How to check if your Android device supports Widevine DRM

Many media streaming services, like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and others, use various types of Digital Rights Management (DRM) to protect their content from being copied and redistributed. Most DRM doesn’t actually prevent this behavior, and instead mostly serves to annoy people paying for content, but that’s a discussion for another time. Widevine is a widely-used DRM technology, often found in web and Android applications, but not all Android devices fully support Widevine DRM.

Widevine DRM is used by streaming services like Netflix, HBO, Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, Sling, DirectTV, and many others. There are three security levels in Widevine: L3, L2, and L1. Here’s a breakdown of each:

• Widevine L3: This is the lowest-supported option, where the DRM is entirely software-based. A device that only has Widevine L3 has no Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) for DRM encryption to run in. In most cases, Widevine-protected content will only play in 480p.
• Widevine L2: Devices with L2 support have a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), but video processing happens in software or separate video hardware. Most of the time, Widevine-protected content will play at a maximum resolution of 540p.
• Widevine L1: This is the highest level of protection, where media is decrypted and processed entirely in the Trusted Execution Environment (TEE). Devices with L3 support can play Widevine-protected content at the highest possible resolution.

Most Android devices that are certified by Google support Widevine L1, sometimes in combination with other DRM methods. However, modified devices (like rooted phones) or uncertified phones may only support L3 or L2. In some cases, broken software updates have caused Widevine DRM to revert to L2 or L3.

How to check Widevine support

Thankfully, it’s easy to check if your Android phone or tablet can use Widevine DRM, including which levels are supported. All you have to do is download the DRM Info app from the Play Store and open it.

DRM Info (Free, Google Play) →

Each supported DRM technology is displayed as a card. The Widevine card should tell you if the DRM is supported, and if so, the level. Easy peasy.

If you see an L2 or L3 security level, it’s likely your device doesn’t support high-resolution protected media, and some apps may refuse to start streaming at all. Many applications also check the SafetyNet status of the current device to determine if media can be played.

Netflix in particular has its own sets of checks to determine what kind of content it’ll stream to you. In addition to supporting Widevine L1, your device will need to pass another round of certification checks in order to play HD or HDR content from Netflix. If you want to find out what formats Netflix can stream to your device, you can check out Netflix’s list here. Alternatively, you can open up the Netflix app, go to “Settings” and then scroll down to “Playback Specifications” to see what formats are available. This page also tells you the Widevine DRM level on your device in case you don’t want to download the DRM Info app.

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Samsung’s Discover Week deal of the day is 50% off the Jet 70 and Clean Station!

It’s finally Spring! The weather’s warming up, and now it’s finally time to open your windows, roll up your sleeves, and do a good spring cleaning. While the Air Dresser from a few days ago help with your clothes, it’s time to take of your house with the Samsung Jet 70 and Clean Station.

Today only, you get to save 50% on both the Samsung Jet 70, and the Samsung Clean Station! If you don’t have a cordless stick vacuum, trust me, you’re missing out. While I don’t have the Jet 70, I love my cordless vacuum. Most vacuum cleaners are really heavy, and it’s hard to navigate to out-of-the-way spots between its bulk and the cord. These vacuums are made to get wherever you need them to.

And the Samsung Jet 70 does just that. Clean carpets, floors, and even the ceiling with this vacuum and the attachments included. The vacuum will go about 40 minutes on a single charge, which will be enough time for multiple rooms, if not all of them. You can even pop the dustpan pieces into the dishwasher to clean them! Today only the Jet 70 is $200.

Speaking of cleaning, the Samsung Clean Station is also half off. This device not only automatically the Samsung Jet 70’s dustbin, but also filters the air to ensure less dust gets back into the air. Very nice! It’s simple, yet effective, and the Clean Station is currently just $100.

As with all Samsung Discover Week deals, this is only available until the end of the day, so don’t delay! If you want or need these, your time to order them is now.

Samsung Jet 70 Cordless Vacuum

Clean everything, everywhere with the Samsung Jet 70 Cordless Vacuum! As part of the Samsung Discover Week event, you can save 50% on this item, today only.

