What Netflix Is and How to Watch
Netflix is a subscription service that lets you watch movies, TV shows, and documentaries on any device with an internet connection — your phone, tablet, laptop, smart TV, or web browser. You pay a monthly fee, and in return you get unlimited access to Netflix's library. There are no ads to skip (unless you choose a cheaper plan that includes them), no rental fees per title, and no contracts to break.
To start watching, you create an account with an email address and password, choose a subscription plan, and add a payment method. Within minutes you can search for a show or movie and start playing it. Netflix remembers where you stopped, so you can pick up on a different device later.
Key Takeaways
- Netflix offers four subscription tiers at different price points, ranging from a basic plan with ads to a premium plan that supports multiple simultaneous streams.
- You can create up to five separate profiles on one account, each with its own watch history and recommendations, though some plans limit how many people can watch at the same time.
- Netflix charges your payment method on the same day each month, and you can pause or cancel your subscription anytime without penalty.
- The Netflix library changes constantly — titles are added and removed regularly — so a show you want to watch today may not be there next month.
- Netflix works on most devices, but you need a compatible app or web browser and a stable internet connection to stream without buffering.
Netflix Subscription Plans and What Each One Includes
Netflix offers four subscription tiers. The exact price varies by region and changes periodically, so check Netflix's website for your current options. The basic difference is the number of screens you can watch on simultaneously and whether the video plays in standard definition or high definition.
The Standard with Ads plan is the cheapest option. It includes ads that play during shows and movies, limits you to one screen at a time, and streams in standard definition (not as sharp as HD). The Standard plan removes the ads, still limits you to one screen, and streams in HD. The Premium plan lets you watch on up to four screens at the same time and streams in the highest available quality, including 4K on supported devices. Some regions also offer a Basic plan, which is similar to Standard but may have different pricing or features.
If you live with other people and want to share an account, the Premium plan is the only one that lets multiple people watch different shows at the same time. If you choose a cheaper plan, only one person can stream at a time — if a second person tries to watch, the first person's stream stops.
How to Set Up Your Account and Start Watching
Go to Netflix.com or open the Netflix app on your device. Click "Sign Up" and enter your email address. Netflix will send you a confirmation link — click it to verify your email. Then create a password (Netflix requires at least 8 characters) and choose your subscription plan.
Next, add a payment method. Netflix accepts credit cards, debit cards, and sometimes PayPal or gift cards, depending on your region. Your first month may be free or discounted — Netflix advertises this on the sign-up page, so you'll know before you enter your payment details. After that, Netflix charges you on the same date each month.
Once your account is set up, create a profile. This is your personal space on the account — it holds your watch history, your saved titles, and your recommendations. You can create up to five profiles on one account, so each person in your household can have their own. Choose a name and a profile picture, then start searching for something to watch.
Understanding Simultaneous Streams and Shared Accounts
Netflix limits how many people can watch at the same time based on your plan. Standard with Ads and Standard allow one screen at a time. Premium allows four screens at the same time. This means if you have Premium and four people are watching different shows, a fifth person cannot start watching until one of them stops.
Netflix has also begun asking users to verify that they live in the same household as the account owner. If you share your password with someone outside your home, Netflix may ask you to confirm your location or may prevent that person from watching. The exact rules vary by region and change over time, so check Netflix's current policy if you plan to share your account.
If you want to watch Netflix with people who don't live with you, you have two options: they can create their own account, or you can add them as an extra member on your Premium plan (where available). Adding an extra member costs more per month but gives them their own profile and login.
What Happens When You Cancel or Pause Your Subscription
You can pause or cancel your Netflix subscription anytime through your account settings — there is no penalty, no contract, and no notice period required. If you pause, your account stays open but you won't be charged. You can resume whenever you want, and your profiles and watch history remain saved. A pause typically lasts up to 10 months, after which Netflix may close the account.
If you cancel, your account closes when ready and you lose access to Netflix. Your profiles and watch history are deleted after a certain period (usually around 10 months), so if you rejoin later, you start fresh. You are charged through the end of your current billing cycle, so if you cancel on the 15th of the month but your billing date is the 20th, you can still watch until the 20th.
Devices That Work With Netflix and Internet Requirements
Netflix works on most modern devices: iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets, Windows and Mac computers, smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, Roku, and others), streaming devices like Apple TV and Amazon Fire Stick, and web browsers on any computer. You read the Netflix app from your device's app store, or you can watch through Netflix.com in a web browser.
Netflix requires a stable internet connection. For smooth streaming without buffering, Netflix recommends at least 3 Mbps for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K. If your internet is slow or unstable, Netflix automatically lowers the video quality to match your connection speed. You can also manually adjust the video quality in your account settings if you want to use less data on a mobile plan.
Some older devices may not support Netflix anymore. If you try to open Netflix on an old phone or tablet and it won't work, check the app store — Netflix may no longer offer the app for that device. In that case, you can still watch through a web browser if the device has one.
The Netflix Library Changes Regularly
Netflix's catalog is not fixed. Titles are added and removed constantly based on licensing agreements with studios and networks. A show you watch today might disappear in three months, and a movie you've been meaning to watch might be gone next week. Netflix sends notifications when titles are about to leave, but only if you've added them to your list.
Different regions have different libraries. A show available in the United States may not be available in Canada or the United Kingdom, and vice versa. This is because Netflix licenses content from different studios in different countries, and those licenses have different terms.
If you find something you want to watch, add it to your list right away. You can also read titles to watch offline (on phones and tablets only), which is useful if you're traveling or have spotty internet. Downloaded titles stay on your device for a limited time — usually 30 days or until you finish watching, whichever comes first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Netflix on multiple devices at the same time?
It depends on your plan. Standard with Ads and Standard allow one screen at a time. Premium allows four screens at the same time. If you try to watch on a second screen when your plan doesn't allow it, Netflix will stop the first stream and ask you to choose which one to keep.
What if I forget my Netflix password?
Go to Netflix.com and click "Sign In." Then click "Need help signing in?" and enter your email address. Netflix sends a password reset link to your email. Click the link, create a new password, and sign in. If you don't have access to the email address on your account, contact Netflix support through the website.
Does Netflix work without internet?
No, Netflix requires an active internet connection to stream. However, you can read shows and movies to your phone or tablet and watch them offline later. Downloads are available on the Netflix app only, not in a web browser, and they expire after 30 days or when you finish watching.
Can I change my subscription plan anytime?
Yes. Go to your account settings, find "Plan Details," and click "Change Plan." Choose a new plan and confirm. The change takes effect when ready, and Netflix adjusts your next billing charge based on the new plan price.
What if a show I'm watching gets removed from Netflix?
You lose access to it when ready. Netflix does not refund you for partial months or for shows that leave mid-season. If you want to finish a show before it leaves, check the removal date (Netflix notifies you when a title is about to go) and watch it before that date.