How to Utilize the Netflix Party Feature With Friends

Tanja Tanja

Written by Tanja Streaming / Netflix

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As of recently, Netflix evolved once again and added yet another feature for us to explore and utilize, known as Netflix Party. This option is definitely something completely new for these kinds of platforms as it offers a legit engagement and entertainment.

Now, Netflix is not just there for movie nights and tv shows but also for experiencing something different. With Netflix Party we have the chance to watch parties while having them and what could be more fun than that?!

What's a Netflix Party?

In a nutshell, Netflix Party is a feature that Netflix offers in order to enable a synced playback and shared group chat with Netflix shows. This service works as a free Google Chrome extension and is available only on Chrome browsers on desktop but what is great is that you can also bring it to the big-screen.

Nevertheless, there are a couple of things you should prepare prior starting a the Netflix party:

Invite your Netflix friends

You need to invite your friends that are subscribed users on Netflix and they will be asked to access the Netflix Party on their own Netflix accounts. So, before you pick the show, check and make sure that everyone you invited is subscribed.

A thing to remember is that an active Netflix membership can be shared within six devices, however only two simultaneous streams are allowed.

Choose who will control the playbacks

You need to decide on who will be the host of the Netflix Party because that person will be the only one with permission to fast forward and rewind. So, if the one who is chosen does not choose this option, everyone who is invited will have the permission to control the playback.

Put out the group chat rules

The Netflix Party makes it available for you to customize the group chat with user icons and some original nicknames. Now, this is a very good opportunity to make it spice things up and make it really fun. Also, you can also share emojis and GIFs, emojis and even share screenshots.

How to use a Netflix Party with friends

These are the steps on how to host a Netflix Party on Mac:

  1. Download Netflix Party Chrome extension from the Chrome Web Store.
  2. Access Netflix in Chrome.
  3. Look for the show or movie you are interested to watch and hit 'Play'.
  4. Click on the 'red NP button' which is next to the address bar.
  5. Check 'Only I have control' if you want to be the only one with permission to rewind and fast-forward the playback.
  6. Click on 'Start the party'.
  7. Copy the URL link and share it with your Netflix friends.

Here is how to join a Netflix Party:

  1. Go to the Chrome Web Store and download the Netflix Party extension.
  2. Click your invite URL.
  3. Click on the 'red NP button' next to the address bar and join the party.
  4. If this is your first time joining in, choose your user icon and nickname so that your friends can recognize you in the chat.
  5. Get ready to binge-watch it all.

How to quick-fix a Netflix Party that is not working

There is no need for panic over the grey button. In fact, the NP button won’t be active until you start streaming and this means that your friends will not be able to join you while you are scrolling through the dashboard.

Therefore, you should hit Play and once you do that, the NP button will change color from grey to red.

Another recommendation is to restart your Chrome. You need to quit all Chrome tabs that are active and re-open it again. This trick is definitely a no-brainer but many users tried it and reported that it may help.

Also, you can try adjusting the extension settings and here is how you can do it:

Click on the 'NP button' > 'Manage Extensions'. On the Settings page, toggle 'Allow access to file URLs'.

Last, go to Netflix and give it another try.