Want to keep your Netflix viewing habits private from family members or roommates? Netflix lets you create up to 5 separate profiles per account, but these profiles remain visible to everyone who uses your account.
This guide walks you through four simple steps to secure your profile with PIN locks, manage your viewing history, and boost your privacy on the streaming platform. Let’s get your Netflix profile locked down tight.
Key Takeaways
Netflix doesn’t offer traditional profile hiding, but users can secure profiles with 4-digit PIN codes through web browser account settings.
Profile Lock PINs protect individual profiles from unauthorized access, requiring password verification and supporting up to 5 profiles per account.
Users can manage viewing history privacy by hiding individual titles or clearing entire viewing activity through Netflix account settings.
Main profiles cannot be deleted, Kids profiles lack PIN protection, and devices made before 2013 don’t support profile features.
Extra member accounts are limited to single profiles without additional creation options, restricting privacy control for shared accounts.
Table of Contents
Can You Hide a Netflix Profile?

Netflix doesn’t offer a traditional “hide” option for profiles, but you can secure them with PIN codes and privacy settings. This approach gives you control over who accesses your viewing data and personal recommendations on your netflix account.
What Does Profile Visibility Mean on Netflix?

Profile visibility on Netflix controls who can see and access individual user profiles within your netflix account. Each profile appears on the main screen after you log in through your web browser, android phone, or tablet.
Users can manage profiles by creating separate spaces for different family members or viewing preferences. This system allows each person to maintain their own viewing history and personalized recommendations.
Your netflix.com account can hold multiple profiles, and each one stays visible to anyone who opens the streaming app. Profile accessibility means that all created profiles show up on the selection screen by default.
Kids profiles automatically restrict content to age-appropriate shows and movies through built-in parental controls. I’ve found this particularly useful when sharing my account with family members who have different viewing tastes.
Privacy isn’t about hiding something; it’s about protecting what matters to you.
Visibility settings become important when you want to control access to specific profiles or maintain separate Netflix gift card funded accounts.
Account sharing often requires better privacy controls to keep individual viewing preferences separate. Profile locks provide the next level of security through PIN protection systems.
How Do You Use a Profile Lock PIN on Netflix?
Netflix’s Profile Lock PIN feature acts like a digital password for your personal viewing space. You must visit the Netflix account page through the web to set up this security measure.
The system requires you to log into your main account first, then select which profile needs protection. This setup process mirrors how you’d secure browsing history or manage cookies on your iPhone or iPad.
Setting up the PIN lock demands your account password for verification. Netflix gives you flexibility here, you can secure individual profiles or protect your entire account with one PIN.
The web interface makes this process straightforward, though you’ll need to navigate away from the regular Netflix app. Once activated, anyone trying to access your locked profile must enter the correct PIN, keeping your viewing preferences and history private from other household members.
Steps to Restrict Access to a Netflix Profile

Protecting your Netflix profile requires specific security measures that go beyond basic account settings. You can control who sees your viewing activity and prevent others from accessing your personal recommendations through built-in privacy tools.
How Do You Set Up a Profile Lock PIN?
Setting up a Profile Lock PIN requires access to your Netflix account through a web browser. This security feature protects your main profile from unauthorized access using a simple 4-digit code.
- Open your web browser and navigate to the Netflix Account page using your login credentials.
- Locate the main profile, which appears as the far left option during the “Who’s watching?” screen selection.
- Click on “Profile Lock” from the available profile management options.
- Enter your current Netflix account password to verify your identity and proceed with PIN creation.
- Create a unique 4-digit PIN that others won’t easily guess, avoiding obvious combinations like birthdays or passwords.
- Save your PIN settings and exit the account management section.
- Refresh your streaming device by switching between profiles or signing out completely, then signing back in.
- Test the PIN functionality by attempting to access your locked profile from the main selection screen.
- Verify that older devices in your home support Profile Lock PINs, as some legacy hardware may not display this feature.
How Can You Manage Viewing History for Privacy?
Profile locks protect access, but viewing history requires separate management. Netflix stores detailed activity logs for each profile that smart users can control through specific privacy tools.
- Access your Netflix Account page through any web browser and locate the viewing activity section for complete history management.
- Select the specific profile you want to manage, then open the “Viewing activity” option to view all watched titles and episodes.
- Click the hide icon next to any title or episode to remove individual items from your viewing history permanently.
- Use the “Hide all” option at the bottom of the viewing activity page to remove your entire viewing history in one action.
- Wait up to 24 hours for changes to reflect across all your devices, including smart TVs and mobile apps.
- Create a separate profile for private browsing sessions to keep certain viewing habits completely isolated from your main account.
- Note that titles accessed through Netflix Kids profiles cannot be hidden due to parental control restrictions and safety features.
- Add profile locks to prevent others from accessing your cleaned viewing history after you’ve managed your privacy settings.
- Check your viewing activity regularly to maintain privacy, especially if you explore free Netflix options or share accounts.
Limitations of Hiding a Netflix Profile

