Netflix: 11 “hidden” features and tips to use the platform perfectly

When it comes to subscription streaming (aka SVoD), Netflix is ​​a must. With more than 222 million subscribers worldwide, including more than 10 million in France, the platform is the market leader.

But if many of us use it every day, do we know all the features at our fingertips?

Activation of parental control, navigation in the “hidden” categories of the catalog, shortcuts, and many other things… To be up to date on the main tricks of the streaming service, follow our guide.

10 ways to watch Netflix on your TV (simply)

1. What shortcuts on Netflix?

On the browser version of Netflix, keyboard shortcuts are designed to make the experience more fluid and intuitive. Here are the main ones:

Spacebar or Enter : Pause your movie or series.
F : Enter or exit full screen mode.
Esc key : Exit full screen mode.
M : mute.
left arrow : Advance the content viewed ten seconds.
right arrow : Go back ten seconds.
Up arrow : turn up the volume.
Down arrow : lower the volume.

Otherwise, several “codes” typed in the search bar allow you to see more clearly in the plethoric Netflix catalog by separating the content into several distinct categories:

“Netflix” to access all the original productions of the SVoD platform (films and series).
“4K” to see content compatible with ultra high definition.
“Actor/Director/Producer Name” to be redirected to the films, series or documentaries to which they have contributed.

Note that these tricks also work on versions android and iOS (smartphone, tablet, etc.) from Netflix.

2. Disable Autoplay Next Episode

It’s a default feature on Netflix that may not be for everyone. Fortunately, it is possible to do without it very simply, if you want to be a little more in control of your viewing experience. Here is the procedure to follow :

• Go to the “Account” tab (at the top right of the screen after clicking on your profile icon).
• Select “My profile” then “Reading settings”.
• Deselect the “Autoplay next episode in a series” option.
• Validate the process by clicking on “Save”, and you’re done.

What about trailer autoplay?

Good news, it is now also possible to stop the playback of trailers on the SVoD platform. Here’s how to go about it:

• Open Netflix from a web browser or the Android or iOS app.
• Select the “Account” tab.
• Then “Playback Settings”.
• Check or uncheck the preview trailers option.

3. Remove programs from the “Resume” section

This new function should satisfy users who wish to sort in the section “To resume” of the platform. This section is very useful for find the programs that we watch on a daily basis. This avoids relaunching a search or getting lost in the meanders of the streaming service.

The process couldn’t be simpler:

• Open Netflix.
• Go to the “Resume” section.
• Press the “Option” menu of the program you wish to delete (three dots in the bottom corner of the cover).
• Then choose “Remove from section”.

4. Select Netflix Video Stream Quality

Here too, the procedure for selecting display quality of your programs is very simple. There she is :

• Go again to the “Account” tab.
• Click on “Playback Settings”.
• Select the option you want.

5. Customize Netflix Subtitle Display

Now here’s how to customize the appearance of your subtitles:

• Once again, go to the “Account” section.
• Go to “Display subtitles”.
• Customize the size, font, color, background and drop shadow of your captions.

This feature can be useful to restrict your children’s access to this platform. To configure it:

• Still in “Account”, click on “Parental control”.
• Enter the desired pin code, it will allow you to define the terms of the control.
• Validate your choice.
• Choose to block programs categorized into different age categories (all audiences, 7+, 13+, 16+).
• You can also block specific movies and series if you don’t think they are suitable.

7. Delete Netflix Viewing History

Netflix also offers the possibility of erasing all traces of your searches. For it :

• Go to “Account”.
• Go to “Profile History”.
• Click the ban sign to manually delete the views you want to disappear.
• If you prefer to remove everything, select “Hide all”.

8. Disconnect all your devices from the platform

To remotely close and disconnect all your sessions:

• No surprise, you have to go to “Account”.
• Click on “Sign out from all devices”.
• Validate the process by selecting “Disconnect”.

On Netflix apps for Windows, android Where iOSthere is an offline mode that allows you to download certain content and watch it later without internet connection. On smartphone or tablet:

• Go to the “Downloads” tab.
• Click on “More videos to download”.
• Find the programs you want to watch and check if they are compatible.
• The procedure is similar on the desktop application downloadable from the Windows Store or its equivalent from Microsoft, among others. Please note that we are not talking about Netflix for web browsers here, where offline mode is not available.

10. Enable Audio Description on Netflix

To listen to your series, it is possible to activate a function initially designed for the visually impaired. To do this, on Netflix for web browser:

• Scroll down to the bottom of the home page of the Netflix interface.
• Click on “Audio description”.
• Select a program genre, then the movie or series you want to listen to as an audiobook.

On the Android or iOS mobile version:

• Click “Movies” or “Series” on the interface.
• Select “All genres”.
• Scroll down and choose “Audio Description.”

11. Suggest a movie or series to add to the Netflix catalog

Your favorite movie or your favorite series is not on Netflix and you dream of seeing them appear on the platform? The firm of Reed Hastings allows you to claim them. To do this, simply go to this page and make your suggestions (up to three at a time).