Following on from part 2, we discuss the alternative option moving forward: how to become an extra member on an existing profile.
If you were using the Netflix account of a friend or family member who is not part of your household and you can no longer access your profile, you have come to the right place!
Previously on The Netflix Password Crackdown, we delved into the origin story (the why) behind the streaming giant’s decision to crackdown. We have looked into the definitions of and what determines a Netflix Household and Primary Location and discussed how to set them up or update them. We have also provided instruction on how to transfer a profile (one of the options moving forward for those who have lost access to their profile).
Missed parts 1 and 2? Don’t worry, you can catch up on them here: How to set up your Primary Location on Netflix and How to transfer a profile on Netflix.
Today, we enter the third and final instalment of our Netflix blogging saga. Following on from part 2, we discuss the alternative option moving forward: how to become an extra member on an existing profile.
What is an extra member?
As per the new rules, a Netflix account is only meant to be used by people who live together in one household. Well this is not entirely true. Netflix account owners can invite people beyond their Netflix Household to be extra members on their account for an additional fee.
An extra member will not only have their own profile but a separate account and password too. However, it must be noted that it is the account holder who pays for the membership. So account holders, whether you ask extra members to reimburse you for the additional fee or not, that is down to your own organisation and discretion.
The number of extra members you can add to your account will depend on the payment plan you have opted in for. On a Standard payment plan you can add up to 1 extra member and on Premium you can add up to 2 extra members. Each extra member costs an additional £4.99 per month in the UK on top of your base subscription. Check out the latest pricing here.
If you were sharing an account with members outside of your household previously you will not be automatically charged for this service. This is something you need to opt into.
Who qualifies as an extra member?
In order to add or become an extra member on a Netflix account, the following rules must apply:
- Account owners must be subscribed to a Standard or Premium plan in order to invite extra members onto their Netflix account. Extra members cannot be added to ad-supported plans, Netflix-included packages or third-party billed accounts.
- An extra member must live in and activate their account in the same country that the account owner created their membership.
- Extra members cannot use a VPN, proxy or unblocker service… before anyone thinks they can be clever about it!
How to add an extra member
To add an extra member the account holder needs to:
- Open up a web browser and go to www.netflix.com.
- Sign into the Netflix account that your profile is currently on.
- Select your profile.
- Go to the “Account” page. You can access the link to this page by clicking on the profile icon in the top right-hand corner on desktop view, or by clicking the hamburger menu icon (3 vertically stacked horizontal lines) on mobile.
- Scroll down to Extra Members section
- Click “Buy an extra member slot.”
- Click “Next.”
- Check you are happy with the new monthly amount and billing date. Please note: until you confirm the new amount, no payment will be taken. Also, your billing date is likely to change unless you make all these changes on payment day. This is because Netflix is a prepaid service. They will calculate the remaining balance from your previous payment and offset this with the new charge to calculate your new billing date.
- If you are happy to continue, click “Start extra member.”
- “Extra member added!” Hit “Next.”
- Fill in the following fields:
- Your extra member’s name
- Your extra member’s email address
- Your name
- Press “Next.”
- Select on of the following options as applicable:
- New profile — select this if you are adding a newbie to Netflix.
- Move an existing profile — if the extra member previously shared your Netflix account before the password crackdown you can transfer their existing profile to an extra member account. Select the relevant profile.
- An email invitation containing a unique link will be sent to the person you would like to include as an extra member.
To accept the invitation of an account holder, the invited extra member needs to:
- Open up the email invitation.
- Click on the link “Get Started.” You will be redirected to a web browser.
- Click “Next.”
- Create a password.
- Hit “Next.”
- Give your profile a name.
- Click “Next” to complete your account set up.
An extra member will not be asked for payment details. This is the responsibility of the account holder. It is also worth mentioning that once the extra member account is activated, the account holder will be notified by Netflix.