# How do I open AV1 files?

AV1 playback works best in modern browsers and players with AV1 decode support; hardware support varies by device.

Canonical URL: https://www.subclip.app/faq/how-to-open-av1-files

Last modified: 2026-05-11T00:00:00+00:00

1. **Open in Subclip first**
Import AV1-compatible sources in [Subclip Home Player](https://subclip.app/home), then convert if your destination requires broader compatibility.

2. **Desktop playback**
- **Windows/macOS/Linux:** modern Chromium/Firefox builds and players like VLC/mpv can work depending on codec build and system support.
- Hardware acceleration support varies by GPU and driver stack.

3. **Mobile playback**
- Newer devices increasingly support AV1 decode, but compatibility still varies by chipset and app.

4. **Convert for broad compatibility**
If playback is inconsistent, convert to MP4/H.264 using [AV1 to MP4](/tools/convert-video-format/av1-to-mp4).

## Back to FAQ

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