Best solution
To play Xvid videos on your Mac, either open them in a player that supports Xvid, or convert the video to MP4 or HEVC with tools like Permute. The last-resort method is to install the legacy Xvid codec, so QuickTime can decode the file natively.
Here's a comparison of these methods, with detailed instructions following below:
| Do this to play Xvid on Mac | Time required | Works best for | Pros | Cons |
| Use compatible player | 2 minutes | Quick viewing | No conversion needed, instant playback | Requires third-party app |
| Convert with Permute from Setapp | 5–10 minutes | QuickTime users | Works with native apps, permanent solution | Takes time to convert |
| Install Xvid codec | 10 minutes | Legacy workflows | Direct QuickTime support | No longer maintained, may break |
Or get Elmedia Player standalone from $4.99 USD/mo — no membership needed.
The quickest option is to drop the file into a player that already supports Xvid, so you don’t need extra downloads or tweaks.
I use Elmedia Player from Setapp. It supports over 70 video formats, including Xvid, DivX, and FLAC. What I especially like is its 10-band equalizer for tweaking audio and its ability to create bookmarks in long videos.
Here’s how to use it:
Other compatible video players are VLC and IINA — both tools handle Xvid the same way. If you're already using VLC and want to see how it stacks up against native Mac players, check out this roundup of the best VLC alternatives for Mac.
If you'd rather keep using QuickTime, convert the file instead of installing extra codecs. I recommend using Permute from Setapp for that. It batches multiple files and even lets you change the resolution or bitrate, which I find handy when archiving an old library.
To convert an Xvid file:
The conversion typically takes 2-5 minutes per gigabyte on modern Macs with Apple Silicon.
If you're also looking to reduce file size after converting, compressing the video on Mac is a natural next step that Permute handles just as easily.
Want Permute app only? Get it standalone from $4.99 USD/year.
Important note: This method does not work on any currently supported version of macOS. Apple removed third-party QuickTime component support in macOS Catalina (2019). If you're running Catalina or later, including Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, Sequoia, Tahoe, or Golden Gate, skip this section entirely and use one of the methods above.
It used to be possible to bolt the original Xvid component onto macOS, but modern versions no longer support legacy QuickTime plug-ins. The official Xvid site ceased to offer a macOS download at all, so proceed only if the first two fixes don't work for you.
For anyone still on macOS Mojave or earlier, here's how it used to work:
If you upgrade macOS and playback stops, uninstall the component and switch to one of the methods above.
MP4 is just a container format. If the video stream inside uses Xvid encoding instead of H.264 or HEVC, QuickTime still can't decode it. You'll see the same compatibility error even though the file extension is .mp4.
To check what codec your MP4 uses, open it in Elmedia Player from Setapp and check Window > Media Info. If it shows "Xvid" or "DivX" under video codec, you'll need one of the solutions above.
MP4 files not playing on QuickTime is a surprisingly common issue. If you run into it often, here's a deeper look at how to play MP4 files on Mac when QuickTime lets you down.
When Xvid files stutter or drop frames, the problem usually isn't the codec. I've found these fixes work most often:
For files with out-of-sync audio, Elmedia Player lets you adjust audio in real time. Just press Command + Shift + [ to decrease the audio delay or Command + Shift + ] to increase it.
Xvid is an open-source MPEG-4 Part 2 video codec that gained popularity in the early 2000s for compressing DVD rips and downloaded videos. Unlike H.264 or HEVC, which Apple supports natively, Xvid requires additional software to decode on macOS Tahoe.
When I try to open an Xvid file in QuickTime, I get the classic "This file contains some media which isn't compatible" error. That's because modern QuickTime no longer supports legacy codecs like Xvid. Older versions of QuickTime 7 could use third-party codec installations, but Apple dropped that capability in later versions. The good news is that modern third-party players handle Xvid effortlessly.
Once you've got Xvid playing on your Mac, you might want to stream these videos to your TV. If you’re looking for an app to do it, try JustStream from Setapp. It transcodes Xvid on the fly while streaming to Chromecast, Apple TV, or Smart TVs, so there’s no need to convert files first. I use it regularly to stream my old Xvid movie collection to my living room TV without any conversion hassle.
JustStream is also available on Setapp, so you can try it together with the other apps mentioned in this article.
Playing Xvid on Mac no longer requires complex workarounds. Whether you choose a compatible player like Elmedia Player, convert files with Permute, or stream them using JustStream, you'll be watching your videos in minutes.
All three apps are available through Setapp's 7-day free trial, giving you instant access to solve your Xvid playback issues without buying separate licenses. Pick the method that fits your workflow and enjoy your video collection again. Start your free trial today.
QuickTime can't decode Xvid by itself. Apple no longer supports the old "Xvid component for QuickTime," so recent macOS versions ignore it. The simplest fix is to open the video in a player that ships with Xvid support (Elmedia Player or VLC, for example) or convert the clip to MP4/H.264 before you hit play.
Use a media player that already knows the Xvid codec. Just drag the file into VLC or Elmedia Player and press play. If you want to stick with Apple's built-in apps, convert the video to MP4 first with a converter like Permute.
MP4 is just a wrapper. If the video inside uses Xvid or another unsupported codec, QuickTime can't decode it. Open the file with a player that includes extra codecs, such as VLC or Elmedia Player, or convert the video to H.264; then it should play fine.
Yes. VLC bundles the Xvid decoder, so you can open Xvid videos without extra plug-ins. If a file hesitates or drops frames, update VLC first. Still choppy? Reduce the playback resolution under Preferences > Video.
Security-tested
Best solution
