5 settings to change if you want to be a Netflix p...

It’s no longer just about Netflix and Chill. After years of being arguably the front-runner of streaming services, Netflix has so much going for it — it’s taken the user experience and changed it to be one of the most user-friendly and customizable.

I’ve been using Netflix since its inception and, for years, received both DVDs and enjoyed the streaming platform. I, like many others, have seen the platform change drastically and, even in some downtimes, have stuck with the streaming service because I can genuinely always find at least something I’m interested in watching, even if it’s an older movie I’ve seen before. But what I appreciate most about Netflix is its ability to mass produce and acquire content for all groups of audiences while then allowing those groups to make the viewing experience their own.

There are some tricks I’ve used over the years that have helped me in my journey to craft the perfect streaming service. Some could call them “pro” tips (I’m fine if you don’t want to call them that, but I wouldn’t be mad if you did). These helpful hints can make Netflix work for you.

1

Set up push notifications to keep tabs on content

This keeps you in the know

You may already follow Netflix on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok and can keep a close eye on the new pieces of content that are set to debut on the platform. But, you can also just have Netflix send notifications to your phone, which will keep you informed on the kinds of things that you like to watch.

Netflix pays attention to what you watch — and uses that info to recommend more stuff you’ll probably like. If a new season of a show you binged is about to drop, you might get a push notification. The same goes for anything similar to a series you rated highly. You don’t have to get alerts for everything new on Netflix, but you can customize them if you want. Choose push notifications, emails, or even texts to stay in the loop. Just head to your profile settings on the Netflix website to tweak your preferences.

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2

Take advantage of Netflix Lookahead

You’ll be happy to know what’s coming next

While notifications can tell you what is arriving on Netflix at a given time, why not give yourself a real look at all the content that is making its way to Netflix soon? Netflix Lookahead is a newer feature that lets you see all the shows and movies that are just on the brink of arriving on the platform. By seeing what’s available ahead of time, you can add them to My List, which can help you remember to watch them when they are actually on the platform. I love doing this because it makes my life so much easier when I’m in a rush to pick something and I don’t have a ton of time to scan all the latest titles.

The categories that Netflix lists for this are Coming This Week, Coming Next Week, and Worth The Wait. It does take into consideration your viewing history to suggest certain titles for you at the front of the list compared to ones you may not like at the back of it. Each title will have a short background on what it is and most of them have trailers to give you a true look ahead at what might be your next binge-watch.

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3

Change the subtitles to your liking

You might as well have every aspect the way you want

If you’re like me, subtitles are a must when watching Netflix — especially after having a baby and needing to keep the volume low at night. Netflix has a default subtitle style, but you can totally customize it if it’s not your vibe.

Weirdly, you can only do this on the Netflix website (not the app). Just log in, head to your profile settings, and look for “Subtitle appearance.” You can change the font from the standard Block to six other typefaces: Typewriter, Print, Console, Casual, Cursive, and Small Caps. You can also add four different font shadows or choose none at all. The font and background can change color and there are three different sizes to pick from. As you’re figuring out which one you like, you can test them out in the preview area at the top.

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4

Transfer your profile to save some time and money

You can also just put your subscription on pause

If you’re taking a break from Netflix — like heading out of the country for a few months — you can actually pause your account for up to three months, so you’re not paying when you’re not using it. Handy, right?

There are two reasons why you might want to transfer your profile. One is to save money, as you can send your profile to someone else’s account and keep your profile on their account. It’s a way around password sharing, because someone is paying for the account in the end. The other reason is that Netflix has caught up to you on your password sharing, and they’ve threatened to kick you off because you don’t live in the house where the main account is. Transferring your profile lets you save all of your recommendations, watch history, and customized settings when you’re ready to set up your own account and pay for it.

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5

Reduce motion transitions on your app

This can help you become less stimulated

I’ll be the first to admit that I can get overstimulated when I’m searching for content on a streaming service. There are moving pictures, tons of colors, varieties of brightness, and sweeping transitions as you go from one possible title to another. Netflix has taken this into account and offers users the ability to reduce the amount of animation effects they see while using the platform.

This means that the swipes and wipes you may have noticed while going from title to title won’t be as jarring. To get to this setting, you go into Account and then Profiles. Select your profile and scroll to the bottom until you see TV animation effects. Toggle it on to reduce motion transitions. It should be noted that you can not shut off motion transitions fully.

Another way that can help you become less stimulated is by turning off autoplay, which is in playback settings. Minimizing these can make for a smoother viewing experience while you’re using the app’s interface.