Netflix Cracks Down on Password Sharing: Workarounds and Alternatives

Netflix has taken steps to address the issue of password sharing, but the new policy comes at a cost. To continue sharing your account with individuals outside your household, an additional $7.99 per month will be charged for each extra member, with a limit of two users.

If you’re an account holder and find yourself with fewer users to manage, you may consider canceling your subscription or downgrading it. Alternatively, those excluded from password sharing can transfer their profile and create their own account.

However, if you prefer to keep sharing passwords for now, there are ways to bypass the ban, although they may require some effort. Here are a few workarounds:

1. Share the Access Code: Netflix relies on the concept of a “Netflix Household,” meant for people living together in one household. While it’s unclear how households are determined, when accessing Netflix from an unknown device or network, you can indicate that you’re on vacation and receive a verification code. The account holder can share this code with others, similar to a two-factor authentication process.
2. Auto-Forward Verification Emails: To automate the sharing process, the account owner can set up automatic mail forwarding in their email settings. By forwarding verification emails containing access codes, other users can receive and enter the codes themselves. This requires cooperation and involvement from the account owner and the recipients.
3. Log In From the Account Holder’s Wi-Fi: A simpler method, as suggested by Lifehacker, is to log in to Netflix from the account holder’s home network. As Netflix determines households based on devices connected to the same network, this approach may allow you to continue using Netflix from your own location, as long as you can regularly access the account holder’s Wi-Fi.
4. Stick to the Mobile App: Currently, the crackdown primarily focuses on using televisions or streaming devices for Netflix viewing. Watching Netflix from a mobile app, such as on a phone or tablet, appears to be unaffected. If you primarily watch Netflix on your mobile device, you can continue doing so without disruptions.

While these workarounds may provide temporary solutions, keep in mind that Netflix’s policies and enforcement may change over time. Additionally, using unauthorized methods to access Netflix or violating the terms of service may result in consequences such as account suspension or termination.