9 Hidden Netflix Features You Need to Know About

Newsweek

21-04-2025

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Have you ever wanted to hide your watch history on Netflix? How about turning off that annoying 'are you still watching?' notification that pops up after you've dozed off? Keep on reading for all the details.
In this article you'll find nine must-know tips you need to elevate your Netflix experience. The list includes handy shortcuts to navigate the platform faster, the easy way you can reset your Netflix recommendations and get suggestions for all-new titles, and even how to control Netflix hands-free.
And make sure to check our previous article on how to use these secret Netflix codes to unlock hidden shows and movies, from Disney musicals to adult animation.
Cristin Milioti features in Black Mirror Season 7
Cristin Milioti features in Black Mirror Season 7
Netflix
How to Use Netflix Party
There's a way you can watch Netflix with friends and family members without being in the same room. This is with the help of a free Chrome extension called Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party).
With Teleparty, you can easily sync playback between viewers, so everyone can watch what's happening at exactly the same time. As with any watch party, banter is key, so that's why there's also a side-screen chat box where you can talk to each other as the movie or show plays. Added to that, Teleparty also works with Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime.
How to Delete Viewing History on Netflix
You can't delete your viewing history on Netflix, but you can certainly hide it, which is effectively the same thing. To do this, go to your account page, select profiles, choose a profile, and then open viewing activity. From here, you can choose to hide individual titles or entire series.
Just click the 'hide' icon next to the content you want to hide, and no-one will be able to see it in your watch history. If you want to hide everything with a single button press, select the 'hide all' option at the bottom of the page.
Netflix Keyboard Shortcuts
Using a mouse to navigate Netflix isn't the fastest. We recommend learning the following keyboard shortcuts to get around more efficiently on your desktop, whether you want to pause, rewind, or adjust the volume quickly.
Spacebar - play or pause
Left and right arrow keys - rewind or fast-forward by ten seconds
Up and down arrow keys - adjust volume
M key - mute and unmute
F key - toggle fullscreen
Escape key - exit full-screen mode
How to Turn off 'Are You Still Watching?'
If you're idle for around two hours, Netflix pauses the content and sends a prompt to your screen asking if you're still watching. While it's nice the streamer checks in on us, offering a way to prevent burning through an entire season of a show as you sleep, sometimes you want to be left alone to binge in peace.
To turn off the 'are you still watching?' message, you'll need the following browser extensions.
For Chrome, download Never Ending Netflix or Netflix Pause Removal
For Firefox, download Netflix Pause Removal
Unfortunately, there is no way to turn off the 'are you still watching' message within the app itself. The only 'fix', which isn't really a fix, is to turn off autoplay. To do this, head to settings and then manage profiles. There, choose a profile, and click on playback settings. Finally, untick autoplay next episode in a series on all devices, and click save.
Netflix Search Tips
The search box on Netflix isn't just for the titles of shows and movies. You can search using a whole range of other terms. For instance, if you're looking for horror movies, just type the word 'horror' into the search box. Or, if you're a fan of a particular actor, type in their name and Netflix will show you all of the content they have featuring them. Finally, everything Woody Harrelson has made in one place (OK, everything he's made that Netflix has license to stream, but still).
Alternatively, while watching, press 'more info' to find an actor under the cast, then click on them to see what else they have on Netflix.
How to Customise Netflix Subtitles
Netflix's default subtitles aren't the only option. In fact, there are plenty of different ways you can customise the subtitles to your liking, whether you're watching a foreign film, or a TV show where everyone mumbles incoherently.
To play with your subtitles and get them how you want, go to settings and then subtitle appearance. Here you'll find options to change the font style, text size, background color, background windows, and shadow effects. Any choices you make will be saved to that profile and reflected the next time you watch something. Never again miss a line of dialogue.
Reset your Netflix Recommendations
Sometimes Netflix recommends a title that really isn't up your street, plunging you into an existential crisis as you wonder whether it really knows you at all. The fix is simple: a hard reset.
For this, go to 'manage profiles', then select 'viewing activity.' Now clear your entire watch history by hitting 'hide all', which is found at the bottom of the page. This gives you a clean slate for Netflix to generate more recommendations, which will be based on what you watch next.
Control Netflix Hands-Free
Don't want to use your hands? Netflix offers an alternative way of navigating with a whole range of voice commands, letting you play, pause, skip, and rewind titles without moving a muscle.
The first method of doing this is via a smart TV. Check to see if your TV remote has a microphone button, and if so, you can control Netflix by speaking into it. The second method is by connecting a Google Home or Alexa device. While connected, use voice commands to control Netflix via the power of speech. Who needs hands anyway?
How to Add a Netflix PIN
Sick of other people watching content on your account? Lock it down and prevent any and all unauthorized access by adding a simple PIN code. To do this, go to your account, select your profile, then go down to profile lock.
From here, follow the instructions to create a PIN. If you've got kids in the house, don't forget that you can also block titles from their view. Go into settings and select the maturity rating you want on the profile, or even block specific TV shows or movies.