Netflix profile hiding comes with several built-in restrictions that limit your privacy options. You cannot delete the main profile on a Netflix account, which means the primary profile stays visible to all account users.
Kids profiles don’t support profile locks or maturity settings, leaving these accounts without protection features. Devices made before 2013 lack profile support entirely, forcing users to rely on newer hardware for basic privacy controls.
Extra member accounts face the strictest limitations since they’re restricted to a single profile and cannot create additional ones. This setup prevents extra members from organizing separate viewing spaces or hiding their activity from the main account holder.
Some older devices and smart TVs require you to visit Netflix.com through a web browser if you can’t create, edit, or delete profiles directly. These technical constraints mean that even Netflix’s popular shows like Arcane might appear in shared viewing histories despite your privacy efforts.
How Will Netflix Profile Privacy Features Evolve in 2025?

The streaming platform’s privacy features will likely expand beyond the current Profile Lock PIN system. No specific data exists about exact changes coming in 2025, but patterns suggest more granular control options.
Users might see enhanced viewing history management, guest mode features, and improved parental controls. The PIN protection system will probably become more sophisticated, offering different access levels for various content types.
Older devices face compatibility challenges as new privacy tools roll out. Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming sticks from several years ago may not support advanced security features.
The platform typically phases out support for outdated hardware, which means some users might need device upgrades to access newer privacy controls. Profile customization will likely include more detailed sharing options, letting users choose exactly what content appears visible to other account holders.
People Also Ask
Can you actually hide a Netflix profile from other users?
Yes, you can hide a Netflix profile by setting up a PIN lock. This security feature prevents other household members from accessing your personal viewing history and recommendations.
What are the main steps to lock and secure a Netflix profile?
The process involves four key steps: accessing your account settings, selecting the profile you want to protect, enabling PIN protection, and confirming your security preferences. These steps help safeguard your personalized content from unwanted access.
Will hiding my Netflix profile affect my viewing recommendations?
No, securing your profile with a PIN actually protects your viewing algorithm. Your recommendations stay private and tailored to your preferences, while other users cannot see or influence your content suggestions.
Can family members still see a locked Netflix profile in the main menu?
The profile remains visible on the main screen, but accessing it requires entering the correct PIN. This approach maintains family sharing while protecting individual viewing privacy and personal data.
References
https://help.netflix.com/en/node/264
https://findmykids.org/blog/en/netflix-parental-controls
https://www.tomsguide.com/how-to/how-to-set-up-profile-pin-locks-on-netflix (2022-08-16)
https://help.netflix.com/en/node/24805
https://help.netflix.com/en/node/122551
https://help.netflix.com/en/node/114277
https://help.netflix.com/en/node/22205
https://help.netflix.com/en/node/10421
https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/8/21213397/netflix-profile-lock-pin-protection-how-to-set-up
https://www.hollyland.com/blog/how-to-lock-netflix-profile (2025-06-26)