Skip to main content

Xiaomi Pocophone F1 picks up Widevine L1 support in beta, enables Netflix HD playback

The Widevine DRM standard is what makes playing back protected content on our devices possible. However, not all devices are equal in that regard. Xiaomi’s Pocophone F1 hit the market without the certification required to do things such as playing Netflix in HD quality. Now, the latest update finally adds support for that.

Announced on Twitter this week, the Xiaomi Pocophone F1 is getting a beta update that adds support for Netflix playback in HD thanks to added Widevine L1 certification. The lack of this certification was first noted back in August, shortly after the phone’s launch, and was a huge turn-off for many users.

At launch, the Pocophone F1 only supported Widevine L3. That certification did allow it to play Netflix through the official app, but only at limited quality. In its latest beta update, the device is getting full Widevine L1 certification. This arrives as a simple OTA update. By comparison, when the OnePlus 5/T had the same problem, users had to send their devices back to the company to have the firmware update applied.

Version 9.2.25 is rolling out now in beta. Once installed, Pocophone F1 users should have no trouble playing Netflix in HD on their devices. The update will be rolling out to all users through the stable channel in the future too.

Notably, XDA-Developers points out that this update isn’t the only thing required to bring HD playback. Netflix has yet to certify the device. It’s been confirmed that this update does support Netflix HD playback.

The addition of Widevine L1 also leaves other apps that rely on the standard, such as Amazon Prime Video, with the ability to play in HD.

More on Pocophone F1:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel