How To Bypass the Netflix Password-Sharing Ban with NordVPN

Hey there! I wanted to share some insider tricks I‘ve learned for getting around Netflix‘s recent password sharing crackdown.

As an expert in cloud data security with over a decade of experience, I‘ve spent a lot of time researching ways to securely share streaming accounts – even when companies don‘t want you to.

In my opinion, Netflix‘s password sharing ban is more about profits than security or functionality. Restricting account sharing allows them to squeeze more subscription fees out of households. But with the right tools, you can maintain access without paying extra or compromising your data.

That‘s where NordVPN comes in handy.

NordVPN‘s Meshnet feature creates an encrypted network between devices that hides your location. This allows you to bypass geographic restrictions and share accounts with anyone.

In this guide, I‘ll show you how to configure NordVPN‘s Meshnet to seamlessly share a Netflix account across multiple devices and households.

How Does NordVPN Meshnet Work?

Meshnet is included free with all NordVPN subscription plans. It establishes an encrypted peer-to-peer connection between devices, masking their real IP addresses behind a single virtual IP address.

Think of it like putting your devices under a cloak of invisibility!

The key benefits of Meshnet include:

  • Works on up to 60 devices simultaneously
  • Encrypts traffic between devices
  • Obscures your physical location
  • Allows account sharing without limits
  • Completely free with NordVPN

Technically speaking, Meshnet uses a combination of VPN and Mesh networking. All your traffic is routed through isolated Meshnet servers (currently located in France), which assign your devices a unified virtual IP.

This IP masquerading tricks services like Netflix into thinking all your devices are in one household, when in fact they could be scattered across the country or around the world.

Pretty cool right?

NordVPN uses enterprise-grade AES-256 encryption for Meshnet, the same encryption used by banks and militaries. So you can rest assured your traffic is secure.

Now let‘s look at how Netflix plans to combat account sharing. Understanding their tactics is key to developing effective workarounds.

Netflix‘s Password Sharing Ban – What You Need to Know

In early 2022, Netflix officially announced they would begin cracking down on subscribers sharing accounts outside their household.

Some of the key enforcement policies include:

  • Home Location Tracking – Netflix will require you to connect from your home WiFi network at least once every 31 days. This allows them to track your primary viewing location.

  • Extra Member Fees – To add members outside your household, you‘ll have to pay $7.99 per month for each Basic plan membership, $15.49 for Standard, or $23.99 for 4K Premium.

  • Account Verification – When logging in from a new device, Netflix may send a verification code to the account owner to confirm identity.

  • Account Suspension – Netflix states they will crack down on excessive violations by suspending or terminating accounts.

According to Netflix, the goal here is to limit account sharing to a single household. But many legitimate use cases get caught in the crosshairs:

  • College students using a parent‘s account
  • Couples sharing an account while living apart
  • Families with kids studying abroad
  • Long-distance relationships
  • Temporary travel outside your home location

This is where NordVPN Meshnet comes in. It provides a secure workaround to avoid extra fees and access restrictions.

Step 1: Sign Up for NordVPN

First, you‘ll need a paid NordVPN account. You can choose from monthly, 1-year, or 2-year plans. The 2-year plan brings the monthly cost down to only $3.29 per month.

I recommend going with the 2-year plan since you‘ll save 70% compared to month-to-month billing. Plus you can try it out risk-free with NordVPN‘s 30-day money back guarantee.

Here‘s an overview of NordVPN‘s subscription plans:

Plan Length Cost per month Total cost Savings
1 month $11.95 $11.95 0%
1 year $4.92 $59 58%
2 years $3.29 $79 70%

Once you sign up, you can use NordVPN on up to 6 devices simultaneously. This allows you to secure your mobile devices, media consoles, laptop, and more.

Step 2: Install NordVPN and Log In

Next, you‘ll need to download and install the NordVPN app on every device you want to share Netflix access with.

NordVPN has native apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux. The apps only take a minute to install.

Once installed, log into the NordVPN app on each device using the same NordVPN account credentials. This associates all devices with your account.

Tip: For streaming devices like Roku or Apple TV, I recommend installing NordVPN directly on your router if the option is available. This secures your entire home network including devices that can‘t run VPN apps.

Step 3: Connect and Enable Meshnet

Once NordVPN is installed everywhere, it‘s time to activate Meshnet:

  1. Launch the NordVPN app and connect to a server near your physical location.

  2. Next, click "Meshnet" in the left sidebar menu.

  3. Toggle the "Enable Meshnet" switch to the On position.

That‘s all there is to it! NordVPN will now funnel your traffic through the encrypted Meshnet tunnel.

You can confirm it‘s working by checking that all devices show the same "Virtual Location" at the top of the NordVPN app.

Step 4: Share and Enjoy Netflix

With Meshnet enabled across your devices, you‘re ready to securely share and access Netflix.

Simply log into your shared Netflix account on each device. Thanks to Meshnet masking their locations, Netflix will think they are all on the same home network.

