Netflix has almost 250 million monthly paid subscribers around the world, but many project the number of people using the streaming service to be much higher.
Whether it’s on purpose or accidentally, this is partly because many of us share accounts with people that don’t live in our homes.
But is this allowed? Is Netflix cracking down? And is there a way to share access to your Netflix account without violating the platform’s policy?
Let’s find out.
What Is Netflix Account Sharing?
As the name suggests, this is the act of sharing login credentials with other people.
Account sharing is allowed in Netflix’s policies. As a matter of fact, the streaming company promotes password sharing between people that live in the same house.
With that in mind, it’s against Netflix’s policies to share passwords for basic accounts with people that aren’t part of our household.
Are We Allowed to Share Netflix Accounts?
Netflix updated their FAQs to explain account sharing in detail. We summed it up, so you don’t have to read the whole section. So, according to the streaming provider:
- Accounts can be shared: basic accounts can be shared with people in the same household;
- It’s still possible to add extra members to existing profiles: however, it’s only possible in some countries;
- You can now add users from other households: it’s an update and now account holders can add members that live in a different address;
- Location matters: the extra account member has to be activated in the same country, but you may be able to find a VPN download that lets you set it up from abroad;
- There are still some limitations: accounts paid by third parties and Netflix-inclusive packages can’t be shared.
Is Netflix Cracking Down on Shared Accounts?
After almost 8 years of turning a blind eye, Netflix is finally cracking down on account sharing. Some of the ways that the streaming platform now monitors devices include:
- IP address verification: ensures that the account is being used by devices in specific locations;
- Device IDs: allows for the easy identification of users by a device;
- Account activity: provides a wide range of details about their viewers to Netflix.
Can I Download Shows to Watch Offline on All Devices?
Similarly to simultaneous streaming, Netflix has a limit on the number of devices that can download content and watch it offline.
This, however, varies based on your plan:
- Basic with ads: no offline streaming available;
- Basic: offline streaming is supported on one device;
- Standard: offline streaming is supported on 2 devices;
- Premium: offline streaming is supported on 6 devices.
To Sum Up
Netflix is credited for taking out giants like Blockbuster, but the streaming service has encountered challenges of its own, like users sharing accounts.
While the company has started monitoring accounts more closely to crack down on unauthorized sharing, it’s important that Netflix is also adapting to its users by allowing features like adding an extra household to existing accounts or exporting existing profiles to new accounts altogether.
Most likely, this and additional abilities like downloading shows on multiple devices will continue to please users and keep the streaming giant ahead of its competitors.