Android phones and tablets

Mobile device

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VLC for Android

Recommended

Easy

Use VLC to play an Owncast stream from its direct HLS URL.

• Free and open source.
• Supports network streams and adaptive streaming.
• Works on Android phones, tablets, and Android TV devices.

Show step-by-step instructions

1. Install VLC from Google Play.
2. Open the More tab and select Streams.
3. Enter your stream URL. The direct HLS form is the most reliable, for example https://watch.owncast.online/hls/stream.m3u8.
4. Tap the send arrow next to the field to start playback.

mpv-android

Intermediate

Use mpv-android when you want a lightweight player for a direct Owncast stream URL.

• Open source player based on libmpv.
• Supports network playback, including HLS streams.
• Offers detailed playback and subtitle controls.

Show step-by-step instructions

1. Install mpv-android from Google Play.
2. On the main screen, tap Open URL.
3. Enter your stream URL, for example https://watch.owncast.online/hls/stream.m3u8.
4. Tap OK.

Android web browser

Easy

The built-in browser can use Owncast's web player without installing another app.

• Open your Owncast server URL in Chrome or another modern Android browser.
• Uses the same web player as desktop viewers.
• Supports chat, stream metadata, and authentication when the server enables them.

Show step-by-step instructions

1. Open Chrome or another modern browser on your Android device.
2. Navigate to your Owncast server URL, such as https://watch.owncast.online.
3. Tap the play button.