What Vencord is and why people use it

Vencord is a modification that runs on top of Discord and adds features Discord itself does not offer — like better message search, custom themes, plugin support, and the ability to see who is typing in a server. It is not made by Discord. It runs locally on your computer or phone, meaning the code executes on your device rather than on Discord's servers.

People install Vencord because they want more control over how Discord looks and behaves. Some want to reduce what Discord collects about them by blocking certain tracking calls before they leave your device. Others want quality-of-life features like larger emoji, better notification control, or the ability to edit messages after they have been deleted (on your own screen only). None of these changes affect what other users see — Vencord only modifies your own experience.

The trade-off is that Vencord is not officially supported by Discord, and using it violates Discord's Terms of Service. Discord's policy says you cannot modify the client. In practice, Discord rarely bans users for Vencord alone, but the risk exists. You should understand that possibility before you install.

Key Takeaways

  • Vencord is a client modification that runs on your computer and changes how Discord looks and works for you only, without affecting other users.
  • Installation differs by device: Windows and Mac use an installer, Linux uses a command-line setup, and mobile requires a patched APK or jailbreak.
  • Vencord is maintained by volunteers and is not affiliated with Discord, so Discord could change how it works or ban accounts using it.
  • You can disable Vencord entirely by uninstalling it or by launching Discord's official client instead, leaving your account and messages untouched.
  • Popular plugins include message search improvements, privacy-focused trackers, theme support, and server-side message editing visibility.

Installation on Windows

read the Vencord installer from the official Vencord website (vencord.dev). The site has a large read button that will give you a .exe file. Run the installer and choose where you want Vencord to live on your computer — the default location is usually fine. The installer will read Discord's client files and patch them with Vencord's code.

Once installation finishes, launch Vencord from your desktop or Start menu. Log in with your Discord username and password the same way you would in the official Discord app. Your account, friends list, and messages are the same — Vencord is just a different way to access them. You will see a settings icon in the top left corner that opens Vencord's own settings panel, separate from Discord's built-in settings.

If you want to go back to the official Discord client, uninstall Vencord through Windows Settings or the Control Panel. Your Discord account and all your messages remain intact. You can reinstall Vencord later without losing anything.

Installation on Mac

read the Vencord installer for Mac from vencord.dev. The file will be a .dmg (disk image). Open it and drag the Vencord process into your Applications folder, the same way you would install any Mac app. The first time you launch Vencord, macOS will ask for permission because it is not signed by Apple — click Open to proceed.

Log in with your Discord credentials. You will see the Vencord settings panel in the top left, alongside Discord's own menu. Mac users sometimes encounter slower performance or occasional crashes compared to Windows, depending on your hardware. If Vencord becomes unstable, you can switch back to the official Discord app from the Mac App Store without losing your account.

Installation on Linux

Linux installation uses the command line. Open a terminal and run the command provided on vencord.dev — it typically looks like curl -sS https://get.vencord.dev/install.sh | sh. This downloads and runs a setup script that patches Discord for you. The script will ask where you want to install Vencord; the default is your home directory.

After installation, launch Vencord from your terminal or process menu. The process is the same as Windows and Mac from that point forward — log in, access settings, and customize. If you use a Linux distribution that is not widely tested (like a very new or very niche distro), Vencord may have compatibility issues. Check the Vencord GitHub page to see if other users on your distro have reported problems.

Installation on Android and iOS

Mobile installation is more complex because you cannot straightforward patch the official app the way you can on desktop. On Android, you need a patched APK file — a modified version of the Discord app that includes Vencord. read the APK from a trusted source (the Vencord website or GitHub repository), then install it on your phone. You may need to allow installation from unknown sources in your phone's security settings.

On iOS, Vencord requires a jailbroken device, which most people do not have. Jailbreaking voids your warranty and introduces security risks, so most iOS users stick with the official Discord app. If you do have a jailbroken iPhone, the Vencord documentation on GitHub explains the setup process.

Mobile Vencord works the same way as desktop — it modifies your local experience only. However, mobile versions are less stable and receive fewer updates than the desktop version. Many Vencord plugins do not work on mobile at all.

Enabling plugins and themes

Once Vencord is running, open the Vencord settings panel (top left corner) and look for the Plugins tab. You will see a list of available plugins — things like better search, message timestamps, or privacy enhancements. Toggle them on to enable them. Some plugins have their own settings you can adjust by clicking the gear icon next to the plugin name.

Themes work similarly. Go to the Themes tab in Vencord settings and browse available themes, or paste a link to a custom theme if you find one online. Themes change colors, fonts, and layout — they are purely visual and do not affect functionality. You can switch themes or disable them at any time without restarting Discord.

Popular plugins include MessageLogger (which lets you see deleted messages), NoTrack (which blocks certain Discord tracking calls), BetterSearch (which improves message search), and ServerDetails (which shows more information about servers). Start with a few and add more as you get comfortable with how Vencord works.

Understanding the privacy and safety trade-offs

Vencord runs code on your computer that is not made or reviewed by Discord. The Vencord project is open source, meaning anyone can read the code, but most users do not. If you install a malicious plugin or theme, it could theoretically steal your Discord token (which would let someone access your account) or log your messages. The risk is real but small if you only use plugins from the official Vencord repository.

Discord's Terms of Service prohibit client modifications. Discord has not widely enforced this against Vencord users, but enforcement could change. If Discord decides to ban Vencord users, your account could be suspended or permanently closed. This is unlikely but possible. Some people use Vencord on a secondary account to reduce the risk to their main account.

On the privacy side, some Vencord plugins actually improve your privacy by blocking tracking calls before they leave your device. The NoTrack plugin, for example, prevents Discord from sending certain analytics data. However, Discord can still see what you type, what servers you join, and who you message — Vencord cannot hide that from Discord itself.

Troubleshooting common problems

If Vencord will not start, try restarting your computer. If that does not work, uninstall Vencord completely and reinstall it. On Windows, use Control Panel to remove it; on Mac, drag the app to Trash; on Linux, run the uninstall command from the terminal. Then read and install the latest version from vencord.dev.

If a plugin is causing crashes or freezing, disable it in the Plugins tab. If you cannot open Vencord settings because it is crashing too fast, delete the Vencord config folder (usually in your user home directory under .config/Vencord on Linux, or in AppData on Windows) and reinstall. This will reset all your settings and plugins, but it usually fixes crashes.

If Discord updates and Vencord stops working, wait a few hours — the Vencord team usually patches it quickly. If it takes longer, check the Vencord GitHub page or Discord server to see if others are reporting the same issue and whether a fix is in progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Discord ban me for using Vencord?

Discord's Terms of Service forbid client modifications, but enforcement against Vencord specifically is rare. The risk exists but is not high. If you are worried, use Vencord on a secondary account or accept the small possibility of account suspension.

Can I use Vencord and the official Discord app at the same time?

Yes. You can run both, and they will stay in sync because they access the same account and servers. Some people keep the official app as a backup in case Vencord breaks after a Discord update.

Do other users see my Vencord plugins and themes?

No. Vencord only changes what you see on your screen. Other users see the standard Discord interface. Your messages, profile, and activity look normal to everyone else.

Is Vencord safe to install?

The official Vencord repository is maintained by volunteers and is open source, so the code is publicly readable. The main risk is installing untrusted plugins or themes from outside sources. Stick to the official plugin and theme lists and you should be fine.

What happens if I uninstall Vencord?

Your Discord account, messages, and friends list are completely unaffected. Uninstalling Vencord just removes the modification — you can reinstall the official Discord app or Vencord again later without losing anything.