How to install the default video player on Xiaomi: all ways for MIUI

Are you tired of Xiaomi automatically opening videos in a standard Mi Video player that doesn't support the right formats or slows down?The problem is that even after installing alternative apps (like VLC or MX Player), the system stubbornly ignores your choices. This is not an accident, but a feature of the MIUI shell that aggressively promotes its own services.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to change the default player on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones. POCO — From basic settings to hidden functions and commands ADB. Relevant for versions MIUI 12-15 (including global and Chinese firmware) Important: some methods require root rights or debugging USB, But most of the solutions work without them.

Why Xiaomi ignores the default player choice?

The reason is Xiaomi's policy: the MIUI shell binds media processing to its own applications (com.miui.videoplayer). Even if you manually select a different player in the file settings, the system can reset the selection after rebooting or updating.

• 📱 All smartphones on MIUI 12–15 (including Redmi Note 12, POCO F5, Xiaomi 13)
• 🎬 Video formats:.mp4,.mkv,.avi,.mov and others
• 🔗 Files opened from the Gallery, Explorer or instant messengers

Key point: MIUI doesn't just offer its player, it blocks the changing associations for multimedia at the system level, and it's different from pure Android, where the default app selection works as standard, and then how to get around that limitation.

Method 1: Configure with “Default Apps” (Basic Method)

The easiest option is to try changing the associations manually, which will work if Xiaomi hasn’t already blocked this feature in your version of MIUI:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select the Applications by default.
3. Find the Video Player (or Multimedia) section and select the desired app from the list.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi) 10C s MIUI 13) this section may be missing or inactive. If the player does not appear in the list, proceed to the following methods.

Method 2: Reset file associations (for MIUI 14-15)

If the standard method didn't work, try resetting all file associations and re-indicating the player, which helps in 60% of cases on newer versions of the firmware:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Reset application settings.
2. Confirm the reset (this won’t delete data, but will reset all “default” choices).
3. Open any video file from the Explorer or Gallery.
4. In the window that appears, select the desired player and mark Always.

🔹 Important: After discharge MIUI If you do, repeat step 4, but close all background apps before you select a player (via the "Recent" button").

Method 3: Use ADB (without root)

If previous methods don't work, you'll have to connect to your phone via ADB, which is Google's official tool that doesn't require superuser rights.

1. Turn on USB Debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times) → Back → Additional Settings → For Developers → Debugging by USB
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
3. Download ADB Tools and open the command line in the folder with adb.exe.
4. Enter the command to reset associations: adb shell cmd package reset-preferred-package com.miui.videoplayer
5. Then specify the player you want (e.g. for VLC): adb shell cmd package set-home-activity org.videolan.vlc

⚠️ Warning: After completing the commands, restart the phone and manually select the player when opening the video. MIUI Reset the settings again - use the command:

adb shell settings put global preferred_video_player_package org.videolan.vlc

(Replace org.videolan.vlc with your player package)

Method 4: Configure with Developer Mode (Hidden Options)

MIUI has hidden settings that allow you to manage file associations more flexibly.

1. Activate Developer Mode (see Step 1 in the ADB method).
2. Go to Settings → Additional settings → For developers.
3. Find the Reset shortcuts (or Reset shortcuts) option and activate it.
4. Return to Settings → Applications → Default Apps and try to select the player again.

🔹 Useful tip: If the option doesn't show up, try searching for default or association in your settings. Some firmware (Xiaomi.eu) have these options hidden deeper.

💡

Before activating the developer mode, turn off the automatic MIUI update in Settings → About Phone → System Update – this will prevent resetting after the update.

Method 5: Use of third-party utilities (for advanced)

If none of the methods worked, there are specialized tools left, which require root rights or an unlocked bootloader, but give 100% results:

• 🛠️ App Ops (for permission management): allows you to block Mi Video at the system level.
• 🔧 SetEdit (Android Settings Editor): Changes the settings preferred_video_player_package manually.
• 📱 MIUI Hidden Settings (for Xiaomi.eu firmware): Opens access to hidden association options.

⚠️ Note: The use of these tools may lead to unstable operation of the system or reset of the warranty:

⚠️ Note: Create a full backup through Settings → Additional settings → Backup and reset: Utilities like SetEdit can damage system files if you specify the wrong settings.

For App Ops:

1. Install the application from XDA Developers.
2. Find Mi Video in the list and turn off Media Processing permission.
3. Reboot your phone and select an alternative player.

💡

On devices with unlocked bootloader (Xiaomi.eu, LineageOS), the default player problem is solved more easily - just disable Mi Video through Settings → Applications → Disable.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even after a successful player change, users are faced with problems.

• 🔄 Reset after update: MIUI Solution: Before you update, execute the command before you update. ADB (3-way).
• 📂 Not all formats open: Some players (like Google Photos) don't support.mkv or.flv. Check your app's specifications.
• 🔒 Change ban: Redmi with Chinese firmware may have a lock.Solution: Sweeve the global version MIUI.

🔹 Critical point: If you are using MX Player with hardware acceleration, but video slows down – turn off the option HW+ Decoder in player settings and select SW decoder.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions