location of your devices.”
For some households, if a Netflix Household or Primary Location hasn’t been set, Netflix will automatically assign one for you. They will look at the same data mentioned above, to figure out the most likely option. However, if your Netflix Household or Primary Location has been assigned incorrectly or you would like to change it, you can update it.
If you are on the premium plan, your household can install the Netflix app on up to 6 devices at any one time. However, only 4 of the 6 devices can use the app simultaneously; they don’t have to be watching the same show, they could all be watching different ones. If you are on either Standard plan – with or without adverts – you can only have the app installed on 2 devices. However, you can watch different things on both those devices at the same time.
How to set up and update your primary location on Netflix
You can set up or update your primary location using most TV devices. Be warned — you cannot do this on Roku devices or set-top boxes such as an Apple TV!
It may seem obvious, but the TV must be connected to your home network and have the Netflix app on it. If you have multiple Wi-Fi networks at home, make sure you set your primary location using the preferred or more frequently used internet connection. Netflix “may only associate one with your Netflix Household.”
- Sign in to the Netflix app on a TV connected to your home internet.
- To open up the menu, press the left navigation key on your TV remote.
- Go to Get Help > Manage Netflix Household. Please note: if “Manage Netflix Household” is not an option, try a different TV device.
- Choose “Confirm Netflix Household” or “Update My Netflix Household” as applicable.
- Select your preferred method: “Send Email” or “Send Text.” A verification link will be sent to the account holder’s email address or phone number. This verification link will only be valid for 15 minutes.
- Haven’t received the link? Select “Resend Email” “Resend Text” or “Remind Me Later” as applicable.
- Go to your:
- Email: Click “Yes, This Was Me.”
- Text Messages: hit the link contained within the text message.
- Select “Confirm Netflix Household” or “Update Netflix Household” as applicable to continue.
- A confirmation message should appear on your TV screen. You will also receive a confirmation email in your inbox.
- Press “Continue to Netflix” if you want to watch a programme there and then.
What if you don’t own a TV or don’t watch Netflix on it? Don’t panic! In this case, you do not need to set up a Netflix Household for your account.
How do you add devices to a Netflix Household?
You don’t have to do anything. Any devices that login to your Netflix account via the same internet connection as the TV set up as your primary location, will automatically become part of your Netflix Household.
Can you use Netflix on holiday or on the go?
The password crackdown left many concerned about no longer being able to use the streaming app away from home. One of the great allures of Netflix is that you can squeeze an episode in on your commute home, or guarantee yourself some quality viewing on holidays in remote locations by downloading a series in advance.
Well worry not, you can still do that. Netflix reassured its users that “everyone living in that household can use Netflix wherever they are.” You can continue to watch your favourite shows on your portable devices — mobiles, laptops or tablets — when you are on the go. You can even login to your account on a new TV when staying at a hotel or holiday rental.
What if you have a second home or frequently travel to the same location?
What implications does the Netflix password lockdown have on people living in multiple locations? This could be the student living half the year in university halls or the working professional who resides in the big city on weekdays and their country abode on weekends. Whatever the reason may be, there is a workaround.
Every month ensure you:
- Login to your Netflix account at the main place you watch Netflix. Make sure you are connected to the home network and not using mobile data.
- Even if you don’t have time to properly sit down and watch something, stream a few seconds of any TV or film just to establish a connection.
- Repeat the above steps every month at your second location too.
What are the options moving forward for those who are not part of a Netflix Household?
For those who have been enjoying watching Netflix from a friend or family’s account, you have 2 options moving forward. You can either: