How to change the default player on Xiaomi Android smartphones: all methods

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones come with a pre-installed multimedia player — Mi Video for video and Mi Music for audio. However, standard applications do not always suit users: someone wants advanced features, someone wants a different interface, someone needs support for rare formats. In this article, we will discuss how to completely replace the default player with Xiaomi without root rights, including nuances for different versions of MIUI and models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13, etc.).

It’s important to understand that Android allows you to assign default applications only to certain file types (such as MP4 or MP3), but not to all media at once. We’ll look at workarounds, including hidden settings MIUI, ADB- commands and third-party utilities. You’ll also learn why settings can be reset after the system update, and how to prevent it.

Why Xiaomi’s standard player may not suit users

Mi Video and Mi Music apps have a number of limitations that become noticeable when you use them:

• 🎵 No equalizer in Mi Music – basic presets do not allow you to fine-tune the sound to specific headphones.
• 📺 There is no support for subtitles in Mi Video for external files (e.g..srt).
• 🔍 Weak indexing – applications often don’t see files in folders like Download or on a SD- card.
• 🚫 Advertising and integration with Mi Services – even the latest versions of MIUI 14 still have banners offering to subscribe to Mi Cloud.

In addition, standard Xiaomi players do not support modern formats like FLAC 24-bit or MKV with HDR, and the interface is overloaded with unnecessary elements (for example, the “Recommendations” tab with content from partners). Alternative players – VLC, Poweramp, MX Player – are devoid of these shortcomings, but they need to be configured correctly.

Method 1: Default player appointment via Android settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for most models (Redmi 10, POCO F4, Xiaomi 12T and later) and does not require additional programs.

1. Open any media file (video or audio) through the file manager (e.g., Files from Google or Mi File Explorer).
2. When you first start, the system will prompt you to select an application. Press "Always" next to the desired player (for example, VLC).
3. If the window does not appear, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
4. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Default Apps".
5. Find the Multimedia section and assign a player for video/audio.

Note that MIUI 13/14 may have different paths. Some firmware may have hidden options in Settings → Special Features → App Settings. If the player you want isn't listed, install it from Google Play first and repeat the steps.

⚠️ Attention: On some models (Redmi 9A, POCO M3) after resetting or updating MIUI, applications are reset by default. To avoid this, prior to updating, record the current settings via ADB (see Method 3).

Method 2: Using a file manager to bind formats

If the standard method doesn't work (e.g., the player doesn't appear in the list), you can manually link file extensions to the desired application, which works even on MIUI 12.5 and older.

1. Install a file manager with association support (we recommend Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Open the manager and find the file with the desired extension (e.g..mp4 or.mp3).
3. Hold your finger on the file, select "Open with help".
4. In the list, tap on "Always" next to the selected player.
5. Repeat for all required formats (.mkv,.flac,.avi, etc.).

For bulk binding, use the "Associations" option in the same file manager, for example, in Solid Explorer, it is done as follows:

Menu → Settings → Application Association → Select file type → Assign an application

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If files are still opened in Mi Video after binding, clear the cache and data of the standard player in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Video → Storage.

Method 3: ADB- Commands for Forced Player Change (for experienced)

If previous methods have not worked (e.g., on Xiaomi with a locked bootloader), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a PC connection, but is guaranteed to work on all versions of MIUI, including MIUI 14.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging on USB on your smartphone (Settings → About Phone → Version MIUI → 7 times tap on version → Return to Additional → For developers → Debugging on USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer on your phone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
4. Find out the name of the package of the player you want (for example, for VLC it is org.videolan.vlc).
5. Run the command to reset current associations: adb shell cmd package clear-defaults com.miui.videoplayer (replace com.miui.videoplayer with a standard player package).
6. Assign a new player by default: adb shell cmd package set-home-activity org.videolan.vlc/org.videolan.vlc.gui.video.VideoPlayerActivity (replace the path with the one that is relevant for your player).

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect ADB- commands may disrupt the system. Before experimenting, back up via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. If the player hasn't changed after commands, restart the device.

Method 4: Specialized utilities for changing the player

If manual methods seem complicated, you can use third-party utilities. They automate the process and often offer additional features (such as bulk format binding).-3 annexes:

• 🔧 Default App Manager – allows you to assign default applications for any action (including players). Supports MIUI 12-14, but requires ADB rights for some features.
• 📌 SetEdit is an Android settings editor that can force file associations to change, runs without root, but requires technical knowledge.
• 🔄 App Cloner – If you lack the features of a standard player, you can clone it with new settings (for example, disable ads).

Examples of Default App Manager:

1. Install the utility from Google Play.
2. Open it and provide access to settings (ADB may be required).
3. Go to the Multimedia section.
4. Select the file type (e.g. audio/* for music).
5. Assign the right player and save the changes.

The advantage of this method is that it can be used to prescribe the player for all supported formats at once. However, on MIUI, some utilities may be blocked by the system as "unsafe." In this case, before installing, disable MIUI Protection in Settings → Privacy.

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Specialized utilities are convenient for mass player change, but on Xiaomi may require additional permissions (ADB or disable MIUI protection).

Problems and solutions: why the player does not change

Even after all the instructions are followed, the default player may not change.

Especially often problems arise on Xiaomi with global firmware (for example, Redmi Note 11 Global).

1. Installation of European firmware (MIUI EU) - it has fewer restrictions.
2. Magisk-module MIUI Default App Changer (requires root).
3. Reset all default settings via ADB: adb shell pm clear-defaults

If none of these methods worked, check to see if there is a parental control app (like Google Family Link) on your device that blocks changes to your system settings.

Recommendations for choosing an alternative player for Xiaomi

The choice of player depends on your tasks, and here is a comparison table of popular solutions with MIUI features:

For Xiaomi with a Snapdragon processor (Xiaomi 12 Pro, POCO F5), VLC or MX Player are better suited - they are optimized for Qualcomm. On devices with MediaTek (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5), check the hardware acceleration settings in the player (in MX Player this is Settings → Decoder → Hardware Accelerator).

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On Xiaomi with AMOLED- screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) in the player settings, turn on the “Dark Theme” and “AMOLED black” mode in the player settings – this will save battery power.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the player to Xiaomi