What is Widevine L1 and L3?
Widevine is Google's DRM (digital rights management) system. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Max, Hulu and YouTube TV use it on Android to protect movies and shows. Phones get one of these security levels:
- L1: decryption and video decoding happen inside the phone's secure hardware (the Trusted Execution Environment). Streaming apps allow HD, and on supported phones 4K and HDR.
- L3: decryption happens in software only. Streaming apps limit video to SD (about 480p), even on a 1440p screen.
Why would a phone have L3?
Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Motorola and other major-brand phones ship with L1. A phone usually drops to L3 when:
- the bootloader was unlocked or the phone was rooted, which wipes the DRM keys (on Samsung this also trips Knox);
- the motherboard was replaced or repaired with a board whose keys don't match;
- a custom or modified ROM was installed, or the DRM keys were corrupted by a failed update.
Some very cheap phones and tablets only support L3 from the factory. Check the manufacturer's specs if you're unsure.
Checking a used Android phone
An L3 result on a Samsung or Pixel that should have L1 is a red flag: the seller may have rooted it, swapped the board, or it may not be the model it claims to be. Ask about it before paying, and run the full phone diagnostic, the benchmark (which checks the graphics chip matches the model) and the used phone checklist.
iPhone, iPad and computers
Apple devices don't use Widevine. They use Apple FairPlay, which is always hardware-protected, so this check doesn't apply to iPhone or iPad. On Windows, macOS and Chromebooks, browsers usually report software-level protection, which is normal and doesn't mean anything is wrong.
Result shows "Blocked"?
Chrome may be blocking protected content. Open Chrome › Settings › Site settings › Protected content, allow it, and tap Check again. Private or incognito tabs can also block it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check Widevine L1 without an app?
Open mxmob.com/widevine in Chrome on your Android phone. It asks the browser for hardware-protected Widevine and shows L1 or L3 in about a second.
Can Widevine L3 be changed back to L1?
Sometimes. Relocking the bootloader with the original firmware restores L1 on some phones, but on many phones the DRM keys are lost permanently once they are wiped. Samsung phones with a tripped Knox warranty bit usually stay at L3.
Does Widevine L3 affect anything besides Netflix?
It limits HD playback in most paid streaming apps, including Prime Video, Disney+, Max and Hulu. On rooted or modified phones, banking, payment and some games may also refuse to run.