VLC: how to control it from an iPhone easily

If you really like the VLC player and you don't know how to control it from a smartphone like the iPhone; do not despair. We will guide you step by step through the configuration of your device so that it can function as a kind of remote control for VLC. Which can be run on Windows, macOS and Linux.

Steps to control the app

Make sure that the computer that is running the program and your iPhone are on the same wireless network.

Go to the App Store and install Remote 4 VLC. The application is free and has some limitations, none of which will prevent you from using it as a remote control. There are many applications of this type and they have been tested. So this is always the most reliable. Once it is installed, you must open it.

Now, press the Setup Assistant button.

It doesn't matter which option you select on this screen (OS X, Windows, Linux); The only difference is which images will be displayed in the next steps, which are still a bit outdated anyway. Swipe left to advance to the next step.

Now, you must open and configure VLC on your computer. When VLC is open, select the Tools option and then go to Preferences in the drop-down list. For macOS users, select VLC in the menu bar and then Preferences from the drop-down menu. Back in the Remote 4 VLC application, swipe left to go to the next step.

The instructions shown in Remote 4 VLC are a bit outdated on this screen, so continue with the steps below.

In the VLC Preferences, select the “All” option in the lower left corner of the screen, to display the Advanced Preferences.

Remember that you must configure the options from the PC

Now that you are in the navigation pane, on the left side of the Advanced VLC Preferences. Click on the arrow next to the "Interface" section to expand that list. Select "Main Interfaces" from that same list. Finally, check the Web box of the list of additional interface modules on the right side of the screen.

Once again, the instructions within Remote 4 VLC are a bit outdated, so slide back to the left to continue moving forward with the settings.

Back in the Advanced VLC Preferences, click the arrow next to "Main Interfaces" in the left navigation panel. And then, select "Lua" from the expanded list.

Enter the word “dummy” in the field of the Lua interface if it is not already there, and in the HTTP section of Lua, enter the numbers 1234 as the password. Finally, click on the Save button. Now you must exit VLC completely.

If you are prompted for a Windows Firewall message, be sure to select "Allow access." In the Remote 4 VLC application, slide left again.

Open VLC and start playing a video; Any video will work.
Finally, click on the Auto Connect button.

When you open the app, you can control the playback

Remote 4 VLC will now “magically” find your computer with VLC and connect to it. Once the screen is updated, press the "Now playing" bar at the bottom of the application.

And that's it !! Now you can control VLC from your iPhone! To see the settings, touch the 3 dash icon in the upper right corner of the application.

Select the "Settings" option.

From here you can configure the various parts of Remote 4 VLC, including changing the wallpaper, if you consider it necessary.

Here is a quick tip: if you select the button with 3 dots to the right of the newly added computer that runs the app and then choose Edit.

You can give that computer a much more friendly and descriptive name.

Now enjoy being able to control the application from your iPhone and not have to get up from the couch.