Mi Video is a standard app that is pre-installed on most Xiaomi devices, from smartphones to smart TVs. Many users encounter it immediately after buying the gadget, but not everyone understands its capabilities and differences from third-party players. In this article, we will discuss in detail what Mi Video is, how to use it on different Xiaomi devices, and why it can be more useful than popular alternatives like Mi Video. VLC or MX Player.
At first glance, the app seems like a simple video player, but in fact it is closely integrated with the Xiaomi ecosystem and offers unique features — from synchronization between devices to support proprietary formats. However, it has features that may raise questions: why it automatically plays video from the gallery, how to turn off ads or why some files do not open.
What is Mi Video and Why You Need It
Mi Video (or Video in Russian localization) is a proprietary multimedia application from Xiaomi, designed to play video files. It is installed by default on all devices of the brand:
- 📱 Smartphones and tablets (Redmi, POCO, Mi)
- 📺 Televisions (Mi) TV, Redmi Smart TV)
- 💻 Laptops (Mi Notebook)
- 🎮 Android consoles (Mi Box)
The main objectives of the annex are:
- 🎬 Reproduction of local video files (including MKV, MP4, AVI)
- 🔄 Synchronize browsing history between devices via Mi Account
- 🌍 Access to online content (in some regions)
- 📁 Organization of a media library with automatic folder scanning
A distinctive feature of Mi Video is deep integration with firmware MIUI. For example, on smartphones it can automatically open videos from a gallery or messengers, and on TVs it can become the main player for the game. USB-But this is also a problem, with users complaining about automatic video playback when you plug a flash drive into a Mi. TV, which cannot be turned off through standard settings.
Mi Video features: what can the standard Xiaomi player
Despite its apparent simplicity, Mi Video offers a number of features that distinguish it from its competitors:
| Function | Description | Available on |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic sorting | Grouping videos by folder, date of addition or type of content (movies, clips) | Smartphones, TV |
| Control gestures | Swipe up/down to adjust brightness and volume (on smartphones) | Smartphones |
| Support for subtitles | Automatic recognition of.srt files in the folder with video | All devices. |
| Mode "Picture in Picture" | Play video in a small window on top of other apps | Smartphones (Android 8)+) |
| Synchronization with Mi Account | Saving browsing history and bookmarks between devices | All devices. |
On Mi TVs. TV The application has additional capabilities:
- 🔍 Voice search for content (via remote with microphone)
- 📺 Mode "Screen mirror" for broadcasting from a smartphone
- 🎧 Support for Bluetooth headphones without sound delay
- 🔄 Automatic continuation of viewing from the moment of stoppage
However, there are limitations, for example, on smartphones Mi Video does not support video playback in format. AV1 (It is used on YouTube to save traffic, and TVs may not support some audio codecs, such as, DTS-HD. In such cases, third-party players must be used.
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If the video in Mi Video is played without sound, try renaming the file by adding "mkv" at the end - sometimes this helps activate the correct codec.
How to use Mi Video on a Xiaomi smartphone
On mobile devices, the app is usually hidden in the Tools folder or accessible via a shortcut in the menu to open it:
- Click on the Video icon (blue square with triangle)
- Allow access to files on first run
- Wait for the scan of the media library (may take a few minutes)
The main elements of the interface:
- 📂 Folders – displays videos grouped by directory
- 🎥 All videos – chronological list of all files
- ⭐ Selected - saved bookmarks
- 🔍 Search – Quick access to the desired file
For easy viewing:
- 🔄 Use the double tap gesture to rewind 10 seconds forward/backward
- 📲 Turn on the screen autorotate in the phone settings for horizontal mode
- 🔊 Set up the equalizer of sound in the playback menu (dynamic icon)
If the video is slowing down or not playing:
⚠️ Note: Smartphones with a MediaTek processor (such as the Redmi Note 11) may not have hardware acceleration for some codecs, in which case converting a file to a file will help. MP4 codeced H.264.
Clear the app cache in Settings → Annexes
Turn off background activity to save battery
Add folders with video in the exclusion of optimization MIUI
Update the app through the Mi App Store-->
Mi Video on Xiaomi TVs: features and settings
On Mi. TV Redmi Smart TV Mi Video is the primary player for local files, and key features are on big screens:
1. Automatic reproduction when connected USB-The storage device (only disabled through Settings) → Annexes → Video → Auto-start).
