How to get around Netflix Password Sharing: 2023 Guide

For years, the streaming giant Netflix turned a blind eye to sharing your password with family and friends. Those days are numbered with the Netflix password-sharing crackdown. We'll show you how to get around Netflix password sharing crackdown.

It’s no secret that Netflix isn’t a fan of password sharing. During a recent earnings call, Netflix made it clear that it would end free password sharing in early 2023. After a year of trials in Canada, New Zealand, Spain and other markets, the Netflix password-sharing crackdown has started to roll out to the U.S.

This guide will show you how to get around Netflix password sharing limitations and bypass household restrictions. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to share your Netflix account across different homes with a VPN.

On May 23, Netflix users around the globe received emails that the terms of their subscription have changed, and they will no longer be allowed to share their passwords with friends or family outside of their household. While some will be glad that their ex will no longer be leeching off their Netflix, most password sharers lamented the change.

Thankfully, the tech wizzes here at Cloudwards immediately worked out a way to get around the Netflix password-sharing ban. All it takes is a VPN, but you can’t just use any old VPN. You specifically need NordVPN and its ingenious feature called Meshnet (and it’s cheaper than adding a new member, too, as you can see in our NordVPN review). Read on to learn how to keep sharing your Netflix password.

Netflix confirmed in a shareholder letter that it plans to roll out the Netflix password sharing ban in Q2 2023. We will update this article with more information as it becomes available.

As of May 23, 2023, Netflix has officially started implementing its anti-password-sharing measures to the U.S., U.K. and other countries. We updated the article to include the latest information.

Added new information regarding the password-sharing crackdown based on user reports and first-hand testing.

The new Netflix sharing rules state that this is not allowed. However, the ban has seemingly not been fully implemented yet, as it’s not affecting all users and only applies to home streaming devices (for now).

If you get locked out of Netflix due to the new password-sharing rules, you can use NordVPN Meshnet to get around it and log in no matter what network you’re connected to.

As long as all the people you share the password with live in the same household as you, you’re not in violation of Netflix’s terms of service. However, if you’re sharing your password with someone who lives somewhere else, there’s a chance they’ll get locked out, at least eventually.

Checking out the current help page that details Netflix’s password-sharing rules, we can see that the new account sharing rules have indeed been implemented.

Under the new rules, streaming devices associated with the primary account must use Netflix on the account holder’s home WiFi at least once within a 31-day window. A device not attached to the primary account requires a separate Netflix account. That is, unless the primary account holder pays for an “extra member.”

It’s worth noting that “streaming devices” in this context refers exclusively to things like Rokus, video game consoles and smart TVs. This means that, at least for now, you won’t have any problems as long as you’ve only ever signed into Netflix on computers or mobile devices.

That said, we weren’t able to trigger the Netflix password-sharing ban, even when we used the same account to log in from many different locations. However, many users report online that they’ve been hit with error screens locking them out on devices not connected to their home network.

As noted, this seems to be restricted to users with a “streaming device.” However, since we can’t replicate it ourselves, it’s difficult to tell exactly what makes Netflix lock a device out.

If you do get locked out, you can pay to add additional members or households to your Netflix account. In the U.S., adding an extra member would cost $7.99 per month — slightly cheaper than getting a new account entirely, but it’s still a steep asking price.

Since Netflix’s system now requires all of your devices to be connected to the same network, your friend or family member needs to make it seem like their traffic is coming from your household. Although this seems techy and complicated, it’s very easy to implement. All you need is NordVPN’s Meshnet.

If you install NordVPN on your device, you can use Meshnet for free. To use it, you first need to activate it on your home computer through the NordVPN app. Next, your friend should do the same, using the same NordVPN account, which can be used between up to six devices simultaneously.

Once your friend has activated Meshnet, they need to click on the button labeled “route traffic,” then select your device’s name. You can see your device name in the top left corner, under “this device.”

