Bottom line: Chrome users can now watch Netflix shows in 4K resolution. However, the streaming giant is offering this high-quality option only to users who meet the strict hardware requirements set by the company. Is the official Netflix app still the best streaming option for the broader PC ecosystem?
Netflix's support for 4K streaming through Chrome on Windows was spotted last month. Now, the media giant has updated its documentation to explain exactly how subscribers can unlock the higher-quality option. However, the move will still leave many users behind, despite bringing 4K playback to the most popular web browser used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
Netflix's updated browser support documentation now lists Chrome 117 or later as a browser capable of streaming shows in Ultra HD (2160p) resolution. Previously, the feature was only available through Microsoft Edge and Safari. Furthermore, 4K streaming requires users to subscribe to the appropriate plan; in the US, the Premium plan is currently the only option that supports 4K and costs $27 per month.
Even worse, Chrome compatibility with 4K streaming is limited to Windows PCs and Chromebook devices. Mac users will still need to rely on Safari, or even Microsoft's Edge browser for macOS, to watch their favorite shows at the highest resolution supported by the service.
Browser support aside, streaming Ultra HD content on computers requires additional hardware and software that Netflix outlines in another support document. These requirements include a "steady" internet connection with speeds of 15 Mbps or higher, Windows 11 with the latest updates installed, and a modern GPU from either Nvidia (GeForce GTX 1050 or newer) or AMD (Radeon RX 400 series or newer).
Additional requirements include a 7th-generation Intel Core processor, an AMD Ryzen processor, or newer models, along with a proper 4K 60Hz built-in or external display/TV that complies with the HDCP 2.2 DRM standard. Multiple displays can be used for 4K playback, but they must meet the same requirements.
Netflix's hardware requirements should also apply to the company's dedicated Windows app, meaning there is currently no official way for Windows 10 users to access Ultra HD playback. Official Chrome support will certainly allow a wider audience to access higher-resolution Netflix content, while people using alternative browsers such as Firefox or Brave are still excluded from the feature.
In that sense, my personal experience dealing with protected media content on PCs suggests that things are unlikely to improve anytime soon. Watching an Ultra HD Blu-ray release – which still offers significantly better quality than streaming – on a Windows 10 PC requires considerable tinkering, including DRM workarounds, firmware flashing, and purchasing compatible hardware. However, it can ultimately be done if you're determined enough.