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The OnePlus 5 and 5T can finally stream HD content, but things aren’t that simple
August 05, 2025
For all the talk around theOnePlus 5and5T, neither “flagship killer” could stream video in HD from popular streaming services.OnePlusfinally rectified this glaring oversight, but you need to give up your phone for a few days.
According toOnePlus community managerDavid Y., the update only works with a physical connection from an authenticated computer. Because these computers are presumably in OnePlus’ offices, OnePlus 5 and 5T owners must send their devices to the company to get the update.
OnePlus promised to return your device within five days and that it streamlined the process as much as possible. The company will also cover the cost of shipping.
The process is consistent withhow to enableWidevine Level 1, the most secure level of Google’sWidevineDRM system. Widevine Level 1 encryption requires a hardware encryption key to be installed directly from either the factory or secure PCs. You cannot enable Widevine Level 1 encryption with a software update or by sideloading a ROM.
Even so, OnePlus could have avoided all of this if the OnePlus 5 and 5T supported Widevine Level 1 in the first place.
Streaming services like Google Play Movies, Netflix, and Amazon Video use the Widevine DRM system to protect copyright material. Weunfortunatelylearnedthat the OnePlus 5 and 5T do not support Widevine Level 1. The lack of support prevents the phones from streaming video content in HD resolution, but thanks to support for Widevine Level 3, standard-quality video streaming was still a go.
Making matters worse, the issue also affects theOnePlus 3and3T. OnePlus did not say whether its 2016 flagships will get the same update, but seeing how both phones are quickly nearing end-of-life status, do not hold your breath.
We also do not know if the update will be on every OnePlus 5T that will leave the factory from today onward.Android Authorityreached out to OnePlus for additional information and will update this post accordingly.
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