iOS 16 blocks video playback with DRM when switching to HDMI
Many users with iOS 16 on iPhone or iPad report that playback of DRM-protected videos is no longer possible when their device is connected via HDMI using an adapter. It worked normally with iOS 15.
For those who don’t know, DRM are protections that prevent anyone from recovering files or limiting playback. Streaming services like Netflix use DRM, which prevents users from grabbing movies and series for playback with other apps without a subscription. There is also DRM at the video game level, requiring players to have a valid license to play.
In the case of iOS 16, users on Apple’s forums and Reddit (here Where the) report that they are no longer able to stream content from their iPhone or iPad to a display with an HDMI port. Reading is simply blocked.
A similar problem exists with AirPlay and Apple TVs. Indeed, DRM-protected content has also stopped working with older models of Apple TV. The message “An error occurred while loading this content. Try again later » is displayed.
The problem with the story of iOS 16 and HDMI is that it is not specified what is stuck. Is it a bug? A voluntary choice of Apple? Something else ? Apple hasn’t commented publicly on the matter and there isn’t a workaround.
