What adding a household means on Netflix
Netflix lets you create separate viewing profiles within one account, but those profiles all share the same password and billing. A household on Netflix is different — it's a completely separate account that uses its own password, has its own recommendations, and gets its own login. When you add a household, you're essentially creating a new Netflix account that's linked to your existing one for billing purposes.
Netflix introduced this feature because people were sharing passwords across different homes — with family members in other cities, roommates, or friends. The company wanted to keep track of who was actually using the account and where. Adding a household lets you do that legally: the new household gets its own login, and Netflix bills you for the extra account on your existing payment method.
You can add up to four households total to your Netflix account. Each household needs its own email address and password, and Netflix will charge you an extra monthly fee for each one you add — the cost varies by your plan and your region.
Key Takeaways
- A household is a separate Netflix account with its own password and login, not just a profile within your account.
- You can add up to four households to your account, and each one costs extra per month.
- Each household needs its own email address, and Netflix will send a setup link to that email.
- The person in the new household logs in with their own credentials and sees their own recommendations and watch history.
- Netflix charges all households to the same payment method — the original account holder's card or account.
How to add a household from your account settings
Open Netflix on any device and sign in with your account. Go to your account settings by clicking your profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Account" from the dropdown menu. On the Account page, look for a section called "Households and devices" or "Add household" — the exact wording depends on your region and device type.
Click the button to add a new household. Netflix will ask for an email address for the new household — this must be different from the email on your main account. Enter that email and click next. Netflix sends a setup link to that email address, and the person who will use the new household needs to check their inbox and click that link within a few days.
When they click the link, they'll create a password for the new household account. That password is separate from your main Netflix password — they won't need to know your password at all. After they set their password, they can log in to Netflix with their email and that new password, and their account will be linked to your billing.
What happens after you add a household
Once the new household is set up, that person logs in with their own email and password. They'll see a completely fresh Netflix experience — no watch history from your account, no recommendations based on your viewing, and their own list of saved shows and movies. Their profile is independent, which means they can watch what they want without affecting your recommendations.
Netflix will start charging you for the extra household on your next billing date. The cost depends on your plan type and your country — some regions charge a flat fee per household, while others charge based on the plan level the new household chooses. You can see the exact cost before you confirm adding the household.
The new household can be used from any device — phone, tablet, computer, or TV — as long as they log in with their own email and password. They can also create their own profiles within that household account if multiple people in that home want separate watch histories.
Removing a household or changing who uses it
If you need to remove a household later, go back to your Account settings and find the Households section. You'll see a list of all households linked to your account. Click on the household you want to remove and select the option to delete or remove it. Netflix will stop charging you for that household on your next billing cycle.
If the person using a household changes — for example, a roommate moves out and someone new moves in — you don't need to delete and recreate it. The new person can straightforward change the password on that household account. They go to the Netflix login page, click "Forgot password," enter the household email address, and follow the reset link sent to that email.
Netflix tracks which devices are used by each household. If a household is being used from devices in different locations, Netflix may ask you to confirm that this is intentional, since the service is designed for people in the same home.
The difference between a household and a profile
A profile is something you create within a single Netflix account — it's just a separate watch history and recommendation list, but everyone using profiles in that account shares the same password and billing. A household is a completely separate account with its own password, its own email login, and its own billing line item on your account.
If you have family members in the same home, you probably want profiles, not households. Profiles are free and take 30 seconds to create. You only need a household if the person is in a different location or if you want to charge them separately for their own Netflix account.
Troubleshooting common problems when adding a household
If Netflix won't let you add a household, the most common reason is that you've already added four — that's the maximum. You'll need to remove one before you can add another. Another reason is that the email address you're trying to use is already connected to a Netflix account somewhere. Each email can only be used for one Netflix household at a time.
If the setup link expires before the new household clicks it, you can send a new one. Go back to your Account settings, find the household that's still pending setup, and look for an option to resend the invitation. The link is usually good for several days.
If the new household can't log in after setup is complete, the most likely cause is a typo in the email address or password. Have them try the "Forgot password" option on the Netflix login page to reset it. Make sure they're using the email address for that specific household, not your main account email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a household if I'm on a basic plan?
It depends on your region. Some countries don't allow household additions on basic plans, while others do but charge extra. Check your Account settings to see if the option is available to you. If it's not showing, your plan type may not support it in your area.
Will the new household see my watch history and saved shows?
No. Each household has completely separate watch history, saved lists, and recommendations. They start with a blank Netflix experience. If you want to share a specific show or movie with them, you'll need to tell them the title — it won't appear in their account automatically.
What if someone in the new household is under 18?
They can use a household account just like anyone else. Netflix doesn't restrict household creation based on age. If you want to control what content they can watch, you can set up parental controls on their profile within the household account.
Do all households have to use the same plan level?
No. Each household can choose its own plan level independently. One household might have a basic plan while another has premium. You'll be charged separately for each one based on what they choose.
Can I transfer shows and movies I've saved to a new household?
No. Saved shows and watch history are tied to the specific household account. If you want the new household to watch something you've saved, you'll need to tell them the title so they can search for it and save it themselves.