How to temporarily dismiss Netflix's new password sharing check

You may have received the message asking you to verify your account, even if you live under the same roof as the account owner. Fortunately, there's a way to get rid of the message - for now.

Netflix has begun testing a feature to crack down on password sharing. (Mollie Sivaram/Unsplash)

Sharing passwords on Netflix is probably the easiest way to get a high-definition subscription for much cheaper than one would by subscribing individually, and is a common practice across the world. Netflix is aware of this and regularly makes fun of shared passwords on its social media platforms.

However, the company is also aware that users sharing passwords clearly causes a large overall loss in revenue and has begun taking steps to rein in the practice. We recently reported that the company was beginning to enforce the clause in its Terms of Service by informing users that an account “may not be shared with individuals beyond your household”.

The streaming service is currently testing a system that shows users a screen telling them to verify that they own the account they are logged into if the device isn't being used in the same house as the owner of the account. “Start your own Netflix for free today. If you don't live with the owner of the account, you need your own account to keep watching,” the title reads.

However, it appears that the check is arbitrary and the company's block can be bypassed - for now. If you live in the same household as the owner but received the popup, which is showing up for a few users as part of a new test that the company is conducting in order to try out the account verification feature, you can bypass the feature.

Disclaimer: While we do not endorse bypassing official measures to enforce the company's Terms of Service, some users may want to try the following if they really are sharing their Netflix account with their family members and are seeing the message due to a bug or error.

O no. Netflix doing the purge?!? pic.twitter.com/XXlHtfgfsy

— chante most (@DOP3Sweet) March 9, 2021

Step 1: Once you see the pop-up message on the screen, you should see three options at the bottom of the screen.

Step 2: The first option is called ‘Email Code', so you will need to ask the owner of the account (your parent or sibling) to send you the code which is emailed to their account.

Step 3: Enter the code you were sent and the app should let you use the account again.

Step 4: If the previous step did not work, you may have to try the ‘Text Code' option, which will require you to get the code just like you did in Step 2 and enter it in the field shown by the app after you tap the button.

Step 5: If all else fails, simply tap the ‘Verify Later' at the far right side of the screen. However, it is unclear when Netflix will eventually disable or limit the ability to skip verification like this.

While the company is apparently testing options to rein in password sharing, upcoming checks could get much more stringent or may limit your ability to share your password by limiting the number of times you can enter a verification code each week.

If you do not live in the same house as the person you've shared your password with, it's probably time to simply get your account, especially if you live in India as the company has affordable mobile-only plans here - one ₹199 plan that offers streaming at standard definition and another Mobile+ plan for ₹299 that is being tested to allow you also use your computer and stream in High Definition.