Most of us are familiar with using a PIN to unlock our smartphones or withdraw cash from an ATM. But did you know you can also set a PIN on your Amazon Prime Video account?
If you‘re scratching your head wondering what a Prime Video PIN is and why you might want one, don‘t worry. As an avid streamer and Amazon shopper myself, I‘m here to share everything you need to know about this useful account security feature.
By the end of this guide, you‘ll be a Prime Video PIN pro who can secure your account and take control of what content is accessible. Let‘s dive in!
What Is an Amazon Prime Video PIN?
An Amazon Prime Video PIN is a unique 5-digit code you create to restrict unwanted purchases and control what video content can be viewed on your account. It acts as an extra layer of security on top of your account password.
Once you set a PIN, it will be required to:
- Make any video purchases, rentals or subscriptions
- Play specific titles based on their maturity rating, like R-rated movies
- Prevent changes to your Prime Video settings
You can customize your PIN preferences from a web browser or the Prime Video app. The PIN settings will then apply across most devices signed into your account, like smart TVs, streaming media players, game consoles and more.
Why Should I Use a Prime Video PIN?
While totally optional, using a Prime Video PIN comes with some key benefits:
Prevent accidental or unauthorized purchases
We‘ve all been there – you hand your tablet to your kid to watch their favorite cartoon and suddenly you‘re the proud owner of a new movie or channel subscription you didn‘t intend to buy. With a PIN in place, you can avoid surprise charges by requiring your code to confirm any purchases.
Keep adult content away from kids
As much as we love Prime Video‘s huge library of movies and shows, not everything on there is appropriate for the whole family. Setting a maturity rating level PIN keeps kids from stumbling upon more grown-up videos while still giving adult profiles full access.
Maintain a personalized viewing experience
If you share your Prime account with friends or family members, you probably don‘t want them messing up your carefully curated watchlist and recommendations. While you can‘t lock a profile with a PIN (more on that later), you can make it harder for others to snoop on what you‘ve been watching.
Add an extra security shield to your account
Protecting your Prime account with a strong password is a smart first line of defense. But if someone does get ahold of your password, having a PIN provides another barrier to stop them from racking up charges or seeing your viewing history. It‘s like putting a deadbolt on your front door in addition to locking the knob.
How to Set Up a Prime Video PIN on Desktop
Ready to create your PIN and customize your account settings? Here‘s how to do it on a computer:
- Sign into your Amazon account and go to the Prime Video section
- Click the gear icon and select "Settings"
- Choose the "Parental Controls" tab on the left side
- Under "Prime Video PIN", select "Change"
- Enter your new 5-digit PIN and click "Save Changes"
Now that your PIN is set, you can decide exactly how you want to use it. In the same Parental Controls menu, you have a few options.
To require a PIN for any digital video purchases, rentals or subscriptions, turn on "PIN on Purchase". You can also choose the maturity rating levels you want to restrict with a PIN by adjusting the sliders under "Viewing Restrictions".
For example, setting PG-13 will require a PIN to watch any videos rated PG-13, TV-14, R or NC-17. Finally, use the checkboxes under "Apply Viewing Restrictions To" to set which devices you want your PIN settings to work on.
Setting a PIN on Fire Tablets, Phones & TV Devices
The process of using a Prime Video PIN is slightly different on Amazon‘s Fire line of devices. These products have their own built-in parental control settings separate from what you set up for your overall Amazon account.
On a Fire tablet or phone, go to Settings > Parental Controls to create a PIN and set restrictions. You can choose which specific apps and features to block. Fire TV devices have similar options in the Settings menu under Preferences > Parental Controls.
One cool feature is that you can create a "Kid-Friendly" profile with pre-set restrictions to make it easier for your child to safely navigate Prime Video. It‘s also possible to add a lock screen PIN to a Fire device to keep others from even accessing the interface.
Managing Your Prime Video PIN Settings
Now that you‘re basking in the warm glow of having a protected Prime account, here are a few other key things to keep in mind about PINs.
Resetting a forgotten PIN
Can‘t recall the PIN you set? No worries. On a web browser, just go back into Prime Video Settings > Parental Controls. Under "Change Prime Video PIN", click "Forgot PIN" and then enter your account password to create a new one. You can also change an existing PIN you do remember here anytime.
Adjusting PIN preferences on multiple devices
I recommend customizing your PIN settings on a computer for the most detailed options. But if you need to tweak things on the fly, you can access pared-down versions of the Parental Controls menu on a mobile device or TV.
Just know that updates can take a few minutes to sync everywhere. If you‘re still having trouble, try logging out of the Prime Video app on a device, then logging back in to force a refresh.
