Disney+ is rolling out a new paid sharing feature, expanding to regions like the US, Canada, Europe, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Asia-Pacific. This allows subscribers to add one person outside their household for an additional fee: $6.99 per month on the Basic plan or $9.99 for Premium.
For those who choose not to share, individuals outside the household can set up their own accounts and transfer their profile, maintaining watch history and preferences. However, profiles such as minors, primary account holders, or those in Junior Mode are restricted from being transferred.
In addition to the sharing feature, Disney+ now allows subscribers to watch while traveling or away from home. If a user tries to stream on a device outside their usual location, they may see a message prompting them to confirm if they're "away from home" or need to update their household location. A one-time passcode will be sent to the account holder's email for verification.
This update comes after Disney+ first teased the feature in August, revealing pricing details and functionality. These changes align with broader trends in the streaming industry, as platforms crack down on account sharing.
Netflix implemented similar measures in 2023, limiting household sharing by tracking IP addresses and device IDs, and offering sub-accounts for an extra $7.99 per month, though its ad-supported plan doesn’t allow additional members.
As both Disney+ and Netflix increase prices and restrict account sharing, users may need to reconsider how they manage streaming costs and subscriptions, with some finding the added fees challenging to justify amidst the price hikes.
