Device guide · VLC

How to Play M3U Playlists in VLC (Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone)

VLC is a free, open-source media player for almost every platform, and it can open M3U playlists from a link or a file. Here is how to do it on each system.

What you need

  • VLC media player, free from videolan.org or your device’s app store
  • An M3U / M3U8 playlist link or file

Steps

  1. Copy the playlist link

    Copy the M3U address you want to play, for example a country playlist from Doubo’s free channel directory.

  2. Windows and Linux: Open Network Stream

    In VLC, choose Media → Open Network Stream (Ctrl+N), paste the link and click Play. To open a downloaded .m3u file, use Media → Open File instead.

  3. Mac: Open Network

    Choose File → Open Network (⌘N), paste the link into the URL field and click Open.

  4. Android and iPhone: network stream

    On Android, open the More tab and choose New stream (called Stream in older versions). On iPhone and iPad, open the Network tab and choose Open Network Stream. Paste the link and start playback.

  5. Switch channels

    VLC loads the whole playlist. On a computer, open View → Playlist (Ctrl+L on Windows) to see every channel and double-click one to play it.

Try it in your browser first

No install needed. Doubo’s web player opens free live channels right away, and plays your own M3U links too.

Open the web player

Need a playlist?

Doubo’s free channel directory lists channels that broadcasters make publicly available, as M3U links you can paste into any player.

Browse free channels

Questions

Can VLC open M3U8 links?

Yes. M3U8 is the UTF-8 version of M3U and is also used for HLS live streams; VLC opens both the same way.

Why does VLC show only one channel?

You probably opened a single stream address rather than the playlist. Make sure the link ends in a playlist file (often .m3u or .m3u8) that lists many channels.

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