VLC Media Player has been one of the most popular software for watching videos on PC and Mac. It supports a wide variety of audio and video file formats, making it a must-have on every PC and Mac. You also get loads of great multimedia features and functions without paying anything, which makes it a steal. Apart from many great features, VLC provides the ability to control it remotely from an Android or iOS device. So, if you have an iPhone or Android smartphone, you can use it as a remote for VLC on your PC or Mac. This should come in handy when you’re watching a movie with a group of people and don’t want to get up to lower the volume or skip ahead. So let’s check Here’s how you can use your Android or iOS to remotely control VLC running on PC or Mac:
Note: We tested the process using a Windows PC and an Android smartphone, but the process should be the same if you’re using a Mac or iOS device.
Requirements
- A Windows or macOS system with the latest version of VLC installed.
- An Android or iOS device
- A public WiFi network that both your computer and Android/iOS device are connected to.
- VLC Mobile Remote Control app (Android) (iOS)
Prepare VLC Media Player on PC or Mac
1. Before starting the process, you should make sure that you are running the latest version of VLC installed. You can check this by clicking “.Help“ from VLC’s menu bar and “About” choice.
2. The next step is to configure VLC so you can control it from Android or iOS. For this “tools“ Click on the menu andPreferences“ choice. Moreover Ctrl+P shortcut do the same.
3. “PreferencesIn the ” window, just “Everythingfrom the ” buttonshow settingsThe ” group is in the lower left corner of the window.
4. Now, in the left-hand scrollable list, click “Main interfacesunder the “”Interface” group. Here, you will need to enable the checkbox next to “.Network” choice.
5. Now, “Main interfacesunder the “”InterfaceClick on the ” group and select the “lua“ choice. Here, you have to set a password for your portal between computer and phone. When you’re done with this,savePress the ” button and close VLC.
6. Now open the player again and it will ask you to grant access to Windows Firewall. You have to click “.allow accessClick the ” button and you are finished configuring VLC on your computer.
Controlling VLC from Android
1. As stated in the requirements, VLC Mobile Remote control app (Free with in-app purchases).
2. When you open the app, you will need to configure it by putting it in. IP address The password you set as the Lua password of your PC and VLC earlier. Make sure you put Lua Telnet port number inside port number box here. If the IP Address and password match that of your PC, it will notify you with a push notification.
3. After completing the configuration, tap your computer name. It will show you a page where all your computer’s drivers are listed alphabetically. Here, tap the desired drive and select a desired video file. You will see the video play automatically in VLC on your PC.
4. Next, you will be able to: Check various functions of VLC playback from your phone screen, video subtitles, full screen transition, screen ratio settings, etc.
Controlling VLC from iPhone or iPad
1. The VLC Mobile Remote app is also available for free on the App Store. You can download it on any iOS device (Free in-app purchase).
2. Just like its Android counterpart, you need to fill it. IP address and password that you set as VLC’s Lua password in the app. Make sure you put Lua Telnet port number inside port number box here. If the IP Address and password match that of your computer, you will be notified by a push notification.
3. When you are done with this, in the pastp to the name of your computer. It will show you a page where all your computer’s drivers are listed alphabetically. simply tap the desired drive and select a desired video file. You will see the video play automatically on your computer.
4. You can now control VLC from your iPhone or iPad. you get options like control playback, select subtitle languages, switch to full screen, select desired screen ratio settings, etc.
note: The app on both platforms has in-app purchases to unlock certain premium features like exiting VLC Media player directly from the app, setting a folder as ‘Home location’, using it as a YouTube remote, and more.
Bonus: Stream content from Android to VLC on PC or Mac
Not only can you control VLC from an Android device on your Mac or PC, but you can also stream content from your smartphone to VLC. Well, you can do this with VLC Direct application (Free with in-app purchases).
First, you will need to Connect VLC Direct with VLC Media Player It works on Windows or macOS. The process is the same as above. After doing that, you can easily transfer the contents of your phone. For this you must make sure of the following: target set to VLC, as shown in the screenshot below. Then just touch the desired media file on your phone to see it running on your computer screen.
The VLC Direct app can also use your smartphone as a Remote to control VLC. You can control VLC Player on your PC or Mac. DVD Control choice. The remote has a very simple interface but the app is full of ads in the free version.
If you’re ready to deal with a great app with a messy interface, try VLC Direct. There is an option to get rid of ads by purchasing the full version with the complex star based purchasing system.
SEE ALSO: 22 Useful VLC Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows and macOS
Control VLC on Mac/PC from an Android or iOS device
Well, these were the ways to use your Android or iOS device to control VLC on your Windows PC or Mac. There are many other apps that bring similar functionality, but they are complex and have dated user interfaces. However, if you know of an easier way to do this or improve the methods mentioned, feel free to write your thoughts in the comments section below.