Turning off or removing a PIN
Changed your mind about using a PIN? While it‘s not currently possible to completely delete a Prime Video PIN once it‘s enabled, you can toggle off the restrictions to essentially bypass it.
Under Parental Controls, switch "Viewing Restrictions" to "None" and uncheck any devices. This won‘t remove your PIN entirely in case you want to use it again later, but it will lift the content blocks and purchase warnings you had set up.
Limitations of Prime Video PIN Protection
A PIN is a powerful tool for adding a little extra peace of mind to family streaming time. But there are a few areas where it falls short.
No kid-proof profile lock
Unlike rival services like Netflix, Prime Video doesn‘t let you lock a profile with a PIN. So while you can make it harder for kids to see mature videos or buy titles, they can still easily switch over to an adult‘s profile and mess with their viewing preferences.
To really keep kids in their own lane, your best bet is to only give them access to a separate Amazon Kids+ subscription profile with baked-in parental controls.
Limited content filtering
Prime Video‘s content rating system is pretty broad, so even if you set a PIN for PG-13 or TV-14 titles, your kids still might end up seeing some iffy stuff depending on your family‘s standards. And there‘s no way to block specific titles or keywords. The PIN is more of a blunt instrument than a scalpel when it comes to restrictions.
Doesn‘t apply to third-party apps
Here‘s where things get tricky. When you subscribe to Prime Video Channels like HBO, Showtime or Paramount+, you can watch them right inside the Prime Video app.
But purchases and content restrictions for these add-ons aren‘t covered by your PIN settings. You‘ll need to set the necessary parental controls for each of those apps separately.
Using a PIN with Amazon Household
If you have an Amazon Household set up to share your Prime benefits with family, you might be wondering how PINs work across the linked accounts. The short answer is that they don‘t.
Each adult account in an Amazon Household has its own separate PIN settings. So you‘ll need to set up and customize a PIN in each account individually if you want them synced up. The same goes for kid profiles – they‘ll have their own PINs under the primary adult account they‘re assigned to.
It‘s also worth noting that only the primary adult account can add or remove other accounts in a Household. But both adults can manage the PIN and parental controls for themselves and any kid profiles associated with them.
Prime Video PIN FAQs
What if I‘m still having trouble with my PIN?
If you‘ve double-checked your settings, logged out and back in again, and waited a few minutes for any changes to update, it might be time to contact Amazon support for help. You can reach out via phone, email or live chat.
What do I do if my kid guesses my PIN?
This is why it‘s really important to choose a PIN that‘s hard for others to crack! If you suspect your PIN has been compromised, change it right away in your account settings.
Then have a frank discussion with your child about why the restrictions are in place and what the consequences will be if they break the rules again. You may also want to set a PIN on the device itself, so they can‘t even access Prime Video without your help.
How does a PIN compare to other services?
Prime Video‘s PIN offering has some standard features, like content filters and purchase blocks. But it‘s definitely a bit behind the curve compared to other major streaming services.
For example, Disney+, HBO Max and Apple TV+ all have the option to lock specific profiles with a PIN. Netflix lets you block individual movies or shows by name. And services like YouTube TV allow you to set screen time limits to curb total viewing.
If you‘re looking for the absolute most robust parental controls in a streaming service, Prime Video probably isn‘t your best bet. But if you mainly want to keep your account secure and filter out some inappropriate content, a PIN can still get the job done.
Remember, nothing is foolproof when it comes to online safety. While tools like PINs are great to have, they work best paired with regular conversations about healthy viewing habits for the whole family.
Key Takeaways
A Prime Video PIN is a handy way to prevent unauthorized purchases, restrict mature content and keep your watchlist pristine. You can set one up in a few clicks from a browser or the Prime Video app and customize it to your liking. The PIN will work across most devices, with the notable exception of Fire tablets, phones and TVs that have their own parental control settings.
While you can‘t delete a PIN entirely once it‘s enabled, you can turn off the viewing and purchase restrictions if you change your mind. A PIN is most useful for protecting kids from age-inappropriate videos, but it won‘t let you lock profiles or block specific titles.
If you‘re primarily interested in stopping others from messing with your account, a PIN is a great option to have in your streaming security toolkit. Hopefully you‘re feeling a bit more confident about how PINs work and whether one is right for your household.
Now go forth and stream safely! If you have any other questions, feel free to drop them in the comments. I‘ll do my best to update this guide with the most current info. Happy watching!
Courtney Runn
Courtney Runn is a freelance writer and streaming guru who believes there‘s always room for one more subscription. When she‘s not binge-watching the latest buzzy series, you can find her wrangling toddlers, taste-testing snacks and tweeting way too much.