Save of 50% at Samsung

Samsung Clean Station

Clean your Jet 70 and ensure dust doesn't get back into the air with the Samsung Clean Station. Today only, it's 50% off.

Save of 50% at Samsung

If you want to see all of the Samsung Discover Week deals, check out their deal page below. Check back tomorrow for the next deal of the day!

Samsung Discover Week

Head over to the Samsung Store to see everything that the retailer has on sale this week.

View the deals at Samsung

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Developer ports Android 11 with One UI 3.1 to the Samsung Galaxy A7, A8, and A8+ 2018

Samsung has been quite generous with rolling out its One UI 3.1 update based on Android 11. Aside from last year’s flagships such as the Samsung Galaxy S20 and the Galaxy Note 20 getting the update, older mid-rangers such as the Galaxy A50/A50s, Galaxy A70, and even some Galaxy M series devices have already received the latest software release. Several other Samsung Galaxy smartphones will be receiving a taste of Android 11 later this year, but the Exynos 7885-powered Galaxy A7, Galaxy A8, and the Galaxy A8 Plus will be left out. So if you own either of the three devices from 2018 and want to experience Android 11 with Samsung’s latest One UI skin, your wish has been granted – albeit unofficially.

Galaxy A7 2018 Forums ||| Galaxy A8 2018 Forums ||| Galaxy A8+ 2018 Forums

A full port of the Galaxy M31’s One UI 3.1 firmware is now available for the Galaxy A7, A8, and A8 Plus. The ROM, dubbed “TreeUI”, has been ported by XDA Senior Member VDavid003. Apart from bumping the base Android version, the ROM also installs an Android 11-compatible vendor image, which means users can now easily boot an Android 11 GSI on these smartphones.

The ROM, however, is in a beta stage right now. There are a few things that do not work as intended. This includes the stock Samsung Camera app, which does not work at all, although third-party camera apps should function normally. Further, face unlock and torch intensity control are reported to be broken. Galaxy A7 users will also lose NFC functionality, so contactless payments are off the table. In a nutshell, unless you really depend on your NFC chip or need to take photos with the stock camera app, this ROM can be used as a daily driver.

As is customary, you must first unlock the bootloader and install TWRP to flash the custom ROM on your Galaxy A7/A8/A8 Plus. To learn more about the features and download the ROM, you can visit the dedicated thread on our forums.

Download TreeUI based on Android 11 for the Samsung Galaxy A7/A8/A8+ 2018

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We’ve opened forums for OnePlus 9R, POCO F3, Realme 8 series, and Vivo X60 series

Earlier this month, we joked about how busy this year has been thus far. A few weeks later and things have only gotten busier. To accommodate users interested in the plethora of devices that launched this month, we’ve just opened up XDA forums for a handful of devices, including the OnePlus 9R, Xiaomi POCO F3, Realme 8 and 8 Pro, and Vivo X60, X60 Pro, and X60 Pro+.

OnePlus 9R

The OnePlus 9R was introduced following the OnePlus 9 series launch on March 23. The device is essentially a rehashed OnePlus 8T but with the Snapdragon 870 and an updated design. As we learned before the OnePlus 9R was officially unveiled, the device is exclusive to the Indian market and will be available for preorder in early April.

OnePlus 9R Forums

Xiaomi POCO F3

As we mentioned in our announcement post, the POCO F3 is essentially a rebranded Xiaomi Redmi K40, featuring the same physical design and internal specs. That’s not a bad thing at all, though, because the Redmi K40 is a great device and the POCO F3 carries on that legacy without missing a beat. The device goes on sale on March 27 with an early bird discount slashing pricing by €50 until April 6.

Xiaomi POCO F3 Forums

Realme 8

The Realme 8 launched alongside its more powerful brother, the Realme 8 Pro. Although it’s not quite as premium as the 8 Pro, the Realme 8 can still more than hold its own, featuring a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, MediaTek Helio G95 processor, a 5,000mAh battery, and a quad-camera setup. The Realme 8 is available now in India via Realme’s website and retails for ₹17,999.

