How to change your Netflix payment method
You can change your Netflix payment method directly from your account settings in about two minutes. Log into Netflix on any device, go to your Account settings, select "Billing" or "Payment info," and choose a new payment method from the options Netflix accepts. The change takes effect on your next billing date — your current payment method will process one final time if your billing cycle hasn't ended yet.
Netflix accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. Some regions also offer payment through mobile carriers or prepaid gift cards. The method you choose depends on what you have available and what Netflix currently accepts in your country.
Key Takeaways
- You change your payment method through Account settings, not through a separate billing portal or customer service line.
- Your new payment method starts on your next scheduled billing date, so you may see one more charge from your old method if you change mid-cycle.
- Netflix accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal in most regions, with some areas offering mobile carrier billing or gift card codes.
- If your payment fails after you change methods, Netflix will pause your account and send you an email with instructions to update your information again.
Step-by-step: changing your payment method on any device
Start by signing into Netflix on the device you're using — phone, tablet, or computer. The steps are the same across all of them. Tap or click your profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Account" from the menu that appears.
Once you're in your Account page, look for a section labeled "Membership and billing" or straightforward "Billing." Click or tap "Payment info" or "Update payment method." Netflix will show you your current payment method and a button to add or change it. Select the option to add a new payment method, then choose the type: credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
Enter the details for your new payment method. If you're using a card, you'll need the card number, expiration date, and the three-digit security code on the back. If you're using PayPal, Netflix will redirect you to log into your PayPal account to authorize the connection. After you confirm, Netflix will save your new payment method and show it as active.
When your new payment method takes effect
Your new payment method becomes active on your next billing date, not when ready. If you change your payment method on the 15th of the month but your billing date is the 20th, your old payment method will still charge you on the 20th. Your new method will be used starting on the 20th of the following month.
This matters if you're changing methods because your old card is expiring or has been declined. If Netflix tried to charge your old card and it failed, you'll need to update your payment information right away to keep your account active. Netflix will send you an email with a link to update your billing details, and you can use that link or go through Account settings as described above.
What happens if your new payment method doesn't work
If Netflix tries to charge your new payment method on your billing date and the charge fails, your account will pause. You won't be able to watch anything until you fix the payment issue. Netflix sends an email to the address on your account with a message that your payment didn't go through and a link to update your billing information.
Common reasons a payment fails: the card is expired or closed, the card issuer declined the charge (sometimes for fraud protection), you've reached your card's spending limit, or the billing address on file doesn't match what your bank has on record. Check with your card issuer or bank if you're not sure why the charge was declined. Once you've fixed the issue, go back to Account settings, update your payment method again, and Netflix will try to charge you within a few hours.
Removing a payment method versus changing it
Netflix requires at least one active payment method on your account at all times. You cannot delete your only payment method. If you want to switch from one card to another, add the new card first, then delete the old one. If you want to remove a card that isn't your primary method, go to Payment info, find the card you want to remove, and select the delete or remove option.
If you're trying to pause your Netflix subscription instead of changing payment methods, that's a different process — you'd cancel your membership through Account settings rather than just removing your payment information. Removing all payment methods won't pause your account; it will eventually cause your account to pause when Netflix can't charge you.
Payment methods Netflix accepts by region
| Payment Method | Available In | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) | Most countries | Card number, expiration date, security code |
| Debit card | Most countries | Card number, expiration date, security code |
| PayPal | Most countries | PayPal account login |
| Mobile carrier billing | Select countries (charged to your phone bill) | Mobile phone number associated with your carrier account |
| Netflix gift card or prepaid code | Most countries | Gift card code (covers a set period, then you need another payment method) |
Netflix gift cards and prepaid codes work differently from other payment methods. They cover your subscription for a set time — usually one, three, or twelve months depending on the card you buy. When the code expires, Netflix will ask you to add a credit card, debit card, or PayPal to keep your account active. You can't use a gift card as your permanent payment method.
If you're in a country where mobile carrier billing is available, you can charge Netflix to your phone bill instead of using a card. The charge will appear on your monthly phone bill from your carrier. This option is useful if you don't have a credit card or prefer to consolidate charges, but not all carriers and countries support it yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my payment method interrupt my Netflix service?
No. Your service continues without interruption. The change takes effect on your next billing date. If you change your method mid-cycle, your old method will still charge you for the rest of that cycle, and your new method will charge you starting next month.
Can I use multiple payment methods on one Netflix account?
You can add multiple payment methods to your account, but Netflix will only charge one at a time. You choose which one is primary, and that's the one Netflix uses for billing. You can switch between them whenever you want through Account settings.
What if I don't have a credit card and want to pay with something else?
Netflix accepts debit cards, PayPal, and in some regions mobile carrier billing or prepaid gift cards. Check what's available in your country by going to your Payment info page — Netflix will show you all the options you can use. If none of those work for you, a prepaid debit card from a retailer is another option.
How long does it take for Netflix to process my new payment method?
Netflix saves your new payment method when ready, but doesn't charge it until your next billing date. If your billing date is soon, the charge may go through within days. If you just changed your method and your billing date is weeks away, you won't see a charge until then.
Can I change my payment method if my account is paused?
Yes. You can update your payment information even if your account is paused due to a failed payment. In fact, updating your payment method is how you reactivate a paused account. Netflix will resume your service once the new payment method is saved and the charge goes through.