{"id":186656,"date":"2022-03-24T14:55:43","date_gmt":"2022-03-24T13:55:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=186656"},"modified":"2025-07-01T20:52:07","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T03:52:07","slug":"how-to-run-multiple-instances-vlc-media-player","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/how-to-run-multiple-instances-vlc-media-player\/","title":{"rendered":"How to run multiple instances of VLC Media Player"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Developed in France and launched in 2001, VLC Media Player<\/a> is registered internationally by the VideoLAN non-profit organization<\/strong>. It\u2019s open-source software that\u2019s completely free. There are no ads and no tracking of users or spyware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VLC<\/a> stands out in a crowded field because it plays anything and everything, from files and discs to webcams, streams, and devices. It recognizes a vast number of video codecs, but even better, it reads many obscure or outdated formats and even allows you to convert them into files like MP4s that are in everyday use. VLC<\/strong> also allows you to play multiple videos<\/strong> or other media files simultaneously, one of its best features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enabling multiple instances in VLC Media Player<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

VLC Media Player allows multiple instances<\/strong> to be played simultaneously <\/strong>by default. You can even play different types of files at the same time, like a video file and an audio file or two audio files. You can multitask by cutting video files or converting audio formats in one instance of VLC while playing something different on another. If this feature is not enabled, here\u2019s how to do it<\/p>\n\n\n

  1. In Windows<\/h2>\"How

    Go to Tools > Preferences (CTRL + P).<\/span><\/p>\n

    Find the heading that says <\/span>Playlist and Instances<\/b>. Ensure that the Allow only one instance checkbox is not selected.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re going to open multiple files and you want each new one to open in a new VLC window, do this: Go to To<\/span>ols > Preferences (CTRL + P)<\/b>. Under P<\/strong><\/span>laylists and Instance<\/b>s, uncheck <\/span>Use only one instance when started from the file manager.<\/b><\/p>\n

    Every media file you open after this from wherever you keep it or want to download it, will open in a completely new VLC Media Player window.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  2. On a Mac or iPhone<\/h2>\"How

    Download VLC Player on your Mac or iPhone. The <\/span>VLC.app<\/b> MUST be saved in <\/span>Applications<\/b>. Download and unzip it. You will end up with a file called <\/span>VLC-MULTIPLE-VIDEO.ap<\/b>p on your screen that you can use as a second video player. You can also keep it in your Applications folder.<\/span><\/p>\n

    To play a second video, right-click it, then <\/span>-> Open With -> Other<\/b>, and choose the VLC-MULTIPLE-VIDEO.app. The video will open in a new VLC Application. Your device will prompt you to open the file because it will treat the app as a new application not yet opened.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  3. In Linux Ubuntu<\/h2>\"How

    Download the VLC Media player if you don\u2019t have it installed and open it. From the <\/span>Tools<\/b> option in the <\/span>Menu <\/b>bar, choose <\/span>Preferences<\/b>. Go to the <\/span>Interface<\/b> tab. Uncheck <\/span>Allow only one example. <\/b>Also disable<\/span> Use only one instance when starting from File Manager. <\/b>Save. You will now be able to open two interfaces for VLC and watch two videos or other media at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Another way is to open <\/span>Terminal<\/b>, type <\/span>VLC<\/b>, and <\/span>Enter.<\/b> This way, you\u2019ll use only one instance at the start. This is ideal if you only occasionally want to open more than one file at a time. You\u2019ll still need to uncheck Allow only one instance in <\/span>Preferences <\/b>before running a second video.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  4. On Android phones<\/h2>\"How

    Install the <\/span>2Account Android app<\/b> from the <\/span>Google Play Store<\/b> and open it. To add apps, you need to be able to run two elements at the same time, tap on <\/span>Add more apps<\/b>. Go to <\/span>Other Application<\/b> and select<\/span> VLC<\/b>. Tap <\/span>Add<\/b>. On the following screen, click <\/span>Enable<\/b>. Give the permissions requested. Now access VLC in 2Accounts. VLC will welcome you as if you have installed it for the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Now load the <\/span>VLC app <\/b>on your home screen. <\/span>You can split the screen and watch both videos simultaneously.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ol><\/div>