Netflix turns 26: 5 hacks to enhance your binging experience

“Netflix and chill” has become a part of the common parlance, and so is the iconic ‘Tudum’ sound. It’s been 26 years since Netflix came into existence, and it has played a pivotal role in how we view the OTT space today. But have you ever wondered if we are using Netflix to its full potential? On the service’s 26th anniversary, here’s a look at five hacks that will enhance your binging experience.

5 Netflix tricks to make streaming content easier

1. Secret codes to reveal hidden genres

Do you usually find yourself struggling to find a movie or web series to watch? Well, you’re not alone. And to ease this issue, Netflix has a bunch of secret codes set for every hidden genre.

These codes make your search job easier by simply giving you the search result that you were seeking. For instance, you might easily find a horror genre on the Netflix menu. But if you specifically want a Zombie Horror movie, try entering the code 75405 in the search menu and see the results. Similarly, there are other codes worth trying out, including 43040 (action comedies), 7442 (adventure), 10118 (comic book and superhero movies), and so on.

2. VPN to watch Netflix content of other countries

Netflix’s catalogue of content differs from country to country. Due to licensing restrictions, the application can’t broadcast common content worldwide. However, you can watch other country’s content through a VPN regardless of which country you reside in. All you need to do is invest in a premium VPN service (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, ProtonVPN, etc), install on your device, and choose a relevant country before logging into Netflix. You’ll immediately see a bunch of content you wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

3. Customising subtitles for convenience

Have you ever wished to customise subtitles on screen to make it easier for you to read? Turns out, Netflix has a setting that lets you tweak the way subtitles look. You can simply go to settings and choose your preferred font, size, colour, and shadow colour.

ALSO READ: Netflix rolls out ‘My Netflix’ tab to keep track of your binge list

4. Stream better with shortcuts

We always tend to look for shortcuts in everything we do, so why not while binge-watching? Navigating while streaming content on Netflix can get a lot easier with keyboard shortcuts. Play, pause, rewind or change the volume; all this can be done with the help of your laptop keyboard keys. For example, you can press ‘S’ to skip the intro, ‘M’ to toggle the mute button, and more.

5. Flip screen for comfortable viewing

Say goodbye to the pain that comes with late night binge-watching on the bed. Despite your best efforts, your neck may not always be up for long watch sessions on the bed. Next time, try the Netflix Flip Chrome extension. It is meant for all those who struggle to hold their head up while watching content. Just flip your screen to 90-degrees and say hello to the comfortable viewing experience.

So, the next time you watch content on Netflix, try out these hacks for a great personalised viewing session.