How to Install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04?

The installation of VLC on Ubuntu 24.04 serves several practical purposes. As a versatile and open-source media player, VLC provides users with the ability to play a wide range of audio and video file formats that might not be natively supported by other media players. This compatibility extends to various streaming protocols, allowing users to view live streams or access remote files.

For Ubuntu users, VLC offers a reliable and user-friendly experience that integrates well with the desktop environment, ensuring seamless playback and management of media files.

This guide will demonstrate different methods to install as well as use a VLC media player on Ubuntu.

How to Install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04?

To install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04, you have several methods available. You can utilize the GUI, the terminal, or a package manager like Synaptic and the below ones:

Method 1: Using APT/Default Repository
Method 2: Using Flatpak
Method 3: Using Snap
Method 4: Using Source Code
Method 5: Using PPA Repository
Method 6: Using Software Center (GUI)

Let’s begin with the easiest one.

Method 1: Install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04 Using APT/Default Repository

To install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04 using the apt package manager:

Step 1: Update Package List

First of all, update the Ubuntu package list to make sure that you have access to the most recent packages as well as software versions:

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install VLC

Once the list is updated, users can install VLC by executing the below command. It downloads as well as installs VLC with any required packages:

sudo apt install vlc

Step 3: Launch VLC

After the installation is complete, you can launch VLC from your terminal by typing “vlc” or by finding it in your applications menu.

vlc

Remove/Uninstall VLC

To remove/uninstall VLC from Ubuntu using apt, use the “autoremove” option by specifying the “vlc” package name:

sudo apt autoremove vlc

Method 2: Install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04 Using Flatpak

To install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04 using flatpak, users follow the below step-by-step instructions:

Step 1: Install Flatpak

First, you need to make sure that flatpak is installed on the Ubuntu system. If not, execute the below command:

sudo apt install flatpak

Step 2: Add the Flathub Repository

Once flatpak is installed, you can add the Flathub repository where VLC is hosted by executing the flatpak command as below:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Step 3: Install VLC

Finally, install VLC by running the “flatpak” along with the “flathub org.videolan.VLC”. It downloads as well as installs the most recent version of the VLC media player on the Ubuntu system.

flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLC

Step 4: Launch VLC

Now, launch the VLC video media player using the “run” utility by mentioning the ID:

flatpak run org.videolan.VLC

Remove/Uninstall VLC

To remove/uninstall VLC from Ubuntu using flatpak, use the “uninstall” option by mentioning the “vlc” package name:

flatpak uninstall vlc

Method 3: Install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04 Using Snap

To install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04 using snap, consider below step by step instructions:

Step 1: Install Snap

First, make sure that snap is installed on the Ubuntu system by executing the below commands:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install snapd

Step 2: Install VLC

Once snap is installed, you can install VLC by executing the command. This download as well as install the most recent version of the VLC media player from the Snap Store:

sudo snap install vlc

If users face an error of “bash: /usr/bin/curl: No such file or directory”. To resolve it, first, find the path where “curl” is installed and add it to the PATH variable as below:

which curl
export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/bin/curl
source ~/.bashrc

Step 3: Launch VLC

After the installation is done, users can access/launch VLC by running “vlc” in the terminal or from the application menu:

With VLC installed via snap, you’ll receive automatic updates to ensure you always have the latest features and security patches.

Remove/Uninstall VLC

To remove/uninstall VLC from Ubuntu using snap, use the “remove” option by mentioning the “vlc” package name:

sudo snap remove vlc

Method 4: Install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04 Using Source Code

To install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04 using the source code, you must follow several steps to ensure a successful installation.

Step 1: Install Dependencies

First, users sure that they have all the required packages/dependencies installed:

sudo apt install build-essential libavcodec-dev libavformat-dev libswscale-dev liba52-0.7.4-dev libasound2-dev lua5.2 liblua5.2-dev libxcb* libvlc*

Step 2: Download the Latest VLC Source Code

Next, download the latest VLC source code from the official website or via the command line using wget or curl. Once downloaded, users can now extract the files to a folder of their need:

wget https://get.videolan.org/vlc/3.0.20/vlc-3.0.20.tar.xz

Step 3: Extract the Downloaded VLC File

Now, extract the VLC File with the help of tar command as below:

tar -xvf vlc-*.tar.xz

Step 4: Compile and Install VLC

Now, move to the extracted folder and execute the below commands to compile and install VLC:

cd vlc-3.0.20

./configure

Then, compile the source code as below:

make

Finally, install VLC via the make command as below:

sudo make install

After the installation is complete, you can launch VLC from your terminal by typing “vlc” or through your desktop environment’s application menu.

Method 5: Install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04 Using PPA Repository

To install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04 using a PPA repository, you’ll need to open your terminal and enter the following commands.

Step 1: Add PPA Repository

First, add the PPA to your system with the command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:videolan/stable-daily # For Stable Version

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:videolan/master-daily # For Development Version

Step 2: Update Package List

Next, update your package list for loading the added repository:

sudo apt update

Step 3: Install VLC

Finally, install VLC with the apt command. It installs the most stable version of VLC on the Ubuntu system.

sudo apt install vlc

Step 4: Launch VLC

After the installation is complete, you can launch VLC from your application menu:

Method 6: Install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04 Using Using Software Center (GUI)

To install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04 using the graphical user interface (GUI), you can follow these steps

Step 1: Open Ubuntu Software

First, open the “Activities” screen and search for “Ubuntu Software” to open the software center.

Step 2: Search VLC

Once it’s open, click on the “Search” icon and type “VLC” into the search bar. The VLC media player should appear in the search results:

Step 3: Install VLC

Click on the “Install” button next to it, and if prompted, enter your password to authorize the installation.

Step 4: Launch VLC

After the installation is complete, launch VLC by the pressing “Open” button or the ‘Activities’ screen by searching for it:

Remove/Uninstall VLC

To remove/uninstall VLC on Ubuntu using GUI, hit the “Uninstall” button by searching “VLC” in the Software Center:

That is all from the guide.

Conclusion

To Install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04, update the packages list, and install the VLC package using the “sudo apt install vlc” command. Also, users can install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04 using Flatpak, Snap, Source Code, PPA Repository, and Software Center (GUI). The recommended way to install a VLC package using the APT/Default Repository. For ease, use the Ubuntu Software Center based on GUI. This article has taught several methods to install VLC on Ubuntu 24.04.