Netflix lets you add up to five profiles on one account, and you can create a new profile or invite someone to use an existing one
Netflix accounts come with the ability to create multiple profiles — one for each person who watches. The number of profiles you can have depends on your plan type. Standard and Premium plans allow up to five profiles total. Basic plans also allow five profiles, but only one person can watch at a time across all of them. If you want someone else to watch on their own device simultaneously, they need to be on a plan that supports multiple simultaneous streams.
Adding a new member is different from creating a new profile. A profile is a viewing space within your account — it has its own watch history, recommendations, and saved shows. A member is someone you invite to use the account from their own device, and they can access any profile on that account. Understanding this difference matters because it affects how you manage who sees what.
Key Takeaways
- You can create up to five profiles on one Netflix account, and each profile has separate watch history and recommendations.
- Adding a member means inviting someone to access your account from their own device, and they can switch between any profile on that account.
- Netflix requires a separate email address for each member you invite, and they receive an invitation link to set up their own login.
- You can remove a member or delete a profile at any time from your account settings, and this does not affect other profiles or members.
Creating a new profile on your account
To create a new profile, go to your account settings and select "Manage profiles." Click "Add profile" and enter a name for the new profile. You can choose an avatar image and set a PIN if you want to restrict access to that profile. Once you save the profile, it appears on your Netflix home screen alongside your other profiles.
A new profile starts with no watch history, so Netflix's recommendations begin fresh. This is useful if you want to keep children's shows separate from adult content, or if multiple people in your household watch different genres. Each profile can have its own language and subtitle settings as well.
Inviting someone to use your account as a member
To invite a member, go to your account settings and select "Manage access and devices" or "Add member" (the exact wording varies by region and device). Enter the email address of the person you want to invite. Netflix sends them an invitation link, and they create their own login credentials using that email address. Once they accept, they can access any profile on your account from their own device.
The person you invite does not need to create a new Netflix account — they use the email you provided as their login. They can change their password and manage their own settings, but they cannot change the account owner's payment method or plan. If you later decide to remove them, you can revoke their access from the same settings menu, and they lose access when ready.
Understanding the difference between profiles and members
A profile is a space within your account. You create profiles directly in Netflix, and anyone with access to your account can switch between them. Profiles are useful for separating content — one for kids, one for you, one for your partner. They all share the same payment method and plan.
A member is a person you invite to access your account. They log in with their own email address and password, and they can access any profile on your account. Members can be removed without deleting any profiles. This matters if someone moves out or you want to stop sharing your account with them — you remove the member, but all the profiles and watch history stay intact.
Managing multiple simultaneous streams
Your plan type determines how many people can watch at the same time. Basic plans allow one stream at a time, Standard plans allow two simultaneous streams, and Premium plans allow four. If someone tries to watch while the limit is reached, Netflix pauses one of the other streams and asks which one to stop.
If you frequently hit this limit, you have two options: upgrade to a higher plan, or have the extra person use their own Netflix account. Netflix also offers a "paid sharing" feature in some regions that lets you add members outside your household for a monthly fee — check your account settings to see if this is available where you live.
Removing a member or deleting a profile
To remove a member, go to "Manage access and devices" in your account settings, find the member's name, and select "Remove." They lose access to your account when ready, but this does not delete any profiles or affect other members.
To delete a profile, go to "Manage profiles," select the profile you want to remove, and choose "Delete profile." This erases all watch history and saved content for that profile. You cannot delete the profile that is currently being used, so you must switch to a different profile first. Deleting a profile does not remove any members from your account.
Troubleshooting common issues
If an invitation email does not arrive, check the spam folder and make sure you entered the email address correctly. Netflix invitations can take a few minutes to send. If the person still does not receive it after 15 minutes, try sending the invitation again.
If someone cannot log in after accepting an invitation, they may be using the wrong email address or password. Have them use the "Forgot password" link on the Netflix login page to reset their password. If they are still stuck, they can contact Netflix support directly from the login page.
If you see an error saying you have reached the maximum number of profiles, you have already created five profiles on your account. You must delete an existing profile before creating a new one, or create a new member instead if you want to add another person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a member if I have a Basic plan?
Yes, you can add members on any plan type. However, Basic plans only allow one person to watch at a time across all profiles and members. If two people try to watch simultaneously on a Basic plan, one stream stops. Standard and Premium plans support multiple simultaneous streams.
What happens to a profile if I remove a member?
Removing a member does not delete any profiles. All profiles stay on your account with their full watch history intact. Members and profiles are separate — removing a member just revokes their login access to the account.
Can a member change the account password or payment method?
No. Members can only change their own password and personal settings. They cannot access the account owner's payment information, plan details, or billing settings. Only the account owner can make those changes.
How many people can I invite as members?
You can create up to five profiles total on your account. If you want more than five people to access your account, you have reached the limit. Some regions offer paid sharing, which lets you add extra members outside your household for an additional monthly fee.
Can I see what a member is watching?
You can see which profiles are being used and when, but you cannot see the detailed watch history of another member's profile. Each profile has its own private watch history. If you want to monitor what children are watching, create a kids' profile and use parental controls to restrict content.