Download VLC for Mac
Download VLC Media Player free for macOS. The latest version runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs and plays almost any video or audio file.
VLC for macOS
macOS 10.10 Yosemite or newer · Apple Silicon & Intel
Links to VideoLAN's official, verified file
VLC Media Player for macOS
VLC for Mac is the free, open-source media player from the non-profit VideoLAN. It is the go-to alternative to the player built into macOS because it opens files that other players reject — MKV, AVI, WMV, FLV and many more — without any extra codecs or conversion. Every codec ships inside the app.
The Mac download is a universal disk image of roughly 55 MB that runs natively on both Apple Silicon and Intel processors. It works on macOS 10.10 Yosemite and newer, contains no advertising or tracking, and stays light on memory and battery.
System requirements
| Operating system | macOS 10.10 Yosemite or newer |
| Processor | Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3+) or Intel — universal build |
| Download size | About 55 MB (.dmg) |
| Disk space | Around 250 MB once installed |
How to install VLC on a Mac
Installing VLC on macOS is a quick drag-and-drop.
- Download the disk image. Select "Download VLC for Mac". The official .dmg disk image, around 55 MB, downloads to your Mac.
- Open the disk image. Double-click the downloaded vlc-3.0.23.dmg file to mount it. A window showing the VLC icon appears.
- Drag VLC to Applications. Drag the VLC icon onto the Applications folder shortcut in the same window to install the app.
- Eject and launch VLC. Eject the disk image, then open VLC from your Applications folder or from Launchpad.
- Approve the first launch. If macOS shows a prompt because the app was downloaded from the internet, click Open. VLC then launches normally every time after.
Opening VLC for the first time
Like any app downloaded outside the Mac App Store, VLC may prompt macOS Gatekeeper the first time you open it. If you see a message that the app was downloaded from the internet, right-click (or Control-click) the VLC icon in your Applications folder, choose Open, and confirm. This approval is needed only once — after that, VLC opens like any other app.
Tip: always install VLC from VideoLAN's official disk image. A genuine copy is properly signed, so the first-launch step is the only prompt you should ever see.
Is VLC for Mac safe?
Yes. VLC for Mac contains no advertising, no bundled software and no tracking, and its source code is fully open for anyone to audit. The risk comes only from unofficial copies — some sites repackage the installer with adware. The download here links straight to VideoLAN's official, verified disk image, so you always get the authentic app. You can confirm it any time at videolan.org.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about VLC Media Player on macOS.
Is VLC free for Mac?
Yes. VLC Media Player is completely free on macOS, with no trial period and no paid tier. It is built by the non-profit VideoLAN and released as open-source software under the GPLv2-or-later licence. You can install it on any number of Macs at no cost.
Does VLC work on Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes. VLC for Mac runs natively on Apple Silicon — M1, M2, M3 and newer chips — as well as on Intel Macs. The standard download is a universal build, so the same file works correctly on either type of Mac without using Rosetta.
Which macOS versions does VLC support?
VLC 3.0.23 supports macOS 10.10 Yosemite and every newer release, up to the current version of macOS. It is a lightweight app, so it also runs well on older Macs that are no longer the fastest machines.
VLC will not open on my Mac — what should I do?
If macOS blocks VLC the first time, it is because the app was downloaded from the internet. Right-click (or Control-click) the VLC icon in Applications, choose Open, then confirm with Open in the dialog. You only need to do this once; afterwards VLC launches normally.
Is VLC for Mac safe?
VLC is safe: no ads, no bundled software and no tracking, with fully open-source code anyone can inspect. The only precaution is where you download it, since some sites repackage VLC with adware. The button on this page links to VideoLAN’s official, verified disk image.
How do I uninstall VLC on Mac?
Uninstalling VLC is simple: open your Applications folder, drag the VLC app to the Trash, and empty the Trash. That removes the player. If you also want to clear its settings, delete the VLC folders inside ~/Library/Preferences and ~/Library/Application Support.