Disney+ Restores 4K in Germany but Keeps HDR Off, Offers Partial Refunds
Disney+ has been forced to change how its Ultra HD features work in Germany after disabling 4K UHD and HDR earlier this year due to a legal dispute involving HEVC. While 4K UHD is now available again, HDR remains unavailable, some devices may no longer support 4K after the codec switch, and the streamer has introduced partial refunds for the current billing period and for unused time when subscribers cancel.
Release timing and what’s available right now in Germany
Disney+ temporarily turned off 4K UHD and HDR for subscribers in Germany in late July following the HEVC dispute. Since then, Ultra-HD resolution has returned, but the rollout is not uniform across all TVs and streaming boxes. HDR is still not available in the country at the time of the announcement, and Disney+ says it is working to restore the feature “as quickly as possible.”
| Platform / device type | Status for 4K UHD | Date / rollout window |
|---|---|---|
| Android TV (including selected Google/Philips/Sony models and others) | Supported (subject to device compatibility) | Currently, after the “alternative technology” update |
| Amazon Fire TV | Supported (subject to device compatibility) | Currently, after the “alternative technology” update |
| LG TVs (from 2020) | Supported (subject to device compatibility) | Currently, after the “alternative technology” update |
| Sky Glass | Supported (subject to device compatibility) | Currently, after the “alternative technology” update |
| Sky Stream | Supported (subject to device compatibility) | Currently, after the “alternative technology” update |
| Other devices that previously supported 4K UHD | May not support 4K UHD anymore after the codec change | Compatibility can vary now and may change over time |
Why the picture looks different: codec changes and device compatibility
Disney+ had relied on HEVC previously, but it appears to have moved to VP9. That matters because some devices that worked with the older HEVC setup may no longer decode Disney+’s streams correctly after the update. In the subscriber email, Disney+ points to an “alternative technology solution” and warns that 4K UHD support, availability, and compatibility can vary and may change over time.
The company also says it plans to expand support for additional devices in the future.
HDR is still missing—and several HDR-related features are unchanged
Even with Ultra-HD resolution back, HDR is not currently available on Disney+ in Germany. The streamer’s message to subscribers states: “HDR is currently not available on Disney+ in your country. We are working to restore the feature as quickly as possible.”
Additionally, features removed earlier as part of the HEVC-related legal situation remain absent. These include HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and 3D content—features that had been taken out in February due to the dispute.
Refunds for Germany: unused time after cancellation and partial refunds for missing features
Because Disney+ cannot deliver the same feature set as when the contract was originally agreed, it is offering two refund paths for affected subscribers in Germany:
- Cancellation refunds: if you cancel, you can get money back for the unused portion of the paid subscription time.
- Keep Premium refunds: if you continue with the Premium plan, Disney+ offers an advance, pro-rated refund for the current billing period for the missing 4K UHD and HDR functionality—or you can instead switch to another, cheaper tier.
What happens when you cancel
Disney+ says that a canceled monthly subscription continues until the end of the paid month, and a canceled annual subscription continues until the end of the prepaid year. The key change is that Disney+ now refunds the unused portion that was paid in advance—something that previously did not apply under the earlier cancellation terms.
How much is refunded if you stay on Premium
For annual Premium subscribers, Disney+ is reportedly refunding €2.50 per month for the remaining term to reflect missing 4K UHD and HDR. Support requests currently come with long wait times; one reported wait was around 40 minutes. As an alternative, users can switch to another plan instead of requesting the pro-rated refund.
Disney+ also allows subscribers to cancel without financial disadvantage within 30 days after receiving the notification about these changes. If you choose to cancel, your subscription ends when the request is processed, and Disney+ refunds the unused prepaid portion.
What players and TV owners should watch next
For viewers, the immediate impact is straightforward: Ultra-HD resolution may be back, but whether it works depends on your device’s VP9 capability after the update, and HDR is still not available. If you rely on HDR10+, Dolby Vision, or 3D, those are still missing as of the announcement.
The remaining unknown is how quickly Disney+ can fully restore HDR and how broad the device compatibility expansion will become across the German market. Disney+ indicates additional device support is planned, but it does not provide a specific timeline for HDR restoration or the full device rollout.
