iOS 16 does not play DRM-protected content when using HDMI adapters. A few months ago, many users noticed that after the iOS 16 update, AirPlay on older models of Apple TV no longer supports DRM-protected content. It looks like the problem is even bigger. It turned out that such content is no longer played when using HDMI adapters.
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Streaming apps don’t work with HDMI adapters in iOS 16
According to forum posts, iPhone and iPad users can no longer watch videos on streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max on their TVs using HDMI adapters. Users write that the adapter can broadcast the screen of the device, but the screen turns black when trying to play content with copyright protection.
One Reddit user writes that the Netflix support team has confirmed that videos from the platform can no longer be watched using HDMI adapters on iOS 16 devices. Support writes that this is not a bug and nothing will change.
I wrote to Netflix support about HDMI not working after installing iOS 16. They replied that they decided to remove support for HDMI. I live far from the city and I don’t have internet, so the only way for me to watch content is with my smartphone.
As we wrote above, the problem is not limited to the Netflix platform. Moreover, it may be related to the problem of AirPlay and protected content on older models of Apple TV. As soon as the iOS 16 update was released publicly, users noticed that they could no longer stream content from Netflix and other apps via AirPlay to Apple TV with older versions of the system.
If you try to AirPlay a movie or TV show from one of these services to your Apple TV 2 or Apple TV 3, you’ll see an error: “Could not download content, please try again later.” On a device running iOS 15.7, AirPlay works fine with Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 3, even with protected content.
Time limit?
It is not known what the essence of such changes is, because Apple has not made official statements. It seems that iOS 16 has a new version of DRM protection that is not compatible with older devices. In case you didn’t know, DRM is a technology that prevents digital media from being copied and distributed without the permission of the copyright owner.
From time to time, DRM technology is updated and improved. This also affects devices that no longer receive system updates (for example, older HDMI adapters). Unfortunately, there is no way to solve this problem yet. The good news is that owners of USB-C external displays and iPads can still watch DRM-protected content. At least for now.
