James R | On 21, Oct 2022

Netflix has introduced the ability to transfer a user’s profile from one account to another.

This new feature means that anyone setting up a new, separate account for themselves – for example, after sharing an account with someone else – can bring their profile with them. That means they won’t lose their watchlist, viewing history, saved games or personalised recommendations.

The feature is rolling out from today, with users notified by email as soon as the option is available on their account. To transfer a profile, go to the “Transfer Profile” option when you hover over your profile icon in the dropdown menu on the homepage — then follow the instructions.

“People move. Families grow. Relationships end. But throughout these life changes, your Netflix experience should stay the same,” said Timi Kosztin, Netflix’s Product Manager, Product Innovation, in a blog post.

The move comes as Netflix is also looking to crack down on password sharing. It’s something that has impacted its income for some time – but, after a year in which it has saw subscriber numbers fall for two quarters, the streamer is looking to find ways to turn around its financial outlook.

Netflix’s response to that habit is to introduce an additional monthly fee for extra users added to an account. Members on the Basic plan will be able to add one extra home, Standard subscribers up to two extra and Premium users up to three extra. The move will not impact people watching Netflix on the move: users will still be able to stream TV shows and films outside the home on their tablet, laptop or mobile. The change will be rolled out in 2023.

Both moves come as Netflix has enjoyed a better second half of the year: the streamer added 2.41 million subscribers in the third quarter of 2022, bringing its total to 223.09 million. Netflix expected a net gain of 1 million subscribers in the three months to September, so its performance exceeded its own forecasts.

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