VLC Drive Bridge

A personal Android companion that lets VLC browse and play audio and video from your authorized Google Drive folders.

The app lists folders and playable media on demand and streams the file you choose from Google Drive through your phone to VLC on the same phone. It sends only the bytes needed for playback and seeking; it does not intentionally download an entire media file first.

Access and control

Google's Drive read-only permission can read and download files across the authorized account. The app uses that permission for user-directed folder browsing and playback, including accessible shared content. It has no route to edit, upload, delete, or change sharing on Drive files.

Google manages authorization. The app does not save Google access or refresh tokens. A visible Android service runs the local bridge while you use it, and you can stop that service in the app.

Local playback

The app shares media with VLC through a password-protected FTP connection bound to the phone's loopback address. Its local FTP password is stored encrypted on the phone. VLC may keep its own playback history or cache under VLC's settings.

This is a personal-use companion, not a promise of uninterrupted playback. Network availability, Google authorization, Android background behavior, and VLC can affect a session.

Use away from home

The phone connects directly to Google over the Internet, using Wi-Fi or mobile data. A laptop does not relay playback and does not need to remain on. Mobile playback uses your mobile data allowance.

Privacy

Read the privacy policy for what the app accesses, stores, and shares, and how to revoke access.