How FairPlay works
The video is encrypted and delivered as an HLS stream. When playback starts, Apple's player creates a key request, the app or page sends it to a key server, and the server returns the content key wrapped so that only that device can use it.
Decryption happens inside the operating system, so the key is never visible to the app. Protected video is also blanked in screenshots and screen recordings on Apple devices.
What you need to deploy FairPlay
- A FairPlay Streaming deployment package from Apple, requested through an Apple Developer account
- A key server, your own or a multi-DRM provider's, that holds the credentials Apple issues
- HLS packaging with FairPlay encryption
- Support in each player: the iOS and tvOS apps, and Safari on the web
FairPlay and offline viewing
FairPlay supports downloads through persistent keys. The license sets how long a downloaded title may be kept and how long the viewer has to finish once they start, which is how rental and subscription downloads are enforced on iPhone and iPad.
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