VLC Remote Control: Set Up Your Phone

This guide shows you how to turn your Android or iOS smartphone into a remote control for VLC media player on your computer. You’ll be able to pause, play, adjust volume, skip tracks, and control playback from anywhere on your home Wi-Fi network, without needing to be at your desk. It works with VLC on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and requires only the free VLC app on both devices.

What You’ll Need

A computer with VLC media player installed (version 3.0 or newer recommended).
A smartphone (Android or iOS) with the official VLC app installed.
Both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
The IP address of your computer (how to find it is covered below).

Step-by-Step

Find your computer’s IP address. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then look for the IPv4 Address under your active network adapter (e.g., 192.168.1.10). On macOS, go to System Settings > Wi-Fi, click Details next to your network, and note the IP address shown. On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I.
Open VLC on your computer. Launch VLC and go to the main interface. If you haven’t already, open the media file you want to control (or just leave VLC open; the remote will control whatever is playing).
Enable the web interface. This is the crucial step. In VLC, go to Tools > Preferences (on Windows/Linux) or VLC > Preferences (on macOS). At the bottom of the Preferences window, change the “Show settings” dropdown from “Simple” to All.
Set the interface password (optional but recommended). In the left sidebar, expand Interface and click Main interfaces. Look for the “Web” option and check the box next to it to enable the HTTP remote control interface. Then, click on Interface > Main interfaces > Lua in the sidebar (some versions may have it under “Interface > Main interfaces”). Here you’ll find a field for “Lua HTTP” options. In the “Password” field, enter a password you’ll remember. This prevents anyone on your network from controlling VLC without permission.
Save and restart VLC. Click “Save” or “OK” to apply the changes. For the web interface to activate, you must fully quit VLC and reopen it. On Windows, make sure it’s not just minimized to the system tray; right-click the VLC icon and choose “Exit”.
Test the web interface in a browser. Open a web browser on your computer and go to http://your-computer-ip:8080 (replace with the IP you found in step 1). You should see a simple VLC remote control page. If it asks for a password, enter the one you set. If this works, the remote is ready.
Open the VLC app on your phone. Ensure your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network. Open the VLC app on your Android or iOS device.
Navigate to the remote control feature. On Android, tap the hamburger menu (three lines) in the top-left corner, then select Remote control. On iOS, tap the “More” tab at the bottom, then select Remote control.
Add your computer. Tap the “+” icon or “Add server” button. Enter the IP address of your computer (from step 1) and the port number 8080. If you set a password, enter it here as well. Give the server a name (e.g., “My PC”) and tap “Save” or “Add”.
Connect and control. Tap on the server entry you just created. The app will connect to VLC on your computer. You should now see playback controls (play/pause, stop, next/previous, volume slider) and a list of files in the current playlist. Tap a file to play it, or if something is already playing, you can control it directly.

Common Mistakes

Not restarting VLC after enabling the web interface. The interface only activates after a full restart. If you just close the window but it stays in the system tray, it won’t work.
Using the wrong IP address. Make sure you use the local IP (like 192.168.x.x) of your computer, not its public IP or hostname. Also, ensure it’s the IP for the network you’re currently on, not a previous Wi-Fi.
Firewall blocking the port. Windows Firewall or third-party security software may block incoming connections on port 8080. You’ll need to allow VLC (or the port) through the firewall. On Windows, you can do this in “Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app through the firewall” – add VLC as an allowed app for private networks.
Phone and computer on different networks. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your computer is on Ethernet and your phone on Wi-Fi, they usually still work if they’re on the same router, but if you have a guest network, they won’t see each other.
Forgetting the password. If you set a password in VLC, you must enter it in the phone app. If you forgot it, go back to VLC preferences and change it.

Tips

Use a static IP address. To avoid the IP changing, set a static IP for your computer in your router’s DHCP settings. This way, you won’t have to reconfigure the phone app every time your computer reconnects to the network.
Bookmark the web interface. Even without the app, you can control VLC from any browser on your network by visiting http://IP:8080. This is handy if you don’t have the app installed.
Control multiple instances. If you run multiple VLC windows, the remote will control the first one. To control a specific instance, you’ll need to set different ports for each (e.g., 8080, 8081) in the Lua HTTP options.
Use the playlist feature. The remote control interface shows the current playlist. You can queue up multiple files on your computer and then control them from your phone, which is great for parties or presentations.
Check the VLC version. Older versions of VLC (2.x and earlier) have a different web interface and may not work with the mobile app’s remote feature. Update to the latest VLC for best compatibility.

Troubleshooting

Can’t connect to the server. First, verify the IP address and port are correct. Then, on your computer, open a browser and go to http://localhost:8080. If that doesn’t work, the web interface isn’t enabled or VLC wasn’t restarted. If it works locally but not from your phone, check the firewall and that both devices are on the same network.
Password prompt keeps appearing. Make sure you entered the password exactly as set in VLC preferences. If you didn’t set one, leave the password field blank in the app. If you’re still prompted, try clearing the app’s cache or restarting VLC.
Controls work but no video/audio. The remote only sends commands; it doesn’t stream media. Ensure VLC on your computer is playing the file. If you want to stream the actual media to your phone, that’s a different feature (streaming), not remote control.
Remote works once then stops. This often happens when your computer’s IP changes (DHCP lease renewal). Re-check the IP and update the app. Setting a static IP (as in Tips) prevents this.
App says “Server not found”. Double-check that you’re using the correct port (8080 is default). Some versions of VLC may use a different port if you changed it. Also, ensure VLC is running – the web interface won’t respond if VLC is closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this work over the internet, not just Wi-Fi?

No, this setup is designed for local network use only. To control VLC remotely over the internet, you’d need to set up port forwarding on your router, which is a security risk and not recommended for most users. For remote access, consider using a VPN or a dedicated remote desktop tool.

Can I control VLC on my phone from another phone?

No, the remote control feature works from a phone to a computer running VLC. There’s no official way to use one phone to control VLC on another phone via this method.

Why does the remote show an empty playlist?

The remote shows the playlist of the VLC instance it’s connected to. If you haven’t added any files to the playlist on your computer, it will be empty. You can add files to the playlist manually or just start playing a file on your computer and the remote will show it.

Is there a way to control VLC without the app?

Yes, you can use any web browser on your phone to visit http://your-computer-ip:8080 and use the web interface. It’s a bit clunkier but works without installing anything.

Will this work with VLC on a Raspberry Pi or other Linux device?

Yes, as long as VLC is installed and the web interface is enabled, it works on any Linux distribution. The steps are the same, though the preferences menu might look slightly different depending on the desktop environment.

Can I control VLC on a smart TV?

This method is for desktop VLC. If you have VLC on an Android TV or similar, you might be able to use a different remote app, but the standard VLC remote control described here is for desktop versions.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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