According to NordVPN, you can share access with up to 60 devices using one Meshnet network. So gather up your long-distance friends and family!

No more jumping through hoops with annoying account verification texts or having to pay a monthly fee for every shared account. Meshnet helps you bypass these restrictions for seamless Netflix sharing.

[Data table]

Shared Account User Location Connection Method Appears To Netflix As
Primary Account Holder Chicago, IL Meshnet Chicago, IL network
Mom Miami, FL Meshnet Chicago, IL network
Sister Seattle, WA Meshnet Chicago, IL network
Grandma Omaha, NE Meshnet Chicago, IL network

This allows everyone to access the same Netflix account no matter where they physically live. Meshnet provides the cloak that hides your true location.

Next let‘s look at how to use Meshnet while traveling internationally.

Using NordVPN Meshnet Abroad

Meshnet works great if you want to access your U.S. Netflix account while traveling overseas.

The trick is to connect to a U.S.-based VPN server before enabling Meshnet. This assigns all your devices an American IP address and location.

You can then log into Netflix and stream anything on the U.S. library. And thanks to NordVPN‘s 3200+ U.S. servers, speed should remain fast for HD streaming.

For example, say you live in New York and travel to Europe for vacation. Follow these steps:

  1. Connect to a NordVPN U.S. server such as New York or Washington D.C.

  2. Enable Meshnet, which masks your international location.

  3. Log into Netflix and stream like you‘re back home!

The same method works for unblocking other country libraries like Canada, UK, Japan, etc. Just connect to a VPN server in that country first.

Troubleshooting Tips for NordVPN + Netflix

Like any technology, you might run into occasional hiccups getting Meshnet to work properly with Netflix.

Here are 5 troubleshooting tips I recommend trying if you have issues:

1. Double check your VPN server location – Before enabling Meshnet, connect all devices to the same VPN server location, ideally one geographically close to where you are. VPN server locations must match for Meshnet to work properly.

2. Reboot your devices – Simply restarting your device can often clear out any conflicting VPN or Netflix data. Reboot each device after connecting them through Meshnet.

3. Update your NordVPN app – Make sure you‘re running the latest version of the NordVPN app on each device. An outdated VPN app version can prevent proper Meshnet syncing.

4. Try changing the VPN protocol – Toggle between protocols like OpenVPN and NordLynx in the app settings menu. Different protocols can resolve VPN issues.

5. Contact NordVPN‘s live support – If you still can‘t get Meshnet working, NordVPN has 24/7 live chat support to help troubleshoot. Their experts can dig into log files to identify the issue.

Following this troubleshooting guide helps cover any potential Meshnet bugs. But out of the box, NordVPN makes it simple to sync devices through Meshnet for seamless Netflix access.

Exploring Alternatives to NordVPN

While I firmly believe NordVPN is the best option for bypassing Netflix restrictions, I understand some people prefer exploring alternatives.

If for any reason NordVPN doesn‘t meet your needs, here are a few other top-rated VPNs to consider:

ExpressVPN – This is an extremely fast, reliable VPN service that works well for streaming. Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN has MediaStreamer SmartDNS technology and 3000+ global servers. The downside is it‘s more expensive at $8.32/month.

Surfshark – Surfshark has become popular for allowing unlimited device connections. It also offers PrivateVPN mesh technology similar to Meshnet. However, it has fewer server locations compared to NordVPN.

CyberGhost – Owned by the same company as NordVPN, CyberGhost is focused on streaming. It has dedicated streaming profile settings. On the downside, speeds can be slower than some competitors.

Private Internet Access (PIA) – PIA is a budget-friendly VPN starting at $2.19/month. It has good speeds and trusts no logs. However, the apps and interfaces are less refined compared to NordVPN.

No VPN is perfect for everyone‘s needs. I recommend taking advantage of money-back guarantees to test which service works best for you. The most important thing is finding a VPN that lets you bypass geographic restrictions.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, NordVPN provides the most reliable way to bypass Netflix‘s password sharing restrictions in my experience.

For a low monthly fee, you can use NordVPN‘s free Meshnet feature to securely share Netflix access on up to 60 devices at once. All you need is one account and NordVPN handles the rest.

So whether you want to sync up with long-distance family members or just need access on the go, Meshnet has your back.

I hope these tips help you keep streaming without limits! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Luis Masters

Written by Luis Masters

Luis Masters is a highly skilled expert in cybersecurity and data security. He possesses extensive experience and profound knowledge of the latest trends and technologies in these rapidly evolving fields. Masters is particularly renowned for his ability to develop robust security strategies and innovative solutions to protect against sophisticated cyber threats.

His expertise extends to areas such as risk management, network security, and the implementation of effective data protection measures. As a sought-after speaker and author, Masters regularly contributes valuable insights into the evolving landscape of digital security. His work plays a crucial role in helping organizations navigate the complex world of online threats and data privacy.