Mi Video on Xiaomi Redmi: why you need this app and how to use it

If you own a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone or other device based on the MIUI, You may have noticed an unfamiliar icon on the app list that says Mi Video, and many people are wondering what the program is, why it's needed, and can it be removed without any system consequences? In this article, we will discuss in detail the functionality of Mi Video, its features on Redmi devices, and also tell you how to work with it - from basic settings to solving typical problems.

At first glance, Mi Video may seem like a regular video player, but it’s actually part of Xiaomi’s ecosystem, closely integrated with the brand’s other services. Not only does the app play local files, but it also offers access to online content, sync with the Mi Cloud, and unique features for owners of Xiaomi smart devices. However, not all users need these features - some prefer alternative players like the one that is not very popular. VLC or MX Player, should you keep Mi Video on your Redmi?

In this guide, we will answer key questions: how to use the application, what formats it supports, how to customize playback to your needs, and whether it can be safely removed or disabled, and learn about hidden features that are not discussed in the official instructions, and how to solve common errors, from problems with subtitles to crashes in streaming.

What is Mi Video and Why You Need It on Xiaomi Redmi?

Mi Video is a standard multimedia application pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi line. It performs several functions at once:

• 🎬 Local video player – plays files from the memory of the device or microSD card.
• 🌐 Online cinema – provides access to licensed content (films, series, clips) through partner services.
• ☁️ Cloud Sync – Integrates with Mi Cloud to backup and access video from other devices.
• 🔄 TV streaming – supports the transmission of content to Mi TVs TV or other devices through Miracast/DLNA.

Unlike third-party players, Mi Video is optimized for the MIUI And it uses hardware acceleration to play smoothly, even on low-end Redmi models, like the Redmi Note 10 or the Redmi. 9A The app automatically adjusts the bitrate to the processor’s performance to avoid lags, but it also has drawbacks: limited support for rare formats (like.mkv with custom codecs) and online advertising.

It’s important to understand that Mi Video is not just a player, but part of the Xiaomi ecosystem, and is closely linked to other services such as Mi Account, Mi Home and Mi. TV. For example, if you have a TV, you can use a Mi TV. TV 4S, You can stream video from your smartphone right in the app without any additional settings, but if you don't use these features, the app may seem redundant.

How to use Mi Video: basic features and settings

The interface of Mi Video is intuitive, but some features are hidden in the menu.

• 📂 Local files – automatically scans the device memory and displays video in the Local section. Supports folders and sorting by date/name.
• 🎥 Online content - tab Online offers movies and TV series (access depends on the region.
• 🔍 Searching for local files and online libraries, even works with voice queries (on Chinese firmware).
• ⚙️ Playback settings - here you can turn on subtitles, change the playback speed (from 0.5x before 2x) or activate night mode.

To open the settings, tap the cog icon in the upper right corner.

• Auto Rotation – automatically rotates the screen when viewed.
• Gestures – allows you to control the volume and brightness of swipes on the screen (as in YouTube).
• Subtitles – Supports downloading external.srt or.ass files.
• Saving traffic – reduces the quality of streaming with a weak Internet.

One of the key benefits of Mi Video is the Continue View feature, which retains the playback position even after the phone has restarted, but it has a caveat: if you delete a file from memory, the application may start to issue an error when you try to open a saved session, in which case cleaning the cache in the application settings will help.

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If the video is slowing down, try manually lowering the resolution in your playback settings, and then tap the screen while you're watching, select the gear icon, and set Quality: Medium or Low.

Supported formats and codecs: what will play Mi Video

Mi Video supports most popular formats, but there are limitations. Here is a full list of compatible extensions and codecs:

Critical note: Mi Video does not support hardware decoding for 10-bit color formats (e.g., Mi Video does not support hardware decoding, HDR10 into MKV), This leads to increased battery consumption on devices without specialized chips (like Redmi). 8A). If you need to play these files, it is better to use them. VLC or MX Player on SW Decoder.

