You can change your Netflix plan from your account settings in seconds

Log into Netflix on any web browser or open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner (on web) or bottom right (on mobile), then select Account. Look for a section called Membership or Plan Details — the exact label depends on which Netflix app version you have. From there, you'll see your current plan and a button to change it. Click that button, choose your new plan from the options shown, and confirm. The change takes effect immediately if you're upgrading, or at the start of your next billing cycle if you're downgrading.

Netflix shows you exactly what you're paying now and what you'll pay after the change before you confirm anything. If you downgrade, you won't lose access to your account — you'll just have fewer simultaneous streams or lower video quality on your new plan. If you upgrade, you'll be charged the difference right away, prorated to your billing date.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Account settings from your profile menu to find your current plan and the option to change it.
  • Upgrading takes effect immediately and charges you a prorated amount for the remainder of your billing cycle.
  • Downgrading takes effect on your next billing date, so you keep your current plan until then.
  • You can pause your subscription for up to three months instead of canceling if you want to come back later.
  • Canceling removes your account and all saved preferences, but you can reopen it anytime by logging back in.

What each Netflix plan includes

Netflix offers different plans with different video quality and number of screens you can watch at the same time. The Standard with ads plan is the cheapest option and includes ads during shows and movies, but lets you watch on one screen at a time in standard definition (SD). The Standard plan removes ads, still limits you to one screen, but upgrades video to high definition (HD). The Premium plan costs the most and lets you watch on up to four screens at once in 4K quality on supported devices.

Which plan makes sense depends on how many people in your household watch at the same time and whether you care about video quality. If you live alone or only one person watches at a time, Standard is usually enough. If multiple people watch simultaneously or you have a large TV where you notice the difference between HD and 4K, Premium is worth the extra cost. The ads plan works fine if you don't mind commercials and want to save money.

Downgrading your plan

When you downgrade — moving from Premium to Standard, for example — Netflix doesn't charge you anything extra. Instead, the price difference is credited back to your account, and the downgrade takes effect on your next billing date. This means you'll keep your current plan with all its features until your next payment is due, then automatically switch to the cheaper plan.

If you downgrade from a plan that allows four simultaneous streams to one that allows only one, you won't lose access to your shows and movies. Your watchlist, viewing history, and saved preferences stay exactly as they are. The only thing that changes is how many screens can play Netflix at the same time and the video quality available to you.

Upgrading your plan

Upgrading to a more expensive plan — like moving from Standard to Premium — takes effect right away. Netflix charges you the difference between your current plan's price and the new plan's price, calculated for the days remaining in your current billing cycle. For example, if you upgrade five days before your next billing date and the difference is $6 per month, you'd be charged roughly $1 right away.

Once you upgrade, you can immediately use all the features of your new plan. If you upgrade to Premium, you can start watching on four screens at once and access 4K content right away. There's no waiting period — the change is instant.

Pausing instead of canceling

If you want to stop paying for Netflix but think you might come back later, you can pause your subscription instead of canceling it. Go to Account settings, find the Membership section, and look for a Pause subscription option. You can pause for up to three months at a time. While paused, you won't be charged, but your account stays open with all your preferences and watchlist saved.

After three months, Netflix will automatically resume charging you unless you pause again or cancel. Pausing is useful if you're taking a break for the summer, waiting for new seasons of shows you follow, or just need a few months without the expense. You don't lose anything by pausing — when you come back, everything is exactly as you left it.

Canceling your Netflix account

To cancel, go to Account settings, find the Membership section, and select Cancel membership. Netflix will ask you why you're leaving and may offer you a discount to stay, but you can skip that and proceed to cancel. Your account closes at the end of your current billing cycle, so if you cancel on the 15th of the month and your billing date is the 20th, you'll have access until the 20th, then it stops.

When you cancel, Netflix deletes your profile, watchlist, and viewing history. However, you can reopen your account anytime by logging back in with the same email and password. Netflix will restore your account but not your old watchlist or history — those are gone permanently. If you think you might return, pausing is a better option than canceling.

Troubleshooting plan changes that don't work

If you try to change your plan and get an error message, the most common cause is a problem with your payment method. Check that your credit card or payment account hasn't expired and that you have enough funds available. Go back to Account settings and look for Payment info or Billing to update your card details if needed.

If updating your payment method doesn't fix it, try logging out completely and logging back in. Sometimes the Netflix app or website gets stuck and needs a fresh session. If you're on a mobile app, try switching to the web version at netflix.com instead — web browsers sometimes handle payment changes more reliably. If the problem persists, Netflix's support page at help.netflix.com has a contact option where you can describe the specific error message you're seeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my shows and movies if I downgrade?

No. Your watchlist, viewing history, and saved preferences stay the same no matter which plan you choose. The only things that change are video quality and how many screens can watch at once. You can still watch everything in Netflix's library on a lower plan.

Can I change my plan on the Netflix app, or do I have to use a web browser?

You can change your plan on either the app or the web version. On mobile, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, select Account, then find your plan details. On web, click your profile icon at the top right and select Account. Both work the same way.

What happens if I upgrade mid-month?

Netflix charges you a prorated amount for the days remaining in your current billing cycle. The upgrade takes effect immediately, so you can use all features of your new plan right away. On your next billing date, you'll be charged the full monthly price of the new plan.

If I cancel, can I get my watchlist back if I rejoin later?

No. When you cancel, your watchlist and viewing history are deleted permanently. If you rejoin, you'll start with a blank slate. If you think you might return, pausing your subscription for up to three months preserves everything without charging you.

Why is my plan change pending or not showing up?

Plan changes usually take effect instantly for upgrades or on your next billing date for downgrades. If it's been more than a day and nothing has changed, check your payment method in Account settings — an expired card or failed payment often blocks plan changes. Update your billing information and try again.