Realme 8 Forums

Realme 8 Pro

Not to be outdone by the Realme 8, the Realme 8 Pro features the same screen as its younger brother but a Snapdragon 720G processor, 4,500mAh battery, and an in-display fingerprint scanner. The device also features a quad-camera setup highlighted by a 108MP sensor. Is that overkill for a mobile device? Well, we’ll let you discuss that in the XDA forums.

Realme 8 Pro Forums

Vivo X60

Initially launched at the end of last year, the Chinese Vivo X60 features a 6.56-inch FHD+ E3 AMOLED display that refreshes at up to 120Hz, an Exynos 1080 chip, up to 12GB RAM, and an in-display fingerprint scanner. The global version, however, sports Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 instead of a Samsung Exynos chip. Regardless, it’s a beast of a device and features Zeiss optics to provide consumers with a high-end camera experience. You can compare camera samples in the XDA forums.

Vivo X60 Forums

Vivo X60 Pro

The Vivo X60 Pro is quite similar to the base Vivo X60, meaning it also packs Zeiss optics. It has a slightly smaller battery capacity (4200mAh in the Pro versus 4300mAh in the regular) but makes up for it by offering Gimbal stabilization for the main camera. Also, the Vivo X60 Pro’s display is curved, which some feel makes it more premium.

Vivo X60 Pro Forums

Vivo X60 Pro+

The final piece of the puzzle is the Vivo X60 Pro+, which you can buy in a premium vegan leather option. This variant features a Snapdragon 888 processor outside of China, a curved 6.56-inch display, and an improved quad-camera setup with Zeiss optics and Gimbal stabilization. Speaking of which, we got our hands on the X60 Pro+ and snapped some sample images with the camera. You can check those out right here.

Vivo X60 Pro+ Forums

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We aren’t done opening up XDA Forums for all the devices that launched this month. Keep an eye out for a follow-up post highlighting some forums we opened for other new devices!

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Action Launcher v47 update brings iOS-style widget stacks to Android

Update 1 (03/26/2021 @ 06:56 PM ET): Action Launcher v47 has exited beta, bringing with it a new iOS-style widget stack feature. Click here for more information. The article, as published on February 5, 2021, is preserved below.

In a not so distant past, Android enthusiasts used to have hot debates over what they thought was the absolute best Android launcher, with users often divided between camp Nova and camp Action Launcher. We don’t see such fervent debates anymore as most launchers have matured to a stable feature set. But to this date, both Nova and Action Launcher remain top picks for anyone who wants to take their homescreen customization game to the next level. And the best part is that both launchers keep adding new features to keep users up-to-date with the latest customization trends. Take, for example, this new update to the Action Launcher, which now brings iPhone-style widget stacks to all Android phones.

Widgets have been part of Android since the Eclair days. It was only with the latest iOS 14 update that Apple finally brought them to iPhones, letting iOS users enjoy something that Android had for a good decade at that point. However, Apple’s implementation has one nifty touch that its Android counterpart doesn’t have: the ability to stack different widgets on top of each other for easier access. With the Action Launcher v47 beta 2 (via Android Police), you can finally do that with your Android widgets as well. Widgets stacks make for a much cleaner homescreen as you don’t have to allot a chunk of screen real estate for each widget.

The idea is very simple: you drop an empty container on your home screen and then start layering your favorite widgets one by one in it. You can then swipe vertically on the box to cycle between them, as you can see in the demo below.

The Stacks Widgets feature is now live in the latest beta of Action Launcher but it requires the Plus version. If you’re not on the beta channel, you can join the program here.

Action Launcher v47 Beta 2 Update Changelog:

• Introducing widget stacks! Layer widgets on top of each other, and page through them with a vertical flick! Select “Widget Stack” from Action Launcher’s widget list and get stacking!
• 2021 Supporter Badge! This year’s bonus goodies include 6 awesome wallpapers!