Now, all of their internet traffic will be routed through your device, as if it were a VPN server. This means that you’ll both have the same IP address, and Netflix will think that your friend is located in your household. Netflix’s anti-account-sharing systems won’t trigger, and you can keep sharing your account without having to pay extra.

Netflix uses IP addresses, device IDs and your account activity to determine where an account signs in and on what device. Within a Netflix account that requires a primary location, a settings option called “manage primary location” uses the WiFi during verification.

Only users who have signed in to their Netflix account with a stationary streaming device have access to the settings menu that lets you manage your home location.

Under the new rules, any account that doesn’t log in to Netflix on the primary location’s WiFi within a 31-day window will lose access to the account. Additionally, if there isn’t an extra member paid for on the primary account, anyone outside the primary location won’t have access to Netflix.

It remains to be seen if Netflix plans to implement a different version of its new password-sharing rules from its pilot program in Latin American countries. The recently retracted update didn’t include the extra member payment option, only the 31-day login requirement.

However, Netflix will only send a limited number of these codes to each user, with some reporting that they only got one code before being blocked from requesting more.

Netflix tracks the number of devices used to access an account. If a device outside of the Netflix household tries to log in to your account, Netflix may send a four-digit verification code to authorize the new device.

The primary account holder will get an email with the verification code. There’s also an option to receive a verification code through a mobile device. Entering the code within a 15-minute window authorizes the device to the Netflix app.

However, Netflix will only send a limited number of these codes to each user, with some reporting that they only got one code before being blocked from requesting more.

Netflix determines the number of devices an account can authorize based on the purchased plan. The cheapest plan, called Basic with ads, costs $6.99 per month and supports one device. Netflix’s top plan, Premium, costs $19.99 per month and supports four devices at a time.

Netflix doesn’t limit the number of devices you can have on your account, only the number of devices you can watch simultaneously. Similarly, the most you can authorize with downloads is six on the Premium plan.

As mentioned, Netflix has added a feature where subscribers can pay an additional fee to add more members or households to their streaming account. The price for this varies by country (much like the subscription cost) but is currently set at $7.99 extra per month in the U.S.

The good news is that you can still use a VPN to access geo-restricted content on Netflix. This is because, as long as you disconnect from the VPN and log in to Netflix at least once a month, you’ll satisfy the requirement to check in with your home network.

Despite their unpopularity, it seems like the Netflix password sharing changes are here to stay. Following the initial implementation of the new policy in the U.S. on May 23, 2023, the streaming service experienced a boost to subscriber numbers with an average daily sign-up rate of 73,000, which is a 102% increase. Similarly, Netflix’s share price saw an increase following the implementation of the new rules.

For now, it’s possible to get around the new rules by never using a stationary streaming device such as a console or smart TV or by using NordVPN’s Meshnet feature to make Netflix think you’re connected to your home network.

Furthermore, many users (us included) have not been hit with the sharing ban yet, so there’s a chance you have nothing to worry about — for now.

That said, it seems likely that Netflix will expand its verification system in the future to apply to all users and cover computers, tablets and phones, at which point you’ll have to return to your home network once a month. If this happens, NordVPN Meshnet will be the only free and practical way to watch Netflix if you’re away from home for longer periods of time.

After much speculation, Netflix has finally decided to act on its desire to slow down or eliminate the common practice of password sharing between family and friends. However, it seems like the rollout will be gradual, with many users still being able to share their accounts without registering a home network.

In some ways, what the future of Netflix account sharing looks like is still being determined. For now, the ban is only partial, but it seems unlikely that Netflix would take such a PR hit and not eventually implement a more thorough ban. One thing is for sure: Netflix will continue the pursuit of ending password sharing.

How do you feel about the new rules for Netflix password sharing? Have you been locked out of a shared account? If so, did you use NordVPN’s Meshnet to regain access? Let us know in the comments section below. Thanks for reading our article.

