It’s widely known that Netflix is tightening rules around password sharing. Before long, you may face an extra charge when people outside your household use your Netflix login.
The crackdown on shared passwords is expected to roll out in the United States by the end of June. Meanwhile, Netflix has introduced a tool to soften the transition — the profile transfer option.
Instead of abruptly kicking friends or family off your Netflix account, the profile transfer tool helps them relocate their profile. If you decide you won’t continue covering that ex-partner or former roommate, they’ll need to sign up for their own subscription.
The profile transfer option allows them to move their Netflix profile so they don’t lose their watchlist, viewing history and personalized suggestions. After countless hours of “Stranger Things” and “Wednesday,” they won’t want to begin again with a blank profile on a new account — those tailored recommendations took time to build.
How to Move Netflix Profiles
Shifting Netflix profiles to new accounts is straightforward, and we’ll walk you through the steps so you can end your password-sharing setup. First, make sure you have enabled profile transfers in your account, then follow the step-by-step directions below.
- After confirming profile transfers are active on the account, sign into the Netflix account that contains the profile you want to move. You must use the Netflix website, not the mobile or TV app.
- At the “Who’s Watching” screen, select the profile you intend to transfer.
- In the top-right corner of the Netflix webpage, click the small profile icon and choose the “Transfer Profile” option.
- If you haven’t enabled profile transfers for that profile, you’ll be asked to do so before proceeding.
- Netflix has implemented a transfer hold to prevent unauthorized moves. You’ll need to check the email of the primary account owner for a message from Netflix and click the “Enable Instantly” button — otherwise, a two-day wait will apply and the transfer option will activate automatically.
- Follow the prompts shown on-screen to finish the transfer. You’ll be prompted to provide the email address and password you want to use for the new account.
- That’s it! Encourage your friend or family member to enjoy Netflix on their own account (via the app or website) and put password sharing in the past.
What Password Sharing Will Cost
When Netflix starts charging for shared access, we expect the extra fee to be roughly $3 to $4 per additional person.
Netflix says members will designate a primary location for their accounts, though it notes users can still watch when traveling. U.S. subscribers do not yet have the option to set a primary location.
Many Netflix customers are upset about the password-sharing enforcement. In a sign the policy could backfire, Netflix reportedly lost more than 1 million subscribers in Spain during the first quarter of 2023 after tightening password rules there. About two-thirds of those lost accounts were reportedly using someone else’s login.
Cut Costs With an Ad-Supported Plan
Netflix Plans Compared
| Netflix plan | Video resolution | Simultaneous devices streaming | Access to entire catalog | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic with Ads | 720p HD | 1 | No | $6.99/mo. |
| Basic | 720p HD | 1 | Yes | $9.99/mo. |
| Standard | 1080p HD | 2 | Yes | $15.49/mo. |
| Premium | 4K UHD | 4 | Yes | $19.99/mo. |
If you don’t want to remove others from your account but want to lower costs while others stream on your plan, consider Netflix’s Basic with Ads option. For $6.99 per month, you get a 720p HD, ad-supported experience on a single device at a time.
For readers wanting more context on recent policy changes and options, check netflix password sharing crackdown and details on pricing tiers like the netflix basic plan. If you need guidance on handing over account credentials safely, see this piece on how to share passwords securely.
Alex Turner is a former senior writer at Savinly. Contributing reporter Jenna Lee helped with research for this piece.
