Netflix has decided to end password sharing in France since May 23, 2023. A paid solution nevertheless exists if you wish to continue to share your account.
[Updated May 24, 2023 9:03 AM] It was expected, it’s now official. Netflix ends account sharing in France. Since May 23, 2023, French subscribers will no longer be able to share their Netflix account outside their home, that is to say outside the address of the person who subscribed to the account. Users will need to set up their own fireplace from a TV. The streaming platform will now check for devices connected to the internet at the address chosen for the account.
However, Netflix offers a solution to continue password sharing. However, this is chargeable. For €5.99/month, it is possible to share your account with someone who is not part of the household. It is also possible to transfer a profile to a new subscription, which will therefore be associated with a new household.
Netflix has established itself over the years as one of the most popular streaming platforms in the world. According to the latest figures, it has more than 200 million paying subscribers and many successful programs, such as Stranger Things, Squid Game, Wednesday or The Bridgerton Chronicle. Want to subscribe to Netflix? You can opt for a cheaper subscription with ads, or not.
If you prefer to avoid being interrupted in your viewing, you can opt for one of the streaming platform’s three ad-free subscriptions. Each has its advantages (price, screen quality, simultaneous screens) and its disadvantages. Below, we detail which subscription may correspond to your profile, as well as all the practical information (price, account sharing, free trial, etc.) to know about the platform.
Netflix offers three different subscriptions when you want to register on the site. It is indeed not possible to benefit from the content of the platform for free, and the trial period is not possible. Note also that each of the monthly subscriptions can be terminated at any time. But between the different subscription options, which one to choose? Here are the different options available to you:
Netflix offers different subscriptions, more or less expensive. Pricing ranges from $5.99 (with ads) to $17.99 per month (all perks). Regardless of the monthly package chosen, films and series can be viewed unlimited, the subscription can be canceled at any time, and it is possible to connect to the streaming platform on your computer, TV, smartphone or Tablet. Find below the summary of the different prices and offers of subscriptions offered by Netflix:
Netflix had clarified it when the arrival of its subscription with advertisements: it does not contain the entire catalog, for rights reasons. According to data from Justwatch, 1588 movies and 66 TV series are unavailable to those who subscribe to this cheaper deal with ads. Among the programs that are not yet accessible within the framework of this subscription, Justwatch cites television classics, namely Brooklyn 99, Viking, The Office (US), Downton Abbey, Dark, Suites, Superstore, House of Cards, The Good Place, Teen Wolf, Star Trek or Narcos.
Netflix seeks to limit account sharing as much as possible. On May 23, 2023, the streaming platform announced the end of password sharing for France. Now, an account is only made for “people who live with” the person who signed up for the subscription. However, it is possible to add an additional subscriber who does not live with you, for an additional €5.99/month.
For several years, Netflix offered in France to benefit from a month of free trial to become familiar with the platform and validate its subscription. Since February 2020, it is no longer possible to benefit from 30 days of free trials: the subscription is paid for from the first month of use. However, it is always possible to cancel your subscription at any time. To date, there is no possibility to test Netflix for free legally.
After the price increase, Netflix offers a new subscription: the Essential with advertisements. Since November 3, 2022, it is possible to subscribe to this new offer in France. For €5.99/month (the cheapest price), it is possible to have access to the streaming platform by viewing 4 to 5 minutes of advertisements per hour. It can start before or during viewing. However, it is not possible to have HD, ultra-HD or many simultaneous screens. Note also that initially, some programs will not be accessible with this subscription for a question of rights.
This is the new extension that everyone is raving about on the internet right now: Netflix Party, a Google Chrome extension that allows its users to share a Netflix viewing session with their friends and family. The idea is simple: everyone watches the same episode of the same series remotely in strict synchronization and everyone can even participate in a heated discussion via an instant chat. In this period of confinement that the French are experiencing, Netflix subscribers have found a way to alleviate the isolation a little by heading to this extension which literally allows “Netflix and chill” but from a distance.
All you have to do is head to the Netflix Party site and click on “Install Netflix Party”. You will then be redirected to the Google Chrome Web Store, then click on the “Add to Chrome” button. A window appears in the browser asking you to confirm the addition to Google Chrome, click on “Add to Chrome”. As a reminder, the extension is only available for users of the Google Chrome browser. It is therefore not possible to enjoy it with Safari, Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer.
Once the Netflix Party extension is installed, all you have to do is go to the Netflix site, choose the series episode or the movie you want to share with your friends or family and start watching the video. . Once the video is launched, click on the red “NP” icon at the top right of your Google Chrome browser. The extension then asks you if you want to be in sole control of the viewing (check “Only I have control” if you don’t want to share control with others). All you have to do is click on “Start the party”. Netflix Party then gives you a link to share with those you want to watch your movie or episode with. Note that each of you must have installed Netflix Party on Google Chrome beforehand and each of you must be a Netflix subscriber to enjoy synced viewing via Netflix Party.