How to install VLC Media Player on Windows, Mac, Linux and Mobile

Updated November 12, 2026 · FPTWaze editors

Install VLC Media Player free and open source from the official site or an official package manager. Covers Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS.

Quick answer: VLC Media Player is free to download from its official website for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS / iPadOS. To install it with one command, on Windows run "winget install -e --id VideoLAN.VLC"; on macOS run "brew install --cask vlc"; on Linux run "flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLC".

System	Action	Command
Windows (winget)	Install	`winget install -e --id VideoLAN.VLC`
	Update	`winget upgrade -e --id VideoLAN.VLC`
	Remove	`winget uninstall -e --id VideoLAN.VLC`
macOS (Homebrew)	Install	`brew install --cask vlc`
	Update	`brew upgrade --cask vlc`
	Remove	`brew uninstall --cask vlc`
Linux (Flatpak)	Install	`flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLC`
	Update	`flatpak update org.videolan.VLC`
	Remove	`flatpak uninstall org.videolan.VLC`

VLC Media Player is an open-source media player for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS. It suits anyone who wants to play videos, audio, discs and network streams without installing extra codecs. The safe way to get it is from the official download buttons above or from an official package manager.

How to install VLC Media Player on Windows

Select the official download button above for Windows.
Open the installer you downloaded and follow the prompts.
Start VLC Media Player when the installation finishes.

If you use winget, run the install command for VideoLAN.VLC shown in the commands table above.

How to install VLC Media Player on Mac

Select the official download button above for macOS.
Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen steps.

If you use Homebrew, run the cask install command for vlc shown in the commands table above.

How to install VLC Media Player on Linux

Select the official download button above for Linux.
Follow the install steps on the official download page for your distribution.

If you use Flathub, run the install command for org.videolan.VLC shown in the commands table above.

How to install VLC Media Player on Android

Select the official download button above for Android.
Follow the prompts to install VLC Media Player on your device.

How to install VLC Media Player on iOS and iPadOS

Select the official download button above for iOS / iPadOS.
Follow the on-screen steps to finish the installation.

How to update VLC Media Player

Update VLC Media Player with the same route you used to install it. With the official installer, download the newest version from the official download button above and install it over the old one. With winget, Homebrew or Flathub, run the upgrade command shown in the commands table above. On Android and iOS, update through the same route you used to install the app.

How to uninstall VLC Media Player

Remove VLC Media Player with the same route you used to install it. With the official installer on Windows, Mac or Linux, use your system's normal way to remove installed programs. With a package manager, run the uninstall command in the commands table above. On Android and iOS, remove VLC Media Player like any other app on your device.

Frequently asked questions

Is VLC Media Player free and open source?

Yes. VLC Media Player is open-source software released under the GPL-2.0 license. It is made by the non-profit VideoLAN organization and contains no ads or tracking.

Does VLC Media Player need extra codecs to play videos?

No. VLC Media Player has built-in codecs, so nothing else needs to be installed to play nearly any video or audio format.

Where is the safe place to download VLC Media Player?

Use the official download buttons on this page or an official package manager. VLC Media Player is made by VideoLAN, and these sources provide the official version.

Can VLC Media Player play subtitles and convert media?

Yes. VLC Media Player can play subtitles in many formats, convert media and record network streams, all in one free open-source player.

How this guide was made: written with AI assistance from the facts in our catalog (official links, packages, license, platforms) and checked by an editor before publication. Commands and links above come straight from the catalog.