What to Know About Netflix’s New Password Sharing Rules

Netflix is ​​expected to implement its new password sharing rules in the United States in the first quarter of 2023 after recent tests in Latin America. The crackdown will prevent subscribers from sharing an account with people outside their immediate household, and now the streamer has started detailing exactly how the changes will work.

In the latest update to its February 1 support page, Netflix said an account is for “people who live together in the same household.” It details changes to the verification process for devices that are “persistently accessible” from a location outside of your household, which includes cases of travel and living between homes.

These changes appear to be in preparation for Netflix’s paid sharing initiative, the rules of which have been laid out on support pages for countries currently in the midst of a crackdown. For example, the Costa Rica FAQ page mentions blocking devices accessible outside of the main account location and “additional member” fees.

As Netflix prepares to crack down on password sharing, here’s everything you need to know about the new rules.

How much will the “additional member” fee cost?

Netflix has yet to announce its monthly “additional member” fees for US subscribers. However, depending on how much the streamer charges during testing in Latin America, it could cost around $2 or $3.

When will the crackdown on password sharing begin?

In Netflix’s January 2023 shareholder newsletter, the streamer said it plans to “start rolling out paid sharing more broadly” in the first quarter of this year. This means that password sharing changes should begin by the end of March.

How does Netflix define an account’s household?

Netflix will ask account holders to identify a “primary location” associated with their home Wi-Fi network and the devices connected to it. Users will need to connect their devices to this Wi-Fi network and watch something on Netflix at least once every 31 days to stay associated with the primary location.

The company says it will use information such as IP addresses, device IDs, and account activity to determine if a device connected to the account is connected to the primary location.

How can I share my account with people outside my household?

Users using a device not associated with the primary location may be blocked from watching Netflix. To prevent this from happening, account holders can pay the additional member fee.

Each additional member will have their own account and password, but their dues will be paid by the main subscriber. These added users must create their profile in the same country as their host.

What if I travel?

Before you travel, be sure to connect to your main location’s Wi-Fi network and watch something on Netflix. This will create a “trusted device” allowing you to access Netflix away from your primary location.

If prompted during your trip, you can request a temporary access code from Netflix to give you access for seven consecutive days.

What happens if I split my time between multiple locations?

Again, be sure to create a “trusted device” by connecting to Wi-Fi at your primary location and watching something on Netflix at least once every 31 days. You may also be prompted to request a temporary passcode.