Devices that play HEVC
Almost anything sold with "4K" on the box since 2016 decodes HEVC in hardware. Here are the main devices, since when, and the fine print.
Key points
- Virtually every 4K TV sold since 2016 plays HEVC, including 10-bit HDR.
- All 4K streaming boxes (Fire TV 4K, Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, Apple TV 4K, Roku, Shield) support it.
- Consoles: yes on PS5, PS4 Pro and Xbox One S/X and Series; no on the original PS4 or Switch.
- Phones: iPhone 6s and later; Android with a mid- or high-end chip since 2015.
TVs
The move to 4K coincided with HEVC: 4K broadcasts and platforms required it, so UHD TVs have had HEVC decoders since the first generations (2014-2015), with 10-bit and HDR since 2016. Full HD sets, on the other hand, usually only play H.264 from USB.
| Situation | Plays HEVC? | Check |
|---|---|---|
| 4K TV from 2016 or later | Yes, 8- and 10-bit with HDR | The container (MKV, MP4) in the USB formats list |
| 4K TV from 2014-2015 | Almost always, sometimes 8-bit only | Whether it supports "HEVC Main 10" |
| Full HD TV | Usually not | "H.265" under video |
| Spanish UHD terrestrial channels | Needs HEVC and DVB-T2 | See Spain UHD TV |
Streaming devices
- Amazon Fire TVFire TV Stick 4K, 4K Max and Fire TV Cube decode HEVC with HDR. Recent HD sticks do too, up to 1080p.
- Google Chromecast and Google TV StreamerChromecast Ultra (2016), Chromecast with Google TV (4K and HD) and Google TV Streamer (2024).
- Apple TV 4KEvery generation since 2017, with HDR10 and Dolby Vision. The Apple TV HD (2015) decodes it in software up to 1080p.
- NVIDIA Shield TVPopular with Plex and Kodi users for playing 4K HDR HEVC without transcoding.
- Roku and Android TV/Google TV4K models include it, as do operators' 4K set-top boxes.
- Raspberry Pi 4 and 5Hardware 4K HEVC decoding; the Pi 5, curiously, only HEVC (H.264 is done in software).
Consoles
| Console | Apps (Netflix, Prime…) | Files over USB or network |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | Yes | Yes (MKV and MP4) |
| PlayStation 4 Pro | Yes | Yes, with container limits |
| PlayStation 4 | Apps only, up to 1080p | No |
| Xbox Series X|S, One S, One X | Yes | Yes, with the Media Player app or VLC |
| Nintendo Switch / Switch 2 | Depends on the app | No file player |
Phones and tablets
On iPhone and iPad, hardware decoding arrived with the A9 chip (iPhone 6s, 2015) and recording with the A10 (iPhone 7). On Android, the OS supports it since 5.0 (2014) and hardware depends on the chip: Snapdragon 805/810 onwards, Exynos since 2015, current MediaTek and Tensor. Any mid-range phone plays it today; if a particular app doesn't, try VLC or MX Player.
Computers and graphics cards
Since when hardware decodes HEVC
- 2015 6th gen (Skylake): 8-bit
- 2016 7th gen (Kaby Lake): 10-bit
- 2015 GTX 950/960: Main y Main 10
- 2016 GTX 10: up to 12-bit
- 2015 Carrizo APUs and R9 Fury: 8-bit
- 2016 RX 400 (Polaris): 10-bit
- 2015 A9 chip (iPhone 6s)
- 2017 macOS High Sierra on Intel 6th-gen+ Macs
- 2020 M1: 8- and 10-bit
Browser details (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari) and how to check whether your GPU accelerates HEVC are in browsers and GPUs.
Other devices
- 4K Blu-ray playersAll of them, by definition. Many also play HEVC files from USB or the network.
- 4K projectorsThose with their own OS (Android TV, webOS, Tizen) usually include it; HDMI-only ones don't need it.
- CarsInfotainment systems vary widely: many only read H.264 from USB. Check the manual.
- NASTo transcode HEVC in Plex or Jellyfin, pick a NAS with an Intel CPU with integrated graphics (Quick Sync), 7th gen or newer.
Unsure about your device?
Take the compatibility check or, for a computer, follow the installation guide.
Frequently asked questions
Will my TV play HEVC from a USB stick?
If it is 4K and from 2016 or later, almost certainly. Older Full HD models usually only play H.264. Look for "HEVC" or "H.265" in the spec sheet, under video formats or the tuner.
Does the PS4 play HEVC?
The PS4 Pro and PS5 play HEVC from USB and in apps; the original PS4 does not in its media player. Xbox One S, One X and Series consoles also play it.