How to Get Around Netflix Household Sharing Restrictions in 2026
We’ve put together an easy-to-follow guide on how to get around Netflix household sharing restrictions by adding devices remotely through NordVPN Meshnet. We’ll also give you details on Netflix households and how they work.
Written by Wisdom Sablah (Writer)
Reviewed by Samuel Chapman (Writer, Editor)
Facts checked by Simona Ivanovski (Fact-Checker, Formatter)
Last Updated:
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: How to Bypass Netflix Household Rules
- Download and install NordVPN. Meshnet is free, so you don’t need a NordVPN subscription. However, we recommend subscribing if you need a VPN.
- Open your NordVPN app and click the Meshnet tab, represented by a network icon on the right-hand side of your screen.
- Enter the email address associated with the device you want to add to your Netflix household.
- Prompt the person using that device and email address to accept the invitation that Meshnet sends.
- Once the person accepts the invitation, they’ll be able to access your Netflix account as though they’re in your household.
Facts & Expert Analysis: Netflix Password Sharing
- Netflix subscriptions and revenue: The password-sharing crackdown seemed to positively affect Netflix’s subscriptions. Four days after the May 2023 implementation, Netflix had an average daily sign-up rate of 73,000, a 102% increase.1
- No more reporting: Netflix stopped reporting quarterly membership numbers and average revenue per membership in 2025. The company now focuses on revenue and operating margin as its primary financial metrics.
- Meshnet can link many devices: Meshnet can link up to 60 devices — 10 of your own and 50 of your friends’. We don’t recommend linking 60 devices to access one Netflix account, though, as that might raise suspicions with Netflix.
Best VPNs for Bypassing Netflix Household Restrictions:
- NordVPN – The best VPN for Netflix household workarounds, featuring Meshnet technology that links up to 60 devices. Explore NordVPN’s features with a 30-day return policy, and grab extended plans at a 76% discount.
- Surfshark – A reliable Netflix VPN with unlimited simultaneous device connections, perfect for large households. Get 87% off the first two years with Surfshark, covered by its 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Proton VPN – Privacy-focused VPN for Netflix with a generous free plan. Try the free plan or get 70% off paid plans.
Netflix password sharing ended in May 2023, preventing account owners from sharing their passwords with anyone not in their households. However, if you’re curious about how to get around Netflix household password-sharing restrictions, there’s an effective method: Meshnet, a NordVPN feature that lets you route multiple devices through one network.
NordVPN is our pick for the best VPN, and Meshnet is a big reason why. Adding a device to Meshnet makes it appear as though it’s using the same network as your household’s primary Netflix device. Netflix’s password restrictions won’t apply to the new device.
We’ve written an easy-to-follow guide for setting up Meshnet to add devices to your Netflix household, plus a full explanation of what the household policy means. Afterwards, check out our list of the 25 best Netflix hacks.
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04/19/2023 Facts checked
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.
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05/23/2023 Facts checked
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.
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08/08/2023 Facts checked
Added new information regarding the password-sharing crackdown based on user reports and first-hand testing.
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06/26/2024 Facts checked
Updated the article to reflect latest information on NordVPN’s allowed number of simultaneous connections.
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02/07/2025 Facts checked
We rewrote this article with current information about Netflix password sharing and the best workaround.
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04/04/2025 Facts checked
This article was updated with more details on how Netflix implements its household policy and the benefits of using NordVPN.
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06/16/2025 Facts checked
We’ve updated this article with Meshnet troubleshooting tips and advice on how to circumvent sharing restrictions.
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09/01/2025 Facts checked
This article was updated with Meshnet troubleshooting tips and some alternative methods to bypass sharing restrictions.
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11/20/2025 Facts checked
We added new troubleshooting tips and information related to smart DNS.
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10/12/2026 Facts checked
We updated Netflix’s pricing, clarified its household-sharing rules and official options, and removed workaround advice that goes against Terms and Conditions.
How to Get Around Netflix Household Rules: Quick Steps
NordVPN Meshnet is the easiest way to bypass Netflix’s password-sharing rules. We’ll show you the steps in this section. For more details about NordVPN, check out our in-depth NordVPN review.
NordVPN originally announced that Meshnet would be discontinued on December 1, 2025, but reversed the decision following user backlash. Meshnet is still available, and NordVPN has announced plans to make it open source.
