Disney+ Changes the Rules for Sharing Accounts Introduces Paid Sharing for Family & Friends. While Disney+ has long allowed account holders to share their login credentials with a limited number of people within their household, the new policy will require additional payments for those who extend access to others outside of the home.
This shift is part of a broader trend among streaming services as they seek to increase revenue and combat password sharing. Similar measures have been implemented by platforms like Netflix and Hulu, which have also introduced fees or restrictions for shared accounts.
This week, Disney+ expanded its paid sharing program to give its users ways to enjoy their Disney+ subscription along with a family member or friend, through the management of devices within a household.
These features and capabilities are now available in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region after launching in select markets over the summer.So, what is paid sharing, what does it mean for your account, and how will it impact everything Disney+ has to offer? Here’s what you need to know:
How does paid sharing work?
Your Disney+ subscription is meant to be used within your Household, which is a collection of devices associated with your primary personal residence that are used by the individuals who reside there. But what about people outside of your Household? They will need to sign up and pay for their own subscription or be added as an Extra Member to your account for an additional monthly fee to continue enjoying Disney+.
Wait, how do I add someone outside my Household to my subscription?
Account holders who want to add someone outside of their Household to their Disney+ subscription will be able to do so with the Extra Member add-on. For example, in the U.S., an Extra Member profile will cost an additional $6.99 per month for Disney+ Basic subscriptions and $9.99 per month for Disney+ Premium subscriptions. Note that only one Extra Member slot is available per account*.
Related: Disney+ October Schedule Brings Rock & Roll, LEGO Marvels, and Sideshow Bob with Disney Villains
*Extra Member not available for Disney Bundle subscribers or for subscribers billed through our partners at this time.
Is there an alternative to the Extra Member add-on?
As an alternative to Extra Member, people outside of your Household can sign up for their own subscription to watch Disney+. As the account holder, you can transfer an eligible profile to a new subscription or Extra Member to keep that profile’s Disney+ watch history and settings. Note that certain profiles – including primary profiles (account holders), minors’ profiles, and those set to Junior Mode – cannot be transferred.
Okay, so can I watch Disney+ outside of my Household?
Yes, if you’re away from home or on the go, you’ll still be able to watch Disney+ on your supported devices as the account holder or member of your Household.
If you’re on the go and you see the message “This TV doesn’t seem to be part of the Household for this account”, you can mark yourself as I’M AWAY FROM HOME, or select UPDATE HOUSEHOLD if you’ve recently moved and need to reset the Household location for your Disney+ subscription. These selections will require a one-time passcode that’s sent to the email address associated with the account.
Is there anything else I need to consider when choosing a paid sharing option for Disney+?
For more details on the benefits and differences between a Disney+ subscription and an Extra Member add-on – including eligibility, pricing, and plan features – visit the Disney+ Help Center in your region.
