mpv
mpv is a lightweight media player for macOS that plays video and audio files with broad format support and advanced playback options.
What is mpv?
mpv is a media player for macOS and other desktop platforms that helps users play local video and audio files with extensive format support. It is designed for people who want a fast, keyboard-friendly player with precise control over playback and picture quality. On macOS, users commonly use mpv to watch movies, preview media files, test subtitles, and handle formats that simpler players may not support well. The app is known for its minimal interface, strong command-line and configuration options, and high-quality video output features such as scaling, color management, and HDR-related capabilities. It also supports playlists, subtitle customization, screenshots, and scripting for users who want to tailor playback behavior. mpv is especially useful for advanced users, home media setups, and developer-oriented workflows where flexible playback matters more than a large built-in media library.
Key features
- Play a wide range of video and audio formats
- Control playback with keyboard shortcuts and command-line options
- Load and customize subtitles during playback
- Use playlists to queue and manage multiple media files
- Adjust video output behavior for scaling, color, and display preferences
- Capture screenshots while watching video
- Extend playback with scripts and custom configuration files
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Safety overview
Status: Safe
mpv is legitimate media playback software. It normally needs access only to the files you choose to open, and that behavior is expected for a media player. Advanced users may enable scripts or custom configuration files, so it is wise to use only scripts and settings you trust. Removing the app does not affect macOS, but it may leave behind preferences, logs, caches, or user-created configuration files until you delete them separately.
Recommendation: Keep mpv if you use it to play local media or want a flexible player with advanced controls. If you no longer use it, you can remove the app; your own playback settings, scripts, and related support files may remain on disk until you clean them up.
Common paths
/Applications/mpv.app~/Applications/mpv.app
Cache paths
~/Library/Caches/io.mpv
Support paths
~/Library/Application Support/mpv
Preference paths
~/Library/Preferences/io.mpv.plist
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