VLC updated for Apple M1, now works natively on Apple Silicon
Source: HW Upgrade added 19th Jan 2021
The famous media player has been updated on macOS introducing native support for Apple Silicon processors, and therefore also for Apple M1
of Nino Grasso published on 19 January 2021 , at 19: 41 in the Apple channel
VLC Apple macOS
The answer from part of the developers on the arrival of the first systems with Apple M1 was amazing. One of the first doubts about the processors made in Cupertino for notebooks and desktops was related to compatibility, but the situation is improving day by day with the arrival of new “universal” apps , so think both for architectures x 86, and for the new Apple M1 with ARM architecture. The latest arrival with Apple Silicon support is VLC , the popular cross-platform media player.
Apple M1 is the first chip of the Apple Silicon series, already available on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro from 13 “and Mac mini, and requires the Big Sur version of macOS to work Native support for ARM instructions is not essential for an app to work with Apple’s new SoCs, since apps x 86 can be translated through a conversion layer called Rosetta 2 and can also be performed with the new Apple chips. But there are big advantages with native apps.
proved effective in the first tests, Rosetta 2 imposes a loss in performance and – above all – in energy efficiency compared to running an app natively compiled for ARM architectures. Especially on an app like VLC, especially if used for r the reproduction of content in high resolution (4K or even 8K), the landing of the native version can bring with it decisive advantages in the viewing experience and in battery life .
Native VLC on Apple Silicon, here’s how to install it
The version of VLC to be considered, therefore, for those who own an Apple device with Apple M1 (and possibly all future Apple Silicon) is 3.0. 12 . In reality, VLC is not yet offered in a universal version, but there are two packages: one for models with Intel CPUs, the other for Macs with Apple Silicon. Those who belong to the latter category must therefore install VLC 3.0. 12 , and then search again for new updates to get the VLC 3.0 package. 12. 1 , which is compiled for ARM architecture and works without any translation layer on M1 Macs.
We remind you that VLC is free software and can be downloaded on the official VideoLAN website. Furthermore, among the novelties of the new version, we have better compatibility with macOS Big Sur, fixes on audio management and with adaptive resolution streaming, and security fixes.
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