Hey Nothing Team and Community,
First of all, I just want to say how much I appreciate the Nothing Phone (1) — it’s still one of the most unique and well-designed phones out there, both in terms of aesthetics and performance. Even today, it easily competes with newer mid-range devices.
As the Phone (1) nears the end of official software support, many of us in the enthusiast community are moving to custom ROMs to keep the device updated, secure, and feature-rich. This helps extend its lifespan, promotes sustainability, and keeps the Nothing brand alive among power users.
However, there’s one major limitation holding back a complete experience on custom ROMs:
👉 Widevine L1 is not supported (all custom ROMs are currently limited to L3).
This means no HD streaming on services like Netflix, Prime Video, or Disney+ — which is disappointing given how capable the Phone (1)’s display is.
The Core Issue
We understand that Widevine L1 relies on the Trusted Execution Environment (TEE / TrustZone) and that unlocking the bootloader breaks the chain of trust.
But other OEMs, like Google (Pixel) and OnePlus, have provided solutions that allow custom ROM developers to re-enable Widevine L1 while maintaining security.
Our Request to the Nothing Team
To support developers and extend the lifespan of the Phone (1), we kindly ask Nothing to consider:
Releasing updated proprietary blobs for DRM, TEE, and related components (compatible with Android 15+ AOSP builds).
Sharing SELinux policy guidance or examples to help developers properly integrate Widevine.
Maintaining up-to-date kernel sources and device trees that align with the new blobs.
Providing these would not compromise key security, but it would empower the community to keep the device relevant for years to come — showing Nothing’s genuine commitment to sustainability, longevity, and user freedom.
We love our Nothing devices and would be thrilled to see the company support the enthusiast community in this way. ❤️
Thanks for reading,
A passionate Nothing Phone (1) user
