Netflix isn’t all that complicated to use (unless something breaks, that is). You log in, scroll through the selections, and pick something to watch. Of course, like all services, there’s more than meets the eye here. Netflix has a handful of hidden features and settings under its sleeve, including a rather iconic secret code system—at least, it’s iconic for those in the know.
Netflix’s secret codes
One of Netflix’s best secret features is its hidden codes, and that’s really just because they’re fun. Unbeknownst to many subscribers, the company uses a system of codes to denote different categories of content. Each broad category has its own code, but within each of those categories exists a number of hyper-specific categories with their own codes.
For example, Netflix’s “Action & Adventure” genre has a code of 1365, but within that category there are subcategories, including “Hijacking movies” (20541), “Spy action & adventure” (10702), and “Comic book and superhero movies” (10118). According to Netflix, there are over 36,000 of these codes (and, as such, corresponding categories) and counting. Seeing as your app likely doesn’t return nearly 36,000 categories when you browse, that’s a lot of different ways to sort Netflix content that you’re missing out on. But where do you find these codes?
Netflix-Codes.com used to be the go-to database for these codes, and it still appears at the top of a Google search, but the site is clearly missing most of those 36,000 codes. You’ll find more of those codes on the site What’s on Netflix, but even its list is only dated to 2023. Still, there are over 4,100 codes here to try. Maybe someday Netflix will put together a dedicated database of all its codes and categories, but until then, we work with what we’ve got.
Once you have a code you want to use, you’ll need to go back to Netflix. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to browse with Netflix codes in the app on a smartphone or tablet. These codes only work when watching Netflix from a desktop browser. You can simply enter your code of choice into Netflix’s search bar, or go there directly from the following link, replacing the (xx) with your code of choice: https://netflix.com/browse/genre/xx.
Search for specific content types
Similarly, you can utilize the search function in the app or site to find content types rather than just titles. For example, maybe you only want to see things that are available on 4K. Search for 4K, and you’re golden. The same goes for Netflix originals: A search for “Netflix” will filter results only for the content Netflix owns. Get creative with your search queries and see what results pop up.
Save and share clips
If you’ve ever tried to take a screenshot of a Netflix show, you’ll know it’s folly. If you attempt it, you’ll only end up with a black image, since Netflix blocks any screen recording tool from capturing the playback window.
But Netflix does let you save and share clips of your favorite shows and movies—if you play by their rules. If you have an ad-free account, you can start up a show or movie on your mobile app, then tap the screen and choose “Moments.” Tap “Save,” then tap the “Share” button to send the clip to another user. Or, head to the My Netflix tab to watch it again.
Turn off previews
Maybe it’s just me, but I cannot stand streaming services that play a preview for a show or movie when I have that piece of content selected. I’d be fine if the preview was an option, like under a dedicated “Preview” button, but to autoplay previews every time I stop scrolling on Netflix is a huge pain. Luckily, you can turn these off.
To do so, log into your account in a web browser, click “Manage Profiles,” then choose the profile you want to adjust settings for. Click “Playback Settings,” then uncheck the box next to “Autoplay previews while browsing on all devices.”
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Skip the intro from your keyboard
If you watch Netflix on your computer, you probably use your keyboard to control playback. The space bar starts and stops the video, the esc key takes you out of full screen, and the F key puts you back in full screen. You might also know that the left and right arrows can skip back and forward 10 seconds, the up and down arrows can adjust the volume, and the M key mutes the video.
But what you might not know is you can also skip the intro to a show from your keyboard. All it takes it a press of the S key when the “Skip Intro” option appears—though I am a firm believer in watching the intro.
Manage your watch history
The things you watch on your account are your business, but Netflix likes to make it everyone else’s—at least those who can access your account. Luckily, you can hide items from your watch history at any time, whether you watched someone you’d rather people not know about, or you notice other people have watched things you don’t want appearing in your history.
Head back to your profile settings in a web browser, then click “Viewing activity.” Here, you’ll find a complete list of everything that has ever been watched on your Netflix account. You can hide individual items by clicking on the “no” symbol, or click the “Hide all” button to conceal all at once.
While you’re here, you can click “Rating” to manage the ratings you’ve doled out over the years. You can see what you rated each item, and switch the rating to something else: either a thumbs down, thumbs up, or double thumbs up.
Lock your profile behind a PIN
Want to keep other people on your account from watching things on your profile? You can lock your profile behind a four-digit PIN. Just head back to your profile settings in a web browser and choose “Profile Lock.” Here, click “Create a Profile Lock,” enter the account password, then follow the on-screen instructions to set up your PIN.