Quick answer
VLC for Android is the free, open-source media player from VideoLAN that plays almost any video or audio file, network stream or disc image without ads or tracking. The latest VLC APK is version 3.7.2, released October 16, 2026, and the F-Droid build needs Android 4.2 or newer. It's completely free, with no in-app purchases.
| App name | VLC for Android |
|---|---|
| Developer | Videolabs |
| Latest version | 3.7.2 |
| Updated | Oct 16, 2026 |
| Requires Android | 4.2 and up |
| Size | 47–49 MiB |
| Package name | org.videolan.vlc |
| Category | Video Players |
| Price | Free |
| Contains ads | No |
| In-app purchases | No |
On this page
What is VLC for Android?
VLC for Android is the phone version of VLC media player, the free, open-source player made by the VideoLAN project. If you've used VLC on a computer, you already know its reputation: it plays practically anything you give it, without hunting for codecs and without ads. The Android app brings that to your phone.
It's published on Google Play by Videolabs, the company that works on VLC alongside the non-profit VideoLAN, and has been there since February 2015 with more than 500 million downloads. It's also on F-Droid, built from the same open-source code.
VLC isn't a streaming service. It plays your own media: videos you've downloaded, music on your SD card, files on a USB drive, or streams from your home server. For that job, it's one of the best video player apps you can install, and it doesn't cost anything.
What's new in VLC 3.7.2
VLC 3.7.2 was added to F-Droid on October 16, 2026, and the Google Play listing was updated on October 14. The release notes on Play list:
- Equalizer fixes.
- Remote access: you can now play audio files in the browser.
- File browser: deleting multiple files at once is back.
- Remote access security: the one-time code length was updated.
- Feedback screen improvements.
- More subtitle size options.
- Crash fixes.
Key features
Plays almost any format
MKV, MP4, AVI, MOV, WebM, FLAC, MP3, OGG and many more play without extra downloads. VLC also opens disc images and network streams. If a file won't play in your phone's gallery app, try VLC first.
Subtitles done properly
VLC reads subtitles embedded in a file or in a separate file next to it. During playback, tap the subtitle button to switch tracks, change the delay if they're out of sync, or adjust the size, which this update gives more options for.
Network playback
Browse shared folders on your home network (SMB), media servers (UPnP/DLNA) and other network locations straight from VLC's Browse tab. You can also paste a stream URL to play it directly.
Audio player
VLC is a solid music player too, with a library sorted by artist, album and genre, an equalizer, and playback that continues with the screen off.
Remote access
Remote access lets you control VLC and browse its library from a web browser on another device on the same network. Version 3.7.2 adds playing audio files in that browser view.
VLC from Google Play vs F-Droid
| Google Play | F-Droid | |
|---|---|---|
| Signed by | VideoLAN | F-Droid |
| Version shown | "Varies with device" | 3.7.2, listed per processor |
| Android requirement | Not stated (varies) | Android 4.2 or newer |
| Updates | Automatic through Play | Through the F-Droid app |
Both are the official open-source app. Because the signing keys differ, choose one source and keep updating from it.
Tips for getting more out of VLC
Turn on background playback for audio, so podcasts and music keep playing with the screen off. Use the pop-up (picture-in-picture) button to keep a video playing while you use other apps. If a file stutters, try changing hardware acceleration in the video settings. And if subtitles are missing, VLC can search for and download them from inside the player.
How to install VLC APK on Android
The easiest option is VLC on Google Play. Without Play Store, use F-Droid or VideoLAN's own download page.
- Choose one official source: Google Play, F-Droid, or videolan.org.
- For a direct APK, pick the build that matches your phone's processor. Most phones from recent years use arm64-v8a.
- If you downloaded the file from APKPeer, check that the SHA-256 matches the one on this page. We link to VideoLAN's and F-Droid's own downloads, so there's no APKPeer file for VLC.
- Open the APK and allow your browser or file manager to Install unknown apps when Android asks.
- Tap Install, open VLC, and allow access to your media so it can build your library.
- Turn off the install permission under Settings → Apps → Special app access → Install unknown apps.
Is VLC APK safe?
The official VLC APK is safe, and it's one of the most trustworthy apps you can install. It's open source, made by a non-profit project, and has no ads, no in-app purchases and no tracking. Google Play rates it Everyone.
Its permissions are what a media player needs: access to your photos, videos, music and files to play them, network access for streaming and remote access, and notifications for background playback controls.
The risk is fake copies. Because VLC is so well known, unofficial sites have bundled lookalike "VLC" downloads with adware. VideoLAN only distributes VLC through its own site, Google Play, F-Droid and a few other official stores. APKPeer only links to those official sources.
VLC vs alternatives
- MX Player is popular for its gesture controls and hardware decoding, but the free version shows ads and now includes a streaming service.
- mpv-android is an open-source player with excellent video quality and lots of configuration. It's less beginner-friendly than VLC.
- Just (Video) Player is a small, open-source player based on Google's ExoPlayer, with a minimal interface. It plays fewer formats than VLC.
If you want one free player that handles every file and stream without ads, install VLC.
Version history
VLC 3.7.2Latest
· 47–49 MiB
What changed (7)
- Equalizer fixes.
- Remote access can now play audio files in the browser.
- Deleting multiple files in the browser is back.
- Updated the remote access one-time code length.
- Improved the feedback screen.
- More subtitle size options.
- Crash fixes.
Source: f-droid.org
Frequently asked questions
How do I install VLC on Android?
Open Google Play, search for VLC and check the developer is Videolabs before tapping Install. It needs Android 4.2 or newer. It's free to install, and Play keeps it updated automatically. VLC is also on F-Droid, but that build is signed differently, so pick one source and stick with it.
Is VLC for Android free?
Yes, completely. VLC for Android is free and open source, with no ads, no in-app purchases and no tracking. It's made by the VideoLAN non-profit project and Videolabs, and funded by donations and sponsorship rather than by selling anything to users.
Can VLC play MKV and other formats on Android?
Yes. VLC plays almost every common video and audio format, including MKV, MP4, AVI, MOV, FLAC and more, without extra codec packs. It also handles embedded and external subtitles, multiple audio tracks, and network streams from home servers or URLs.
Is the VLC APK from F-Droid the same as the Play Store version?
It's the same app built from the same source code, but signed by F-Droid instead of VideoLAN. Because the signatures differ, you can't update one with the other. Pick one source and stick with it, or uninstall before switching. Both builds come from VideoLAN's open-source code.
Why does VLC show 'Varies with device' on Google Play?
VLC publishes separate builds for different processor types, so Google Play shows "Varies with device" instead of one version number. F-Droid lists each build separately, which is why we use its version and Android requirement on this page. The Play version installs the correct build for your phone automatically.
