How to change your Netflix payment method
You can change how Netflix charges you by going to your account settings, selecting your payment method, and entering new card or payment details. Netflix stores this information securely and will use the new method for your next billing date. The process takes a few minutes and doesn't interrupt your service.
The exact steps depend on whether you signed up through Netflix directly, through an app store like Apple or Google Play, or through a third-party service like a cable provider. Each route has a different place to update payment information, and changing it in one place doesn't change it in another.
Key Takeaways
- If you signed up directly on Netflix.com, you change your payment method in Account Settings under Billing, not in your app.
- If you subscribed through an app store or cable provider, you must change your payment method through that service, not through Netflix.
- Netflix will charge your new payment method on your next billing date, and you can see when that date is in your account settings.
- You can add a backup payment method so Netflix can retry a failed charge without interrupting your service.
Changing payment if you signed up directly with Netflix
Go to netflix.com and sign in to your account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then select Account. Under the Billing section, you'll see your current payment method and billing date.
Click "Update payment method" or the pencil icon next to your payment details. Enter your new card number, expiration date, and CVV, or select a different payment option if Netflix offers alternatives in your region (some areas support PayPal, gift cards, or local payment methods). Click Save, and Netflix will use this method for your next charge.
If your card is declined on your billing date, Netflix will try again a few times over several days. During this period, you can still watch, but your account will eventually pause if payment doesn't go through. Adding a backup payment method prevents this: in the same Billing section, you can add a second card that Netflix will charge if the first one fails.
Changing payment if you subscribed through an app store
If you signed up through the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Amazon Prime Video, Netflix doesn't handle your payment directly. Instead, the app store or service charges you, and Netflix receives the subscription fee from them.
To change your payment method, you must go to the app store or service itself, not to Netflix. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name, select Subscriptions, find Netflix, and update your payment method through Apple. On Android, open Google Play, go to your account settings, select Payments and subscriptions, then Subscriptions, find Netflix, and update your payment method there. If you subscribed through Amazon Prime Video, go to Your Account in Amazon, select Memberships and Subscriptions, find Netflix, and update payment through Amazon.
Netflix won't see your new payment details—the app store or service handles all billing. If you want Netflix to manage your payment directly instead, you can cancel your subscription through the app store and sign up again at netflix.com with a card or other payment method.
Changing payment if you subscribed through a cable or internet provider
Some cable and internet providers bundle Netflix into their service and charge you through your provider bill. If this is your setup, you can't change your payment method within Netflix—you change it through your provider's account.
Contact your cable or internet provider's customer service or log into your provider account online. Find the section for bundled services or add-ons, locate Netflix, and update your payment method there. Your provider will continue to charge you for Netflix along with your regular bill.
If you want to pay Netflix directly instead of through your provider, you'll need to remove Netflix from your provider bundle and sign up separately at netflix.com. This usually means your provider discount for Netflix goes away, and you'll pay Netflix's standard monthly rate.
What happens when Netflix charges your new payment method
Netflix charges on the same day each month that you signed up or last renewed your subscription. You can see your billing date in Account Settings under Billing. When that date arrives, Netflix will charge your new payment method automatically.
If the charge fails—because the card is expired, the account is closed, or there are insufficient funds—Netflix will attempt to charge again over the next few days. If all attempts fail, your account will pause, and you won't be able to watch until you update your payment method again or add a working backup card.
You can change your payment method at any time, even a few days before your billing date. The new method will be used for the upcoming charge. If you want to avoid a charge altogether, you can pause your subscription or cancel it before your billing date.
Payment methods Netflix accepts
Netflix accepts major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover in most regions). In some countries, Netflix also accepts PayPal, local payment methods, or prepaid gift cards. The options available depend on where you live and how you signed up.
If you signed up through an app store or cable provider, the payment methods available are limited to what that service supports. For example, if you subscribed through Apple, you can only use payment methods linked to your Apple ID.
Removing a payment method or pausing billing
You can't remove your only payment method while your subscription is active—Netflix needs a way to charge you. However, you can pause your subscription for up to 10 months without canceling it. During a pause, Netflix won't charge you, and your profile and watch history stay saved.
To pause, go to Account Settings, select Membership and Billing, and choose Pause Membership. When you're ready to resume, you can reactivate your account, and Netflix will charge your payment method on file.
If you want to cancel your subscription entirely, you can do that in the same section. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, so you'll have access until then. You can sign up again later without losing your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my payment method interrupt my Netflix service?
No. Your service continues uninterrupted. Netflix will use your new payment method on your next billing date. You can change your payment method any time, even days before you're charged.
What if my new card is declined?
Netflix will retry the charge several times over a few days. If all attempts fail, your account pauses. You can add a backup payment method in your Billing settings so Netflix can charge that card if your primary card fails, keeping your service active.
Can I use a debit card instead of a credit card?
Yes. Netflix accepts debit cards from Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The process is the same as adding a credit card. Make sure your debit card has sufficient funds on your billing date.
If I subscribed through Apple or Google Play, can I change my payment method in Netflix settings?
No. You must change it through the app store itself. Netflix doesn't handle payment for subscriptions bought through app stores. Go to your Apple, Google, or Amazon account settings to update your payment method there.
What if I want to switch from paying through my cable provider to paying Netflix directly?
Cancel Netflix through your provider's account, then sign up at netflix.com with your own payment method. You'll lose any provider discount, but you'll pay Netflix directly and manage your subscription independently.