Widevine

Widevine is Google's DRM (digital rights management) system for protecting video, used in Chrome, Android, Android TV, Chromecast and many smart TVs and set-top boxes. Widevine has security levels, from L1, where decryption happens in protected hardware, to L3, which runs in software. Studios often limit HD and 4K playback to L1 devices.

Why it matters

Widevine is needed to protect premium video on Android and Chrome, which together reach a large share of viewers. The security level a device supports often decides whether it gets HD and 4K or only lower resolutions. Getting levels wrong means either breaking studio contracts or giving paying viewers a blurry picture.

How it works

1. Video is encrypted with common encryption and packaged for DASH or HLS.
2. The player uses the Widevine CDM in the browser or device to create a license request.
3. A Widevine license server checks the request and returns a license with the content key.
4. The CDM decrypts video in protected hardware (L1) or in software (L3), applying any resolution limits in the license.

Widevine L1 vs L3: what is the difference?

Widevine L1 decrypts and processes video inside a trusted hardware environment, while L3 does it in software. Because L1 is harder to attack, studios often allow HD and 4K only on L1 devices and cap L3 devices at lower resolutions. Desktop browsers usually run at L3, while many Android phones and TVs support L1.

Does Widevine work on iPhone?

No, Widevine is not used for protected playback on iPhone, iPad or Safari. Apple devices use FairPlay instead. Services that need to reach both Apple and Android viewers use multi-DRM, protecting the same content with Widevine and FairPlay, and usually PlayReady as well for Windows, Xbox and many smart TVs.

Where it's used

OTT services, microdrama apps and online learning platforms use Widevine to protect paid content on Android phones, Chrome browsers and many smart TVs, pairing it with FairPlay for Apple devices.

By the numbers

• Google acquired Widevine on December 3, 2010. The technology began in 1999 in Seattle. (Wikipedia: Widevine)
• Google states that Widevine is available on 5 billion mobile, desktop, set top box and living room devices, and that it uses industry standards including common encryption (CENC). (Google Widevine)