How a device limit works
Each device that signs in is recorded against the account with an identifier, a name and the date it was last used. When a new device tries to sign in past the limit, the service refuses and shows the list, so the account holder can remove one. Many services also limit how often devices can be swapped, to stop the list being rotated among many people.
Device limit vs concurrent stream limit
They work together. A household plan might allow five registered devices and two simultaneous streams. A stream limit alone lets a login be passed around indefinitely as long as people watch at different times; a device limit closes that gap.
- Device limit: how many devices may be attached to the account at all
- Concurrent stream limit: how many of them may play at the same moment
Setting it fairly
- Count what a real household has: phones, a tablet, a laptop and one or two televisions
- Let viewers manage their own device list without contacting support
- Remove devices unused for months automatically
- Use a separate, lower limit for devices holding downloads
- Make a higher limit a reason to choose a better plan
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