Tell me, what is your best getaway from a monotonous routine? For me, it’s Netflix. I call myself a “serial binge-watcher” who’s put in some all-nighters on weekends to finish some legendary shows on the platform.
I even switched to a blazing-fast connection, Spectrum Internet, to avoid buffering or anything that could potentially ruin my binge-watching sessions. Plus, it doesn’t have any data caps, which means that I can stream and download to my heart’s content, without having to worry about overage fees.
Here, I’d like to mention some really cool hacks that have elevated my Netflix experience. With these tips and tricks, I can watch any movies or shows without putting in much effort. And in this article, I’ll share those tips and tricks so you can get the most out of your Netflix subscription.
Use “My List” To Track Which Shows/Movies Are Expiring
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Has it ever happened that you planned to watch a movie or show, but all of a sudden, Netflix removes it from the platform? Been there, done that. But it doesn’t happen out of the blue.
Generally, Netflix releases a list of movies/shows retiring from the platform every month.
However, if it’s a headache for you to keep track of which content is leaving the platform, then simply add it to My List. This way, you can keep an eye on their last day on the platform and watch them before they’re removed.
Access Restricted Content With VPN
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Do you know that Netflix’s content list can be different in every country due to copyright restrictions, licenses, and some other technicalities? But, do you also know that there’s a way you can access every movie or show, even if it’s not available in your country?
A quality Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help you surpass geo-restrictions on Netflix.
Technically speaking, a VPN alters your device’s IP address once you connect to it. Additionally, the VPN server your device is connected to becomes its location.
Use the Search Bar Smartly
Sometimes, we know everything about a movie or show, but miss out on the important yet most basic detail – the name! Here, most people might stop their search altogether, while some go the extra mile and eventually find it somehow.
But only if people understand that they don’t really need a name to find it on Netflix. In most cases, we can find it by simply searching for its genre, main characters’ names, or other related keywords.
Picture-in-Picture Viewing For Multi-Tasking
Honestly, this trick isn’t for me as I don’t like doing anything while binge-watching my favorite shows. But if you want to share memes on social media or check emails while streaming, you can do it with Netflix’s picture-in-picture feature.
For mobile, the feature is available with some of the premium plans. On desktop, the feature’s availability varies from one browser to another.
Use “Remind Me” Feature
Do you anxiously wait and frequently check whether Netflix has added new movies and shows to its existing library? Well, stop checking, and utilize its “Remind Me” feature. This way, Netflix will automatically notify you when new movies and shows are available to stream.
Simply look for the content, and on its main page, you’ll see a Remind Me button. Click on it and you’ll receive a notification when the content is available for you to watch.
Capture And Share Favorite Moments
Have you noticed that there’s a “Moments” button when you’re streaming on Netflix?
I noticed it a long time ago, but never used it, and wasn’t even curious to know what it did. But once I understood its function, I stopped using another smartphone for recording my favorite clips and sharing them with my social circle.
With Moments, you can directly capture memorable clips from Netflix and share them on social media platforms or messaging apps. Cool, right?
Use the Like and Dislike Feature
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Is it just me, or do you feel it as well that sometimes, Netflix recommendations are no good? Well, you can improve it by using the Like and Dislike buttons. Here, it’s important to understand that these buttons can actually fine-tune Netflix’s algorithms.
Netflix has also added a Love button, shown as a double thumbs up, which allows you to show a stronger preference for a movie or show.
Learn a New Language
Watching movies and shows can be a great way to learn a new language. And now, you can do it with Netflix. Although Netflix offers subtitles in different languages, how about two subtitles? One in a language you understand, and the other in a language you want to learn?
While this isn’t a built-in feature on Netflix, Language Reactor is an extension that can do it for you. It also offers a comprehensive dictionary that you can always refer to. Having said that, this is a browser-based extension and may not work on smartphones.
Install IMDb Ratings Extension
This is another extension that only works on browsers. Sometimes, I determine by looking at a movie’s rating to decide if it’s worth watching or not. In the past, I had to open another tab, which at times was quite frustrating.
But since I installed the IMDb Ratings extension, I don’t have to search for a movie’s ratings.
It’s because this extension shows ratings from Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, and IMDb, right beside Netflix’s movies and shows.
Request Netflix To Add A Show Or Movie
Though it might feel unreal, and honestly, chances are slim. But if you’re lucky, Netflix might add a movie or show to its library on your suggestion. Netflix officially allows its users to recommend content they want to watch on the platform.
So, these are ten Netflix tips and tricks that can take your binge-watching to a whole different level.
But before I wind up, I’ve got another trick up my sleeve. Do you know Netflix has secret codes? These codes are specifically used to search for a specific genre or category of movies and shows you want to watch.
