diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 28be533f9..a7d1c594b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ The application is a cross-platform, open-source project built with Electron and
 - M3u and M3u8 playlist support 📺
 - Radio playlist support with dedicated audio player 📻
 - Xtream Code (XC) and Stalker portal (STB) support
-- External player support - MPV and VLC; macOS accepts `mpv.app` / `VLC.app` bundle paths, while IINA can be launched through its executable path
+- External player support - MPV and VLC; macOS accepts `mpv.app` / `VLC.app` bundle paths. IINA can be launched via its executable path on macOS (best-effort: controls and position polling are MPV IPC only)
 - Add playlists from the file system or remote URLs 📂
 - Automatic playlist updates on application startup
 - Channel search functionality 🔍
diff --git a/apps/web/src/app/settings/settings-playback-section.component.html b/apps/web/src/app/settings/settings-playback-section.component.html
index 19d1d518e..76494e5e6 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/app/settings/settings-playback-section.component.html
+++ b/apps/web/src/app/settings/settings-playback-section.component.html
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@
         </div>
     }
 
-    @if (form().value.player === 'mpv') {
+    @if (isDesktop() && form().value.player === 'mpv') {
         <div class="setting-item">
             <div class="setting-item__meta">
                 <h4>{{ 'SETTINGS.MPV_PLAYER_PATH_LABEL' | translate }}</h4>
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@
         </div>
     }
 
-    @if (form().value.player === 'vlc') {
+    @if (isDesktop() && form().value.player === 'vlc') {
         <div class="setting-item">
             <div class="setting-item__meta">
                 <h4>{{ 'SETTINGS.VLC_PLAYER_PATH_LABEL' | translate }}</h4>
diff --git a/apps/web/src/app/settings/settings-playback-section.component.spec.ts b/apps/web/src/app/settings/settings-playback-section.component.spec.ts
index 5da13c693..77fefc620 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/app/settings/settings-playback-section.component.spec.ts
+++ b/apps/web/src/app/settings/settings-playback-section.component.spec.ts
@@ -159,6 +159,24 @@ describe('SettingsPlaybackSectionComponent', () => {
         );
     });
 
+    it('hides MPV path guidance and the IINA executable tip outside desktop builds', () => {
+        fixture.componentRef.setInput('form', createForm(VideoPlayer.MPV));
+        fixture.componentRef.setInput('isDesktop', false);
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+
+        expect(fixture.nativeElement.textContent).not.toContain(
+            MPV_PATH_DESCRIPTION
+        );
+        expect(fixture.nativeElement.textContent).not.toContain(
+            MPV_COMPATIBLE_PLAYER_TIP
+        );
+        expect(
+            fixture.nativeElement.querySelector(
+                '[data-test-id="mpv-compatible-player-tip"]'
+            )
+        ).toBeNull();
+    });
+
     it('shows VLC bundle guidance without the IINA tip for desktop VLC playback', () => {
         fixture.componentRef.setInput('form', createForm(VideoPlayer.VLC));
         fixture.componentRef.setInput('isDesktop', true);
@@ -177,6 +195,21 @@ describe('SettingsPlaybackSectionComponent', () => {
         );
     });
 
+    it('hides VLC path guidance outside desktop builds', () => {
+        fixture.componentRef.setInput('form', createForm(VideoPlayer.VLC));
+        fixture.componentRef.setInput('isDesktop', false);
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+
+        expect(fixture.nativeElement.textContent).not.toContain(
+            VLC_PATH_DESCRIPTION
+        );
+        expect(
+            fixture.nativeElement.querySelector(
+                '[data-test-id="mpv-compatible-player-tip"]'
+            )
+        ).toBeNull();
+    });
+
     it('does not show external-player path guidance for embedded players', () => {
         fixture.componentRef.setInput('isDesktop', true);
         fixture.detectChanges();