- Download and Install NordVPN
Go to your device’s app store and download the NordVPN app, or download the NordVPN client from NordVPN’s download page. Meshnet is free, so you don’t need a NordVPN subscription. However, we recommend subscribing since it’s a great VPN. You can use its 30-day money-back guarantee to test it out.
- Open NordVPN and Access Meshnet
Log in to your NordVPN account with the username and password you created when buying a subscription. To open Meshnet, click on the network icon on the left-hand side of your screen.
- Turn On Meshnet
After opening the Meshnet page, toggle on the button beside the Meshnet tab. Doing so will open a new page with various options for configuring Meshnet.
- Click On “Link Devices”
Scroll down until you find the “link devices” bar and click on it. This will open another page to let you connect a device to your Meshnet.
- Add an Email Address
Click on “link external device” and enter an email address for the device you want to add to your Meshnet. Be sure to check “allow traffic routing” before clicking “send invitation.”
- Prompt the Person to Accept the Invitation
Alert the person you’re adding to your Netflix household to check their email and accept your Meshnet invitation. Note that an invitation is active for only 72 hours. If the recipient takes longer than that to accept you’ll have to send it again.
- Download NordVPN and Enable Meshnet
The invitee must download NordVPN and enable Meshnet. As we mentioned in step three, you’ll have to open the Meshnet page and toggle on the button beside the Meshnet tab.
- Click On the Device in Meshnet
Click on “link devices,” and review the invitations under “received invitations.” Click on the right invitation and you’ll be connected to Meshnet. Afterwards, you should be able to open and stream Netflix.
After connecting to your Meshnet network, it’s advisable to perform a DNS leak test (using a site like dnsleaktest.com) to verify your connection is secure and that your real location isn’t being revealed to Netflix, which could trigger household verification processes.
How Does Netflix Password Sharing Work?
Netflix restricts account sharing to people living in the same household. In May 2023, the company expanded its password-sharing crackdown to the US and more than 100 other countries.
Netflix households are based on a primary streaming device, usually a TV. Devices connected to the same WiFi network as the TV become part of the household. In some cases, Netflix may ask you to scan a QR code when setting up a new device to verify it belongs to your household.
However, the best way to add devices that are not part of the household is to use NordVPN’s Meshnet. This allows you to connect multiple devices to a network that looks like a household.
The Latest Netflix Household Update
Currently, Netflix is focused on enforcing its password-sharing ban through Netflix households. Netflix uses details such as IP addresses, device IDs and account activity to determine whether a device is part of a household.
If you are away from home and access your Netflix account using another network or device, Netflix will confirm that you’re part of the household by sending you a code. Theoretically, you could share your account with another person by using this code.
These verification codes expire after just 15 minutes, which creates a significant challenge for account sharing if the primary account holder isn’t immediately available to forward the time-sensitive code. Plus, a new one must be entered each time. While technically possible, it’s far from the most convenient way to watch Netflix for free.
Best VPNs for Getting Around Netflix Household Restrictions
NordVPN’s Meshnet is our primary recommendation for getting around Netflix’s household restrictions because it allows devices in different locations to connect through the same network. Other VPNs can help you access Netflix while travelling, but they don’t necessarily offer Meshnet’s device-linking functionality.
Below, I’ll compare the best VPN options for streaming Netflix and explain where they differ from Meshnet.
Netflix Password Sharing Rules Explained
Netflix has restricted account sharing to residents within a household. Here’s a summary of the new Netflix password-sharing rules:
- Netflix account owners can share passwords only with people in their households or in the same location.
- Account owners can create a household using a smart TV as their primary device. According to Netflix, you don’t need to set up a household if you watch Netflix only on a device other than a TV.
- If you don’t set a household, Netflix will automatically set one for you using your IP address, device IDs and account activity.
- If you want to access Netflix away from your household, you might need to verify your device by entering a code.
- You can add an extra member to your Netflix account without that person having to create their own Netflix account. You’ll have to pay extra, but it’s much cheaper than that person opening their own Netflix account.
If you’re having trouble accessing Netflix after moving, travelling or sharing an account with someone elsewhere, there are several ways to resolve the issue without breaking Netflix’s rules. The table below compares your options:
| Method | Best for | Additional Cost | Works on Smart TV? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Update household | Moving to a new home | None | Yes |
| Travel verification | Watching temporarily away from home | None | Yes, subject to verification |
| Add extra member | Sharing with someone elsewhere | $7.99/month with ads or $9.99 without | Yes |
| Transfer profile | Moving to a separate account | New subscription or eligible extra-member slot | Yes |
The Official Ways to Fix a Netflix Household Problem
Netflix allows users to update their household, verify their devices while travelling, add extra members or transfer profiles. The best option depends on whether you’ve moved, are temporarily away from home or want to share Netflix with someone who doesn’t live with you.
