Apple® FairPlay Streaming DRM

Apple FairPlay Streaming (FPS) DRM is designed to secure streaming media delivery to Apple devices through the HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) protocol (released by Apple in 2009). Using Apple FPS DRM technology, streaming service providers can encrypt content, securely exchange keys, and protect playback on iOS, tvOS, and macOS devices. All popular Apple playback devices such as iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iMac and MacBook are supported. FPS protects both live streaming and on-demand content, together with secure offline playback.

FairPlay Streaming also acts as the Content Decryption Module (CDM) of Apple’s Safari web browser. The CDM enables HTML5 (native) playback of FPS protected content without any Safari plugins. FPS implements support for Encrypted Media Extensions (EME). EME is a specification defined by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) for providing a communication channel between web browsers and DRM clients.

Adaptive bitrate streaming formats supported by Apple FairPlay Streaming include HLS with multiplexed MPEG-TS, and Common Media Application Format (CMAF, using fMP4). 

FPS also supports the Common Encryption (CENC; ISO/IEC 23001-7:2016) standard. The standard offers the advantage that an encrypted file-set can be streamed to different devices, regardless of the DRM they support. This reduces the need to create and store multiple video content file-sets. Apple FairPlay Streaming also supports timed licenses and key rotation.

Intertrust ExpressPlay Multi-DRM Service and Apple FairPlay Streaming DRM

Intertrust’s cloud-based ExpressPlay multi-DRM service enables FPS protected content playback on all Mac OS, iOS devices and Apple TV:

• The ExpressPlay DRM license and key server delivers FPS DRM licenses to authorized users via our cloud-based FPS service and FPS web or native clients
• As an alternative to FPS native clients, the ExpressPlay Binary SDK for iOS can be integrated into a native application. This will ensure playback of DRM protected content using either HLS or the standards-based MPEG-DASH protocol on iOS devices.

Please refer to the DRM Compatibility matrix for a full overview of the device types supported. Visit our DRM FAQ for explanations of technical concepts and terms. More information from Apple can be obtained here.

Intertrust has amassed more than 20 years of experience in designing, developing, operating and supporting DRM solutions. The cloud-based ExpressPlay multi-DRM service enables the use of all common DRM systems and client devices. The Intertrust Professional Services team consists of highly experienced staff, who will make sure each project is executed on time.