Do you use Moments at all? Learn more about Moments and these other helpful strategies here.
To utilize Netflix’s underutilized features, no magic is required.
In addition to its many features and controls, Netflix also provides several underrated mobile games that don’t receive enough attention. You may investigate other lesser-known capabilities in addition to learning how to remove items from your “Continue Watching” row and disabling autoplay. For easy access, you may enter secret genre codes, adjust the recommendation algorithm, or utilize its accessibility options. You may improve your watching experience, increase security, and more by implementing these recommendations.
Finding Netflix Originals is simple.
If you’re sick of searching for “Netflix show about spies,” you may advance your surfing abilities by using only the word “Netflix” to find Netflix originals. When you launch the Netflix app and type the name of the company into the search box, all of the original Netflix films and TV shows that have ever been released—as well as any forthcoming ones and live events—will appear.
The same technique may be used to locate 4K or HDR material. Netflix will provide titles that show in that format if you type in either phrase. Be aware that only a small portion of Netflix material is available in 4K or HDR.
Ask for assistance in locating something to watch.
Selecting what to watch is my least favorite aspect of spending an evening on Netflix. Netflix’s never-ending grid of thumbnails soon paralyzes me by default. Indeed, there are many Netflix recommendations, along with a recent feature update known as “responsive recommendations.” It’s similar to receiving recommendations in real time based on your current mood. There are other websites that try to make sense of Netflix’s enormous library of television series and films if you’re too particular to give that system complete control. JustWatch, which displays what’s new and popular on Netflix and offers useful filters that enable you dive down to find something to watch, is one of my faves.
Unlock categories using Netflix secret codes.
Like Starbucks’ secret menu, you may have heard about Netflix’s subcategories having hidden codes by now. There are such things. When viewing in a web browser, use special codes to focus your search for titles in a certain genre.
With the correct code, you may quickly locate anime, holiday material, action and adventure, musicals, and more when you have a lot to go through. Even the most specialized categories are available since Netflix continues to add new codes to its repertoire, such as 81603903 for “Short-Ass Movies” or 3272152 for “Don’t Watch Hungry.”
Enter “netflix.com/browse/genre/” in your browser and then the magic numbers, such as 1394527 or 1474017, to view Christmas Kids & Family Movies and Romantic Christmas Movies. To locate the kind of movies you’re searching for, see CNET’s guidelines. If you’re really feeling adventurous, follow the Netflix instructions directly.
Hidden codes for Netflix
A Netflix code sample.
Rewatch or share snippets of scenes that stand out.
Although TikTok is the most widely used platform for sharing short videos and clips, you can also make, store, and share snippets of your favorite TV series and movie sequences with Netflix’s Moments tool. You may choose a preferred cut down to the minute and second in an episode or movie with this function, which is exclusive to the phone app (iOS and Android). To choose and submit a scene to your “My Netflix” portal, locate Moments at the bottom of the screen while it’s playing, then click Save. The video will resume where you left off whenever you want to rewind that particular point.
Click the Share icon at the top of the screen to send a clip to your loved ones. After that, you may choose to share via other applications, WhatsApp, SMS, or link copying. Share, save, and replay great scenes from your favorite movies using this feature.
Netflix’s new Moments sharing feature on the phone app
Netflix
Eliminate embarrassing binges.
You don’t have to continue your humiliating binges. To eliminate any possibility of future embarrassment, you can erase your nostalgic and weak moments from your viewing history. Additionally, by doing this, you will enhance Netflix’s recommendations because it won’t base them on your most recent Too Hot to Handle binge. Go to your Account page on a laptop and choose Manage profile and preferences. To access the Viewing activities area, scroll down. Simply click the circle with a slash through it on the right to hide anything from your history.
Use a keyboard to control your video.
Do you usually use a PC to stream Netflix? If so, you might have to use a mouse to adjust the volume, pause, or rewind. However, there are shortcuts on the keyboard for it.
Toggle between pause and play with the spacebar or enter.
To go ahead or back ten seconds, tap the arrow keys on the right or left.
In 10-second increments, fast-forward and rewind by holding down the right or left arrow key.
Use the up and down arrow keys to adjust the volume.
Mute and unmute with the M key.
F key: Turn on and off the full screen.
S key: Don’t watch TV series’ openings.
For full screen exit, press the Esc key.
Modify how much data you use.
Many of the folks I know like watching Netflix on their tablets or smartphones. Depending on the quality of the video, that can consume a significant amount of data for people with restricted bandwidth. To reduce the quantity for your device, you can adjust the data consumption.
Launch the Netflix app on your phone, then tap your profile (which could appear as three lines) or the menu icon. To choose Cellular Data Usage, click on App Settings, then pick Video Playback. Change your download configuration to Wi-Fi Only, per Netflix’s support section, to prevent using up all of the data on your mobile plan. Keep in mind that this will only appear if your device uses cellular data.
Additionally, you can modify your Netflix data use preferences on any of your screens—including mobile—from your online browser. Click Playback Settings after opening your profile on your account page. Four choices are available: Low (up to 0.3GB per hour), Medium (up to 0.7GB per hour), Auto (the default), and High—the best for HD—use 3GB per hour for HD broadcasts and 7GB for Ultra HD streaming. Less data is used when the quality is worse. Don’t forget to save your settings.
Do you want to skip these steps? Alternatively, you may download movies or TV shows to view offline.
Playback settings screen for Netflix
Netflix’s playback settings and data use.
For narration, use audio description.
The Audio Description option on Netflix is a little-known yet helpful tool for viewers with impairments. A voice-over describes what’s going onscreen during a show or movie when it’s activated. A voice defines the bodily motions, attire, surroundings, facial expressions, and other aspects as they occur. In-depth descriptions of skin tone, hair, and other physical characteristics are now provided by the improved function.
