Netflix Extra Members: what you need to know

You have to pay more to share your account.

Back in 2023, a crackdown on password and account sharing by Netflix came into force. It means you can’t use a Netflix account in multiple locations without an extra charge.

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What change did Netflix make?

From 23 May 2023, Netflix implemented the rule that requires you to set up Netflix Household, which limits viewing from a Netflix account to those on the same broadband connection.

The idea is to stop people from sharing their login details with friends and family to watch in different homes. Those people instead have to pay for their own Netflix account, or the original account holder can add people on as “Extra Members”.

If you have a second home or travel frequently to the same location you can still use your Netflix account by following these steps:

• From the main place you watch Netflix, make sure you’re connected to the internet, open Netflix and stream something to create a connection (this can be for just a few seconds).
• When you get to your second location, do the exact same thing to establish your connection there.

How does Extra Members work?

Depending on your Netflix subscription, you can invite one or two additional users linked to your account.

Here’s how that works with each one, plus the base monthly price:

• Netflix Standard with adverts (normal price £5.99) – One Extra Member can be added
• Netflix Standard (normal price £12.99) – One Extra Member can be added
• Netflix Premium (normal price £18.99) – Two Extra Members can be added

They’ll get access to the same picture quality and features as the main account. However, they can only watch on a single device at any time. This is in addition to the limits that apply to the main account, which are as follows:

• Standard with adverts – 2 devices at one time
• Standard – 2 devices at one time
• Premium – 4 devices at one time

Extra members have their own separate profiles and login details. You can migrate their existing ones over so they keep the viewing history.

However, you can’t add extra members to accounts you pay for via third parties, such as via your Sky bill.

It’s possible to change the extra member twice each month, so theoretically you could have up to three people using each slot, though obviously they’ll only be able to watch when they are linked to the account.

How much does Netflix Extra Members cost?

Extra Members aren’t free. The charge is £4.99 a month, per extra member for both Standard accounts and £5.99 per month for the Premium account. Like a main subscription, it’s a rolling 30-day contract with no minimum term, so you can cancel at any time.

Importantly this extra charge is paid for and managed by the main account holder, which will mean their monthly subscription will increase.

• Standard with Ads + One extra member: £10.98 per month
• Standard + One extra member: £18.98 per month
• Premium + One extra member: £24.98 per month
• Premium + Two extra members: £30.97 a month

What do you do if you’ve been using someone else’s Netflix?

If you want to keep watching Netflix, you have three options.

• Set up your own account
• Ask the account holder to add you as an Extra member
• Go without

Setting up your own account will give you the most control and flexibility. As detailed above, prices start at £4.99 for Netflix Standard with adverts.

Asking to be an Extra member will work out more cost effective. At £4.99 or £5.99 you get the same picture quality as the account it’s attached to. You will be limited to one profile, which might be an issue if you have a few of you in your home, especially kids.

It could also be the main account holder doesn’t want to officially add anyone, especially since it means they’ll have to pay more each month – even if you agree you’ll send over the cash each month.

Personally I’d go with the final option, at least in the short term, and only sign up again when there’s something you want to see – and only pay for those months you actually use it.

What to do if someone is sharing your account?

As the main account holder you might need to set up your household as the primary location to ensure it’s your TV and not your mate’s that is linked (details further down the page on how).

Is it time to ditch Netflix?

How to add Netflix Extra Members

You’ll need to go into your account settings and add the Extra member to your account. Once done you can invite someone to be an Extra member, or you can select an existing profile from your account. They’ll need to register their own login details.

How to set up a Netflix household

Even if you don’t intend to add Extra members, you need to register where your home network is – though only if you watch Netflix via a TV.

Once you do this, all devices on the same broadband network will be linked to your “household” and you can watch them as normal. The full instructions are on the Netflix site.

If you don’t watch on a TV there’s no need to actively set up a Household on your account, though one may be automatically set up by Netflix. You can change this if it connects to the IP address for someone you’ve been sharing with previously.

What about VPNs?

Since you have to be on the same broadband IP to link to a household, you may get some glitches when you try to watch via a VPN, which is useful for watching Netflix programmes only available in other countries.