Netflix hidden features — how to access secret categories, games and more

Netflix hidden features — how to access cloak-and-dagger categories, games and more

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

As the most popular streaming platform worldwide, Netflix is 1 of the best streaming services for a good reason. Not only does information technology offer a range of excellent original programming, equally well as beloved third-party content, but its UI is i of the virtually user-friendly in the business organization.

Navigating the service'south deep content library is a breeze; and while the all-powerful Netflix recommendation algorithm isn't perfect, it tends to hit more it misses. If you've spent a lot of time using Netflix, y'all might think you know all the platform's secrets and shortcuts, but there are actually a few hidden features you might not be familiar with.

These features could assistance heighten your viewing experience, or even offer you the take a chance to play a game instead of watch something. Below, you'll find all the Netflix hidden features you need to know nearly, and how to access them.

Stranger Things 3: The Game promotional art — (Image credit: Netflix/BonusXP)

While Netflix is known primarily as a place to watch movies and TV shows, did you know that the service also gives y'all access to a load of games?

You tin can access these games via the Android or iOS app. Just open up the Netflix app and type "games" into the search bar. There'due south a whole range available, including Stranger Things iii: The Game. Just select the one you desire to play and tap "get game" to begin the installation process.

In one case installed, you tin admission the games as y'all would ordinarily on your mobile device rather than needing to open the Netflix app each time. However, you will lose admission to any downloaded games if your Netflix subscription lapses.

Netflix on a laptop screen — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

One of the all-time means to enhance your Netflix experience is by installing third-political party extensions. If you sentry Netflix via the Google Chrome browser, the Chrome Web Store offers hundreds of useful extensions to choose from.

I of our personal favorites is Netflix Party, which allows you to host remote viewing parties with your friends and family unit. This extension syncs up your called content to ensure that everyone is watching at the same time, and in that location'south even a conversation characteristic if you want to share your reactions.

Netflix search showing basketball movies — (Image credit: Netflix)

If the standard Netflix categories aren't quite specific plenty for you, the platform offers an additional range of content groups that can be accessed via secret codes.

For example, if you lot type 7424 into the search bar, you'll be greeted with a whole range of anime content. This isn't the but secret category — type in 47465 and y'all'll get a load of Western films, while 48744 will give you a collection of classic and contemporary war movies to choose from.

If you want to get even more than specific, codes like 12762 will bring upwards the service's offering of basketball game movies and documentaries, or 10256 will give you slapstick comedies. Y'all can see a full list of codes here.

It should be noted that not all of these codes volition piece of work in every region. Plus, Netflix has an annoying addiction of regularly switching codes around, then some of them may no longer work.

Netflix on Android — (Paradigm credit: Tom's Guide)

While Netflix does offer its own "play annihilation" feature if you lot're feeling indecisive, we detect the web tool Netflix Roulette a much ameliorate option if you can't decide what to watch next.

The tool does pretty much exactly what you'd await, past picking a show or motion-picture show at random from Netflix'south content library for you to sentry. Where Netflix Roulette gets the edge over the platform'south own randomizer, is that you can filter by genre or fifty-fifty IMDb rating to ensure you always get something you'll actually desire to picket.

Give it a try next time yous're aimlessly scrolling through Netflix. You can even add additional services to the mix, such as Amazon Prime Video or Disney Plus.

Now you've discovered some of Netflix's hidden features, take a wait at our picks of Disney Plus hidden features and hidden Prime Video features you may have missed. And if you're planning a picture or series binge, check out how to download TV shows and movies from Netflix to your device.

Rory is a staff writer at Tom's Guide based in the United kingdom. He covers a wide range of topics including tech news, deals, gaming, streaming and more than. When he's non writing hot takes on the latest gaming hardware and streaming shows, he can exist found watching a borderline unhealthy amount of movies and being thoroughly disappointed past his terrible football team.