How you can beat Disney+ password sharing restrictions as streaming service cracks down on user logins

Disney+ has announced plans to stop 'freeloaders' from sharing their accounts and therefore paying for fewer subscriptions. 

But there are still ways around the new restrictions so you can keep borrowing that one friend's log-in.  

The rules currently mean that one subscription can be used by a single 'household', on the group of devices in one home.  

Usually Disney, along with other streaming companies such as Netflix, will count the TV you sign in on as the main device and then any others wishing to use that subscription must use the same Wi-Fi network at least once a month. 

In order to avoid having to pay for an extra subscription there are reasonably easy ways to get round the rules, according to the Life Hacker blog.  

One option - if you live near the home of the person paying for the account, is to visit their home once a month - and log-into their Wi-Fi and stream Disney+ for a little while on your phone, tablet or laptop. 

This should convince the account that it is being streamed by devices considered within the same household. 

Disney+ will then 'remember' your device for the next 30 days, thinking it's part of the household for the account.  

Streaming on a smart TV outside the primary residence of the account is a little trickier. 

However, Life Hacker recommends authenticating a different tablet on the household's Wi-Fi once a month and then casting it on you smart TV at home. 

Disney announced its plans to crack down on password-sharing earlier this year with enforcement said to be escalating in September. 

'We started our password-sharing initiative in June. That kicks in, in earnest, in September,' said CEO Bob Iger at a recent meeting. 

Iger said the proposed plan had been positively received by most subscribers and the company was confident it was making the right decision.

'We've had no backlash at all to the notifications that have gone out and to the work we've already been doing,' he said.

Cracking down on password sharing has worked for Netflix, with soaring profits and record subscriber numbers.

Disney has struggled to emulate its rival's streaming success even with hits such as The Bear, Star Wars and the Marvel films on its service.  

Indeed Disney is raising the price of most of its streaming plans in America - a year after the last hike.

The prices will take effect from October 17 and affect Disney+, Hulu and ESPN - the three streaming services run by the entertainment giant.

Disney+ with adverts rise to $9.99 from $7.99 a month - a 25 per cent increase. The advert-free tier will go up $2 to $15.99.