Netflix is testing a shuffle feature

Netflix is testing a new feature that would serve a random episode of a specific TV show without having to navigate the interface and pick which one you’d like to watch.

A new button labeled with the text “Play a Popular Episode” appears only in the Android app (version 7.6.0, build 19 34157) as of now. Netflix tests new features in the Android app before they roll out to iOS so this new test, if successful, could easily launch for everyone.

As spotted by Android Police, Netflix’s playback controls on certain TV shows also include a new Random Episode button for those times when you’d like to shuffle around within the currently watched shows evidenced by the screenshot top of post.

Netflix could also kill the experiment if user feedback is poor.

The new “Play a Popular Episode” section

Netflix desperately needs a shuffle option. There’s so much content on the service that I often find myself scrolling through the interface not really sure what to watch. A true shuffle option personalized just for me, based on my watch history and personal habits, would be great.

Until Netflix picks up a Shuffle option, this shortcut will do the trick

As a matter of fact, I recently stumbled upon a pretty cool script for Apple’s Shortcuts app on Reddit that will play a random episode for any TV show on Netflix. Upon downloading the Netflix Shuffle shortcut, simply open the file in the Shortcuts app and launch the script.

You can then select a show when the shortcut is manually launched or, alternatively, choose a show by tapping the Share button in the Netflix app, then tap the Shortcuts icon and select your shortcut.

If you’re a Netflix fan and want a better user interface on macOS than Netflix’s web-based player, be sure to check out the excellent Clicker app, which is a native Netflix player for your Mac with handy Touch Bar shortcuts, Picture-in-Picture support and more.