Widevine Security Level after unlocking bootloader/root

[zellleonhart]

UPDATE 2020-11-12:
With the latest 11.0.3.4 update, Widevine stays at L1 even if you unlock the bootloader or root!

Hi all,

I have seen one comment that someone rooted the 8T and widevine becomes L3 instead of L1, unlike the 8/8 Pro.

Can anyone with rooted 8T or bootloader unlocked 8T comment below what is your widevine security level? You can use the app here to check: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.androidfung.drminfo&hl=en

Please include your 8T model (e.g. KB2005), whether bootloader is unlocked and/or your phone is rooted. Thanks in advance!

 

[Keinta15]

8T model KB2005
Unlocked bootloader
Rooted

It has security level L3

Sent from my KB2005 using Tapatalk

 

[zellleonhart]

8T model KB2005
Unlocked bootloader
Rooted

It has security level L3

Sent from my KB2005 using Tapatalk

Ah this is bad... It doesn't retain L1

 

[freddienuxx]

Ah this is bad... It doesn't retain L1

Why is that bad?

 

[zellleonhart]

Why is that bad?

Phones with Widevine L3 cannot stream HD content from many DRM protected services such as Netflix. You can stream max 480p.

 

[bad pixel]

does locking/unlocking the bootloader have any effect on Widevine?

 

[JWhetstone02]

does locking/unlocking the bootloader have any effect on Widevine?

When I got my phone and set it up, I had updates from the play store. Netflix was one of those it updated.

I unlocked my bootloader and later on when I tried to use netflix, it promoted me I needed to update the app. When I said ok. It took me to the play store where it said Netflix isn't compatible with my device.

Installing an apk for netflix found on the web gets me netflix, but it still doesn't show in the play store. Plus maximum playback is SD only.

Unlocking the bootloader changed my L1 to L3.
KB2005

 

[bad pixel]

When I got my phone and set it up, I had updates from the play store. Netflix was one of those it updated.

I unlocked my bootloader and later on when I tried to use netflix, it promoted me I needed to update the app. When I said ok. It took me to the play store where it said Netflix isn't compatible with my device.

Installing an apk for netflix found on the web fixes this, but it still doesn't show in the play store.

I am also rooted now. KB2005

Thanks for the reply!

Have you tried relocking your bootloader to see if you go back to L1?

 

[ethantarheels123]

When I got my phone and set it up, I had updates from the play store. Netflix was one of those it updated.

I unlocked my bootloader and later on when I tried to use netflix, it promoted me I needed to update the app. When I said ok. It took me to the play store where it said Netflix isn't compatible with my device.

Installing an apk for netflix found on the web gets me netflix, but it still doesn't show in the play store. Plus maximum playback is SD only.

Unlocking the bootloader changed my L1 to L3.
KB2005

Enabling MagiskHide, then clearing cache and data for play store allows netflix to show up in the play store. However still has the SD issue in the netflix app.

Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app

 

[JWhetstone02]

does locking/unlocking the bootloader have any effect on Widevine?

Thanks for the reply!

Have you tried relocking your bootloader to see if you go back to L1?

I have not reid to relock yet.

Enabling MagiskHide, then clearing cache and data for play store allows netflix to show up in the play store. However still has the SD issue in the netflix app.

Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app

I had this problem before being rooted, so never had magisk to do that. But will give that a try now.

Also. Just doing a quick Google search, there are a few things I've found out. The persist.img apparently holds the DRM keys. If this was changed or damaged it sets Widevine to L3.
I don't think by unlocking the bootloader or rooting that it touches the persist.img, so not sure if that has anything to do with it?
Also, by reading some xda threads and threads on the OnePlus forum, it seems like a system update can fix the issue and you still be unlocked\rooted. Seems to be the case for op8 and some older ones

 

[zellleonhart]

I had this problem before being rooted, so never had magisk to do that. But will give that a try now.

Also. Just doing a quick Google search, there are a few things I've found out. The persist.img apparently holds the DRM keys. If this was changed or damaged it sets Widevine to L3.
I don't think by unlocking the bootloader or rooting that it touches the persist.img, so not sure if that has anything to do with it?
Also, by reading some xda threads and threads on the OnePlus forum, it seems like a system update can fix the issue and you still be unlocked\rooted. Seems to be the case for op8 and some older ones

I don't think it has anything to do with persist.img (that one is more related to the fingerprint). On OP8, OnePlus released a fix and solve the issue, but for older phones like OP6, as long as you unlocked the bootloader, it's permanently Widevine L3 even if you relock it. This is what I am worried about.

 

[Keinta15]

I don't think it has anything to do with persist.img (that one is more related to the fingerprint). On OP8, OnePlus released a fix and solve the issue, but for older phones like OP6, as long as you unlocked the bootloader, it's permanently Widevine L3 even if you relock it. This is what I am worried about.

Hopefully they release a fix then

Sent from my KB2005 using Tapatalk

 

[smouker]

Have you Guys Tried this apk?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/poco-f1/how-to/watch-netflix-hd-ultra-hd-poco-f1-t3840727/amp/

 

[doppelhelix]

Once unlocked, you can't go back to L1. Qualcomm has a "feature" called QFuse, a microscopic fuse on the SOC. It blows if the device is unlocked. That breaks the chain of trust.

 

[trainfire]

Is this something that will affect warranty? Like Knox on Samsung?

 

[fxz]

Hello! I did what you wanted me to do. I'm rooted with Magisk, Magisk Hide turned on for the DRM checker, and I'm on the latest 11.0.1.2.KB05BA (EU) Widevine is L3.

 

[trainfire]

Can't open the picture

 

[theincognito]

Once unlocked, you can't go back to L1. Qualcomm has a "feature" called QFuse, a microscopic fuse on the SOC. It blows if the device is unlocked. That breaks the chain of trust.

Nah. Xiaomi and Pixel devices retain L1 on bootloader unlock, even though those devices use Qualcomm chipsets too. So it's definitely not that.

 

[mputaturo]

After unlocking the bootloader I was unable lo load Netflix.
Then I have relocked the bootload and Netflix works in full HD

 

[mputaturo]

Windewine after relocking

This is DRM info reports now after relocking the bootloader