Many users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones face a situation where the standard audio player stops displaying album covers correctly, freezes when switching tracks or simply does not open new formats. Often the reason lies in an outdated version of the software, as developers regularly release patches that fix bugs and improve compatibility with codecs. Device owners often look for ways to update the Music app on the xaomi to restore the stability of the media system.
The upgrade process may vary depending on whether you are using Mi Music, which is preinstalled in the MIUI or HyperOS shell, or a third-party solution from the Google Play Store. In some regions, Google services are limited, and the main source of software is the GetApps store. Understanding the installation source is critical to choosing the right update method.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available methods for updating audio player software, how to force updates, where to find hidden system components, and what to do if the automatic mechanism does not work, and will also look at the nuances of working with system applications that are not always visible in the standard list of installed programs.
Features of the system player Mi Music
The standard Mi Music app is a deeply integrated component of the Android operating system with a MIUI shell. Unlike regular programs that the user installs himself, this player often has the status of a system player, which means that its update can occur not through the usual interface of the app store, but through the central system update service.
Xiaomi developers periodically release large update packages for embedded applications. These packages can come separately from the firmware updates themselves. If you stop working equalizer or missing file sorting settings, most likely, you need to update the system module responsible for playing audio.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting the system application Music through settings can cause the alarm or ringtones to disappear, as some system sounds are tied to this component.
It is important to understand the difference between the global version and the Chinese one. In Chinese firmware, the player may be called differently or have advanced functionality not available in global versions. Attempting to install the Chinese version of APK on global firmware can cause library conflicts and unstable work.
Update via GetApps Store
For devices shipped to markets where Google services are not a priority, or in regions with restrictions, the main distribution channel is GetApps’ own store (formerly known as the Mi App Store), which is where the most recent versions of standard Xiaomi applications appear before they become available through other channels.
To check for a new version, you need to open the GetApps store and go to the user profile. Usually the profile icon is in the upper right corner of the screen. Inside the profile, you should find the "App Management" or "My Applications" section. This shows a list of all the programs installed on the device that were downloaded through this store.
- 📱 Open the GetApps app on the home screen or in the Tools folder».
- 👤 Click on the person profile icon in the top right corner of the interface.
- 🔄 Select “Update” or “Update all” if the button is active.
- 🔍 In the list, find “Music” or “Mi Music” and click “Update” if a new version is available.
Sometimes the app may not be on the update list, even if the new version has already been released, this is due to a phased rollout of updates, in which case the store servers have not yet formed a command for your particular device, it is recommended to wait 2-3 days or try to clear the cache of the GetApps store itself through the smartphone settings.
Using Google Play Market
If your smartphone is Google certified and has GMS services installed, then the Play Store is the main and most secure source of updates. However, there is a caveat: the standard Mi Music player is not always available for updating through Google Play as a separate application, since it is considered part of the system.
However, if the app has been installed or updated through Google Play before, the store will consider itself responsible for its relevance.To check, you must open the Play Store, click on the profile avatar and select App and Device Management.
If you don't automatically update, you can try to initiate it manually. Find the Music app through a store search. If there's an Update button on the app page, then the new version is compatible with your model and region. If only the Open or Install button (with the remote app) is displayed, then there are no updates through this channel.
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If the update button on Google Play is inactive (gray), try switching from mobile to Wi-Fi or vice versa. Sometimes Google servers react differently to the connection type when checking for updates.
It’s worth noting that Google Play Protect can block installing player updates if it thinks the file is modified, which is often the case when you try to update the system application manually. In normal store mode, such problems are rare, but periodic checks of the security status in the security settings will not hurt.
Manual installation of APK files
The most flexible, but also requiring caution method is manual installation. APK-This is a method that is necessary when the automatic stores do not see updates, and the new version has already come out and contains important fixes. This will require downloading the installation package from a proven resource, for example, APKMirror or the official forum Xiaomi.
