Because Netflix itself is already like, the most user friendly thing you use, it's surprising news that there are ways to make it even easier to use. Here's a few suggestions and enjoy your slow descent into couch potato-dom.
1. Get trailers and IMDB and Rotten Tomato ratings on your Netflix screen
Like, you know when you see something on Netflix and you're not sure if it's going to be any good or not but you don't want to trust the Netflix ratings because what the hell are those but also you can't be bothered to get up another tab, head over to IMDB and check the rating and trailer? SO hard. NEnhancer is a Google Chrome add-on (just put this link into Chrome and click 'Add To Chrome' - it couldn't be easier) that adds those ratings and the trailer right to your Netflix page. Now, when you hover over a show or film there should be a camera icon (click that to watch the trailer) and a rating out of ten (use that to decide if you want to watch the film - don't go below 6.5 or you'll be really sorry).
2. Erase your embarassing binge watches
So what if you've watched all of Gossip Girl in the last three weeks. It's a great show. Probs not one you want to share with the boy coming over for Netflix and Chill though (gross sorry). To prevent your 'Continue Watching For Sarah Or Jane Or Whatever Your Name Is' section giving it away that you last watched Season 5, epsiode 13 of Gossip Girl (a great episode; will Blair marry Prince Louis or run off with Dan Humphrey?), delete your history. To do this, go to your little icon in the top right hand corner, click on 'Your Account' then 'Viewing Activity' and delete exactly what you don't want other people to see.
3. Find all Netflix's hidden categories in a really simple way
Remember a few months ago when everyone was freaking out about all those hidden categories and how some guy had worked out the number for each category that you had to add to your URL to view them? Yeah, someone's made an app for that. Or, a Chrome add-on. Called Netflix Super Browse, (again, just put the link into Google, click 'add to Chrome' and Bob's your mum), it gives you another drop down menu next to the 'Browse' button that lets you view all categories. Like 'military documentaries'. My fave.
4. Watch Netflix with friends. Who don't live with you
Just because you're both too lazy to leave your house doesn't mean you can't still watch a film together. Get add-on Netflix Party ( your friends are going to need it too) and start streaming your chosen film. A pop up will come up asking if you'd like the start the party. Tell it that yes, you would like to start the party and it'll give you a code to share with your pals who put it in their own Netflix Party. It's a whole thing. You can chat too while the film's going on. I did it with Cowspiracy. That was a fun convo.
5. Remove those pauses in between shows
Really? You can't wait 30 seconds for the next show to start or, better yet click 'Start next episode'? Ok then. Netflix Pause Removal will take those away for you. But we're judging you.
6. Turn you phone into a Netflix remote
Because sometimes, when your laptop's at the end of the bed and you're at the head, it's a long way to reach out and press pause. Get the 'Remote to Netflix' app on your phone. It costs £1.49 but really, can you put a price on never ever having to move again? I didn't think so.
7. Watch Netflix at work
There's a guy I used to work with who did this. And not even slyly. I have a lot of respect for him. If your bosses are slightly stricter than ours though, they're probably not going to look kindly on you catching up on Making A Murderer whilst you're meant to be spreadsheet-ing the hell out of the annual reports or whatever boring thing you're meant to be doing. Get Helium then - an app that lets you watch Netflix in a floating window that can become translucent so you can still see your boring spreadsheet behind it. Also - it stops your pesky spreadsheet from going in front of your Netflix window meaning you don't miss much. Wanna shrink it in a hurry though? Click the icon on the dock.
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F0llow Jess on Twitter @Jess_Commons
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.