How to Remove DRM from Videos in 2026: What Still Works

Have you ever paid for an iTunes movie or subscribed to a streaming service like Netflix, but you can’t play it on your favorite device or offline when you need it? That’s DRM at work.

If you want to remove DRM from videos for personal backups or compatible playback, choosing the right method matters. We have hands-on tested 4 methods that still work, evaluating real output quality, speed, and which platforms each handles. Skip to the comparison table if you want the fastest answer.

What Is DRM Protection and What Restrictions Does It Add?

DRM (Digital Rights Management) is a technology used to protect digital content like videos, music, and eBooks from unauthorized use or sharing. Common DRM technologies used for video include:

• Widevine L1/L3 (Google): Widely used on Android devices and supported by many streaming platforms, including Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu on compatible devices.
• FairPlay Streaming (Apple): Protects video content across Apple’s ecosystem, including Apple TV+, Apple TV app content, iOS, and macOS devices.
• PlayReady (Microsoft): Commonly used on Windows, Xbox, smart TVs, and some streaming services, depending on the playback environment.

If you have tried to download DRM-protected videos for local backup, you may have likely run into these walls:

1. App and Device Lock: Your downloaded videos can usually only be played in the original app and are tied to the device where they were downloaded.
2. Offline Expiration: Offline downloads are temporary and often expire automatically after 7–30 days.
3. Download Restricted: Some protected videos allow for streaming only, offering no download button. Additionally, some platforms impose download limits.
4. Account or Subscription Dependency: DRM videos from the streaming platform are linked to your account. If your subscription expires or the platform removes the title, you will also lose access.
5. HDCP Blocking: Attempting to screenshot, screen-record, or cast to an unauthorized display often results in a black screen.

Why Many DRM Removal Tools Stopped Working in 2026

In 2026, streaming platforms have strengthened their DRM protection with updated technologies along with stricter license verification. Based on our hands-on testing, many web-based tools and outdated DRM removal software either failed to detect protected videos or could no longer produce downloadable files. So, if you want to remove DRM from videos online for free, the result might let you down.

4 Tested Methods to Remove DRM Restrictions from Videos for Offline Viewing

Download DRM-Protected Videos from Streaming Platforms (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, etc)

If you want to download DRM videos from Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Max, or Paramount+ for flexible offline viewing, using dedicated video DRM removal software is a practical method.

One example is TuneFab VideOne Downloader, which can handle Widevine, PlayReady, and FairPlay. Unlike a screen recorder, it works within the built-in web players to download streaming videos to HD MP4 while unlocking DRM protection. This allows you to easily store and play your favorite movies and shows offline across different devices.

To make it clearer, here is a comprehensive guide on how to remove DRM from streaming videos via TuneFab VideOne Downloader:

Step 1. Run TuneFab VideOne Downloader

Install the software on your Windows/Mac computer. Launch it, and choose the target streaming service on the main interface.

Step 2. Log In to Your Streaming Account

Log in to your account to access the video library (here we take Netflix as an example).

Step 3. Search for the Desired Video

Search for the target movies or TV episodes, then click on the download button at the bottom right. Or you can also paste a video link into the search box for direct access.

Step 4. Customize Output Settings

Adjust the output format, quality, subtitles, and other parameters in the pop-up window.

Step 5. Download DRM-Free Videos

Select all the videos you want and click the “Download” button at the bottom right to start removing DRM protection from video files. Once completed, go to “Downloaded” > “View Output File” and get DRM-free videos with ease.

Save DRM-Protected Embedded Web Videos (Any Website)

Many websites embed videos through HTML5 players instead of providing a direct download option. In these situations, browser extensions may sometimes detect downloadable media streams.

We tested Video DownloadHelper using its latest version (v10.5) available in June 2026. Unlike many “free DRM video downloader online” websites, it works locally inside your browser and exports DRM videos to MP4 instead of requiring you to upload links to an external service. Keep in mind, though, it does not work with heavily encrypted videos or subscription-based streaming platforms.

Below are detailed steps on how to save DRM-Protected Video in MP4 with Video DownloadHelper.

Step 1. Install the Video DownloadHelper extension on your browser.

Step 2. Open the webpage containing the DRM video. The extension icon on the toolbar will turn color when compatible media streams are detected.

Step 3. Click the icon to open available quality options, select your preferred MP4 output resolution.

Step 4. Click “Download”. The video will be saved to your browser’s default Downloads folder.