1. Update Your Netflix Household After Moving
If you’ve moved house, you can update your Netflix household from a TV connected to your new home internet connection. Open Netflix, go to “Get Help” or “Settings,” select “Manage Netflix Household” and click “Update Netflix Household.”
Select “Send Email” or “Send Text” to receive a verification link, then confirm the update. The verification link expires after 15 minutes.
2. Verify Your Device While Travelling
You can use Netflix when you travel. In some cases, Netflix might ask you to verify your device using a code.
If you see a household verification message, select “I’m Traveling” on your TV or “Watch Temporarily” on a mobile device or computer. Request a temporary access code through the account owner’s email address or phone number, then enter the four-digit code to start watching.
The temporary access code expires after 15 minutes. Netflix also limits how often you can request temporary codes for a device.
3. Add an Extra Member Outside Your Household
Standard subscribers can add only one extra member, while Premium subscribers can add up to two. Extra members can watch Netflix outside the account owner’s household using their own login credentials.
The account owner can purchase an extra member slot through their Netflix account and send an invitation. Ad-supported plans don’t allow extra-member slots, although eligible Standard and Premium subscribers can choose an extra-member option with ads.
4. Transfer a Netflix Profile
Netflix introduced the “transfer profile” feature to help users manage their accounts after the password-sharing crackdown. It allows someone moving to their own Netflix account or an extra-member account to keep their recommendations, viewing history, My List and settings.
To transfer a profile, start the process of creating a new account or adding an extra member and select the existing profile when prompted. Not all profiles are eligible for transfer.
Is Getting Around the Netflix Household Rule Against the Rules?
Yes. Netflix restricts account sharing to people within the same household. According to Netflix’s terms, “You may not share your Netflix account outside of your household.” Using Meshnet to get around these restrictions doesn’t change Netflix’s rules.
Netflix uses IP addresses, device IDs and account activity to determine whether a device belongs to your household. If Netflix doesn’t recognize your device, it may block playback and ask you to verify that you’re part of the household.
Netflix’s terms also allow it to restrict or terminate access for violations. However, a household verification prompt doesn’t automatically mean your account will be cancelled.
If you don’t want to risk losing access to your Netflix account, it’s better to use Netflix’s official options. You can verify your device while travelling, update your household after moving or add an extra member who lives elsewhere.
Budget Hack: Replace Netflix and Other Pricey Subscriptions With These Free Versions
There are free streaming platforms you can use if you can’t afford a Netflix subscription. These platforms won’t have many of the titles you’ll find on Netflix, but you might find a few gems. Here’s a list of the best free streaming options:
- Crackle — Has free movies and TV series from popular studios like Sony Pictures, MGM, DreamWorks and Lionsgate.
- The Roku Channel — Contains a handful of free movies, in-season episodes and classic favorites.
- Tubi TV — Offers more than 40,000 movies and TV shows and more than 200 live channels.
- Pluto TV — Has more than 250 free TV channels and thousands of on-demand movies and TV shows.
- SolarMovie — A free streaming service with personalization options.
Final Thoughts: Netflix Household Hack
Netflix has stopped password sharing, restricting accounts to users within a household. However, NordVPN’s Meshnet is a great workaround. It allows you to create a network of devices routed through the same IP address so Netflix perceives the devices to be streaming from the same household.
Meshnet is free, so you don’t need a NordVPN subscription. However, we recommend one since NordVPN is a great VPN.
Do you have a Netflix account? Have you had difficulties sharing it? Have you tried using NordVPN’s Meshnet? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comment section below. As always, thanks for reading.
FAQ: How to Get Around Netflix Password Sharing Crackdown
Yes, but you’ll need to connect to NordVPN’s Meshnet. Netflix has restricted accounts to account owners’ households.
Yes, you can use Netflix when you travel. In some cases, Netflix might ask you to verify your device using a code.
You can remove Netflix household restrictions using NordVPN’s Meshnet. It creates a network of devices routed through the same IP address, appearing as a single household to Netflix.
Netflix determines which devices are not in your household using your IP address, device IDs and account activity.
