Recommended Free Tools
In VLC for Mac, press Space to play or pause, F to enter fullscreen, and Esc to leave fullscreen. VLC’s published Desktop 3.0 reference also lists shortcuts for seeking, volume, speed, and playlist navigation. Because VLC’s Mac defaults can vary by build or be customized, check the Hotkeys preferences in your installed app before relying on a binding.
Common VLC keyboard shortcuts
The table below reproduces controls in VideoLAN’s VLC Desktop 3.0 hotkeys reference. It is a general desktop reference, not a guarantee that every macOS build uses identical defaults.
| Action | Documented key |
|---|---|
| Play or pause | Space |
| Enter fullscreen | F |
| Exit fullscreen | Esc |
| Stop playback | S |
| Speed up / slow down / return to normal rate | + / – / = |
| Next / previous item | N / P |
| Volume up / down | Ctrl + Up / Ctrl + Down |
| Mute | M |
| Jump backward / forward | Shift + Left / Shift + Right |
For seeking, hold Shift while pressing the left or right arrow; the reference identifies the direction but does not specify a jump duration in this shortcut list. The actual skip interval or binding may depend on the installed VLC configuration.
Find or change shortcuts in VLC for Mac
VLC keeps keyboard assignments in its Hotkeys preferences. VideoLAN’s desktop documentation gives Tools > Preferences as the route to preferences, then identifies Hotkeys as the shortcut section. Menu wording and layout can differ on macOS builds; if you do not see Tools, open VLC’s menu in the macOS menu bar and look for Preferences or Settings, then select Hotkeys.
#1 Best Overall
- WIRELESS, RECHARGEABLE CONVENIENCE — Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad connects wirelessly to your Mac, iPad, or iPhone via Bluetooth. And the rechargeable internal battery means no loose batteries to replace.
- WORKS WITH MAC, IPAD, OR IPHONE — It pairs quickly with your device so you can get to work right away.
- ENHANCED TYPING EXPERIENCE — Magic Keyboard delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience. Its extended layout features document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys. The numeric keypad is ideal for spreadsheets and finance applications.
- GO WEEKS WITHOUT CHARGING — The incredibly long-lasting internal battery will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges. (Battery life varies by use.) Comes with a Lightning to USB Cable that lets you pair and charge by connecting to a USB port on your Mac.
- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS — Requires a Bluetooth-enabled Mac with macOS 10.12.4 or later, an iPad with iPadOS 13.4 or later, or an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 10.3 or later.
- Open VLC and choose its preferences from the menu bar.
- Select Hotkeys.
- Find the playback action you want and inspect its assigned key. If you change a binding, use the controls shown in that preferences panel to apply or save it.
VideoLAN’s Hotkeys documentation describes the shortcut area, but does not establish one exact menu path for every Mac release.
How to read Mac modifier keys
On Mac keyboards, the modifier symbols are Control (⌃), Option (⌥), Shift (⇧), and Command (⌘). Apple notes that shortcuts can be specific to an app; see its Mac keyboard shortcuts guide.
Rank #2
- Magic Keyboard delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience.
- It’s also wireless and rechargeable, with an incredibly long-lasting internal battery that’ll power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.
- It pairs automatically with your Mac, so you can get to work straightaway.
- It features a USB-C port and includes a woven USB-C Charge Cable that lets you pair and charge by connecting to a USB-C port on your Mac.
Do not automatically replace Ctrl in VLC’s general reference with Command. For example, the reference lists Ctrl + Up and Ctrl + Down for volume, but the Hotkeys page in your installed VLC is the authority for the binding that app currently uses.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If a VLC shortcut does not work
- Check the assignment: Open Hotkeys preferences and confirm that the action still has the key combination you are pressing; it may have been changed.
- Make VLC the active app: Click the VLC window or playback area, then try the shortcut again. Ordinary application hotkeys may not respond when another app has focus.
- Use the displayed modifier: Confirm whether the binding uses Control, Command, Option, or Shift rather than substituting a modifier based on assumptions about Mac conventions.
- Check for a global binding: VLC distinguishes hotkeys that act within the app from bindings labeled global. Do not expect an ordinary VLC shortcut to work while another app is active unless the assignment is designated global.
VideoLAN describes VLC as free and open source and its desktop documentation as covering Windows, macOS, and Linux, but its Desktop 3.0 hotkey list does not provide a Mac release-by-release binding comparison. The installed Hotkeys panel is therefore the most useful place to verify your own configuration.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Magic Keyboard is available with Touch ID, providing fast, easy and secure authentication for logins and to unlock your Mac.
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience.
- It features an extended layout, with document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys, which are great for gaming.
- The numeric keypad is also ideal for spreadsheets and finance applications.
- It’s wireless and features a rechargeable battery that will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.
Rank #4
- Ultra Thin Wired Keyboard: Constructed with aluminum backing, the slim keyboard's height is less than that of a penny.
- Broad Compatibility: Able to work with Apple and compatible with Windows PC operating systems
- Full Sized Extended Keyboard: Easy access to media with 20 Apple shortcut keys (cut/copy/paste, iTunes control, Volume up/down, etc.) and multimedia shortcuts for Windows PC. Also, contains a ten-key numeric keypad for easy data entry.
- Plug and Play (No Drivers Required): No need to continually change or recharge batteries of wireless keyboards
- Long Cord: 4'7" (140 cm) USB cable to connect your external keyboard to the computer
Rank #3
- Magic Keyboard is available with Touch ID, providing fast, easy and secure authentication for logins and to unlock your Mac.
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience.
- It features an extended layout, with document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys, which are great for gaming.
- The numeric keypad is also ideal for spreadsheets and finance applications.
- It’s wireless and features a rechargeable battery that will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.
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