How to Get Around Netflix Household Sharing Restrictions in 2025
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:
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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 has announced that starting in 2025, it won’t reveal its quarterly membership numbers or average revenue per member. Netflix believes that “engagement” is a better measure of its business health.
- 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.
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
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
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
Added new information regarding the password-sharing crackdown based on user reports and first-hand testing.
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06/26/2024
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.
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.
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- Comprehend the essential role a VPN plays in safeguarding your digital life
- Gain a deep understanding of how VPNs function under the hood
- Develop the ability to distinguish fact from fiction in VPN promotions
- 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, even though we recommend doing so 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 the Meshnet. Afterwards, you should be able to open and stream Netflix.
Be aware that Netflix’s VPN detection systems occasionally block certain connections. If you experience any issues accessing Netflix through Meshnet, simply try disconnecting and reconnecting, or switching to a different server location within NordVPN before establishing the Meshnet connection again.
It’s worth noting that Meshnet can link up to 60 devices in total — 10 of your own and 50 of your friends’. While we don’t recommend linking 60 devices to access one Netflix account, as this might raise suspicions with Netflix, this flexibility provides ample room for legitimate household sharing workarounds.
For users experiencing persistent blocks despite using Meshnet, NordVPN’s dedicated IP address option can provide an additional layer of reliability. A dedicated IP that isn’t shared with other users is less likely to be flagged by Netflix’s detection systems, potentially offering a more stable workaround for household sharing restrictions.
NordVPN’s SmartPlay technology is also particularly effective for Netflix workarounds, as it combines robust security features with smart DNS capabilities to help you bypass streaming restrictions more efficiently than standard VPN connections alone.
If you’re trying to access Netflix on devices that don’t support VPN apps natively (like Apple TV or certain gaming consoles), consider using ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer DNS service as an alternative to Meshnet. While not as comprehensive as our recommended NordVPN solution, it can provide another option for specific device configurations.
How Does Netflix Password Sharing Work?
Netflix users used to be able to share their account with anyone just by giving out their username and password. However, in May 2023, Netflix began cracking down on password sharing. It introduced “Netflix households,” which limits password sharing to users within the same household.
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.
Netflix’s system tracks IP addresses of devices accessing your account, flagging those consistently streaming from locations outside your household for verification. When accessing your account from an unfamiliar location, Netflix may require you to enter a temporary access code sent to the account owner’s email, which expires within minutes of being sent.
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.
Using NordVPN’s Meshnet not only helps bypass Netflix household restrictions but also prevents potential internet service provider (ISP) throttling. By encrypting your traffic and routing it through secure connections, your ISP cannot identify that you’re streaming Netflix content, which prevents them from selectively slowing down your streaming speeds — a common practice among some providers during peak hours.
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.
For those sharing accounts, you can set up auto-forwarding in Gmail to automatically send Netflix verification codes to other users, making the verification process seamless.
However, each code is valid for only a few minutes, and a new one must be entered each time. While technically possible, it’s far from the most convenient way to watch Netflix for free.
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 prefer watching on a TV screen, you can cast Netflix from your mobile device or connect your laptop via HDMI cable, which doesn’t trigger household verification.
- 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.
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 — 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 — 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, although 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.