To check your file's compatibility with Mi Video, you can use the free MediaInfo app from Google Play, which will show you the exact parameters of the codec, bitrate and resolution. If the file is not playing, try converting it through HandBrake with the settings:

Format: MP4


Codec: H.264 (AVC)




Bitrate: up to 5 Mbps




Audio: AAC (192 kbps)

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For smooth reproduction 4K-Videos on budget Redmi (e.g. Redmi) 9C) Use permission no higher 1080p codec H.264 instead H.265.

How to remove or disable Mi Video on Xiaomi Redmi

If you're not using Mi Video, you can delete it or at least disable it.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Mi Video is a system application, and its removal without root rights can cause malfunctions in the media scanner (for example, new videos will not be displayed in the gallery).

Safe ways to get rid of the app:

1. Disable (no deletion): Go to Settings → Annexes → App management. Find Mi Video, tap it. Select Disable (the app will disappear from the menu but stays on the system).

Removal via ADB

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

This command will only remove the application for the current user without affecting system files.

Replacement with an alternative player

• Install. VLC or MX Player from Google Play.
• In the settings MIUI Select the new player as the default application for video files.

If you notice problems after deleting (for example, video thumbnails in the gallery do not work), restore the application via the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.videoplayer

Hidden features of Mi Video: what the app can do, what they don’t talk about

Many users don't realize that Mi Video has much more than just playing videos, and here are some hidden features:

• 🎧 Audio extractor – you can extract the audio track from the video in the format MP3. To do this, open the file, tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select Extract audio.
• 📱 Picture-in-Picture mode – works even on devices without official Android PiP support (like Redmi 7) and swipe down the screen to roll the video into a small window while playing.
• 🔒 Hidden folders -- you can hide private videos from prying eyes. Press the file in the playlist and select Hide. Access to hidden files through the Mi Account password.
• 📡 Offline cache for online video – some of the videos from the Online section can be saved for viewing without the Internet. the download icon appears when you click on three dots next to the video.

Another little-known feature is synchronizing browsing history between devices. If you are logged in to Mi Account, the play position and selected videos will be available on other Xiaomi gadgets (for example, on the Mi Pad tablet or Mi TV). TV). To enable this function, go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Synchronization of data.

On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) There are additional options available in Mi Video, such as:

• Voice control playback (commands in Chinese).
• Integration with Xiaomi AI Assistant for Content Recommendations.
• Support VR-viewing mode 360°-Video (works with cardboard glasses).

Open the video to the full screen

Swipe down from the top edge of the screen

Click the Home button (don’t close the app!)

Video will roll up into a floating window-->

Typical Mi Video Problems and How to Solve Them

Despite optimizing for MIUI, Mi Video sometimes fails. Let's look at the most common errors and how to fix them:

If Mi Video starts to glitches after the update MIUI, Try the following steps:

1. Clear the cache and application data in Settings → Annexes → Mi Video → Warehouse.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. If the problem persists, roll back to the previous version of Mi Video via APKMirror (install the file with the.apk extension).

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI 13+ When you clean up your Mi Video data, you may reset your sync settings with the Mi Cloud.

Mi Video alternatives: which players are better for Xiaomi Redmi

If Mi Video doesn't suit you, consider alternative players. We tested several options on the Redmi Note 11 and Redmi 10:

• 🎵 VLC — It supports all formats, it has uniform stretching and video filters.
• 📺 MX Player - Optimized for weak devices, supports gestures and hardware acceleration. 8/9 series.
• 🌐 Kodi is not only a player, but also a full-fledged media center with support for plugins (like YouTube or Twitch).
• 🔒 nPlayer – a paid player with support SMB (network folders) and DLNA. Perfect for streaming with NAS.

Comparison of key parameters:

For most Redmi users, the best choice is to be a freelancer. MX Player is lightweight, supports gestures (like in Mi Video) and does not load the system. If you want maximum compatibility with rare formats, take it. VLC, Be prepared for a faster battery discharge.

To make the alternative player the main one:

1. Install the selected application from Google Play.
2. Open any video file through the Explorer.
3. In the window that appears, select a new player and mark Always.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Video on Xiaomi Redmi