21 Secret Netflix Settings I Use To Instantly Upgrade My Streaming Experience

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21 concealed Netflix settings I usage to instantly upgrade my streaming experience
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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

  • Netflix has hidden settings that make it instantly much powerful.
  • There are besides cheat codes, buried toggles, and obscure features.
  • Unlock much contented and upgrade your acquisition - today.

Netflix seems beautiful straightforward and easy to use, right?

You unfastened nan app connected your TV, phone, aliases laptop, scroll for 15 minutes to find thing caller to watch, only to extremity up rewatching nan aforesaid comfortableness show, and telephone it a night. But beneath Netflix's acquainted rows of movies and TV shows lies a world of hidden settings, cheat codes, power-user shortcuts, and privateness controls that fto you do measurement much than conscionable binge-watch.

Also: This brilliant caller Roku characteristic helps you find everything you request overmuch faster - here's how

Believe it aliases not, Netflix is simply a very customizable level today. Below are my favourite tips and tricks each personification should know.

1. Netflix codes

Netflix has thousands of micro-genres that do not show up successful nan main interface. These genre codes -- aka, cheat codes -- fto you jump consecutive into caller categories, for illustration Classic Action and Adventure Films and Fantasy Anime. You tin usage free resources for illustration Netflix-Codes aliases What's On Netflix to find codes and observe obscure, hidden selections to adhd to your watchlist and position connected immoderate device.

  1. Open Netflix.com successful your browser and motion in.
  2. Still successful your browser, spell to: netflix.com/browse/genre/XXXX.
  3. Replace XXXX successful nan URL pinch a codification (example: 11146 for Fantasy Anime).
  4. You tin spell to Netflix-Codes aliases What's On Netflix to find much codes.
  5. Browse nan micro-genres and watch a title instantly from your browser.
  6. Or adhd titles to your Netflix watchlist to position connected immoderate device.

Also: I utilized Netflix's concealed codes to quintuple my viewing options -- here's how

Browser extensions for illustration FindFlix (Firefox) and Better Browse for Netflix (Chrome) tin make it moreover easier to entree Netflix's micro-genres. Once installed, they adhd caller browsing options to your location screen.

Netflix codes
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

2. Find each Netflix Original pinch 1 connection

Here is simply a elemental instrumentality I usage often: Just type "Netflix" into nan hunt barroom to propulsion up each Netflix Original disposable successful your region, including upcoming releases and unrecorded events. Bonus: You tin besides hunt "4K" aliases "HDR" to find titles successful those circumstantial formats.

  1. Open Netflix (mobile, TV, aliases web).
  2. Go to Search.
  3. Type Netflix.
  4. Browse Netflix Originals and commencement watching instantly.
Find each Netflix Original pinch 1 word
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

3. Remove shows from Continue Watching

My Continue Watching statement is fundamentally a graveyard of movies and shows I ne'er finished. You show yourself you'll get backmost to them, but immoderate titles mightiness not beryllium for you, truthful they beryllium location haunting you. The bully news is you tin purge immoderate title from that row.

Also: Every Roku personification should cognize these 15+ shortcuts that unlock nan system's champion features

  • Mobile app: Open Netflix, spell to Continue Watching, pat nan three-dot paper nether a title, and prime Remove from row.
  • TV app: Open Netflix, spell to Continue Watching, property and clasp nan prime fastener connected a title, and take Remove.
  • Web: Open Netflix.com, spell to Continue Watching, hover complete a title, and click nan X.
Remove shows from Continue Watching
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4. Delete titles from your watch history

Did you cheat and commencement a show without telling your partner? Better hide nan grounds by removing it from your viewing activity. This wipes it from your history for illustration it ne'er happened and keeps your concealed safe.

  1. Go to Netflix.com successful your browser and motion in.
  2. Go to Account icon > Manage Profiles > Select your profile.
  3. Scroll to Viewing Activity.
  4. Click nan hide icon adjacent to nan title.
Delete titles from your watch history
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

5. Disable autoplay previews and adjacent episodes

Some group deliberation Netflix's autoplay feature is simply a spot aggressive. I'm not 1 of them, but if you don't for illustration homepage trailers playing loudly arsenic you scroll done rows looking for thing to watch, you tin move them disconnected for good. You tin besides disable episode autoplay, which is erstwhile Netflix automatically queues up nan adjacent section of a bid you're watching.

Also: How I turned my inexpensive Roku TV into a portion of creation (like nan $3,000 Samsung Frame TV)

  1. Go to Netflix.com successful your browser and motion in.
  2. Go to Account icon > Account.
  3. Select Playback Settings.
  4. Uncheck Autoplay adjacent section and Autoplay previews.
Disable autoplay previews and adjacent episodes
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

6. Lock your Netflix floor plan pinch a PIN

If you stock your relationship pinch different group successful your family, specified arsenic your kids, and want to make judge they cannot entree your profile, messiness up your recommendations, aliases spot your watch history, you tin support it backstage by locking it pinch a PIN.

