How do I install VLC on Mac?

Open Terminal, install Homebrew if you haven't already (visit brew.sh), then run `brew install --cask vlc`. The app will be downloaded and installed automatically. You can then run `vlc` from Terminal.

Yes, VLC is completely free to use. It is also open source, so you can inspect and contribute to the code.

How do I uninstall VLC?

Open Terminal and run `brew uninstall --cask vlc`. Homebrew will remove VLC and all associated files cleanly. You can verify it was removed by running `brew list`.

What are alternatives to VLC?

There are several media & entertainment apps available for macOS. Browse the Media & Entertainment category on Bundl.run to compare features, popularity, and install counts for similar tools.

How do I update VLC to the latest version?

Run `brew upgrade --cask vlc` in Terminal to update to the latest version. You can also run `brew outdated` to check if an update is available.

Does VLC work on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4)?

Yes, VLC can be installed on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs via Homebrew. Homebrew automatically handles the correct version for your hardware.

VLC for Mac (2026) — Review, Download & Install

Name: VLC
Availability: InStock

What is VLC?

Free and open-source multimedia player

Install with Homebrew

brew install --cask vlc

How to Install VLC on Mac

Follow these steps to install VLC using Homebrew, the most popular package manager for macOS. This works on both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel Macs.

1
Open Terminal
Launch Terminal from your Applications > Utilities folder, or press Cmd + Space and type "Terminal".
2
Install Homebrew
If you don't have Homebrew yet, paste the install script from brew.sh into Terminal and follow the prompts.
3
Run brew install --cask vlc
Paste the following command into Terminal and press Enter:
brew install --cask vlc
4
Verify Installation
Run `brew list` to confirm vlc is installed, then try `vlc --version` to check the version number.
5
Launch VLC
Run `vlc` in your Terminal to start using it.

Troubleshooting

• If you see a permission error, try prefixing the command with sudo.
• If Homebrew can't find the package, run brew update first to refresh the package list.
• On Apple Silicon Macs, make sure Homebrew is installed at /opt/homebrew (the default for M-series chips).

Key Features

Easy installation via Homebrew

Regular updates and maintenance

Free to use

Open source codebase

Pros

✓Simple one-command installation
✓Well-maintained and regularly updated
✓Completely free to use

Cons

✗Requires Homebrew to be installed
✗macOS only

Video Tutorials

Getting Started with VLC

thecoderworld33.8K views

How to Install and Use VLC Media Player on Mac

ProgrammingKnowledge2 • 6.6K views

How to download VLC player in MacBook official #technology #vlcplayer #technologynews #1techoof

1Techoof • 90.9K views

How to Install VLC Media Player for Mac

ProgrammingKnowledge2 • 47.5K views

About the Author

Maya Rodriguez

Creative Software Expert

Design & Graphics SoftwarePhoto & Video EditingUI/UX Design Tools

10+ years in graphic design · Former creative director

What is VLC?

Install with Homebrew

How to Install VLC on Mac

Open Terminal

Install Homebrew

Run brew install --cask vlc

Verify Installation