Tutorial: How to install VLC on your Nokia N9/N950(Update: Uninstall instructions too!)
A few weeks back I brought you info about a VLC port coming to MeeGo Harmattan.
It is relatively simple, but some people may find it a bit tricky as it uses Terminal commands, so I am gonna run a step by step guide on how do to it.
Step One:
Download libvlc5 and vlc-player on your PC, and transfer it to your device. (It is easier to download from your PC as Web tries to open it straight and it will not install.)
Step Two:
If you haven’t, you will need to enable Developer Mode by going to Settings > Security > Developer Mode and hit the “switch”. For the first time user, you will need to download and install a few files, as well as reboot the device. (Once you complete the install, you can hit the switch back over and next time you want to use Dev Mode, no install needs to be done.)
Step Three:
In Terminal, gain root access by typing devel-su and when prompted enter password rootme .
Once you have gained root access, type cd (directory you saved the two files in) eg. cd /home/user/MyDocs/Downloads/
Now enter the following;
dpkg -i libvlc5_*.deb vlc-player_*.deb
A lot of writing will appear and you may be prompted to enter y to confirm the install.
NB: It may display some errors, don’t worry, everything works eventually.
Step Four:
If it worked, there should be the VLC traffic cone in your apps list. Run the app, and enjoy.
Just a heads-up, the UI is NOT optimised for MeeGo, it looks like the desktop version, so hitting some buttons are a bit of an issue, but after you get the hang of it, it works well.
For those who do not plan on using Developer mode on a regular basis or do not know what they are doing, I suggest disabling as your device can be hacked easily while you are in this mode.
Update: After being asked by Nabkawe in the comments about how to uninstall it, I thought I should include it in the post.
So in case you experience unforeseen side affects, or don’t like the UI, or whatever your reason is, here is how you uninstall VLC.
Step One:
Make sure you have rebooted device after install
Step Two:
Again, enable developer mode and go into Terminal.
When in terminal, gain root access, and type apt-get remove vlc-player.
You will be prompted to confirm uninstall.
Step Three:
Check the traffic cone is no longer in apps, and the uninstall was successful.
That’s it! VLC is now uninstalled.
Cheers Whatever for the tutorial request 
Michael
Category: Applications, How to:, MeeGo, Nokia, Nseries
About the Author (Author Profile)
Hi! My name is Michael. Like the others, I'm also a Student, living here in Sydney. I have a real passion for the latest technology and I'm a real Nokia buff! My aim is to keep those of you, like myself, updated with the latest in what's going on in the Nokia World. Currently sporting N9 & Lumia 820, with other Nokia devices in my posession. Get in touch on Twitter via @MFaroTusino, Google Plus or even simply drop me an email at mike.mnb[at]outlook.com or tips[at]mynokiablog.comSubscribe
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- How to Install VLC on your Nokia N9/N950 | November 1, 2011
Neat stuff, is that actually from your N9? How are you finding the controls :p ah you might need a capacitive stylus :p
Yeah straight from my N9
It was annoying at first, but now i’m used to it ahah. It’s good being able to play anything on my phone.
When are you getting Lumia 800 again?
it plays 100% smooth?
what about HD videos? max file size? etc
nvm my comment, i c the older thread now
I did all of this 2days ago but nothing worked although i gained access to developer’s mode and the root , please tell me should i download only 2 files or all of them ?
Yeah only the two, what is going wrong?
could you please give me direct link to ‘em ?
http://www.irunvlc.me/binary/libvlc5_1.2.0~git-1_armel.deb
http://www.irunvlc.me/binary/vlc-player_1.2.0~git-1_armel.deb
It wroked it seems , Still unpacking though. Thanks
By the way how to uninstall this
Uninstall using apt-get remove vlc-player. (You may get an error that dpkg is locked, just reboot phone.)
I’ll add this is my post
I like more Sq
Good to see VLC there. I would have expected VLC to have been optimized for the N9 by now since the developer works for Nokia.
He pissed off a lot of Apple fanboys after he forced Apple to pull VLC from their app store because their store policies violated the GPL license that VLC needs to be released under.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/08/apple-pulls-vlc-from-the-itunes-store/
interesting thanks for the info
Nice Post,
Any word on if/when an optimized version is coming? I might hold out on installing if one is.
Thanks!
they are needing ui developers for this project,
you should warn people of the dangers of enabling dev mode and installing alpha/beta software. There are already enough people with rebooting issues, battery drain, application errors from this sort of thing. nice big warning at the top before they start would save lots of angry n9 users who don’t know the risks.
Thanks for the VLC, it really works!!! Thing is, when i turn it into Full-Screen, how do u minimize it back? Apart from closing the program.
Weird, been trying to install it for hours. Keeping getting aegis error message. Yes, the developer mode, other installations are enabled. When I type cd /home/user/MyDocs/Downloads/… , it says file not found.
any updates, when the official release is coming?????
cant play HD movies,how can i make it play or is there another video player that cant play HD movies on N9???
Hii in my mob vlc is instal and show tha icon but did not open plz tel what can i do