  1. Go to Netflix.com successful your browser and motion in.
  2. Go to Account icon > Manage Profiles > Select your floor plan > Profile Lock.
  3. Create a 4-digit PIN.
Lock your Netflix floor plan pinch a PIN
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

7. Kick devices disconnected your Netflix relationship remotely

Netflix now lets you log retired of individual devices, not conscionable "Sign retired of all." This is awesome for exes, Airbnb TVs, aliases suspicious logins.

Also: Your Roku has concealed menus and screens - here's really to unlock them

  1. Go to Netflix.com successful your browser and motion in.
  2. Go to Account.
  3. Select Devices.
  4. Go to Manage Access and Devices.
  5. Click nan drop-down and past motion retired for immoderate device.
8
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

8. Transfer your floor plan to a caller relationship

Did password-sharing rules kill your expertise to stock your parents' aliases a friend's account? You do not person to opportunity goodbye to nan floor plan you've utilized successful their family for nan past decade. You tin take it pinch you and support your watchlist, history, and recommendations intact.

  1. Go to Netflix.com successful your browser and motion in.
  2. Go to nan Account icon.
  3. Choose Transfer Profile.
  4. Follow nan setup wizard.
  5. Note: Kids' profiles cannot beryllium transferred.
Transfer your floor plan to a caller account
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

9. Stop Netflix from sharing your information pinch advertisers

Netflix has a strangely worded privateness mounting that allows information sharing for advertising.

Also: Own an Apple TV? I changed these 12 settings to make nan strategy tally for illustration caller again

By default, it enables a characteristic called "matched identifier communications," which intends Netflix whitethorn stock your interaction accusation (like an email aliases telephone number) pinch 3rd parties to amended lucifer you crossed services and show ads connected different platforms. If you want to limit really overmuch "privacy-protected" information Netflix tin stock astir you for trading purposes, it's worthy disabling this setting.

  1. Go to Netflix.com successful your browser and motion in.
  2. Go to Account icon > Manage Profiles > Select your profile.
  3. Go to Privacy and Data Settings.
  4. Toggle disconnected Allow matched identifier communications and prime Opt Out of All.
Stop Netflix from sharing your information pinch advertisers
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

10. Download shows for offline viewing

Netflix lets you download movies and TV shows to watch connected agelong flights, roadworthy trips, aliases anytime you do not person Wi-Fi. This 1 is beautiful good known by now, but it is worthy including present if you person not utilized it yet.

  1. Open nan Netflix mobile app.
  2. Find a movie aliases TV section pinch nan Download icon.
  3. Tap three-dot paper > Download.
  4. Go to Downloads aliases My Netflix to watch offline later.

Download limits dangle connected your plan, and downloads expire aft a group period.

Download shows for offline viewing
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

11. Turn connected Smart Downloads aliases Downloads for You

If you for illustration downloading movies and shows to watch connected your commute, effort Netflix's Smart Downloads feature. It automatically deletes watched episodes and downloads nan adjacent 1 for you. You tin besides effort enabling Downloads for You, which lets Netflix download titles it thinks you'll want to watch. Both features activity connected Android, iPhone, and iPad.

Also: I utilized 11 concealed Fire TV distant shortcuts to unlock caller features and menus

  1. Open nan Netflix mobile app.
  2. Tap Account icon/My Netflix, past Downloads astatine nan top.
  3. Under Downloads, pat Smart Downloads and past group it up.
  4. You tin besides set really overmuch retention Netflix tin usage for automatic downloads.
  5. Back nether Downloads, pat Smart Downloads, and toggle Downloads for You connected aliases off.

Note: You tin besides find nan settings for Smart Downloads nether Account icon/My Netflix > App Settings.

Turn connected Smart Downloads aliases Downloads for You
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

12. Reduce mobile information usage

Use Netflix connected nan spell and disconnected Wi-Fi? Then you cognize it tin pain done information fast. Luckily, you tin headdress your information usage.

Also: I utilized 8 HDMI tricks to get nan champion capacity from my TV - and astir are free

Netflix offers four mobile information settings -- Automatic (about 4 hours per GB), Wi-Fi Only (no cellular streaming), Save Data (about 6 hours per GB), and Maximum Data (up to astir 1 GB per 20 minutes) -- truthful you tin equilibrium video value pinch information usage.

  1. Open nan Netflix mobile app.
  2. Go to App Settings.
  3. Select Cellular Data Usage.
  4. Switch to Save Data aliases Wi-Fi Only.
Reduce mobile information usage
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

13. Force Netflix to watercourse successful HD aliases 4K

Watching online and wondering if you are really seeing nan highest playback mounting disposable to you? You tin set your settings to beryllium sure. Netflix offers four information usage options -- Low, Medium, High, and Auto -- ranging from astir 0.3 GB per hr connected Low to arsenic overmuch arsenic 7 GB per hr successful Ultra HD connected High, while Auto adjusts value based connected your connection.

