QLCodec is a Quick Look Previewer Extension for macOS.
QLCodec makes “Quick Look“ play everything.
For every Apple computers: both Intel and M-series, running versions macOS 26 'Tahoe' down to macOS 11 'Big Sur'.
- Update in progress.14nov25
QLCodec brings playback support for most (if not all) non-native media formats, such as the well known webm, mkv, or wmv, to more niche formats such as nuv, ivf , or nraw, directly in Quick Look.
It's a Quick Look preview extension not a pack of codecs à la Perian like back in the days;
It requires nothing external, doesn't need internet, is hardened to the maximum and sandboxed, and has no extra entitlements.
Playback is instant on local network as well.
Persistent settings are accessible via the right-click context menu within the Quick Look preview: might want to right-click then toggle autoplay to your liking.
Optionally move to
/Applications, then launch the app. This registers the extension as the extension itself stays within the app bundle.
Iina users might need to disable Iina thumbnails preview generation in the settings of 'IIna'.
Delete the app.
Replace the older app with the newer app. MacOS looks for the extension in the app, if app is moved, macOS can get confused and still look for it in the previous location.
Download version 1.1 from Releases or direct-download.
Full supported codecs and formats markdown list.
FFmpeg for their libraries licenced in LGPLv2.1. We use, or have used, code from FFmpeg in ths project, a project which wouldn't have been possible without them. QLCodec is forever grateful for FFmpeg's selfless commitment of sharing knowledge with everyone.
VideoLan for their libraries licenced in LGPLv2.1. We use, or have used, code from Videolan's VLCKit in ths project, a project which wouldn't have been possible without them. QLCodec is forever grateful for Videolan's selfless commitment of sharing knowledge with everyone.
Perian for their Quicktime plug-in back-in-the-days. Perian was an open-source QuickTime component that enabled Apple Inc.'s QuickTime to play several popular video formats not supported natively by QuickTime (quote from Wikipedia).
Mac and macOS are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions.
A mac is a mac and it needs to stay comfortable, but it's still your mac.