July 3, 2024, 6:03 am | Read time: 6 minutes

There are now a variety of settings and additional services for Netflix that can influence and enhance your personal streaming experience, if you know about them. TECHBOOK introduces some of them.

1. Watch series together remotely

You can enjoy series nights even if people live far apart, whether in another state or on another continent. To ensure the series you’re watching together runs in sync, there’s Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) for Google Chrome. This free plug-in synchronizes two streams, creating the feeling of watching Netflix together, no matter where you are.

2. Adjust subtitles

If you watch movies or series in the original language, subtitles are sometimes indispensable–especially for understanding dialects and slang. In Netflix settings, you can do more than just adjust the language itself.

You can also change the font, size, and color of the subtitles. To do this, go to your account settings and then to the “Subtitle Appearance” tab. This works on both desktop and the smartphone app.

3. Reliable rating system

Which title is currently recommended? You often can’t rely on Netflix ratings for personal taste, especially since the service switched from star ratings to simple thumbs-up ratings. But there’s a trick to still get good recommendations on Netflix.

Many viewers turn to the portal IMDb for a good assessment, for which there is also the Chrome plug-in Netflix Enhancer. If you install this, the reviews are integrated into the Netflix interface.

4. Delete series history

If you share your account with others in your household and haven’t set up individual profiles, the history can reveal a lot about a person–sometimes too much. However, there’s a trick to obscure your history on Netflix.

If you want to keep your history private, you can do so through the settings. This also allows you to review what you’ve streamed and when. We’ve summarized exactly how to view or delete your Netflix history in a separate article.

5. Shortcut keys for easier operation

Clicking everything with the mouse can be cumbersome. If you’re streaming on a laptop, you can simplify this. Most people know the spacebar for pause, but there are many more options. You can learn how to operate everything with a keystroke and which shortcuts are available in our overview article on Netflix keyboard shortcuts.

6. Virtual fireplace

A crackling fireplace is the cherry on top of a cozy evening. But if you don’t have a fireplace, Netflix can help. If you search for “fireplace” in the library, you’ll find several videos of different fireplaces, some even in 4K resolution, complete with authentic crackling sounds. While it doesn’t quite replace a real fireplace, it doesn’t need cleaning afterward either.

7. Random generator

If you really don’t know what to watch, we’ve already recommended professional IMDb reviews and Netflix Enhancer. But if you don’t want to leave the fate of your evening to both quality and quantity, there’s only chance left.

With Netflix Roulette, you can have a random movie selected for you, similar to Chat Roulette. To control the randomness a bit, you can specify which genre the site should choose from. A slightly better alternative to the built-in random generator, according to TECHBOOK.

8. Enjoy as an audiobook

Netflix is now so convenient, it can even take watching off your hands. By activating audio descriptions in the video settings, a narrator tells you what’s happening on the screen. This way, you can listen to your series like an exciting audiobook.

On a smartphone, you can also turn off the screen without deactivating the Netflix app, allowing you to simply listen to the content.

9. Suggestion function

Netflix has a system that considers your wishes and suggestions for upcoming titles. In a final vote, it is decided which title will be offered for streaming soon. You can submit your suggestions on the official homepage.

10. Block Netflix titles

But if the opposite is true, there’s a trick on the Netflix platform. You can block certain movies and series so they won’t be suggested to you again.

This can be done through the account settings and then the “Parental Controls” tab. There, you can not only set whether content above a certain age rating is excluded for the profile, but you can also select specific titles to block via a search field. However, before you can access this part of the settings, you must enter the account password.

11. Save during vacation

On vacation or during long trips, you might want to take a break from all the screens. If you don’t need Netflix and want to save the monthly costs, you can cancel your account for this period. When you return from vacation, simply reactivate your account before the cancellation period ends, which saves your profile data and lists for a total of 10 months. This is also practical if you change your mind after canceling.

If you want to watch series and movies while on vacation, that’s no longer a problem since 2018: The European Parliament abolished geoblocking, which previously prevented you from using your account abroad as usual. However, certain movies and series may not be available in the country you’re in, usually for licensing reasons.

More on the topic

Streaming New Netflix Feature Reduces Distractions While Watching

Overview Subscription, Content, Technology–All You Need to Know About the Streaming Service Netflix

12. Use Netflix codes for navigation

If you feel that the Netflix algorithm always spits out similar content, you’re right. Netflix does offer personalized suggestions, but it prefers certain content and suggests titles based on your streaming behavior. This can make your feed less varied.

However, if you have at least a vague idea of what you’d like to stream, you can filter it using certain codes. Categories, for example, have their own code that you can insert into the URL. We list the available Netflix codes in a separate article.

13. Don’t miss new releases

When Netflix uploads new titles, you usually find out only by chance while scrolling. Even the “Recently Added” category only selects a small portion of the new releases and doesn’t list them all. To ensure you don’t miss any new releases in the future or to know in advance, our monthly article on Netflix new releases is perfect.

You can also set up notifications in Netflix settings to alert you when something suitable appears.