  1. Go to Netflix.com successful your browser and motion in.
  2. Go to Account icon > Manage Profiles > prime your Profile.
  3. Select Playback Settings.
  4. Set Data Usage per Screen to High.
Force Netflix to watercourse successful HD aliases 4K
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

14. Customize subtitle quality

Did you cognize Netflix subtitles tin beryllium reformatted to your liking? You tin alteration nan size, color, and much astatine immoderate time.

Also: I utilized 11 concealed Fire TV distant shortcuts to unlock caller features and menus

  1. Go to Netflix.com successful your browser and motion in.
  2. Go to Account icon > Manage Profiles > prime your Profile.
  3. Select Subtitle Appearance.
  4. Adjust font, size, shadow, and background.
Customize subtitle appearance
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

15. Try dialogue-only subtitles

Last year, Netflix introduced dialogue-only subtitles, a cleaner subtitle action that removes sound cues for illustration "dramatic music" aliases "door creaks." Instead, you only spot nan spoken dialogue, which makes subtitles little distracting. Right now, this characteristic is constricted to English and appears mostly successful newer Netflix Originals.

  1. Start playing a show aliases movie.
  2. Open nan Subtitles menu.
  3. Select nan English subtitle action without "CC" successful nan label.
Try dialogue-only subtitles
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

16. Use Audio Descriptions for narration

If you are blind, person debased vision, aliases simply for illustration listening to a show while multitasking, Audio Description is 1 of Netflix's astir adjuvant accessibility features. It adds a narrated sound way that explains what is happening on-screen betwixt lines of dialogue, including facial expressions, movements, settings, and different ocular specifications you mightiness different miss.

Also: Own a Fire TV? I changed 10 settings to make nan strategy tally for illustration caller again

Audio Descriptions are disposable crossed astir Originals, and Netflix has expanded them to respective newer movies and shows, too.

  1. In Netflix search, type Audio Description to find supported titles.
  2. Start playing a show aliases movie.
  3. Open nan Audio and Subtitles menu.
  4. Select nan AD (Audio Description) track, if available.
Use Audio Descriptions for narration
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

17. Use keyboard shortcuts connected a laptop

Watching Netflix successful a browser? Try utilizing keyboard shortcuts to power your playback. Here are immoderate useful ones:

  • Space: Play/Pause
  • Arrows: Skip forward/back
  • F: Fullscreen
  • M: Mute
  • S: Skip intro
Use keyboard shortcuts connected a laptop
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

18. Share clips of your movie aliases show

Netflix has a characteristic called Moments that lets you prevention and stock scenes for illustration TikTok clips. It is only disposable connected mobile, and you cannot create clips from unrecorded events, trailers, downloaded shows aliases movies, aliases Netflix games.

Also: How to clear your Roku TV cache (and opportunity goodbye to slow performance)

  1. Open nan Netflix mobile app and commencement watching a title.
  2. While watching, pat nan surface and prime Moments aliases Clip.
  3. Set a commencement and extremity time. Clips tin beryllium up to 2 minutes long.
  4. Tap Save.
  5. Rewatch later successful My Netflix, aliases stock it pinch anyone.
Share clips of your movie aliases show
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

19. Set reminders for upcoming shows

Netflix has a Remind Me characteristic for upcoming releases. It will notify you arsenic soon arsenic a title becomes disposable to stream.

  1. Open nan title page for an upcoming show aliases movie.
  2. Tap Remind Me.
  3. Netflix will nonstop you a notification (or email) erstwhile it drops, and it will automatically adhd it to My List.
Set reminders for upcoming shows
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

20. Request shows aliases movies to beryllium added

Yes, Netflix has a petition form. If capable group ask, a title whitethorn yet show up. Fingers crossed!

Also: I replaced my chamber TV pinch this $170 Roku projector and don't regret it

  1. In your browser, visit: Netflix Help: Request TV Shows aliases Movies.
  2. Submit up to 3 suggestions.
Request shows aliases movies to beryllium added
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

21. Join Netflix's characteristic trial programme

It's nosy to effort experimental features earlier they rotation retired to everyone else. Netflix has a trial information programme wherever you tin do conscionable that, but you request to opt in.

  1. Go to Netflix.com successful your browser and motion in.
  2. Go to this page: https://www.netflix.com/donottest.
  3. Toggle On.
Join Netflix's characteristic trial program
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

How overmuch does Netflix cost?

Netflix has three main plans arsenic of January 2026, pinch pricing based connected video quality, instrumentality limits, and other members.

PlanPrice/moQualityDevicesExtra Members
Standard w/ ads$7.991080p2Yes ($6.99 to $8.99)
Standard$17.991080p21 add-on
Premium$24.994K + HDR4Up to 2 add-ons

Does Netflix person a free trial?

Netflix presently does not connection a free trial successful nan US.

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