Are you sharing streaming passwords? Learn this primary

Lots’s modified since I first wrote about sharing your streaming passwords greater than a decade in the past.

Whereas Netflix as soon as lauded password sharing as a development mechanism, these days it’s been pushing extra password sharers to pay up because it focuses on rising income. Disney and HBO Max adopted Netflix’s lead over the previous few years, steadily introducing extra roadblocks for account sharers.

However that doesn’t imply password sharing is useless. Technically, it’s nonetheless doable for all however a handful of streaming providers, even when some phrases of service technically forbid it. And even with providers like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max, the extent of enforcement can range, leaving some leeway to bend the foundations.

Simply so you recognize what you’re moving into, although, right here’s how every streaming service is dealing with password sharing in 2026:

Streaming providers that attempt to block password sharing

Netflix

Netflix was the primary main streaming service to severely restrict password sharing. For every account, Netflix establishes a “Netflix Family” based mostly on elements like IP addresses and system IDs, and it limits entry from exterior that location.

• Altering areas: You possibly can change a Family location by way of Netflix’s TV apps, utilizing a code despatched to the account holder’s e mail handle.
• Bending the foundations: Netflix has no documented limitations on how typically you possibly can change, although you could ultimately must replace the house location each time you log in.
• What about journey? Netflix will briefly allow you to watch whereas away from residence, although you could have to enter a verification code despatched to your e mail handle. You possibly can keep away from this further step through the use of Netflix’s cellular app on your private home Wi-Fi community no less than as soon as a month.
• Further members: Netflix’s Customary plans can add one further member, whereas Premium plans can add two. Every further member prices $7 per thirty days with advertisements or $9 per thirty days with out.

Disney+ and Hulu on-demand

Disney started limiting passwords for its streaming providers in 2024. Just like Netflix, each Disney+ and Hulu set up a “Family” location and limit out-of-home viewing.

• Altering areas: You possibly can set up a brand new Family location by way of the Disney+ and Hulu TV apps, utilizing a code despatched to the account holder’s e mail handle.
• Bending the foundations: Disney says there “could also be a restrict” to what number of occasions you possibly can replace a Family location or say you’re away, however doesn’t disclose what that restrict is.
• What about journey? Each Disney+ and Hulu supply “I’m away from residence” choices whereas touring, although you might have to enter a verification code first.
• Further members: You possibly can add an additional individual to Disney+ or Hulu for $7 per thirty days with advertisements or $10 per thirty days with out. It’s $1 per thirty days further for the Disney+ and Hulu bundle. Further members aren’t allowed for Disney’s bundles with HBO or ESPN.

Be aware that Hulu + Reside TV has completely different restrictions. Extra on that shortly.

HBO Max

HBO Max’s password sharing crackdown started in earnest final 12 months, with the same method to Netflix and Disney. The service will routinely set up a “family” location and should restrict entry from exterior the house.

• Altering areas: You possibly can manually replace your private home location by way of the HBO Max app on a TV, utilizing a code despatched to the account holder’s e mail.
• Bending the foundations: HBO Max says it could restrict what number of occasions you possibly can change residence areas or declare to be touring, at which level you’ll must contact customer support. It doesn’t disclose what the restrict is.
• What about journey? There’s an “I’m Touring” possibility for short-term out-of-home entry, which can require a verification code through e mail. HBO Max suggests utilizing the app in your cellphone at residence no less than as soon as each 90 days to keep away from interruptions.
• Further members: Including a member prices $8 per thirty days and offers the identical advantages (as an example, ad-free or 4K video) as the principle plan. You possibly can’t add a member to the HBO bundle with Disney+ and Hulu.

Streaming providers with inherently impractical password sharing

Apple TV

Apple TV helps as much as six simultaneous streams with no out-of-home viewing restrictions, however sharing your Apple ID and password with others is a foul thought. Anybody who can entry your Apple account for streaming may entry issues like your iMessage historical past and iCloud Pictures.

An Apple Household Sharing group does let as much as six individuals entry the identical subscriptions, together with Apple TV, however you possibly can solely belong to at least one Household Sharing group and might’t change teams greater than as soon as per 12 months. This principally is smart for people who’re truly a part of the identical household, however no less than residing collectively isn’t a requirement.

