Disney+ has found a way to restore 4K UHD on selected TVs and streaming devices following a European patent injunction, but HDR10, Dolby Vision, 3D, Apple TV 4K, Samsung TVs, and game consoles remain on the outside looking in.
Disney+ has found a way to put some of the missing pixels back, but affected Premium subscribers in Europe should probably hold the fireworks.
Only days after Disney confirmed that a court ruling had forced it to remove 4K UHD and HDR streaming in parts of Europe, the company has begun restoring 4K through an alternative video technology. The good news is that selected subscribers can once again watch Disney+ content at 4K resolution. The bad news is that device support remains limited, and HDR has not returned.
Premium, apparently, is still a work in progress.
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Disney+ Switches From HEVC to VP9
According to German publication Heise, Disney+ is using the VP9 video codec for its temporary 4K workaround rather than HEVC, the technology at the center of its ongoing patent dispute with InterDigital.
Disney has not publicly confirmed VP9 by name, but it has acknowledged adopting an alternative technology and beginning the restoration of 4K UHD. Denmark has been specifically confirmed as part of the rollout, although Disney says availability may vary by market and device.
The switch matters because VP9 support and its implementation within the Disney+ app are not universal. A television or streaming device may be technically capable of decoding VP9 video without currently receiving a compatible Disney+ 4K stream.
In other words, do not assume that a 4K logo on the box means everything will work.
Which Devices Currently Support Disney+ 4K?
Disney says its alternative 4K delivery system currently supports:
- Selected Android TV and Google TV devices, including models from Google, Philips, Sony, and other manufacturers
- Amazon Fire TV devices
- LG televisions from 2020 onward
- Sky Glass
- Sky Stream
Compatibility can vary between individual models, regions, and versions of the Disney+ app.
Several major platforms remain unsupported, including:
- Apple TV 4K
- Samsung smart TVs
- Gaming consoles
That is not a minor omission. Samsung remains one of the world’s largest television manufacturers, while Apple TV 4K and game consoles are widely used as primary streaming devices in home theater systems.
Disney says it is working to expand device support, but it has not provided a timetable.
4K Is Back but HDR Is Not
The current workaround restores resolution, not the complete Premium viewing experience.
HDR10 remains unavailable in affected markets, while Dolby Vision and Disney+ 3D content have not returned. That means compatible devices may once again receive a sharper 4K image, but without the expanded brightness, contrast, and color range provided by HDR.
Disney says it is working to restore HDR as quickly as possible but cannot confirm when it will become available.
That distinction is important. Four times the pixel count of 1080p can improve fine detail, particularly on larger displays, but HDR often contributes more to the visible impact of modern movies and television programs. A 4K SDR stream is an improvement over the recent 1080p SDR downgrade, but it is not what Premium subscribers originally paid to receive.
How Did Disney+ Get Here?
The latest disruption followed a July 23, 2026, ruling from the Düsseldorf Local Division of the Unified Patent Court. The court found that Disney infringed an InterDigital patent covering certain HEVC video-encoding techniques and granted an injunction spanning 11 European Union countries, including France, Germany, and Italy. Disney can appeal the decision.
It was the second UPC injunction InterDigital secured against Disney in 2026. An earlier ruling from the court’s Mannheim division involved another HEVC-related patent and led to the removal of Dolby Vision and 3D support in affected markets.
As we previously reported, some Disney+ Premium subscribers were subsequently limited to 1080p SDR while continuing to pay the full price for a tier advertised around 4K UHD and HDR playback.
Can Subscribers Request a Refund?
Affected customers who subscribe directly through Disney+ can request a partial refund for the current billing period. Subscribers billed through Apple, Google, Amazon, or another third party will need to contact that billing provider instead.
Disney has also suggested that customers who no longer want the Premium tier can switch to a less expensive plan. Downloads are reportedly unaffected by the streaming restrictions.
The Bottom Line
Restoring 4K this quickly is a meaningful step, but Disney+ has not fully solved the problem. The current VP9 workaround provides 4K playback on a limited selection of televisions and streaming devices, while some of the most widely used platforms remain unsupported. HDR10, Dolby Vision, and 3D are also still missing.
Affected subscribers are therefore receiving something closer to Disney+ Premium Lite: more pixels, fewer devices, no HDR, and the same monthly bill.
Disney says broader device support and HDR restoration are coming. Until that actually happens, the service has only repaired part of the damage.
Walt Disney built the Magic Kingdom on imagination. Disney’s new leadership appears to be testing how many Premium features can disappear before subscribers do.
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