But in YouTube applications you can enjoy viewing in 2160p
Back in 2020, in the midst of restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Google announced that it would reduce the quality of streaming video on YouTube to 480p for purchased movies when viewed through a browser. Today, this restriction remains in force, despite the long-past pandemic.
In October 2020, Google confirmed the launch of «temporary» measures due to which purchased films and TV shows could be streamed on YouTube through the browser at a maximum resolution of 480p. The YouTube team said at the time that the change was due to a «technical issue», but did not disclose any details.
As the thematic resource 9to5google noted, as of December 2023, this restriction is still in effect. YouTube movies via browser can still only be watched in 480p.
Interestingly, when watching the same movies through the separate YouTube app for TV or mobile, users are free to use the full 2160p resolution. And only YouTube in the browser is still limited to 480p.