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon permits three simultaneous streams per account, two streams whereas watching the identical content material, or one stream for pay-per-view occasions.

Only one downside: Anybody with entry to your Amazon account may make purchases, view your Amazon Pictures, and work together with Alexa in your behalf. Including somebody to an Amazon Household limits that entry, however you possibly can solely add one different grownup per account.

YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium solely permits you to stream on a single system at a time, however since YouTube and Google accounts are the identical, you most likely don’t wish to share your password with anybody. The choice is to get a YouTube Premium Household plan at $23, as this may be shared with 5 different individuals in a Google household group.

Streaming providers that haven’t blocked password sharing (but)

Peacock

Peacock permits you to watch on as much as three gadgets at a time, with no restrictions on out-of-home entry from inside the USA.

Password sharing remains to be technically in opposition to the foundations, although, as Peacock’s phrases of service say that “you could not share your subscription exterior of your family,” and warns that it might “restrict, droop or terminate entry” for violating these phrases.

Paramount+

Paramount+ helps three simultaneous streams from wherever inside the USA. Like Peacock, its phrases of service forbid sharing an account “with anybody apart from members of your family,” although it’s not broadly imposing these guidelines for now.

Fox One

Fox hasn’t specified what number of simultaneous streams it helps for Fox One, although StreamTV Insider reviews that the restrict is “round three” for out-of-home viewing.

As for restrictions on password sharing, Fox One hasn’t introduced any, although its phrases of service discourage it. The corporate says it could impose simultaneous stream limits or system limits to forestall account sharing with individuals exterior your private home.

ESPN Limitless

A assist web page on ESPN’s website says you “might not share your subscription exterior of your family.” However in contrast to Disney+ and Hulu, ESPN doesn’t present any info on the way to replace your Family or entry the service whereas touring. Since ESPN Limitless solely launched final 12 months, enforcement should still lag behind Disney’s different providers.

Password sharing guidelines for reside TV streaming providers

YouTube TV

YouTube’s reside TV streaming service could be shared with as much as 5 different members of a Google household group and permits as much as three simultaneous streams.

However there’s a catch: Every member must entry YouTube TV on the residence of the account holder no less than as soon as each three months (or as soon as per thirty days for MLB programming), and native channels will solely be obtainable from the member’s present location. You possibly can solely change a YouTube TV account’s residence location twice per 12 months.

Hulu + Reside TV

Hulu’s reside TV service is a principally a non-starter for password sharing. When you can watch on as much as three cellular gadgets at a time whereas touring, you possibly can’t watch on TV gadgets from exterior the house in any respect.

Fubo

Fubo lets as much as three gadgets stream from exterior the house on the identical time, however you possibly can solely watch on a TV from one location at a time. If somebody’s already watching on TV at residence, anybody else who tries to look at on TV from elsewhere will get an error message. Additionally, native channels will come from the present location, wherever you’re.

DirecTV

Of all the foremost reside TV streaming providers, DirecTV’s password sharing insurance policies are the loosest. The service helps streaming on as much as three gadgets from exterior the house, two of which could be TV gadgets akin to good TVs and streaming gamers.

Whereas DirecTV hasn’t laid out any enforcement measures in opposition to password sharing, its phrases of service do say to maintain your password confidential and to “to not share it with anybody else.”

Philo

Philo helps as much as three simultaneous streams, and its phrases of service don’t point out password sharing.

Frndly TV

Roku’s rerun-centric reside TV service permits both one, two, or 4 simultaneous streams relying on plan. Whereas Frndly doesn’t disclose any enforcement measures in opposition to password sharing, its phrases of use say you possibly can solely share credentials “with family members residing collectively on the identical bodily handle and sharing a standard residing house.”

May you get banned?

Thus far, I’ve not heard of a single streaming service that’s banned a paying buyer outright for sharing their password, as a result of that may be counterproductive. As a substitute of eliminating legit prospects, firms like Netflix and Disney are extra all for including inconveniences for password sharers who aren’t already paying.

All of which is to say there’s little hurt in testing the foundations. However when you’re on the receiving finish of another person’s login, don’t be stunned when you’re ultimately shut out.

Join Jared’s Wire Cutter Weekly publication for extra streaming TV recommendation.