2. Support 4K HDR on models with appropriate screens (e.g., Mi) TV Q2).
3. Integration with remote control – voice control and fast buttons (Play/Pause, winding).
To customize the player to your needs:
- Open Mi Video and go to Settings (cog in the upper right corner)
- Enable Continue Viewing to Save Position in Video
- Activate Night Mode for Dark Interface Theme
- In the Subtitles section, set the font and text size
To play files from external media:
- 📁 Connect a flash drive or hard drive to the port USB 3.0 (blue connector)
- 🔍 Wait for the automatic scan (can take up to 5 minutes for large collections)
- 🎬 Use sorting by name if files are displayed in a chaotic order
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware below MIUI TV 3.0 may not support formats MKV So, the solution is to update the software through Settings. → Updating the system.
How to speed up video scanning on Mi TV?
Mi Video problems and their solutions
Despite the optimization for Xiaomi devices, users often face problems:
1.The video is not played or is slowing down
Causes and solutions:
- 🔧 Unsupported codec – use it MX Player with a set of codecs or convert the file to MP4 (H.264)
- 📱 Lack of resources – close the background applications through Settings → Annexes → Launched.
- 📁 A damaged file – check the integrity of the file VLC PC-only
2. No sound when playing
Frequent problem on TVs when connecting through HDMI ARC:
- 🔊 Check the sound settings in Settings → Sound. → Exit (should be) PCM)
- 🔄 Restart the TV by holding the power button for 10 seconds
- 🎧 Connect the headphones to a 3.5mm jack – if there is sound, the problem is HDMI-cable
3. Advertising in annex
Some devices have banners in Mi Video to remove them:
- 🚫 Turn off personalized advertising in Settings → Mi Account → Advertising
- 📵 Limit Internet access for the application in Settings → Annexes → Video → Data data
- 🔄 Update the firmware - in new versions MIUI rolled-up
If the problem persists, consider alternatives.
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On Xiaomi TVs with firmware MIUI TV 4.0+ Mi Video ads are not available by default, and if they appear, they are a sign of outdated software or regional firmware.
Mi Video Alternatives: When to Use Other Players
While Mi Video is optimized for the Xiaomi ecosystem, in some cases it is better to install a third-party player:
| Script | Recommended player | Reason. |
|---|---|---|
| Reproduction 4K HDR externally | Kodi | Best Support for High-bitrate Content |
| Viewing network folders (SMB, DLNA) | VLC | Built-in local network browser |
| Reproduction ISO-disk-image | MX Player (with codec) | Support for image mounting |
| Streaming from PC | Plex | Server management of the media library |
On Mi TVs. TV You can install third-party players through:
- Built-in Mi App Store (limited selection)
- Downloading APK via Send Files to TV or ES Conductor
- Using Google Play on Android models TV (Like Mi. TV Stick)
Advantages of third-party players:
- 🛠️ Advanced decoding settings (codec selection, hardware acceleration)
- 🌐 Support for plugins for online content (e.g. YouTube in Kodi)
- 📁 Flexible configuration of media library scanning (exclusion of folders)
However, Mi Video has undeniable advantages:
- 🔋 Minimum resource consumption (important for budget smartphones)
- 🔄 Seamless integration with MIUI (For example, quick access from the gallery)
- 📱 Optimization for Qualcomm and MediaTek processors in Xiaomi devices
Hidden features of Mi Video: what the application can do, what not everyone knows
In addition to the basic features, Mi Video contains several “chips” that are rarely mentioned in official documentation:
1. Child-friendly mode
On Mi TVs. TV You can activate the child mode with content restriction:
- Open Mi Video and go to Settings → Parental control
- Install. PIN-code
- Select the permitted folders or videos
2. Hidden gestures on smartphones
- 👆 Swipe up/down on the left edge of the screen - adjusting the brightness
- 👇 Swipe up/down on the right edge - volume adjustment
- ⏩ Double tap on the left side of the screen – rewind back 10 seconds
- ⏪ Double tap right-hand side - fast forward 10 seconds
3. Subtitles export
If the video contains embedded subtitles, they can be saved to a separate file:
- During playback, click on the subtitle icon
- Select Export from the menu
- Specify the folder to save (a.srt file will be created)
Scheduled reproduction
The timer function is available on TVs:
- Open the video and click on the icon ⏰
- Set the start and end times for viewing
- The TV will automatically turn on/off
5.Integration with Mi Home
On devices with Mi Home (such as the Mi Box S), you can control voice playback via Alice or Google Assistant:
- 🎤 Say, OK Google, play the video on the Mi Box"
- 🔊 Teams: "Pause", "Louder", "Next episode"
⚠️ Attention: Voice control only works on firmware devices MIUI TV 3.5+ It requires you to connect to your Mi Account. This option is not available on smartphones.