How to Play Blu-ray on Mac: Guide to Popular Software and External Drives

As of the current update, Apple does not manufacture a dedicated Blu-ray player for Macs. However, you can still enjoy your Blu-ray movies on your Mac by using third-party external Blu-ray drives or reliable third-party software. This guide will help you with the necessary steps to play Blu-ray discs on your Mac.

Popular External Blu-ray Drives

If you are looking for a portable and compatible drive for your Mac, here are some of the best options:

LG BP60NB10: A portable external Blu-ray writer that supports a variety of formats and is compatible with macOS. Pioneer BDR-XD05B: Another portable option that offers excellent performance and is compatible with Mac systems. Asus BW-16D1X-U: This external Blu-ray drive supports 16X Blu-ray writing and is also compatible with macOS.

These drives ensure that you can insert your Blu-ray disc into the external drive and start watching your favorite movies right away. It's important to make sure that the software you use to play the Blu-ray supports all the necessary formats and offers a smooth user experience.

Third-Party Software for Blu-ray Playback

Depending on your needs, you may want to use software to handle the playback of your Blu-ray discs. If you want a free solution, VLC Media Player is a popular choice. However, it requires you to go through additional steps to play Blu-ray discs. Here are two notable software options:

Leawo Blu-ray Player

Leawo Blu-ray Player is a user-friendly program that supports Blu-ray playback. It is free to use and provides a seamless experience when it comes to playing your Blu-ray discs.

VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a versatile media player that can play numerous formats. To play Blu-ray discs, you need to go through additional setup. It's worth noting that VLC Media Player can be a bit tricky to configure, but it is a free option.

Macgo Blu-ray Player

For a dedicated Blu-ray player software tailored for macOS, Macgo Blu-ray Player is highly recommended. It supports various Blu-ray formats and offers a professional experience. It features two methods to access and play Blu-ray movies on Mac:

Method 1: Play Blu-ray on Mac with VideoByte Blu-ray Player

Download and launch the VideoByte Blu-ray Player. Select the Blu-ray disc you want to play. Click the "Play Blu-ray Movie" button to start playback.

Method 2: Play Blu-ray on Mac with VLC Media Player

Download the latest version of VLC Media Player. Get the necessary files for playing Blu-ray discs. Run VLC and select the Blu-ray disc to play your movie.

Real-World Testing with Macgo Mac Blu-ray Player

During my testing on an iMac, Macgo Mac Blu-ray Player performed impressively. Here's a quick breakdown of my experience:

I chose Taken 3 as my first disc, as it was produced this year. Upon opening the application, it prompted a registration window. I clicked 'Cancel' and was immediately presented with a simple interface consisting of two buttons: 'Open File' and 'Open Disc'. I inserted the Blu-ray disc and clicked 'Open Disc', and the disc loaded quickly while recognizing it automatically. A menu appeared, and I selected 'Play Movie', which worked flawlessly without any dropped frames, stuttered, or frozen images. The free trial version has no time limitations, but it does display watermarks when playing the Blu-ray movie. These watermarks can be removed by purchasing the software for $39.95, down from its usual retail price.

I also tested the software on two other discs: Unbroken and Fury. Both discs worked equally well, emphasizing the consistent performance of Macgo Mac Blu-ray Player.

Remember, while there are various ways to play Blu-ray movies on your Mac, compatibility and user reviews should be thoroughly checked to ensure the best possible experience.