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VLC for iOS back in the App Store for some/upgraders, should be available to all shortly

vlc

The VLC for iOS app–a favorite media player for many–has returned to the App Store in some countries and is expected to be available for all shortly. Some existing US users (us included!) are also reporting on Reddit being able to update to the latest version (2.4.1) if they have the previous version from before it was removed.

The app has something of a checkered history in the App Store, first removed from the store way back in 2011 after a licensing dispute; the original open-source developers claiming that the App Store terms were incompatible with the GNU Public License for the code. The app finally returned in 2013 before disappearing once more last September … 

The lead developer stated shortly before the holidays that the app would be returning “soon,” and Apple subsequently approved a new version of the VideoLAN app. Just to add to the entertainment, that version turned out to have a bug, was pulled and a revised version was submitted.

Version 2.4.x, first launched a year ago for various platforms, adding streaming from both Dropbox and Google Drive. The latest version is believed to be a minor update, with support for folders.

Once fully available, VLC for iOS should be available here.

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Comments

  1. 89p13 - 9 years ago

    Ben – Can you list the publisher of software? So many times there are software programs that share the same name, but are published by different people and I’m never sure which publisher’s program you are talking about.

    Listing the publisher would greatly help out in these cases.

    • Ben Lovejoy - 9 years ago

      Certainly: it’s VideoLAN: http://www.videolan.org

      • 89p13 - 9 years ago

        Thank you!

        I went to your Reddit link and saw the explanation there – followed those instructions and now have the latest and greatest version on my iPhone!

        This is why 9to5Mac is my first web site visit in the morning.

  2. Zeke Collinson - 9 years ago

    Ben – I went to the link you provided using my iPad. It took me to the VideoLan page, where there was the standard “Download from the App Store” button. When I clicked that, the App Store page comes up but says “Not available in the U.S. Store”. I know that this is not specifically your problem, but I still can’t get the download. If anyone has a suggestion how to get the download, I’d appreciate it.

    • Ben Lovejoy - 9 years ago

      It currently seems to be showing up for some people and not others, but hopefully will be available to everyone soon.

Author

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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