53 thoughts on “How to get around Netflix Password Sharing in 2023: Bypassing Guide”

I have already dropped from Premium to Standard, and may take it to only every 2nd month or so. There is so much I DONT watch, i may quite altogether

I am cancelling my account

Netflix continues to alienate customers by finding innovative ways to increase fees to stop the bleeding. This new initiative is particularly hard for

Netflix is not the only game in town. If this new Netflix sharing takes place here in the US I think we should all cancel our accounts, I will. Consumer backlash is all that’s needed to make them change there minds. They should just put a limit on how many can share one account. BOYCOTT NETFLIX NOW!

Lol, people will just go back to pirating instead. Netflix is gonna regret this move – they’ll lose a lot of money. I don’t understand why these companies can’t just be happy with a profit, they get upset everytime it’s not RECORD PROFITS 🤦‍♀️

AGREED! If they try to charge us more – BOYCOTT and they will get nothing!!!

Yes I think Netflix needs to be trashed

THANKS for the inform,,There is just my husband and i we are seniors wuld like to get the basics ,where and how do I start tks no one to help us .

I was thinking of signing up for Netflix but wonder if it is even worth it / I would share with my sister- too many rules coming up it seems like

Bye bye Netflix! You have become another company built on greed. Been with you from the start. Cancelled as of yesterday.

I am on my nephew’s account in a different household so I no longer have access to his account. I will not do a subscription for myself.

I can absolutely live without Netflix.

I have Netflix under my stepdaughter who lives right next store if they think I’m paying for my own plan there crazy I have peacock which is so much better than Netflix and is only 49.00 a year good riddens to Netflix I hope the greedy company goes under!

I started with Netflix laying $6.99 a month. As I added users Netflix be a charging me more depending on the number users I had. I currently pay like $21.99. Does this mean if they drop anyone currently using my Netflix account that they will also lower my monthly bill back to the $6.99? If not I will probably also drop all together.

Same here. My mother pays the premium plan ($23/mth) for all of us to have access. We are in 2 different households though. However, she isnt sharing her 1 account password, she is already paying for us. I hope they manage to work out the difference.

If the sharing accounts is eliminated I can easily live without Netflix. With all the streaming services included with my internet provider and Roku device it’s just not worth the added expense. The big picture here is many family and friends are exchanging accounts with each other in order to get a variety and save money.

If sharing is stopped I will not be signing up for my own account. Several families and friends share streaming accounts for the variety and to save money. Netflix is not as good as they think. The sad thing is people are not allowed to help each other out.

Less and less new content, more and more old rehashed stuff from 20 years ago and they wonder why revenue is down? Open your doors to more indie films and you won’t have so much junk. Greed is the root of all evil!

I will leave Netflix if this continues. Netflix should allow sharing, but limit the number of different households. 2 would be a good number for the lowest plan and add more as the price goes up. Otherwise, yes, I’m done.

This should be interesting… My boyfriend is away for work 3-4 months at a time so I guess we’ll have to see what happens. Already had to upgrade the number of screens in March and was ASSURED this would be acceptable. I’ll be damned if I have to pay ANOTHER monthly fee just so we can have movie night while he’s away!!!

If Netflix succeed in their effort to invade our privacy and limit to access to only one IP address. If we do not stand up today then other streaming services will follow. They are all waiting to see how the public will react to these unrealistic controls and starting to charge me if I watch a Netflix show when visiting on Mother or when on vacation.

Unless we all stand up against Netflix the streaming companies will add more controls and costs, but we the public do not react and just keep paying our monthly fees. I currently pay extra to have four user access. It should not matter where I am located when I watch my videos and it none of Netflix business where I watch my videos. If they can control no more than 4 concurrent users on my account that I can control the license we have today with one another.

Everyone should cancel their membership in mass when Netflix tried to monitor where I am and invade my privity. That is the only message they will understand. #ByeBye Netflix

stupid logic. with this software i will be paying 8 dollars per month and with netflix i will have to pay 7.99. Why do i want to pay for this software when i can pay netflix directly.

