Where to find your plan settings

Log into Netflix on a web browser — not the app — and go to your account page. Click "Membership & Billing" in the left menu. You will see your current plan name, your billing date, and a button that says "Change Plan" or "Upgrade Plan" depending on which direction you are moving. Click that button to see what is available in your region.

The change takes effect on your next billing date, not immediately. If you downgrade from a higher tier to a lower one, you keep the higher tier until that date arrives, then drop to the new plan. If you upgrade, you may be charged a prorated amount — the difference between what you already paid and what the new plan costs, calculated to your next billing date.

Netflix does not charge a cancellation fee if you downgrade or cancel. You can change your plan as many times as you want, and there is no penalty for switching back later.

Key Takeaways

  • Plan changes happen on your next billing date, not right away, so you keep your current tier until then.
  • Downgrading costs nothing and removes no penalty, but you lose access to higher-tier features like 4K or extra member slots on that billing date.
  • Upgrading may charge you a prorated amount for the difference between your current plan and the new one.
  • You must use a web browser to change your plan; the Netflix app does not have a plan-change option.
  • Cancelling your account is permanent — Netflix does not save your watch history or profile settings if you rejoin later.

What each Netflix plan includes

Netflix offers different tiers depending on your country. In the United States, the main plans are Basic (lowest cost, one screen at a time, standard definition), Standard (two screens at once, HD quality), and Premium (four screens at once, 4K quality). Some regions also offer a Basic with Ads plan, which costs less but includes advertisements during shows and films.

The Standard and Premium plans let you add extra member slots — people outside your household who can use their own login. Each extra member costs a monthly fee on top of your plan price. You set up extra members in the same "Membership & Billing" section where you change your plan.

If you are on a plan that no longer exists — Netflix retires old plan names sometimes — you will see a note saying your plan is "legacy" and a prompt to move to a current plan. You are not forced to move immediately, but Netflix may eventually require it.

How to downgrade your plan

Click "Change Plan" on your account page and select a lower tier from the options shown. Netflix will tell you what you will lose: if you downgrade from Premium to Standard, for example, you lose 4K quality and the ability to watch on four screens at once. You will also lose any extra member slots you added, though you can add them back if you upgrade later.

Confirm the downgrade. Netflix will show you the new monthly price and the date the change takes effect. You will not be charged anything extra — your next bill will simply be lower. If you downgraded partway through a billing cycle, your next bill reflects the prorated difference.

After you downgrade, you can still watch everything on your current plan until your billing date. On that date, the lower tier becomes active and you lose access to the higher-tier features.

How to upgrade your plan

Click "Change Plan" and select a higher tier. Netflix will show you the new price and ask you to confirm. If you are upgrading partway through your billing cycle, you will be charged a prorated amount — the cost of the extra days at the higher tier — on your next bill. The upgrade takes effect immediately, so you can use the new features right away.

If you add extra member slots during an upgrade, each slot also costs a monthly fee. You can remove extra members at any time without downgrading your plan itself.

How to cancel your Netflix account

Go to "Membership & Billing" and scroll to the bottom. Click "Cancel Membership." Netflix will ask you why you are leaving and may offer you a discount to stay. You can ignore this and continue with cancellation, or take the offer if it interests you.

Confirm the cancellation. Your account will close on your next billing date. You keep access to Netflix until that date, then your login stops working. Netflix does not refund unused time in your current billing cycle.

If you cancel and rejoin later, Netflix treats you as a new account. Your watch history, saved shows, and profiles are gone. You start fresh with no memory of what you watched before.

What happens if you share your password

Netflix has cracked down on password sharing outside your household. If you share your login with someone who does not live with you, Netflix may ask you to verify that person is authorized. You can add them as an extra member instead, which gives them their own login and profile while keeping them on your account.

If Netflix detects sharing and you do not respond to verification requests, it may temporarily lock your account or require you to change your password. This is not a permanent ban, but it is a sign to either add them as an extra member or stop sharing the login.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my plan on the Netflix app?

No. The app does not have a plan-change option. You must use a web browser, log into your account on Netflix.com, and go to "Membership & Billing" to change or cancel your plan.

Will I lose my watch history if I downgrade?

No. Downgrading keeps your watch history, profiles, and saved shows. You only lose access to higher-tier features like 4K or extra screens. Cancelling your account is what erases your history permanently.

Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-cycle?

No. Netflix does not refund unused time in your current billing period. If you cancel on the 5th of the month and your billing date is the 20th, you lose the unused 15 days. You keep access until the 20th, then your account closes.

What is the difference between downgrading and cancelling?

Downgrading moves you to a cheaper plan and keeps your account active with a lower tier. Cancelling closes your account entirely. You can rejoin after cancelling, but your watch history is gone. Downgrading preserves everything.

Can I pause my Netflix subscription instead of cancelling?

Netflix does not offer a pause feature. Your options are to keep your current plan, downgrade to a cheaper tier, or cancel. If you cancel and rejoin within a few months, Netflix may offer you a discount to come back, but there is no official pause option.