We can’t say “chill” anymore now that Netflix is blocking devices that are unlocked or rooted. If you are running Netflix on a rooted phone or tablet, don’t be surprised if the app suddenly stops working because the company decided to block modified devices. You may soon see an ‘incompatible’ notification when you launch the app but interestingly, it still works on some phones.
Netflix said that those devices not certified by Google, meaning those that have been altered, will not work with the recently updated app. Even worse, the Play Store no longer shows the app on the listing. Netflix now relies on Widevine DRM technology by Google so the app must be compatible with a trusted Android device. This is to ensure mobile security as what Widevine does is to categorize phones into three security levels. It can identify devices running or not running in the Trusted Execution Environment (TEE).
The app may be missing on the Play Store for some rooted devices because it’s on SaftetyNet and not Widevine TEE yet. For those devices that still run the app, the updated changelog says,“Version 5.0 only works with devices that are certified by Google and meet all Android requirements.”
Some unlocked devices can still run the app even if users can’t find Netflix on the listing. We’re not sure what’s happening here but we have a feeling Netflix just wants to weed out the users.
Read Netflix’s official statement regarding the change:
With our latest 5.0 release, we now fully rely on the Widevine DRM provided by Google; therefore, many devices that are not Google-certified or have been altered will no longer work with our latest app and those users will no longer see the Netflix app in the Play Store.
VIA: Android Police
Google:
Hey, we made an “open source” OS which anyone can use anyway he/she wants to.
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Well, not really
I try to do the right thing and pay Netflix for content, now they block my device’s from accessing my subscription, really… Sick of all these restrictions just easier to go back to pirating content.. Well done Netflix,.. Maybe I’ll give Stan a go instead it seems to install ok..
You can still use it anyway you want, but companies have the right to refuse their apps from running on it. Just because it’s open source doesn’t mean you can run any app on it. And the NetFlix app is not Open Source. Apps do not have to fall under the open source license agreement to run on an open source OS.
Third party download Netflix it works like a charm.
Rooting devices is going to die off. It has already really fallen off since the Note 4 which was really the last good phone for root and ROM. Most new phones include the things people used to root for: Display scaling, sound mods, themes, changes to the UI, debloating abilities, and have good enough performance that kernel mods aren’t a necessity.
Apps makers don’t like root users because many of them are pirating apps and/or using mods to get around geo restrictions. This is where Netflix comes into play. Their licensing agreements with the content owners are for specific countries. If root users are for instance using an xposed mod, GPS spoofer, or a undetectable VPN, to get around these geo restrictions then that means Netflix could get sued by Sony, or Fox or etc.
As long as people kept accessing content they were not allowed to this was inevitable.
Root is far from dying off xda is still going strong.there are exploits to everything.
I totally agree with you Rob. Apparently, “Christopher” doesn’t read the XDA forums. No matter how sophisticated these new phones become, they will never come close to realizing their full power and potential until they are rooted. An unrooted phone is like having unused talent or wasted potential.
Just download from a third party and it will work.screw google
And remember ppl if u want the new movies download popcorn time