Convert Protected iTunes M4V Movies (Purchases and Rentals)

If you bought or rented films from the Apple iTunes Store, you may suffer from Apple’s proprietary FairPlay DRM. These files are saved in M4V and played on authorized Apple devices and software.

To remove DRM from purchased movies, ViWizard iTunes M4V Converter is a handy tool. During testing, it processed FairPlay DRM protection and converted iTunes M4V videos to MP4 or MOV. According to its claims, it can also retain the original video quality (up to 1080P), 5.1 audio tracks, and subtitles, letting you access DRM-free iTunes videos freely across multiple devices. However, for other protected videos, you may need a dedicated streaming video downloader for help.

Below is how to remove DRM from iTunes movies with this software.

Step 1. Install ViWizard iTunes M4V Converter on your Windows or Mac computer.

Step 2. Go to “Library” to import iTunes M4V movies. In the pop-up window, choose the title you want.

Step 3. Click the “Format” button at the lower left to adjust output format, resolution, frame rate, etc.

Step 4. Click “Download” and wait for the process to finish. Once completed, your DRM-free video is ready to play on any device.

Create DRM-free Copies from DVDs (CSS)

DVDs often come with various DRM protections, such as CSS encryption, region codes, and AACS safeguards. They ensure DVDs play correctly while limiting the free use of the video content.

To remove DRM from DVDs, a common solution is to use HandBrake with libdvdcss. HandBrake is an open-source video converter, and libdvdcss enables it to process DVD encryption. So, you can rip DRM-protected DVDs to MP4 for easy playback on your computer, tablet, or other devices. However, according to our testing, this method performed well on CSS-protected DVDs only. For other newer protections like ARccOS or X-project, you may need other solutions.

Here are the detailed steps on how to remove DRM protection from DVD videos:

Step 1. Get the latest HandBrake software on your computer.

Step 2. Download and manually install the libdvdcss file into the HandBrake installation directory.

Step 3. Insert the DVD you want to decrypt into your computer’s optical drive. When you open HandBrake, it will automatically detect the disc. Click “Source” and select the corresponding DVD drive.

Step 4. Choose a preferred output format, such as MP4, and then set the encoding and quality parameters.

Step 5. Click the “Start Encode” button. HandBrake will read the protected DVD and create a more flexible video file for playback on supported devices.

Is It Legal to Remove DRM Protection from Videos?

This is not a simple yes or no question. The answer varies by country, content type, and how the files are used. In some countries, removing DRM from videos for creating personal backups of content you legally purchased or accessed through a valid subscription may be allowed under certain exceptions, while other areas have stricter rules around DRM removal.

If you want to remove DRM from video files, make sure you own the content or have permission to use it, and always check local copyright laws and platform terms. Keep in mind that using downloads for commercial distribution or sharing may violate copyright laws.

FAQs About Removing DRM from Videos

Can DRM really be removed from videos?

Yes, but only certain DRM systems and locally accessible files can be processed. Streaming services that rely on Widevine or PlayReady usually cannot be directly decrypted without proper authorization. In this case, professional video DRM removal is required.

Can you remove DRM from downloaded videos?

Yes. Certain tools above can help you remove DRM from video files and convert them into common formats. However, please note that downloads from streaming platforms are usually just cached files and cannot be converted directly. In this case, it is recommended to use a dedicated downloader like TuneFab VideOne to get DRM-free videos.

Can you disable DRM in Chrome?

No. The Chrome browser enables DRM protection by default. When it detects an attempt to capture protected video content, it will directly block playback or display a black screen. For example, you might always fail to download OnlyFans DRM Videos with online tools on Chrome.

Can I remove DRM from videos on Android?

Unfortunately, NO. There are no such DRM removal tools for Android at the moment. Given the rich features and ease of use of the above 4 tools, you can consider them. Using a screen recorder to record streaming videos is also a way out.

Final Words

So, what is the best way to remove DRM from videos? The above 4 methods apply to different cases.

For most streaming services, TuneFab VideOne Downloader provides a convenient workflow for downloading DRM-protected videos to HD MP4, MKV, or MOV. If you need to save web-embedded videos without a download button, Video DownloadHelper can be a practical choice when the video source is supported. As for iTunes video purchases and rentals, ViWizard iTunes M4V Converter may be helpful. Plus, HandBrake with libdvdcss remains a useful option for CSS DVDs.

Ultimately, there is no universal DRM removal method that works for every video. You can pick one based on your actual needs.