How to Set the MX Player by Default on Xiaomi

Xiaomi smartphone users often face intrusive behavior of the proprietary shell MIUI or the new HyperOS, which aggressively promotes its own services. When you try to run a video file from a file manager or messenger, the system can automatically open the built-in video player, ignoring the MX Player you installed. This creates discomfort, since the third-party player often has better functionality, supports more formats and has convenient subtitles settings.

The problem is not the lack of choice, but the specific logic of how Android works on Android devices, remembers a user's previous choices or gives priority to system applications by default. To change this situation, you have to forcefully reset file associations and re-state preferences. In some cases, additional actions are required in the developer menu or application settings.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at all the stages of customization, including the hidden nuances of MIUI 14 and HyperOS. You’ll learn not only to assign the player by default, but also to prevent resets after system updates. The right configuration will allow you to enjoy content without unnecessary clicks and annoying selection windows every time you launch a movie.

Why Xiaomi doesn’t automatically open MX Player videos

The main reason lies in the security and optimization mechanism that is embedded in the shell of Android from Xiaomi.The system seeks to minimize resource consumption, so often blocks background activity of third-party applications or does not give them priority over system counterparts. When you first install the MX Player, it registers in the system as a potential video handler, but does not become active by default without explicit user confirmation.

And then there's the concept of file associations. If you accidentally hit "Always" before opening a video in the built-in player, the system will no longer ask for your opinion. It will automatically run the application that was selected last with the default flag. You can only reset this option through deep system settings, because the quick menu often does not have this option.

⚠️ Note: After major firmware updates MIUI or switch to HyperOS, all application settings can be reset to factory settings by default, in which case the player assignment procedure will have to be repeated again.

Also, it is worth considering that some versions of MX Player may incorrectly request permission to open certain file formats unless they are given permission to do so, for example, if an application is denied access to storage, the system will not be able to transfer the file to it for playback, even if it is installed as the main file.

Preparing MX Player for the system

Before you try to assign an application to the main one, you need to make sure that it is installed correctly and has all the necessary permissions. In modern versions of Android (11, 12, 13, 14), file access rights are strictly regulated. If MX Player does not have access to all media files, it simply cannot open them, and the system will ignore it when choosing a player.

Go to your smartphone settings and find the application management section, and make sure that all critical permissions are activated for the player, and pay special attention to "All Files" or "Manage all files," as standard media access may not be enough to work with video in different folders.

Another important aspect is battery optimization. Xiaomi is known for its aggressive energy saving, which can kill the processes of a player if it is not on the exception list. Although this does not directly affect the opening by default, it affects the stability of work after launch. It is recommended to add MX Player in the list of applications without restrictions.

Resetting the default video opening settings

The most effective way to get the system to ask you about the player is to reset the settings of the already assigned application. If you have videos opening in the built-in player, you need to “forget” this choice. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All applications and find the player that is currently opening the video (often called “Video” or “Gallery”).

Inside the menu of the selected application, find the "Open by default" section, and there will be a button "Delete default settings" or "Elecate silences." Clicking on it resets the associations for all types of files that the application has been processing, and then the next time you run any video file, the system will again ask how to open it.

If you want to reset the MX Player itself to reassign it, the algorithm is similar: Find the MX Player in the app list, go to Open Default and click Delete Settings, which is guaranteed to return the system to a state where it doesn't know which player to prefer.

Step-by-step: Assigning MX Player to the Primary

Once you reset (as described in the previous section), you can start your actual destination. Find any video file on your smartphone. You can do this through a standard Explorer, Files or gallery. Click on the file to run it.

The screen will display a system dialog box asking, "What to open?", which will show all installed video players, including the MX Player and the system player. It is critical not just to click on the icon, but first select the "Always" or "Always use this application" switch, which is usually at the bottom of the list or next to the name of the application.

Once you select the Always option, click on the MX Player icon. From now on, the system will remember your choice. All supported video files (mkv, mp4, avi, etc.) will open in this application. If the selection window does not appear, then the reset was incorrect, and you need to repeat the cache cleaning and settings for all video applications.

⚠️ Warning: Be careful when selecting the Always option. If you accidentally select Just Now, the system will remember the built-in player the next time it starts, and you will have to reset again.

Setting up file associations in the application menu

Sometimes the standard method of running a file doesn't work because of shell bugs, so you can try to manually configure the associations through the deep menu. Go to Settings → Applications → All Apps → MX Player. At the bottom of the screen there may be a "Supported Formats" or "Open by Default" option.

Some versions of MIUI have an advanced setting where you can manually (mark) the types of files that an application needs to handle. If there is a list, make sure that all video formats are marked. However, most often the system relies on the application manifest, and manual intervention is limited.

A more advanced method involves using third-party utilities to manage Default Apps, but on Xiaomi they often require special permissions through ADB. For the average user, the most reliable method is the reset method through the dialog box when you start a file, described above. It works 99% of the time on current versions of firmware.

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If the list of applications to open a file does not appear, try to clear the cache of the Explorer or Files application through which you run the video.

Problem Solving: If the settings are not saved

There are times when the phone is reset and the video is reopened in the system player, which can be caused by memory cleanup functions or an aggressive antivirus built into Security. Check the Security app settings and make sure there are no rules that clear the application settings when you turn off the screen.

The problem may also be in the file itself, so if you're trying to open a video from a secure folder or network storage, the system may ignore the default settings for security reasons. Try moving the test video to internal memory in a standard Download or DCIM folder and checking the player's performance from there.

In rare cases, reinstalling the MX Player with a complete data cleanup before installation helps: uninstall the application, restart the smartphone, re-install it, and check the permissions immediately before the first run. Sometimes a clean installation without residual configuration files helps the system correctly register the application as the main media handler.

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The main secret of success is a sequence of actions: first, a complete reset of the default settings for all video players, then launch the file and choose the option "Always".