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This How.com.vn teaches you how to install the free VLC media player on your computer or smartphone. VLC is available for Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android platforms.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

On Windows

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  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Open the VLC...
    Open the VLC website. Type https://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html in your computer's web browser.
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Click Download VLC.
    It's an orange button on the right side of the page.
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  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 Select a download location if prompted.
    Doing so will allow the VLC setup file to download onto your computer.
    • The VLC file will download automatically, so if you aren't prompted for a download location, skip this step.
  4. How.com.vn English: Step 4 Double-click the downloaded VLC setup file.
    You'll find it in the default downloads location for your browser.
  5. How.com.vn English: Step 5 Click Yes when prompted.
    Doing so opens the installation window.
  6. How.com.vn English: Step 6 Select a language.
    When asked, click the language drop-down box and select the language you want to use for VLC Media Player, then click OK to proceed.
  7. How.com.vn English: Step 7 Click Next three times.
    This will take you to the installation page.
  8. How.com.vn English: Step 8 Click Install.
    It's at the bottom of the page. Doing so installs VLC Media Player on your computer.
  9. How.com.vn English: Step 9 Run VLC Media Player.
    Immediately after installing VLC, you can run it by making sure the "Run VLC media player" box is checked and clicking Finish.
    • When you want to run VLC in the future, you'll double-click the VLC app icon on your desktop or select it from Start.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

On Mac

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  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Open the VLC website.
    Go to https://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html in your computer's web browser.
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Click Download VLC.
    It's an orange button on the right side of the page.
  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 Select a download location if prompted.
    Doing so will allow the VLC setup file to download onto your computer.
    • The VLC file will download automatically, so if you aren't prompted for a download location, skip this step.
  4. How.com.vn English: Step 4 Open the downloaded DMG file.
    Go to the folder into which your browser downloads files, then double-click the VLC DMG file. This will open the installation window.
  5. Step 5 Click and drag the VLC app icon onto the "Applications" folder.
    The "Applications" folder is on the right side of the window, while the traffic cone-shaped VLC app icon is on the left. Doing so will install VLC on your computer.
  6. How.com.vn English: Step 6 Run VLC.
    The first time you open VLC after installing it, do the following:
    • Double-click the VLC app icon in the Applications folder.
    • Wait for your Mac to verify VLC.
    • Click Open when prompted.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

On iPhone

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  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Open your iPhone's icon App Store.
    Tap the App Store app icon, which resembles a white "A" on a light-blue background.
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Tap Search.
    This option is in the lower-right corner of the screen.
  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 Tap the search bar.
    It's the grey text box with "App Store" in it at the top of the page.
  4. How.com.vn English: Step 4 Search for VLC.
    Type in vlc, then tap the blue Search button on the lower-right side of the keyboard.
  5. Step 5 Find the "VLC for Mobile" heading.
    Scroll down until you find this heading next to VLC's orange traffic cone icon.
  6. How.com.vn English: Step 6 Tap GET.
    It's to the right of the "VLC for Mobile" heading.
    • If you've downloaded VLC before, you'll tap
      How.com.vn English: iPhone App Store Download Button
      to the right of this heading.
  7. How.com.vn English: Step 7 Enter your Touch ID or Apple ID password when prompted.
    Doing so will allow VLC to begin installing onto your iPhone.
    • You can open VLC immediately after it downloads by tapping OPEN in the App Store.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

On Android

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  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Open your Android's icon Google Play Store.
    Tap the Google Play Store app icon, which resembles a multicolored triangle on a white background.
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Tap the search bar.
    It's at the top of the screen. Your Android's on-screen keyboard will appear.
  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 Open the VLC page.
    Type in vlc, then tap VLC for Android in the resulting drop-down menu.
  4. How.com.vn English: Step 4 Tap INSTALL.
    This is on the right side of the page. Doing so prompts VLC to begin installing onto your Android.
    • If prompted, tap ALLOW after tapping INSTALL to confirm the download.
    • You can open VLC directly from within the Play Store by tapping OPEN when VLC finishes installing.
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Community Q&A

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Add New Question
  • Question
    How long does it take to install?
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It will take 1-2 minutes on pretty much any PC made in the last ten years.
  • Question
    Can I download VLC media player on a computer that does not have access to internet?
    How.com.vn English: Zach Batt.
    Zach Batt.
    Community Answer
    If you have a method of getting the installation EXE onto the computer (e.g. USB), then it should install without an internet connection.
  • Question
    is it safe to download VLC media player from Cnet?
    How.com.vn English: Zach Batt.
    Zach Batt.
    Community Answer
    Whilst is likely is safe, it is always advisable to download software directly from the creators, or an authorized mirror listed on their website.
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      Tips

      • VLC can be used to play all of the most common video file types. This includes things like MP4 files and MKV files.
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      Warnings

      • Only download the VLC Media Player and its add-ons from the official website to be sure that the content is legitimate.
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      About This Article

      How.com.vn English: Jack Lloyd
      Written by:
      How.com.vn Technology Writer
      This article was co-authored by How.com.vn staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for How.com.vn. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 324,936 times.
      How helpful is this?
      Co-authors: 6
      Updated: January 10, 2023
      Views: 324,936
      Categories: VLC Media Player
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 324,936 times.

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