I’m not sure you actually read the post, it mentions that NordVPN Meshnet is free. The only thing that’s in this post about costing you money is Netflix themselves. Please read next time before you blurt out nonsense.

Meshnet may be free but NordVPN is not….I believe you have to purchase that in order to get the “free” Meshnet…

I’m not sure you actually read the post, it mentions that NordVPN Meshnet is free but this is only useable if you have the NordVPN app which you pay for. Please check next time before you blurt out nonsense.

Yes I will drop as they say there are many other ones that are cheaper and have good series, and movies. Didn’t need !

Bye Netflix! I share with my kids and your greed is ridiculous! Can’t afford the extra user accounts. Your power was amassing viewers, now watch them drop away. Megan and Harry doco was the end for me…I’m not paying to watch that crap!!

We were on my mothers and she is on some of our others. Now can use Netflix so will not join and will change hers so she isn’t paying for 4 devices since it is just her now and she is a widow.

There are only three in my subscription, my son who told me to dump Netflix and my grand daughter who lives a long way from here and it is her main outlet to watch her favorites. She was dissappointed to say the least, but understood. She is in a position where she won’t be able to get it on her own. Thanks Netflix. I kept it mainly for her, but you greedy $&#%@*#’S can stuff it!!!! Bye!!

I hope they lose a lot of customers. So greedy I will be canceling and so will friends and family 😡

My college daughter uses our Netflix a/c. NFLX already charges an arm and a leg so adding another $8 is the straw. I will quit if for no other reason that NFLX has been harrassing the hell out of us for the last couple weeks since this crap started. Do they not know they can be replaced. I’m pretty much tired of watch spanish, swedish, etc anyway.

I agree with all those frustrated with Netflix. Paying $16.82/mo is no longer worth the price of admission. Cutting the service. Paramount, Apple+, Peacock, they all have good alternatives. Bye bye Netflix!

absolutely good bye for Netflix, i have 4k tv for watching netflix and sharing acc with my 3others friend so i can split the bills and if i have to downgrade the plan to even standard plan, it cost me more and got only fullHDso maybe i will go to subscribe prime video and if i want to watch netflix original series or movies, i can always download it for free

I was already paying for the top tier for Netflix, which is 4k and 5 device streaming. As soon as I saw this new policy. I think it’s unfair to those that are already paying for the highest tier Netflix offers, and they still want more money out of people.

They should have adjusted their policy to the lower tiers and perhaps increase the price of the unlimited tier (which is the 4k/5 device) from 21.99 to 27.99. I decided to cancel Netflix for good and inform my family members and their kids they won’t get Netflix anymore and I’m not gonna ask them to install VPN on their ipads/iphones/gaming consoles just to watch Netflix under my account. That is not a feasible step for some people.

Bubye Netflix!You ARE NOT the only game in town. Greedy bastards.

Carrie, I could not have said it better myself-right to the point. Buhbye greedy bastards.

I hardly ever watch Netflix myself, but I had the subscription so my kids, no longer living at home, could watch it. Needless to day, I already cancelled my subscription due to the new policy.

Netflix will have no more money from me. Greed is a terrible thing and I wonder if it will affect this company worse than they imagine. Effectively raising prices in current economic climate defies logic.

Well Direct TV got greedy and most everyone cancelled on them. Netflix just wants more money as if they weren’t already big enough. They will lose money over Greed.

I will also be canceling, I’ve been with Netflix for many years and the bill has gone from 6.99 to 21.99 and the content has not changed enough to justify the cost. Many other services with as good or better shows and no hassle with sharing a password with your family. BYE BYE NETFLIX

Read my above comments. Disney+ is cracking down on pw sharing and on top of that, they raised prices on ESPN, hulu and Disney+. I would say all streaming services will follow netflix. I was sharing with my son, but not now with netflix pulling this B.S.

one of the ways NETFLIX punishes users they have caught using paid customers passwords is by charging then maximum amount (so far $29.99 per month) and not letting them use the service. The victims cannot stop payment because the billing comes through a third parity (COX is the primary) and AT&T.

