Netflix is the most popular streaming service, with a wide range of movies and TV shows to choose from, including must-see originals like Squid Game and The Witcher that you can’t watch on any other platform.
Unlike Amazon Prime Video or Paramount+, Netflix does not offer a trial period – this has not been the case for a long time. However, free options are available if you’re looking for a new phone, TV or broadband contract. Here’s what you need to know. You can also check out our article on which Netflix plan is best for you.
Use T-Mobile’s “Netflix on Us” offer
If you live in America and are considering buying a new smartphone (like the Samsung Galaxy S24), it’s worth considering T-Mobile as your carrier. The following packages are bundled into Netflix as a free benefit:
- Any Go5G with two or more lines
- Any Magenta plan with two or more lines
- Any Go5G Next, Go5G Plus or Magenta MAX plan
To take advantage of this offer, log into your T-Mobile account on the web or app, select “Account”, then “Add-ons”, then “Manage Data and Add-ons” and then “Services” . From here, you can either create a completely new account on Netflix or link an existing account to change billing.
You can see more information on the Netflix and T-Mobile help pages.
Starting January 24, 2024, new users will only be able to benefit from the Standard plan with ads. In addition to ads, this plan also comes with a slightly more limited library compared to ad-free plans.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Sign up for Verizon’s Netflix & Max plan
Some mobile plans from US provider Verizon offer the option to get both Netflix and Max (HBO’s streaming service) for an extra $10 per month. Granted, it’s not free, but Max with Ads costs $9.99 per month and Netflix Standard with Ads costs $6.99 per month, so you’re essentially getting two streaming services for the price of one.
Here are the following plans with which you can get the add-on:
- Unlimited Ultimate
- Unlimited Plus
- Welcome unlimited
Again, existing Netflix accounts can be linked and you can pay the difference if you want to upgrade to an ad-free plan. Learn more on the Verizon website.
Sign up to Sky with free Netflix included
If you live in the UK and are considering signing up to Sky Q, Sky Glass or Sky Stream, you’ll need an entertainment package in addition to your hardware. Fortunately, Sky offers Netflix in its offer. This is the Standard plan with ads, but you can upgrade to Standard or Premium for £6 more per month or £11 per month respectively.
Sky prices vary, but there are often discounts throughout the year. Right now you can get the Glass TV for just £14 a month for the first three months.
You should be able to activate your Netflix account through the app on your device – you can find full instructions on the Sky website.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
If you have a Complete Works plan or an All Rounder plan on UK operator EE (or a Smart plan purchased before August 17, 2022), then you can choose to have Netflix as an all-inclusive extra and completely free. Note that this only concerns plans for Android smartphones.
This is the basic package of Netflix, therefore without advertising. Once you’ve selected one of these phone plans and chosen Netflix as your benefit, EE will send you an SMS to activate your new account, which must be done within seven days.
If you already have a Netflix account, make sure you sign up for Exclusive Extra with the same email address you use for streaming. The website should then confirm whether you wish to continue with the plan offered by EE, and if you select yes, your billing should be reversed.
You can find out more on the EE help page.
Does Netflix offer a free trial?
Netflix unfortunately discontinued its free trial in 2019. This was available for 30 days, giving users a full month to try the entire library.
It also offered a free library of limited shows and movies, including Stranger Things and Bird Box. Again, this is no longer an option for users.
Can I share a password on Netflix for free?
Another popular method to access Netflix for free was to share a password, but Netflix has taken action against this practice over the past year. Now, it encourages people living in different homes to sign up as an “additional member” on an account, or sign up for a new subscription entirely.
You can read more about ending password sharing on Netflix here. It’s also worth noting that Disney+ will follow suit with its own border in the coming months.
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