According to Netflix, audio description is accessible for the majority of its original series and certain other titles on the service. To find out which films and television series feature the AD badge, search for it in the title or put “Audio Description” into the app’s search box. Start a video on your device to activate it. While smart TVs, Apple TVs, and game consoles require a remote control, users of computers or mobile devices may tap their screens.
To view the languages for which Audio Description is available, choose the Dialogue icon box and select your preferred language.
Make your subtitles unique.
All audiences may access subtitles, and Netflix has made the feature more user-friendly for those who are hard of hearing or deaf. Additionally, you may adjust the subtitle settings if you like to view international films in their native languages. The subtitle’s font type, size, text shadowing, and backdrop may all be changed.
Using a web browser, you must launch Netflix and choose a profile from the account page. To modify the options, select Subtitle Appearance, and then click Save. You can accomplish this with every Netflix profile. For the changes to take effect, you might need to reload the TV app. Simply select “Reset to default” to return to the old subtitle settings if you don’t like the new configuration.
To identify accessible titles, Netflix uses the Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH) badge. Similar to Audio Narration, users may use the search phrase “Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing” to locate TV shows and movies that have the accessibility option.
The streamer started using dialogue-only subtitles in 2025, removing terms like “car engine purring.” However, the option is now limited to freshly released Netflix original content.
Secure your profile.
Does someone who occasionally views something on your profile have access to your Netflix account? Perhaps your tween enjoys sneak peeking. You or another show intended for older viewers. Put a pin on your profile to stop other users from interfering with your suggestion flow. Using a web browser, navigate to your account’s Manage Profiles area and choose Profiles settings from the menu on the left. After selecting your profile, you can create one by turning on Profile Lock. In the future, you may remove the profile lock if you’d like, or you can choose or change a four-digit PIN here.
Although you will be the only one with access to this information, you will need to enter the PIN each time you use the app and click on your profile.
Move a profile
You might wish to encourage your friends, relatives, or ex-partners to purchase their own subscriptions now that password sharing is subject to fines. Using the profile transfer function, which lets users move their profiles to a different account while preserving their individual watchlists, preferences, games, recommendations, and watching history, is one way to accomplish that. Click Transfer Profile at the top of the profile settings menu. PIN-protected accounts and children’s profiles cannot be moved, however you may choose which one you wish to copy and move to a different account.
Remove all devices from your Netflix subscription.
Although removing users from your account via profile transfer is a convenient option, Netflix’s most recent functionality allows you to remotely log out of certain devices. It increases security and eliminates the necessity for communication with former partners, Airbnb hosts, and other people. Go to the Security & Privacy section of your Account page, then select Manage Access and Devices. You can sign out of each device individually from the list of recently used devices that appears.
Turn off autoplay.
It might be difficult to quit once you get going. You may stop your Netflix bingeing if you discover that your habits are becoming out of hand because the next episode of a program is always started right after the conclusion of your current episode. Previews are no different. To access a new page, navigate to your Account page, choose the profile for which you need to modify the settings, and then select Playback settings. Uncheck the option next to “Autoplay next episode in a series on all devices” at the top of the new page.
When browsing on all devices, uncheck the option next to Autoplay previews. Once your changes are complete, click Save. In addition to stopping when you initially use Netflix, previews will no longer play when you move your mouse pointer over a show.
You can disable autoplay for each profile, so you can keep binge-watching but disable it for your children’s account.
Netflix Parental Controls: Two Strategies to Prevent Children from Viewing Unsuitable Content
Have a deep affection for a show? Give it two thumbs up.
The purpose of Netflix’s Two Thumbs Up function is to improve your suggestions. This indicates your love for a show and helps Netflix identify what you truly enjoy watching as part of their system. While you may rate a program or movie with the conventional thumbs-up and thumbs-down symbols, clicking two thumbs will display feedback that says, “We know you’re a true fan!”
This feature is available while viewing Netflix on your mobile device, TV, or online browser. According to the streamer, if you give a certain TV show or film two thumbs up, the algorithm will delve further and suggest more titles that are associated with the cast, production crews, character types, or niche genres you have selected.
tv-netflix-twothumbsup.png
Give Netflix two thumbs up to let them know what you want.
Netflix
Configure movie and television show alerts.
Even though Netflix may already send you emails about upcoming releases or recently added films that “you might like,” you can take control of the situation by turning on notifications in the app. For titles that will be arriving soon, set up reminders. For instance, Wednesday’s second season premieres on August 6. You may go to the show’s title page and select Remind Me to get a Netflix alert when it premieres, saving you from having to remember or search for the information. When it’s ready to stream, it will also be instantly added to My List.
Additionally, you may allow push notifications for the app on your tablet or phone. Netflix will notify you when new TV series or films are released, along with recommendations.
Get shows to go by downloading them.
Shows on Netflix may be downloaded for on-the-go viewing. When preparing for any family road trip that will last more than three hours, I strongly advise you to download Netflix series. Any device that supports the Netflix app, including iPads, iPhones, Android phones and tablets, Fire tablets, Windows devices, and Chromebooks, may download Netflix series and films. Since there isn’t a Netflix client for MacOS, Macs are the largest exclusion.
Simply click or press the “Download” button in a listing to start downloading a TV or movie. You have the choice of downloading individual episodes or complete seasons if you’re attempting to download a TV show. Note that not all Netflix series and films are accessible for download. The My Netflix option in the app provides a handy rundown of all the episodes and movies you have downloaded.
Finally, you may only save downloads on a certain number of devices. There are four devices for the Premium plan, two for the Standard with advertisements plan, and two for the Standard plan. By visiting your Account page and selecting Manage download devices, you can control your devices. You can download material to another device by removing the device (deleting all of its downloads).