For a few weeks, Netflix has begun to block access to users who share an account and do not live in the same household. Here we explain how to verify the devices to prevent this from happening and what to do in case you are blocked by mistake.

In recent weeks, it has already begun to actively block Netflix users who do not pay the extra charge for using shared accounts with people who live in other households.

This has been reported by users to BioBioChile and on social networks such as Twitter. One of them told us that the platform initially provides an option to verify that the device is being used by the account holder.

If it fails to verify the identity, said action is blocked, and only the alternative of creating your own account or logging out is presented.

“Create your own account to enjoy Netflix today. Enjoy unlimited entertainment. Cancel whenever you want”, indicates the app in these cases, as seen in the following image.

How does the extra charge for account sharing work?

This block is in line with what Netflix had warned in March, when it began notifying customers in Chile that they had to pay a fee of $2,380 per month to be able to share their account with a person who does not live in the same place as them.

Netflix can detect that people are in the same household using "information such as IP addresses, device IDs, and account activity", the company stresses on its website.

“Primary account holders on a Standard or Premium plan can share Netflix with someone who doesn't live with them for less than the Basic plan. The extra member will use their own account and password, but their share will be paid for by the person who invited them to join,” she says.

There are also some restrictions: the additional member only has one screen, cannot create multiple profiles, and must reside in the same country as the person who invited them to share.

Those who pay the Standard plan can add an extra member, which increases to two in the case of Premium.

How to verify devices on Netflix?

As we already mentioned, Netflix provides the ability to verify identity and location before locking a device, to ensure that accounts are not being shared by outsiders irregularly.

In this regard, it notes that “when someone logs into your account from a device that is not associated with your Netflix home, or if your account is permanently accessed from a location other than your home, we may ask you to verify that device; otherwise it may not be able to be used to watch Netflix with your account.”

The following steps will allow you to verify a device and prevent it from being accidentally blocked, describes streaming.

-“Netflix sends a link to the email address or phone number associated with the primary account holder.

-The link opens a page that provides a 4-digit verification code.

-The code must be entered on the requesting device within 15 minutes.

-If the code has expired, you will need to request a new verification code from the device.

-Once the code has been entered successfully, the device can be used to watch Netflix.

-Device verification may be performed periodically”.

What to do if Netflix blocks a device?

Streaming claims that devices should not be blocked if they share the same internet connection as the owner of the household, even if they sometimes use the app elsewhere.

Even so, there may be times when accounts are blocked by mistake. In those cases, Netflix provides these two tips:

-Verify that the computer shares the same internet connection with the other devices in the home.

-Make sure the device is not connected to a VPN (which blocks the IP address), a proxy or other unblocking service.

In the event that you are away from home for an extended period of time, you may need to check your device frequently so that it does not get locked. As we have already reported, this is achieved using the code that will be sent to the account holder's email or cell phone.

If you are still blocked, you should contact the provider directly.

Link: https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/espectaculos-y-tv/cine-y-series/2022/08/01/netflix-ya-esta-bloqueando-cuentas-compartidas-que-no-pagan-cargo-adicional-este-mensaje-aparece.shtml