It's a common dilemma: you've got your favorite movie or TV show in a format your iPad just won't play natively. That's where VLC Media Player swoops in like a hero! Known for its incredible versatility, VLC can handle almost any video or audio format you throw at it, making it an essential app for any iPad user who loves media.
Ready to unlock your iPad's full media potential? Let's dive into how you can easily download and install VLC Media Player on your device, step-by-step.
How to Download VLC on iPad: Your Comprehensive Guide
VLC for iOS (which includes iPadOS) is completely free, open-source, and available directly from the Apple App Store. This means a straightforward and secure installation process.
Step 1: Are You Connected? Ensure Your iPad is Ready!
Before we begin the download, let's make sure your iPad is in prime condition.
- Internet Connection: First things first, are you connected to the internet? You'll need a stable Wi-Fi connection to download the app from the App Store. Cellular data can also work, but Wi-Fi is generally faster and won't eat into your data plan.
- Sufficient Storage: VLC itself isn't a massive app, but consider the media you'll be playing. Do you have enough free space on your iPad for the app and for any large video files you plan to store? You can check your storage in Settings > General > iPad Storage.
- Battery Life: It's always a good idea to have a decent amount of battery life (or be connected to a charger) when downloading and installing apps, especially larger ones.
Once you've confirmed these points, you're all set to proceed!
Step 2: Navigate to the Apple App Store
The Apple App Store is your official portal for all iOS applications.
- Locate the App Store Icon: On your iPad's home screen, look for the App Store icon. It typically looks like a blue square with a white "A" in the middle. Tap on it to open the App Store.
Step 3: Search for VLC Media Player
Now that you're in the App Store, it's time to find VLC.
- Tap the Search Tab: At the bottom of the App Store screen, you'll see a row of tabs. Tap on the "Search" tab, which usually has a magnifying glass icon.
- Enter "VLC": A search bar will appear at the top of the screen. Tap into it and type "VLC media player" (or just "VLC") and then tap the blue "Search" button on the keyboard.
Step 4: Identify and Initiate the Download
You'll see a list of search results.
- Find "VLC media player": Look for the app titled "VLC media player" by VideoLAN. It will have the iconic orange traffic cone icon.
- Tap "GET" or the Cloud Icon:
- If you've never downloaded VLC before, you'll see a "GET" button next to the app name. Tap this button.
- If you've previously downloaded VLC (even on another iOS device linked to the same Apple ID), you might see a cloud icon with a down arrow instead of "GET". This means you can redownload it without re-entering your password. Tap this icon.
- Confirm Your Download: Your iPad will likely prompt you to confirm the download using Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. Follow the on-screen instructions to authorize the download. This is a standard security measure for all App Store downloads.
Step 5: Wait for Installation
Once confirmed, the download and installation process will begin automatically.
- Monitor Progress: You'll see a circular progress indicator on the VLC app icon in the App Store, and eventually, the icon will appear on your iPad's home screen with a "Loading" or "Installing" label.
- Patience is Key: The download time will depend on your internet speed. VLC is not a huge app (around 200MB), so it should be relatively quick.
Step 6: Launch VLC Media Player
Congratulations! VLC is now installed on your iPad.
- Tap "Open" (from App Store): Once the installation is complete, the "GET" button in the App Store will change to "OPEN". You can tap this to launch VLC directly.
- Tap the VLC Icon (from Home Screen): Alternatively, go back to your iPad's home screen and locate the orange traffic cone icon for VLC. Tap it to open the app.
Step 7: Explore and Enjoy!
Upon first launch, VLC might ask for permission to access your local network or media library. Granting these permissions will allow VLC to find and play files from various sources on your iPad and across your network.
- Initial Setup: You'll see a brief welcome screen. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the interface.
- Adding Media: VLC offers several ways to add media to your library, including:
- Wi-Fi Upload: Easily transfer files from your computer to your iPad via a web browser.
- Cloud Services: Connect to Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud Drive, and Box.com.
- iTunes: Use iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later) to sync media.
- Network Streams: Play videos from SMB/Windows shares, FTP, SFTP, NFS, UPnP/DLNA servers, and web streams.
- Direct Downloads: Download files directly within the app.
You're now ready to play virtually any video or audio file on your iPad, regardless of its format! Enjoy the universal playback power of VLC!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about VLC on iPad, with quick answers:
How to transfer videos to VLC on iPad?
You can transfer videos via Wi-Fi Upload (accessible in the VLC app's network tab), iTunes file sharing, cloud services (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.), or direct downloads within the app.
How to play MKV files on iPad using VLC?
Once VLC is installed, simply transfer your MKV files to the VLC app's media library using any of the methods mentioned above. VLC will play them directly.
How to delete videos from VLC on iPad?
In the VLC app, navigate to your media library. Tap the "Edit" button (or swipe left on a file) to reveal the delete option, then confirm.
How to enable subtitles in VLC on iPad?
When playing a video, tap the speech bubble icon in the bottom right corner of the playback screen. This will bring up options to select available subtitle tracks or download external subtitles.
How to adjust playback speed in VLC on iPad?
During video playback, tap the gear icon or three-dot menu (depending on the VLC version) to access playback options, including a slider for speed control.
How to stream videos from a network drive with VLC on iPad?
In VLC, go to the "Network" tab. You can then browse SMB/Windows shares, FTP, SFTP, NFS, or UPnP/DLNA servers on your local network to stream content.
How to fix VLC crashing on iPad?
Try restarting the VLC app, then restarting your iPad. Ensure your iOS and VLC app are updated to the latest versions. If issues persist, reinstalling the app might help (be aware this will delete downloaded media in VLC).
How to use VLC to play audio files on iPad?
VLC isn't just for video! Transfer your audio files (MP3, FLAC, Ogg, etc.) to the VLC app, and they will appear in the audio library for playback.
How to lock the screen orientation in VLC on iPad?
During video playback, look for a lock icon on the screen. Tapping this will prevent the screen from rotating when you move your iPad.
How to update VLC on iPad?
Open the Apple App Store, tap on your profile picture in the top right corner, and then scroll down to see pending updates. If VLC has an update, you'll see it listed there; tap "Update" next to it.