Netflix is getting ahead of themselves, I am on premium plan and I am cancelling.

Nope all the moochers who started the sharing problem are the first ones to fold and give in to Netflix. They are now creating their own accounts and making Netflix think they made the right decision. My daughters are in college so for them to stay on our account I would now have to get a 19.99 account and add two people at 7.99 apiece. Nope I canceled. I just hope the other streamers don’t follow Netflix footsteps. Please people join me and cancel your accounts. Show Netflix the error of their ways.

I just read on Google Disney+ is doing the same thing and stioping pw sharing. The also raised prices on ESPN, hulu, and Disney+. If they’re following netflix, max, paramount, peacock, etc will all do it. We all did this to get rid of cable or satellite and if you have enough streaming services, you’ll be paying the same as you were with cable/satellite. I was going to get hulu but with the increase, no thanks. What would make me cancel netflix is if prices rise again. I was sharing with my son but not now since Netflix pulled this B.S.

I have military sons whose primary addresses are at my house, however they use my account while deployed in different continents and different time zones, yet I have to approve them by text. I have to approve my own devices in my own home every time I turn them kn. This is fast becoming a game-changer. Netflix is becoming a luxury I don’t need… My military kids are the biggest reason I still have it but you know, Paramount+ and Peacock and even PBS have really good content.

It was a shocker for me to get kicked out of my own account! I hardly watch Netflix, my son and nephew do all the time. Apparently Netflix assigned my 8 year old nephew’s tv as the primary household so I am locked out of watching my own account! Netflix actually sent me an email saying a device logged into my account from my current location, weird coz it’s just me.

I cannot change anything on my computer and set myself as the primary household. My son is gone off my account, so is my nephew, but still I am considered an intruder on my own freaking account until I set myself as the primary household on a TV! I have an old TV and I connect my computer to it via HDMI. So Netflix, after diligently paying you for the longest time, after even upgrading to a premium account, I am sorry, no, not sorry at all to tell you that I am out. You should have checked who was paying the bill before you blocked me from my own account!

I don’t blame you I’m getting ready to cancel also.

paying more and watching netflix under one roof seems crazy. NETFLIX WILL BECOME ‘NETFLOP’ SOON.

I expect mass cancellation of Netflix will affect their gross revenue : I am a standard level user & it’s only me watching ! I will cancel if netflix starts changing more rules :other companies are just as good as netflix

absolutely disgusting money greedy people! I along with my two sisters share my mothers but we all chip in with the bill as it’s extra money for us added on, and now they won’t be letting us! I shall be informing my mother to cancel Netflix! They can shove it up their ass’s. I hope millions of people follow suit and they make nothing!

I am a professional firefighter working for a department that is short staffed (as most are across the nation). Therefore, we tend to work a lot of overtime. Normal shifts are 24-hours long. But, with overtime, I often work 48, 72, 96-hours shifts. Sometimes 120-hour shifts at a time. So, I am away from home (in the same county as my house) for 2-5 days at a time. Meanwhile, my wife is home at our “household”. But, Netflix says that I am not ALLOWED to watch Netflix on a TV in my bunkroom at the fire station that I am at more than I am at home. If I make my fire station my “Household”, then my wife can’t watch Netflix in our living room at home. This is ridiculous.

I pay top dollar for Netflix Streaming Service. I was originally allowed to have 4 users simultaneously. Why is it Netflix business where I am watching as long as I don’t exceed 4 logins. It like Netflix is becoming a dictator. This has really been and inconvenience. There are many other Streaming services out there. I hope Netflix eventually becomes BlockBusters for this crazy stunt. I’m fed up and canceling.#fedupwithNetflix

Δ