How to Play OGG Files in VLC (Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone)

If there’s one app that plays every OGG file, it’s VLC. It handles Vorbis, Opus, FLAC in Ogg, Speex and OGV video. It’s free, it has no ads, and it runs on almost every device.

This guide shows you how to play OGG files in VLC on Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone. You’ll also learn how to set VLC as your default OGG player and convert OGG to MP3 inside VLC. Finally, we’ll fix the errors people run into most.

Why VLC is great for OGG files

VLC comes from VideoLAN, a non-profit group. It’s open source, so anyone can check the code. It doesn’t track you or show ads.

Here’s why it’s the go-to OGG player:

• It needs no extra codecs. Everything is built in.
• It plays every OGG type: .ogg, .oga, .opus, .ogv and .spx.
• It works everywhere: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iPhone and iPad.
• It can convert files to MP3 and other formats.
• It’s safe when you get it from the official site or app store.

If you don’t want to install anything, you can also use our free online OGG player. But for regular use, VLC is hard to beat.

How to play OGG files in VLC on Windows

Install VLC

1. Go to videolan.org and click Download VLC. You can also get it from the Microsoft Store.
2. Run the installer and keep the default options.
3. On the Choose Components screen, leave File type associations ticked.
4. Click Install, then Finish.

Open your OGG file

There are three easy ways:

• Drag and drop: Drag the OGG file onto the VLC window.
• Right-click: Right-click the file, choose Open with, then VLC media player.
• Menu: In VLC, click Media > Open File (or press Ctrl + O) and pick the file.

The file starts playing at once.

How to play OGG files in VLC on Mac

1. Download VLC for Mac from videolan.org.
2. Open the .dmg file and drag VLC into Applications.
3. Open VLC. If macOS warns you, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway.
4. Drag your OGG file onto the VLC window, or use File > Open File.

On a Mac, VLC is one of the best ways to play OGG, because QuickTime can’t. See our guide on whether QuickTime can play OGG for the details.

How to play OGG files in VLC on Android

1. Open the Play Store and install VLC for Android.
2. Open VLC and allow it to access your media.
3. Tap Audio to see music files, or Browse to find any folder.
4. Tap your OGG file to play it.

VLC for Android is especially handy for WhatsApp voice notes. It finds .opus files that some music apps ignore. For more options, see our Android OGG player guide.

How to play OGG files in VLC on iPhone and iPad

1. Install VLC for Mobile from the App Store.
2. Open the Files app and find your OGG file.
3. Tap and hold the file, then tap Share.
4. Pick VLC from the list of apps.

The file opens in VLC and stays in VLC’s library. This works on every iOS version, even ones where Safari can’t play OGG. See how to play OGG files on iPhone for other methods.

How to play OGG files in VLC on Linux

Most Linux systems can install VLC from their app store, such as GNOME Software or Discover. You can also use the terminal:

• Ubuntu, Debian, Mint: sudo apt install vlc
• Fedora: enable the RPM Fusion repository, then run sudo dnf install vlc
• Any distro with Flatpak: flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLC

Then right-click your OGG file, choose Open With, and pick VLC.

How to make VLC your default OGG player

On Windows

1. Right-click an OGG file.
2. Choose Open with > Choose another app.
3. Select VLC media player and click Always.

Or go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, type .ogg in the search box, and pick VLC. Repeat for .opus and .oga.

On Mac

1. Right-click an OGG file and choose Get Info.
2. Under Open with, pick VLC.
3. Click Change All…, then Continue.

On Android

The first time you tap an OGG file, Android asks which app to use. Pick VLC and tap Always.

Useful VLC controls for OGG files

VLC has a few tricks that help with voice notes and long recordings.

Speeding up to 1.5× is great for long voice messages. You can also use Playback > Speed from the menu.

How to make a playlist of OGG files

Got a folder full of OGG music or game soundtracks? VLC can play them all in a row.

1. Select all the OGG files in your file manager.
2. Drag them onto the VLC window together.
3. On Windows, press Ctrl + L to see the playlist. On Mac, use Window > Playlist.
4. To keep the list for later, use Media > Save Playlist to File on Windows, or File > Save Playlist on Mac.

You can also drag a whole folder onto VLC. It adds every media file inside.

How to loop part of an OGG file

Want to hear one section again and again? This is handy for learning a song or checking a line in a recording.

1. On Windows, click View > Advanced Controls. A new row of buttons appears.
2. Play the file and click the A-B loop button at the start of the part you want.
3. Click it again at the end.

VLC now repeats that section until you click the button a third time.

How to convert OGG to MP3 in VLC

VLC can convert OGG files to MP3, so they play on devices that don’t support OGG.

On Windows

1. Open VLC and click Media > Convert / Save.
2. Click Add and pick your OGG file.
3. Click Convert / Save at the bottom.
4. Under Profile, choose Audio – MP3.
5. Click Browse, choose a folder and type a name ending in .mp3.
6. Click Start.

The progress bar shows the conversion. When it’s done, the MP3 is in the folder you chose.

On Mac

1. Open VLC and click File > Convert / Stream.
2. Drag in your OGG file.
3. Under Choose Profile, pick Audio – MP3.
4. Click Save as File, then Browse, and pick a location.
5. Click Save.

A faster option

For one file, our online OGG player is quicker. Open the file, click Download MP3, and you’re done. It also lets you trim the audio first.

Fixing common VLC problems with OGG files

“VLC could not identify the audio or video codec”

This usually means the file is broken or isn’t a real OGG file. Try downloading it again. You can also open it in the online player, which checks the file header and tells you what’s inside.

The file plays but there’s no sound

1. Check the volume slider in VLC and in your system.
2. Make sure VLC isn’t muted.
3. In VLC on Windows, go to Audio > Audio Device and pick the right output.
4. If that fails, go to Tools > Preferences > Audio and try a different output module.

Playback stutters or skips

Close other heavy apps. If the file is on a network drive or USB stick, copy it to your computer first. Updating VLC to the latest version also helps.

VLC shows a black screen for OGV video

OGV files use the Theora video codec, which VLC supports. A black screen usually means a video output problem. On Windows, go to Tools > Preferences > Video and change Output to another option, like DirectX (DirectDraw). Then restart VLC.

VLC won’t open on Mac

macOS blocks apps from unknown developers the first time. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway next to the VLC message.

VLC alternatives for OGG

VLC isn’t the only choice. If you want something lighter or better looking, try these:

• Online OGG player: no install, works in any browser, converts to MP3.
• IINA (Mac): a free, Mac-style player that plays OGG.
• foobar2000 (Windows): a light music player for big libraries.
• Media Player (Windows 11): Microsoft’s built-in app, with the free Web Media Extensions.

FAQ

Can VLC play OGG files?

Yes. VLC plays every OGG format, including Vorbis, Opus, FLAC in Ogg, Speex and OGV video, with no extra codecs.

Is VLC free?

Yes. VLC is free and open source. It has no ads and no paid version.

Is VLC safe to download?

Yes, if you get it from videolan.org or your device’s official app store. Avoid download sites that bundle extra software.

Can VLC play WhatsApp .opus voice notes?

Yes. VLC plays .opus files on every platform.

How do I convert OGG to MP3 with VLC?

On Windows, use Media > Convert / Save. On Mac, use File > Convert / Stream. Pick the Audio – MP3 profile and save the file.

Final word

VLC is the most reliable OGG player you can get. Install it once and every OGG, OPUS and OGV file will open with a double-click. For quick jobs, use the free online OGG player instead. It’s ideal for trimming a voice note or making a single MP3.