5 Things You May Not Know About Netflix

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow me on X.

Are you a Netflix subscriber? If so, you’re one of scores of millions in the United States. The company is the largest streaming service in the nation. Despite its popularity, however, much is not known about Netflix’s features and benefits. With that in mind, we have compiled this list of ‘5 Things You May Not Know About Netflix’ to help you get even more from your streaming service.

1. You Can Watch Netflix Without an Internet Connection

Subscribers with shaky Internet service will be happy to hear that you can watch both TV shows and movies from the Netflix catalog without the Internet so you never have to miss a favorite show during your holiday vacation, even when you’re driving. It’s a relatively simple process, and here’s how you can do it:

What You Need to Watch Netflix Without the Internet

First, you will need one of the following:
* An iPhone, iPad, or iPod running iOS 9.0 or later;
* A phone or tablet running Android 4.4.2 or later;
* An Amazon Fire tablet running Fire OS 4.0 or later;
* Windows 10 (version 1709 or later) or Windows 11 tablet or computer, or;
* Chromebook and Chromebox computers using the Netflix app from the Google Play Store.

You cannot download a Netflix title on any other device. But if you have one of the five devices listed above, you’re half-way home.

Once you find a title you want, go to its description page and click on the download icon, which looks like this: If your Internet connection is at least moderately fast, the download should take less than 10 minutes. (You might also want to try Netflix’s new feature, Downloads For You. Click here to learn more.)

Once the download is completed, you can access it from the ‘My Downloads’ section of the app you are using to watch Netflix. Click on the ‘Play’ icon next to the title, and it will begin to play, whether you are connected to the Internet or not.

The downloaded title will stay in your Netflix ‘My Downloads’ file so long as it’s available in the Netflix catalog. If the title expires, and is removed from Netflix’s library, it will no longer be available for downloading.

What Video Quality Does a Netflix Download Have?

You can also set the video quality of your download, from standard-definition to 1080p High-Definition. The higher the video quality, the longer it takes to download the show or movie.

Last note: If you plan to watch Netflix on an app installed on your hotel’s TV, or one in a vacation rental one, be careful of inputting your user name and password. If you don’t log out of the account before the end of your stay, the next person who stays here will have access to your account. So be sure to log out.

2. You Can Subscribe to Netflix Without Using a Credit Card

We have become so accustomed to using a credit card for online accounts that we forget that there could be another option. And guess what, there is another option. Yes, you can pay for a Netflix account with using a credit card — and using cash. But no, you don’t want to send them your hard-earned dollars through the mail. Netflix won’t accept it, and I seriously doubt that you would ever see it again, if you know what I mean. Here’s what you should do:

How to Pay For Netflix With Cash

Get a Netflix gift card from one of the following participating retailers: Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Kroeger or New Egg. Make sure the gift card will cover the time you want to subscribe to Netflix. For example, Netflix has a $6.99 a month ads-included plan. If you get a $25 gift card using cash, that would be good for three months before you would have resubmit a new gift card.

After getting the gift card, go to Netflix’s gift card page and open an account using the gift card number and PIN. And that’s it. You’ve opened a Netflix account without a credit card.

Netflix says that once your gift card runs out of money, it will send you a reminder to input a new gift card to continue your subscription.

“Yes, you can buy more than one gift card to use on your account. You can enter the gift cards at netflix.com/redeem and your balance will increase with each gift card you add,” the streamer states.

3. You can use a Hotspot to stream Netflix
If you’re not watching a Netflix download, you will need an Internet connection to stream.  Many mobile phones and tablets can run on 5G, LTE or other Internet mobile plans — and, yes, you can create a Hotspot from your mobile device to create a wireless Internet network in your home. For instance, your spouse and kids could access your Hotspot to surf the Net on their computer or other devices. (Consult the settings of your mobile to learn how to create a Hotspot.)

Most Hotspots have data limits, and if you go over the data limit — which I guarantee you will if you start binging on Netflix — you will pay a fortune in overage charges. But the Hotspot with an unlimited data plan could be a great alternative to buying an expensive Internet service from a cable or telco company.

But before you go and set one up, here are a few cautions:

* You can stream Netflix, or your other favorite streaming services, without fear of overages. But some unlimited plans come with a feature that will reduce the resolution of the picture once you start using a large amount of data. If you care about picture quality, this could be a real annoyance.

* Some Hotspots on mobile devices are not compatible with Smart TVs or even Smart TV devices. The set or set-top may detect the Hotspot connection, but you may not be able to actually connect to it to stream. So before buying a long-term Hotspot plan, make sure your connected TV will be able to pick up the signal.

So, bottom line, the Hotspot with an unlimited plan removes the worry of excessive monthly charges, but there’s no guarantee it will work to your satisfaction, or at all. Again, before buying a long-term plan, give the Hotspot a spin in your home for a few days.

4. You can turn off Netflix’s Autoplay feature.
Does Netflix’s Autoplay ever drive you crazy? You know, you’re scanning the Netflix aisles for a possible selection and suddenly a preview for a show starts playing. Well, there’s a way to stop that.

How to Turn Off Netflix Autoplay

On an iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet:
1. From the lower right, tap My Netflix
2. From the upper right, tap More  or 
3. Tap Manage Profiles .
4. Select the profile you want to edit.
5. Toggle the switch next to Autoplay Previews  to turn the setting on or off.
6. In the upper right, tap Done.

On all other devices:

1. From a web browser, go to your Account page.
2. From the Profile & Parental Controls section, select a profile.
3. Select Change for Playback settings.
4. Check Autoplay previews while browsing on all devices.
5. To stop Autoplay previews, uncheck the box. On TVs, turning off autoplay previews doesn’t stop Autoplay from the details page of a TV show or movie.
6. Click Save.

By the way, if you would like to turn on or turn off the feature that automatically plays the next episode after you finish one episode, you can do that, too.  The autoplay for episodes is also included in your Manage Profile account. Simply check or uncheck the option to Autoplay For Next Episodes.

5. You can listen to Netflix with Spatial Audio
Netflix offers Spatial Audio on select titles with its $22.99 a month Premium plan which also includes 4K movies and TV shows. Titles available with spatial audio will have the spatial audio label next to their description.

What Is Netflix’s Spatial Audio?

Spatial audio is a cutting-edge technology that simulates an immersive, three-dimensional sound environment for the listener. With spatial audio, the listener can experience sound as if it were coming from multiple directions and distances, making it an excellent tool for enhancing the overall listening experience.

In traditional stereo sound, the sound waves are mixed to create a left-right signal, which is then played through two speakers. The listener hears the sound coming from the left or the right side of the speakers, depending on how the sound waves are mixed. However, spatial audio goes beyond the traditional stereo sound by creating a sense of space and depth.

It’s not exactly Dolby Atmos, which creates the sensation of hearing sound over your head and elsewhere. But it’s not a nice substitute for those who do not have Dolby Atmos-enabled equipment. Netflix says spatial audio on the Netflix Premium plan plays enhanced sound without surround sound speakers or home theater equipment. Spatial audio works on all Netflix supported devices like smart TVs, streaming devices, computers, phones, and tablets. Click here to learn more about Spatial Audio.

Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.