How to Switch Users on Netflix: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

How to Switch Users on Netflix: A Clear, Step-by-Step Guide

To switch users on Netflix and sign in as a different person, open the app or site, select your profile picture or icon, then choose another profile or sign in with a different email and password. On TVs and streaming devices you may need to enter a profile PIN before you can move between profiles. This short guide walks you through the steps for smart TVs, game consoles, streaming devices, mobile and tablets, and web browsers, and explains what happens to recommendations and viewing history when you switch.

Understanding Netflix Profiles and Why User Switching Matters

A Netflix profile is a named, personalized space that stores your watchlist, viewing activity, ratings, and tailored recommendations. When you switch users by selecting another profile, Netflix recalculates recommendations for that person based only on their viewing history and tastes. Profiles also let each member keep track of "Continue Watching" rows separately, control parental control restrictions, and optionally save language and subtitle preferences. Switching users is the normal way multiple people share a single Netflix membership while preserving separate tastes and queues.

Profile Types and Features

Standard profile: Full access to watchlist, Continue Watching, and personalized recommendations.
Kids profile: Restricted content, only age-appropriate titles, and simplified navigation.
Custom profile name: Choose a recognizable name or photo to tell members apart at a glance.

How to Switch Users on Netflix Smart TVs and Streaming Devices

On TVs, streaming media players, and game consoles, Netflix relies on on-screen menus and, for many sets, a profile PIN to prevent accidental switches. If you do not currently see a profile picker, you may need to sign out first or enter a PIN to unlock the profile menu.

Typical Steps

Press the Netflix app on your TV or device to open it.
Navigate to your account or profile section (often shown as a person icon or Settings).
Select Sign In if you are not already in the profile menu, or choose Switch User / Profile directly.
Pick the desired profile from the list. If prompted, enter the profile PIN.
Press Play or Open to launch the selected profile.

Where to Find the Profile Picker on Popular Devices

Samsung TV: Highlight the Netflix app or Home area, press the three-dot Options button, then select Netflix profiles or Switch User.
LG TV (WebOS): Open Netflix, press the Settings gear on the remote, choose Change Profile, and pick another profile. Admin profiles can also require a PIN to switch away.
Roku and Fire TV: From the Netflix channel, go to Settings (sometimes via the app menu), Manage Profiles, then choose a profile. A PIN may be required if the account has PIN settings enabled.
PlayStation and Xbox: From the Netflix app, open the overlay menu and choose Switch User or manage profiles from the dashboard settings.
Apple TV and Android TV: Open Netflix, tap the profile icon usually in the top-left or top-right, then choose another profile or Sign Out and Sign In.

How to Switch Users on Netflix Mobile and Tablet Apps

Mobile and tablet apps surface a profile icon in one corner of the player or in a side menu, making switching fast without a PIN unless the account has restrictions turned on.

Steps for iOS and Android

Open the Netflix app and sign in if necessary.
Tap the profile icon or your initials, usually top-right (Android) or in the side menu (iOS).
Tap the profile you want to use. If it is a Kids profile you may need a parent PIN set on the device or account.
Netflix immediately loads the selected profile and its recommendations.

Signing In with a Different Account

If the person you want to switch to is not saved, choose Sign In and enter a different email and password. Some apps let you add multiple profiles under one account; others require you to switch to a different Netflix member or use a separate app instance for a completely separate account with its own email and password.

How to Switch Users on Netflix via Web Browser

Using a web browser on a computer works much like the mobile app, but no PINs are typically presented in the browser interface unless you access playback settings that require authentication.

Steps

Go to netflix.com and sign in to the account that holds multiple profiles.
Click your profile icon or avatar, usually top-right of the screen.
Select the desired profile. The page reloads and applies that profile’s settings.
To use a profile that is not yet linked to this account, an admin may need to add it in Manage Profiles on the website.

Parental Controls and PINs When Switching Users

Parental controls and profile-level maturity ratings can restrict which profiles can access certain content. A profile PIN adds an extra step when switching to or launching certain profiles, usually on TV platforms.

