Netflix household sharing lets multiple people watch from the same account, but you control which devices can access it
Netflix's household feature lets people in your home stream on different devices at the same time using one account. You can remove any device from your household at any time — whether you want to stop sharing with someone, reclaim a slot for a new device, or straightforward clean up old connections you no longer use. The process takes less than a minute and doesn't require the other person's permission or password.
Removing a device doesn't delete the account or change the password. The person on that device can still log back in if they know your password, but they won't be part of your household anymore and won't count toward your simultaneous streaming limit.
Key Takeaways
- You remove devices from your Netflix household through your account settings, not through the device itself.
- Removing a device stops that person from streaming when ready, but they can log back in with your password if they have it.
- Netflix shows you the device name, location, and last activity for each connection so you can identify which one to remove.
- If you want to stop sharing your password entirely, you need to change your password — removing devices alone won't prevent someone from logging back in.
- You can remove all devices and sign out of your household at once, which forces everyone off and requires them to log in again.
How to remove a single device from your household
Open Netflix on any device where you're signed in as the account owner. Go to your account settings by clicking your profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Account" from the dropdown menu. Scroll down to the "Your devices" or "Devices and downloads" section — the exact name varies depending on whether you're on a phone, computer, or web browser.
You'll see a list of every device currently connected to your account, with the device name, approximate location, and when it was last used. Find the device you want to remove and click "Remove" or the trash icon next to it. Netflix will ask you to confirm, and once you do, that device is disconnected from your household when ready.
The person using that device will see a message that they've been signed out. If they try to continue watching, they'll be asked to sign in again. They can still log back in with your password, but they won't be part of your active household until you add them back.
Signing out of all devices at once
If you want to remove everyone from your household in one action, go to your account settings and look for "Sign out of all devices" or "Sign out everywhere." This option appears in the same "Your devices" section. Click it, and Netflix will when ready disconnect every device except the one you're currently using.
Everyone will be signed out and will need to log in again with your password to continue watching. This is useful if you've shared your password widely and want to force a fresh start, or if you're concerned someone has access to your account without your knowledge. After you sign everyone out, you can change your password to prevent unauthorized logins.
The difference between removing a device and changing your password
Removing a device stops that specific connection from accessing your account right now, but it doesn't prevent someone from logging back in if they know your password. Changing your password, by contrast, locks out anyone who doesn't have the new one — even if they were previously signed in on a device.
If you're trying to stop sharing with someone permanently, you need to do both: remove their device and change your password. If you only remove the device, they can log back in on the same device or a different one as long as they have your password. If you only change your password, devices that are already signed in will keep working until Netflix forces a re-authentication (which can take weeks or months).
Identifying which device is which
Netflix labels devices by type — "Chrome," "iPhone," "Samsung TV," "iPad" — and shows the approximate location based on IP address. The location is often a city or region rather than a street address. You'll also see when each device was last used, which helps you figure out which one belongs to whom.
If you have multiple devices of the same type (two iPhones, for example), the last activity date is your best clue. The device used most recently is probably the one currently in use. If you're still unsure, you can remove the device and ask the person you think is using it whether they got signed out — they'll tell you when ready.
What happens to downloads and offline viewing
If someone downloaded Netflix shows or movies to their device for offline viewing, removing that device from your household doesn't automatically delete those downloads. The files stay on the device, but they'll stop working after a certain period (usually 30 days) because Netflix needs to verify the account periodically.
The person using that device will see a message that their downloads have expired and will need to either reconnect to your account or delete the files manually. If they log back in with your password, their downloads will work again.
Removing devices when you don't recognize them
If you see a device in your list that you don't recognize, remove it when ready. Unknown devices usually mean someone has your password and is using your account without permission. After you remove it, change your password to a strong one that only you know.
Netflix doesn't notify the other person when you remove their device, so they won't know you've done it until they try to watch and get signed out. If the device reappears in your list shortly after you remove it, that person is actively trying to get back in, and you should change your password again and consider whether you want to share your account with them at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a device without the person knowing?
Yes. Removing a device doesn't send a notification to the person using it. They'll only find out when they try to watch something and get a sign-out message. If you want to tell them, you'll need to contact them separately.
What if someone keeps logging back in after I remove their device?
They have your password. Removing the device won't stop them from signing in again on the same device or a different one. Change your password to something they don't know, then remove the device again. After that, they won't be able to log back in.
Does removing a device delete their watch history or saved shows?
No. Their profile, watch history, saved shows, and recommendations stay on your account. Removing a device only stops them from streaming. If they log back in with your password, they'll see everything exactly as they left it.
Can I remove a device from the Netflix app on that device?
No. You have to remove devices from your account settings on a different device or on the Netflix website. The Netflix app doesn't give you the option to remove yourself from the household — you can only sign out, which is different.
How many devices can I have in my household at once?
That depends on your Netflix plan. Standard plans allow two simultaneous streams, and Premium plans allow four. You can have more devices connected to your household than your plan allows for simultaneous streams — the limit only applies to how many can watch at the same time.