Many people have been using Netflix for years at this point, but there are a few features they wish it had—and some really useful ones that have been removed. Thankfully, you can extend Netflix's functionality and options with these handy Chrome extensions.
Note : Before Google's Manifest v2 extension update , there were a lot of Netflix Chrome extensions. Unfortunately, Google's extension update removed many popular plugins and their developers have not updated to the new version.
5. Sleep Timer for Netflix
According to the website Pocket Lint, Netflix tested a built-in sleep timer in its Android app in 2021. As the name suggests, you start watching a video and set a timer for when you want to stop. When the timer runs out, your video stops playing.
However, this feature was never rolled out globally to other Netflix devices or platforms and has been discontinued.
However, you can restore that functionality with the Sleep Timer for Netflix Chrome extension. Once installed, you can adjust the amount of time you want to watch Netflix in the extension settings. The extension has default sleep options from 15 minutes to 1 hour, or you can add a custom value.
The only downside to Sleep Timer for Netflix is that it only pauses the show. That's great if you fall asleep while watching Netflix and don't want to miss the next episode, but you still have to figure out how to turn off your screen. You can pair it with Windows' sleep timer command, or maybe your computer monitor, TV, or laptop has a built-in sleep timer that you can schedule with Sleep Timer.
4. Netflix Skipper
Why doesn't Netflix have this feature yet? Sure, intros and recaps are great, but if you're rewatching something, have seen the intro, or just hate the show's theme tune, you'll want to skip ahead as quickly as possible.
The Netflix Skipper Chrome extension does exactly that, skipping you through time-consuming intros, summaries, and next episode screens without any typing. After testing it with a few different shows, Netflix Skipper works well at quickly moving from episode to episode, cutting out long intros and skipping to the beginning of the next episode.
However, if you're worried about missing out on opening sequences, like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, don't worry. It doesn't skip those, it skips the actual intro at the start. Very convenient!
3. Picture-in-Picture
Sometimes you'll want to watch a video while you work. At home, if you have a dual-monitor setup, assigning a show or movie to the second screen is fine. But you won't have that option when you're working on a laptop.
This is where the Picture-in-Picture extension comes in handy. Once installed, you launch Netflix, click the Picture-in-Picture extension button, and a new video pane appears immediately. The only real downside to the new window is that it doesn't have in-frame controls. You still have to go back to Netflix to control the smaller video window, which is a bit annoying. Also, note that in the image above, the author is watching a movie on Netflix, but the screen goes black when you open the screenshot tool to prevent copyright infringement.
Now, Picture-in-Picture isn't just for Netflix. Like Microsoft Edge's native picture-in-picture mode, this Chrome extension lets you view entire video sites in a smaller window. It's really handy if you're following a tutorial or getting an overview of something you need to keep watching while you work.
2. Trim
Trim is one of the most complete Chrome extensions for Netflix. It brings a bunch of new options to Netflix, including IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes ratings, the ability to 'blur' low-rated movies from those platforms, a dedicated picture-in-picture mode, faster integrated search, and more. It's a huge list of really useful Netflix tools.
Once installed, you'll notice a few small changes to your Netflix screen. First, each show or movie now appears with its IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes ratings in the upper right corner, giving you a quick look at whether it's worth your time. Second, when you tap the new Trim button on the menu bar, low-rated items will "gray out" and let you know they might not be worth watching.
You can also click the Trim icon in the Chrome extension toolbar to adjust the ratings to 'fade out,' increasing the review score so you only see the highest-rated content.
Trim is a really handy way to make finding new Netflix content much easier, cutting out the hassle of having to look through countless reviews, and it's well worth using for this purpose alone.
1. Teleparty
Okay, this isn't a direct improvement to your daily Netflix consumption, but it's a fun tool nonetheless. Teleparty (originally known as Netflix Party) has been thrust into the public consciousness during the COVID-19 pandemic, when social distancing rules kept many people at home for extended periods of time. It's been around since before the pandemic, but the feeling of watching with friends was just what was needed during those difficult times.
And Teleparty is still a great tool. Once you sign up and install the Chrome extension, you'll be asked to list your streaming services. With just a few clicks, you can send invites to your friends to watch the latest and greatest content on Netflix. What people really like about Teleparty is the sidebar chat feature. It doesn't just sync videos for you and your friends; it creates a little social space for you to chat while your movie or show streams.