PIN Behavior to Know

Not all profiles require a PIN; only those set by an admin or on devices where the feature is enabled.
On many TVs, the PIN prompt occurs when you highlight a profile in the switcher, not always when playback starts.
If you forget a PIN, an account admin can reset it from netflix.com/manage-profiles, which may sign you out of other devices in the process.

What Happens When You Switch Users on Netflix

Switching users changes the lens through which Netflix tailors content for your session and device. It does not typically log out other devices that may be using other profiles concurrently on the same account, as long as the membership’s simultaneous streams limit is not exceeded. Recommendations, Continue Watching rows, and ratings are unique to each profile, so switching users preserves individualized experiences for every member.

Quick Comparison at a Glance

Platform	Where to Switch	PIN Required	Notes
Smart TV / Streaming Device	Profile icon or Settings > Manage Profiles	Often yes, if enabled	Varies by manufacturer; look for app or system profile settings.
Game Consoles	Dashboard or Netflix app menu	Sometimes	Check system-level user accounts and PIN settings.
Mobile / Tablet	Profile icon inside the Netflix app	Only if Kids profile or device PIN enabled	Switch is immediate; no full app restart needed.
Web Browser	Profile icon top-right on netflix.com	No	Only profiles added to the account appear.

Troubleshooting Common Switching Issues

If you cannot switch users or the profile picker is missing, check these items first. Some issues are tied to device settings or parental controls rather than Netflix itself.

Common Problems and Fixes

Profile picker does not appear: Confirm you are in the app or site while signed in. On TVs, open Netflix and press the menu or settings button to reveal profile options.
Unexpected sign-in instead of profile switch: You may have signed into a different Netflix account. Sign out of all sessions from Account Settings and sign back in with the correct credentials.
Cannot select Kids profile: A parent PIN may be required, or the profile might be restricted at the account level. Verify with the account admin.
Switching still signs you into the wrong profile: Some devices cache account sessions. Sign out completely and pick a profile explicitly, or restart the app/device.
Error messages when switching: Check your internet connection and ensure the Netflix app is updated. Reinstall the app only if other fixes fail.

Managing Profiles from netflix.com/manage-profiles

The web Manage Profiles page is useful for adding new profiles, renaming existing ones, setting profile pictures, and resetting profile PINs. From this page, an admin can also remove members from the account and adjust maturity settings. Note that changes here can sign you out of other devices and may briefly affect streaming on shared screens.

Privacy, Viewing History, and Switching Users

Each profile maintains its own viewing history, which influences recommendations. Switching users does not merge histories or automatically share a child’s viewing activity with an adult profile unless the account’s settings explicitly allow it. Adults can monitor and manage kids’ profiles through parental controls to set time limits and restrict content by maturity level.

Summary and Quick Reference

Switching users on Netflix is straightforward once you understand where the profile controls live on each device. On TVs and streaming devices, expect a profile PIN when moving between users; on mobile, switching is typically instant; on the web, it is a simple click. Remember that profiles keep watchlists and recommendations separate, and an admin can manage everything from netflix.com/manage-profiles if you need to add, rename, or reset profiles and PINs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will switching profiles stop a show mid-playback? No, switching users does not automatically stop playback. The new profile inherits its own Continue Watching row, but the previous profile’s playback position is saved for later.
Can I switch to a profile that is not listed? Only profiles created under the current Netflix account appear. An account admin must add missing members from the Manage Profiles page.
Do all devices require a PIN to switch users? No. PIN requirements depend on the device, account settings, and whether the profile is marked as a Kids profile.
How do I change or reset a profile PIN? Sign in to netflix.com/manage-profiles as an admin, select the profile, and follow the prompts to change or remove the PIN.
Will switching users affect other people watching at the same time? No. Each profile streams independently within the account’s simultaneous streams limit; switching users on one device does not kick others off.

Creating and managing Netflix profiles
Netflix parental controls and Kids profiles
Understanding Netflix recommendation differences between profiles
Netflix PIN settings and how they work
Managing simultaneous streams and device limits