Before you start installing, you need to allow your browser or file manager to install applications from unknown sources. In modern versions of Android and HyperOS, this is done when you try to install: the system will prompt you to go to the settings and give permission. Once you download the file, open it through the file manager.
The manual installation process is as follows:
- 📥 Download the current one. APK-Player file that matches your processor architecture (usually arm64-v8a).
- 🔐 Upon request, allow installation from unknown sources for the browser used.
- 📲 Wait for the package analysis to end and click "Install».
- ✅ After successful installation, click “Done” and launch the app to check the work.
⚠️ Note: When you manually install a version with a higher build number on top of the system version, a developer signature may be required. If the signatures do not match, the system will give an error "Application not installed." In this case, you may need to delete the old version, which will lead to a reset of the player settings.
It's important to download files only from trusted sources. APK-files may contain malicious code that will gain access to your media library and microphone.Always check the hash amount or digital signature of the file if such information is available on the developer's website.
Updating system components through settings
In the shells of MIUI and HyperOS, there is a system component update mechanism that works independently of the application stores. Often, the Music player update is packaged in an updated system module. To check for it, you need to go to the basic settings of the smartphone.
Go to Settings → About Phone. You need to find the MIUI (or HyperOS) version and click on it several times to activate additional features if they are hidden. However, a more direct path is to search for the System Component Update section. In some firmware versions, it is located on the Settings → Advanced Settings → Update System Components.
This menu displays a list of all the built-in apps that are available for updates. If there is Music, Mi Music, or Sound Recorder (which is often associated with the audio subsystem), click on it and select Update, which ensures that you install a version that is fully compatible with your particular phone model and Android version.
| Method of updating | Source | Risks. | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| GetApps | Official Xiaomi Store | Minimum | Monthly |
| Google Play | Google services | Minimum | Automatically. |
| System menu | MIUI's internal service | Absent. | When notice is given |
| APK file | Third-party resources | High (viruses, conflicts) | Only if necessary. |
If there are no updates in the system menu but music problems persist, you may need to update your entire firmware. Audio system libraries are often only updated as part of large OTA (Over-The-Air) packages. Check Settings → About Phone → MIUI version to find operating system updates.
☑️ Check before updating
Solving Update Problems
Even if all instructions are followed, users can encounter errors, the most common problem is the message “failed to update” or endless download in the app store, often due to a crowded store cache or account sync error.
The first step is to delete the app store itself (GetApps or Play Store) to do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps, find the store, select Storage, and click Clear Cache and Clear Data. This will not delete your installed apps, but reset the store settings.
It's also worth checking the date and time. If the device has a time lost, the security certificates will not be checked, and the connection to the update server will be blocked. Make sure that the date and time settings are "Use Network Time."
What to do if files are missing after the update?
If nothing works, you can try removing the app updates completely. Search for Music in the app menu, click Remove Updates (if available). This will return the factory version. After that, try running the update again through the store. This method often helps to "unfreeze" the update process.
Alternative audio players for Xiaomi
If the regular Music app on Xiaomi doesn’t work properly even after all the updates, or if its functionality doesn’t suit you, it makes sense to consider alternatives.The MIUI shell allows you to use any third-party players as the main ones, assigning them to open audio files by default.
There are powerful solutions that are often updated and support more formats than a stock player, such as Musicolet, Poweramp or VLC. They are independent of MIUI system updates and receive security patches and new features directly from their developers through Google Play.
- 🎵 Musicolet: completely free, does not require Internet, works perfectly offline.
- 🎚️ Poweramp: has one of the best equalizers on Android, paid, but there is a trial period.
- 🎬 VLC for Android: plays absolutely any audio and video formats, open source.
When installing a third-party player, the system may suggest selecting the default application for certain file types. Select Always and specify a new player. After that, when you click on the music file in the file manager, the updated third-party application will be launched.
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If Xiaomi’s regular Music app doesn’t update or works with bugs, installing a modern third-party player often solves the problem faster than waiting for a patch from the manufacturer.