Turning the heat up: Netflix’s new feature lets users kick unwanted devices off their accounts

Netflix is increasing pressure on the so-called freeloaders using the streaming service on the accounts of their friends or relatives. From now on, it’s possible to kick your ex off your Netflix account without having to change your password.

The streaming giant has launched “Manage Access and Devices,” a feature that allows account owners – the ones who pay for the service – to remotely log out of devices they don’t want signed in or simply don’t recognize.

The new option could help Netflix target those freeloaders who may have been logging in without the account holder’s knowledge, encouraging them to become subscribers and pay up.

It follows launches of other features aimed at limiting account-sharing and increasing the number of unique subscribers, such as Profile Transfer.

Of course, Netflix doesn’t frame the new option as specifically designed to further apply pressure on freeloaders.

“With the busy holiday season just around the corner, many of our members will be on the move and watching Netflix wherever they are traveling to see family and friends. Logging in to your account while at a hotel or even your friend’s house is easy and intuitive, but occasionally people forget to log out,” the press release said.

If they decide to remove devices from an account, Netflix subscribers can go to their “Account Settings” and find the “Manage Access and Devices” option that displays the users’ most recent devices, as well as the type of device, the IP address, and the exact time and date when the device last logged in the subscriber’s account.

After signing out of an unfamiliar or unwanted device, you can change your password for extra security – but that is not required as the removed devices will not be available for streaming on your account.

The new feature is already available to all members worldwide on the web, iOS devices, and Android devices. The option might also be useful to subscribers to Netflix’s cheaper plans that only allow using one supported device at a time.

In Netflix’s Q1 2022 earnings report, the streaming giant reported that about 100 million subscribers have password freeloaders.

So far, there are no repercussions for password sharing. But, back in March, Netflix rolled out the option for users in Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru to create reduced-price “sub accounts” for up to two people they don’t live with.

The company recently disclosed plans to expand this kind of “extra members” feature worldwide in early 2023.

To attract more individual paying subscribers to the platform, Netflix also launched a new ad-supported plan in the beginning of November. It’s priced at $6.99 per month in the United States.