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SMB folders or files with semicolon cant be opened in VLC for iOS

On VLC for iOS (3.2.13, iOS 14.4), if you attempt to open a folder on a SMB Share with a semicolon ";" in its name, it will kick you back to the previous directory. It seems to be a problem on Android too but I haven't tested that extensively.

Workarounds:

  • Remove the semicolon in the folder or directory name.
  • Add the SMB share into the iOS-native "Files" App and then navigate to the problematic directory/file. If it is a Video, you can press "Open in VLC" to play it using VLC.

Steps to reproduce:

  • Setup a SMB Share (I used samba 4.11.6 on Ubuntu 20.04).
  • Create a folder or a file with a semicolon ";" in the name, such as "test;". Place the folder or the file in that Share.
  • Connect to the network share using VLC (Network tab).
  • Try to open the folder or the file with the semicolon.
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