Netflix is one of the most popular streaming services in the world. With a library of movies and TV shows that rival cable, it’s no wonder why people have flocked to it in droves. However, there are some tricks and tips that many people don’t know about Netflix, which can make your experience using the service even better. Here are six useful the most important ones to keep in mind:
Use VPNs to Get Around Regional Restrictions
If you’re trying to watch Netflix content unavailable in your country, one way to get around regional restrictions is to use a VPN. A VPN, or virtual private network, can make it appear as if you’re accessing the internet from another country, which allows you to bypass those pesky geo-restrictions. For example, it can be difficult to watch some of the US-only content on Netflix if you are located in Canada. However, by connecting to a US-based VPN server, you can choose to appear as if you’re located in the United States, giving you access to all of that sweet, sweet American Netflix content. And not only will you be able to watch American Netflix in Canada with a VPN, but you will also have peace of mind knowing that your online activity is encrypted and secure from prying eyes. Of course, not all VPNs are created equal, so be sure to do good research before settling on one.
Use the “Secret” Menu
If you want to customize your viewing experience to your Netflix experience, it’s worth taking some time to customize the settings to suit your needs better. And thankfully, Netflix has a “secret” menu that allows you to do just that. To access this secret menu, simply hold down the Shift key (on Windows) or the Option key (on Mac) while hovering over the screen’s playback speed icon in the lower right-hand corner. This will bring up a hidden menu with several different options that let you adjust things like playback speed, skipping intro sequences on TV shows, and more. And if you’re someone who likes to binge-watch shows, the ability to speed up playback can be a game-changer.
Download Shows & Movies for Offline Viewing
If you’re going to be without internet for a while but still want to have access to your favorite Netflix shows, you can download them for offline viewing. This feature is available on both the Netflix app for mobile devices and the desktop app. Simply find a show or movie that you want to download, click on the “Download” icon, and then choose the quality you want (standard or high). Keep in mind that downloading shows and movies will eat up space on your device, so if you’re running low on storage, this may not be the best option for you. But if you have the space and you’re going to be without internet for a while, this is a great way to ensure that you can still watch your favorite Netflix content.
Get Around the “Are You Still Watching?” Pop-Up
If you’re someone who likes to watch TV shows or movies in long sessions, you’ve probably been annoyed by the “Are you still watching?” pop-up that appears after you’ve been watching for a while. Thankfully, there’s a way to get around this. All you have to do is hover over the “continue watching” icon in the screen’s lower right-hand corner and then select the “viewing activity” option from the drop-down menu. From there, simply find the show or movie that you were watching and click on the “I’m finished” button. This will remove it from your continue watching list, and you’ll no longer get the pesky pop-up asking if you’re still watching.
Get Better Recommendations with Taste Preferences
If you’re finding that Netflix’s recommendations aren’t quite hitting the mark, it might be time to adjust your taste preferences. To do this, simply hover over your profile icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen and select the “account” option from the drop-down menu. From there, scroll down to the “taste preferences” section and click on the “update taste preferences” link. Here, you can indicate whether you prefer movies or TV shows, certain genres, specific actors, and more. Of course, the more specific you are with your preferences, the better Netflix will be at recommending content that you’ll enjoy watching.
Use the “Multiple Genres” Trick
If you’re in the mood to watch a particular type of movie but can’t seem to find anything good on Netflix, there’s a little trick that you can use to expand your options. Simply go to the Netflix homepage and hover over the “browse” option. From there, select the “genre” option and then choose any two genres that you’re interested in. This will bring up a list of movies that fall into both of those genres. So, for example, if you choose “action” and “comedy,” you’ll get a list of action-comedy movies. This is a great way to find content that you might not have otherwise come across.
As you can see, there are a ton of great Netflix tips and tricks that can help you get more out of your subscription. These tips will come in handy if you’re looking for ways to improve your recommendations, download shows for offline viewing, or just find new content to watch. So, start putting them into practice today and see how much better your Netflix experience gets!