Action Launcher: Pixel Edition (Free⁺, Google Play) →

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Update 1: Action Launcher v47 now out of beta

As we reported last month, Action Launcher v47 added iOS-style widget stacks, a feature that lets you layer widgets on top of one another and scroll through them with a vertical flick. In a blog post, Chris Lacy, the developer of the custom launcher, announced that v47 is now out of beta. Here’s a GIF that shows the new feature in action:

To create a widget stack, simply open Action Launcher’s widget list and begin adding as many widgets to a stack as you’d like. According to Lacy, Action Launcher’s widget stack implementation can even handle vertically scrolling on widgets that themselves scroll (eg. Gmail or Google Calendar). Swiping the left or right edge of the widget stack will scroll to the next widget while swiping in from the edge scrolls the widget itself (if supported).

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OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro now support 5G on Verizon and Visible

The OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro were finally revealed earlier this week, but one problem with both models launching in the U.S. is incomplete 5G support. As we noted in our review of the OnePlus 9 Pro, the pair of phones are fully compatible with T-Mobile’s 5G network but not the next-gen networks on AT&T or Verizon. Thankfully, this is no longer an issue with Verizon.

George Koroneos from Verizon announced on Twitter that the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro are now certified for use on Verizon’s 5G network. That means you should be able to pop in a recent Verizon SIM card, and everything will work without any issues. The change also applies to subscribers on Visible, a sub-carrier owned by Verizon that uses the company’s network.

I’m psyched to announce that the @OnePlus 9 Pro & OnePlus 9 have been certified to work on @Verizon & @Visible. That means you can buy it from your fav retailer and know that it will work great on Verizon 5G. Visit https://t.co/iPWwLCbRrn when you get your new phone to activate. pic.twitter.com/SK6eUyhJFK

— George Koroneos (@GLKCreative) March 26, 2021

Even though it’s nice to have the hardware and software support in place, Verizon’s 5G infrastructure is in rough shape. The carrier has two 5G networks in place: a millimeter-wave ‘Ultra Wideband’ network and a sub-6GHz ‘Nationwide 5G’ network based on dynamic spectrum sharing, which re-uses some 4G channels. Ultra Wideband is still limited to a handful of street blocks and arenas in large cities, and PCMag‘s testing found that the nationwide network is actually slower than LTE in many places.

OnePlus 9 Forums ||| OnePlus 9 Pro Forums

While the more-expensive OnePlus 9 Pro should be compatible with all of Verizon’s 5G frequencies, the OnePlus 9 lacks support for all millimeter-wave 5G, so the OnePlus 9 will only connect to the Nationwide network. That won’t matter much if you don’t live in a large city, though.

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Apple releases iOS 14.4.2 that addresses critical WebKit security flaw

Apple on Friday introduced iOS 14.4.2, which the company is recommending all users install immediately. It’s available now for the iPhone and iPad, and comes alongside watchOS 7.3.3 for Apple Watch.

This update doesn’t introduce any new features. Instead, it’s entirely focused on addressing a critical security flaw that was discovered for WebKit, which Apple said may have been actively exploited. Apple’s support page explains the issue:

“Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to universal cross site scripting. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.”

Because the flaw is potentially being exploited, Apple is urging iPhone and iPad users to update their devices as soon as possible. It’s always best practice to update your device when it relates to security matters.

iOS 14.4.2 is available for iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation).

The update comes ahead of the much-anticipated release of iOS 14.5, which is expected to introduce a handful of new features. The most notable being the ability to unlock your iPhone using your Apple Watch while wearing a face mask. That means people who own iPhone models with Face ID won’t have to constantly enter in their security PIN just to unlock their phone.

Additionally, iOS 14.5 is expected to introduce Apple’s long-awaited App Tracking Transparency feature, which will require developers to request user authorization to access app-related data for tracking the user or the device. Apple has released several betas for iOS 14.5, so it’s only a matter of time before the update is released more widely.

According to Apple, today’s release of iOS 14.4.2 addresses the WebKit issue “by improved management of object lifetimes.” You can find the update by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

Featured image is the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini

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