The rate at which we consume multimedia is certainly higher than ever. Although the contributing factor behind the phenomenon is undoubtedly the advancement in technology, we also have to address the issue that content is easily available for consumption.
But what if you are using a niche system? Are you still able to view your favorite movies or listen to the latest songs back to back? You can if you love VLC. It is a media player that is loved all around the globe and is available on Linux.
For our readers who love the app and want to run it on their Linux distro, here is a complete guide on how to install VLC on Linux.
What is VLC?
VLC is a free and open-source multimedia player app/software that is not only portable but also available across different platforms. Over time, VLC became capable of streaming online videos.
Although initially, the developer behind VLC, the VideoLAN Project intended it to be an exclusive desktop-oriented software, with the rise of smartphones, the app became available for both Android and iOS.
The feature that sets VLC apart from traditional media players is its inbuilt codec. Hence, users do not have to download a different codec to run a different file format. As such, VLC is versatile enough to run almost any audio and or video file without issues.
Prerequisites for VLC Installation
In order to run VLC on any Linux device, one has to heed the following requirements:
- Have a Linux OS system.
- A working internet connection
- And the supported Linux distros, which are:
- Alma
- Alpine
- Arch
- CentOS
- Debian
- Fedora
- Linux
- Mint
- openSUSE
- Pop!_OS
- RHEL
- Rocky
- Stream
- SUSE
- Ubuntu
- Kali Linux
Method 1. Install VLC using Snap
Snapd is a daemon and Linux tool that allows users to install snap packages on their Linux devices. Hence, those users who want to install VLC, must first install snapd.
Install VLC on Ubuntu, Debian, Kali, and Mint
In order to install VLC, follow the steps prescribed below:
Step 1. Launch the Command Terminal by pressing the Ctrl + Alt + T buttons.
Step 2. Enter the following command to install snapd:
sudo apt install snapdStep 3. Now, run the snap command to find VLC:
sudo snap find vlcStep 4. Finally, install VLC:
sudo snap install vlcInstall VLC on Arch Linux
Similarly, for Arch Linux, first, we have to install snapd. Hence, the steps are:
Step 1. Run the Command Terminal
Step 2. Install snapd using the codes below:
sudo yaourt -S snapdsudo systemctl enable --now snapd.socketStep 3. Finally, install VLC using the same snap code mentioned in the previous step.
sudo snap install vlcInstall VLC on Fedora Linux
In the same way, users can enjoy VLC on Fedora if they follow the instructions given below:
Step 1. Open the Command Terminal.
Step 2. Now, enter the following codes to install snapd.
sudo dnf install snapdsudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap Step 3. And finally, you can install VLC by copying the apt code from the first example.
sudo snap install vlcInstall VLC on Open SUSE
Finally, we have Open SUSE that uses the zypper code. Thus, use it to install snapd and then VLC.
Step 1. Start by running the Command Terminal.
Step 2. Then execute the zypper code.
sudo zypper addrepo http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/system:/snappy/openSUSE_Tumbleweed/ snappyOR
sudo zypper addrepo http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/system:/snappy/openSUSE_Leap_42.3/ snappyStep 3. Then install snapd.
sudo zypper install snapdsudo systemctl enable --now snapd.socketStep 4. In the end, install VLC using the snap command.
Method 2. Install VLC GUI using the Ubuntu Software Center
The next method pertains to VLC GUI which can be installed very easily on any Ubuntu device. The OS itself offers a GUI for installing Linux-supported software. Hence, those who want a VLC GUI can follow the steps mentioned below:
Step 1. First, click on the Show Application button on your device’s screen.
Step 2. Then in the search box, type Ubuntu Software.
Step 3. Open the Ubuntu Software GUI and search for VLC.
Step 4. Finally, click on the VLC icon and press the Install button. If prompted for a password, enter it.
Method 3. Install VLC using Command Line
The last method is to use the traditional way of loading software on Linux. First, users can try the apt or apt-get commands to install VLC.
This will work for most of the Debian-based distros such as Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Kali Linux, Deepin, MX Linux, PureOS, Parrot OS, Zorin OS, Raspbian, Tails, Devuan, BunsenLabs Linux, antiX, SparkyLinux, BOSS (Bharat Operating System Solutions), KNOPPIX, SolydXK.
If it doesn’t work on a distinct distro, heed the additional commands mentioned below:
Step 1. Launch the Command Terminal.
Step 2. Update the apt repository by entering the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -yStep 3. Install VLC.
sudo apt install vlc Or
sudo apt-get install VLCInstalling VLC on Debian
Users can install VLC by adding the Wheezy-backport repository. Thus the steps are as follows:
Step 1. Start by loading the Command Terminal.
Step 2. Then, add the wheezy-backports repository.
echo 'deb http://http.debian.net/debian wheezy-backports main' > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/wheezy-backports.listStep 3. Now, run an update for the same.
sudo apt-get updateStep 4. Finally, install VLC.
sudo apt-get -t wheezy-backports install vlcInstalling VLC on Gentoo
The Gentoo distro already comes with VLC all you have to do is:
Step 1. Run the terminal.
Step 2. Use the ‘emerge’ code
emerge vlcStep 3. Your software will be installed.
Installing VLC on Fedora
Users can rely on the RPM fusion for Fedora. Then they can install rpmfusion-free-release-stable.noarch.rpm and after that VLC.
Step 1. Go to the Command Terminal.
Step 2. Enter the following code to get RPM Fusion
su -dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpmStep 3. Install the repository.
dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpmStep 4. Lastly, use the RPM package to install VLC.
dnf install vlcOptionally install python-vlc
dnf install python-vlcInstalling VLC on Arch Linux
Users simply need to run the pacman code to get VLC on Arch Linux. The code is:
pacman -S vlcInstalling VLC on RHEL/CentOS 8
Finally, for RHEL or CentOS, RPM fusion is also available for these distros. However, this repository uses EPEL instead. Hence the steps are as follow:
Step 1. Start the Command Terminal.
Step 2. Install the EPEL repository.
su -sudo yum install https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/epel/epel-release-latest-8.noarch.rpmStep 3. Now, install the RPM fusion.
sudo yum install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/el/rpmfusion-free-release-8.noarch.rpmStep 4. Finally, install VLC.
sudo yum install vlc