Best Netflix Tips in 2021 (and the Hottest New Shows)

Netflix has grown from a DVD-by-mail service into the dominant streaming platform, now serving more than 325 million paid subscribers worldwide. With that many accounts active, small tweaks can make a noticeable difference in how smoothly the service runs. This guide keeps the focus on practical Netflix tips that hold up in 2026, starting with a quick look at fresh titles before moving into account-level changes that actually matter.

What’s new on Netflix this year?

Netflix continues to pour money into originals, with plans to spend roughly twenty billion dollars on content this year. That investment shows up in titles such as Enola Holmes 3 and the second season of Avatar: The Last Airbender, both of which expand existing fan favorites into new storylines. The service still releases a steady mix of films, limited series, and documentaries, so subscribers who want to stay ahead of the curve keep an eye on the weekly Tudum roundups rather than waiting for algorithm suggestions.

Five top tips for Netflix subscribers

Travel the world via your account

Tired of the same old staid content on your home page? Mix things up a bit by travelling the world — virtually, of course. All you need is a high-quality VPN for your Netflix account. Log in to your VPN and select from the list of available VPN server locations. Then open your Netflix account and you’ll see content from the server location instead of your home nation. Top tip: Use this hack to watch new release movies before they reach your country’s Netflix catalog.

Get rid of freeloaders

Netflix now defines a household by the primary location where the account is most often used. Changing a password still works in a pinch, but the platform also offers an extra member slot on eligible plans for an added fee. Open account settings, review the household devices listed, and decide whether an extra member payment or a full sign-out makes more sense for your situation. This keeps the main account intact while giving occasional viewers a legitimate way in.

Manage multiple profiles effectively

Each account supports up to five profiles, and each one keeps its own viewing history, maturity settings, and game handles if the household plays Netflix games. Extra member accounts are limited to a single profile, which makes it worth assigning one profile per person rather than letting everyone share the same row. Maturity locks and individual activity logs help parents or roommates keep things organized without constant manual checks.

Navigate ad-supported plans

The Standard with ads tier currently sits at roughly eight dollars and ninety-nine cents per month. Some titles carry a lock icon and stay unavailable on this plan, so subscribers who care about specific shows often compare the catalog before committing. The trade-off is simple: lower cost in exchange for occasional commercial breaks and a smaller selection.

Use smart downloads and storage management

The Netflix app can suggest downloads automatically based on what you usually watch, and those files stay tied to the specific device and profile that requested them. Turning on smart downloads in the app settings lets the service handle storage cleanup when space runs low. This feature works on iOS, Android, and Fire tablets, giving commuters and travelers an easy way to keep episodes ready without constant manual selection.

Hide your tracks

Did you stay up until 3 am watching the back catalog of Glee long after your significant other went to bed? If so, there’s no need to be ashamed… well, there’s no need to let anyone else find out about your late night proclivities anyway. Simply erase any compromising items from your watch history by heading to your account and then finding Viewing History in the drop down menu. Next, selectively erase anything you want for the perfect crime.

Embrace Netflix codes

Netflix’s entire back catalog is massive, it’s so big that there’s no way you’re ever going to be exposed to all the stuff it has. And as a result, you could be missing out on some top-notch watching. With Netflix codes, you can access the kind of weird and wonderful stuff you love. You’ll need a list of the codes and the following address: https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/XXXX Copy paste this address into your browser’s address bar then replace the XXXX with the code of your choice.

Secure your account with modern best practices

Profile locks and per-profile maturity settings now sit alongside the usual password. Review the viewing activity log every few months to spot any unfamiliar devices, then add a four-digit PIN on profiles that need extra protection. These steps keep casual browsing private without requiring a full account reset.

Watch stuff offline

Did you know that you can temporarily download Netflix titles while you’re online then watch these when you’re offline? If not, keep an eye out for the download icon, a small downwards pointing arrow. If you see that, it means the content is downloadable and you can watch it at any time, such as when you’re commuting to save your data. Supported devices include iOS, Android, and Fire tablets through the app, though the Windows desktop app no longer allows downloads. Which new titles will you be adding to your watch list and what hack will you try first? Follow the tips above to get the most out of your subscriber buck.