Xiaomi smartphone owners often encounter a pre-installed Mi Video app β and donβt always understand why itβs needed, some consider it useless βgarbageβ, others actively use it to watch movies and TV shows β in fact, itβs not just a player, but part of the Xiaomi ecosystem, closely integrated with other services of the brand.
The program appears on all Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO β It replaces the standard Android video player, adding streaming, library management, and even video editing. But is it necessary? Let's see what Mi Video can do, how to use it, and if it can be disposed of without consequences.
Spoiler: the app isn't as simple as it looks. It could be useful for Mi owners TV Or those who have large video collections, but if you prefer YouTube or VLC, It is easy to replace β the main thing is to know the nuances.
What is Mi Video and Why You Need It on Xiaomi
Mi Video is Xiaomiβs proprietary multimedia app that combines the functions of a local video player and streaming platform. It is pre-installed on all smartphones under the brandβs control. MIUI It performs several key tasks:
- π¬ Video Playback β Supports most popular formats (.mp4,.mkv,.avi, etc.) without the need to install third-party codecs.
- πΊ Content streaming β integrated with Mi Video Global services (for international users) and Chinese platforms for device owners with regional firmware.
- π Library management β automatically scans device folders for video files and sorts them by albums, dates and tags.
- βοΈ Basic editing β allows you to crop videos, add subtitles or change the playback speed.
It is important to understand that Mi Video is not just a βGoogle Photos Substitute for Videosβ but is closely related to other Xiaomi services, such as:
- π Syncs with Mi Cloud for video backup.
- πΊ Supports the transfer of content to Mi TV Mi Box over a local area network (Mi Cast function).
- π€ Integrated with Xiao voice assistant AI (china-fixed).
However, the app has drawbacks, such as it can duplicate the functions of a standard Android player, take up space in memory and display ads in the free version (in some regions), and streaming content is often limited geographically, users from Russia or Europe will not see all the films available in the Chinese version.
Where is Mi Video on your phone and how to open it
The app is usually installed "out of the box" and is located in one of the following places:
- π± Main screen β icon with player logo (blue square with white triangle).
- π Multimedia folder β often Xiaomi groupings it together with Mi Music, Gallery and Screen Records.
- π Search the system β swipe down the main screen and type βVideoβ in the search bar.
If the icon is not present, it is possible:
- Application disabled - check in Settings β Annexes β Application management β Disconnected.
- It's hidden -- in MIUI You can hide applications by long-term click on the icon β"Hide".
- Remote by the user - in this case, you will have to install APK manually.
To open Mi Video via the system menu:
- Go to Settings β Applications β Application Management.
- In the search bar, type "Video".
- Click on the app and select "Open".
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If Mi Video doesnβt open video files, try clearing the appβs cache in the settings or updating it via Google Play (if available in your area).
Main features of Mi Video: what the application can do
At first glance, Mi Video looks like a regular player, but it has a few hidden features.
| Function | Description | How to turn it on |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic sorting | Groups videos by folder, date, duration and even recognizes genres (for movies). | Open the application β tab "Local" β press three dots in the upper right corner β"Sorting". |
| Streaming with Mi Cloud | It allows you to view videos uploaded to the Xiaomi cloud without downloading to the device. | Sign in to your Mi Account account β tab "Cloud". |
| Mode "Picture in Picture" | Plays video in a small window on top of other apps. | Run the video. β Swipe down to fold in PiP mode (does not work on all models). |
| Transfer to Mi TV | It streams video from your phone to your Xiaomi TV over Wi-Fi (similar to Google Cast). | Open video β click the Cast icon in the upper right corner. |
| Night mode. | Filters blue light and reduces brightness for comfortable viewing in the dark. | During reproduction β swipe up to call the panel β moon-icon. |
One of the most useful features is synchronization with Mi. TV. If you have a Xiaomi TV, you can:
But there are limitations, such as streaming content from Mi Video, which is often only available to users with Chinese Mi Account accounts, and the global version of the app has a much smaller library of movies and TV shows.
How to enable hidden features in Mi Video?
How to remove or disable Mi Video on Xiaomi
If you don't use the app, you can delete it, disable it, or hide it, depending on whether you have root rights and which version you have. MIUI fixed.
Option 1: Turn off without root (works on most devices):
- Go to Settings β Applications β Application Management.
- Find Mi Video in the list and open its page.
- Press "Disable" (button can be gray if the application is system).
- Confirm the action. The icon will disappear from the menu, but the file APK remain in the system.
Option 2: Removal through ADB (computer):
- Enable USB Debugging in Settings β About Phone β MIUI Version (click 7 times) β Additional β For Developers.
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer
- Reset the device.
Option 3: Hiding the icon (if you canβt turn it off):
- Long tap on the Mi Video icon on the home screen.
- Select "Hide" (in some versions) MIUI This option is called "Remove from the screen").
βοΈ Preparing for the removal of Mi Video
β οΈ Note: On some Xiaomi devices (especially those with Chinese firmware), deleting Mi Video may cause Mi Share or Mi Cloud to crash.
Mi Video Alternatives: Which Players Are Better
If the standard app doesnβt suit you, there are plenty of alternatives, both general and specialized. Here are the best options for Xiaomi:
- π΅ VLC Android: supports all formats, has a built-in converter and streaming over the web. Plus: no advertising, open source.
- π½οΈ MX Player is optimized for Xiaomi, supports hardware acceleration of decoding. Plus: light and fast.
- π Kodi is not just a player, but a full-fledged media center with support for streaming plugins. Plus: you can set up your own library of movies.
- π± Google Photos β if you only need the basic feature of watching videos without editing. Plus: automatic backup. Minus: no advanced tools.
For Mi owners TV For those who are actively using the Xiaomi ecosystem, the best alternative is Mi Home (for managing a smart home) + VLC (If you want to stream local files, pay attention to the following:
- π¬ Netflix or Kinopoisk β for legal content.
- π‘ Stremio - for torrent streaming (requires caution).
Important: on devices with Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Some alternative players may not be installed due to restrictions MIUI. In this case, you will have to reflash the phone to the global version or use workarounds (for example, downloading). APK third-party).
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If you want maximum compatibility with the Mi TV Mi Cloud, it is better to leave Mi Video, but disable unnecessary features (for example, streaming) in the application settings.
How to set up Mi Video for optimal performance
Even if you choose to leave the app, you can optimize it for your needs, and here are the key settings that you should change:
1. Disabling unnecessary functions:
- π« Autoplay - can drain the battery. Shuts down in Settings β Auto-reproduction.
- π΄ Mobile data β limit streaming only over Wi-Fi in Settings β Traffic.
- π’ Notifications β Turn off in the app settings if they are annoying.
Improvement of reproduction quality:
- π Equator β adjust the sound to your headphones in Settings β Sound.
- π Night mode β enable automatic switching to dark theme on schedule.
- πΆ Hardware acceleration β activate in Settings β Decoding β Hardware acceleration (reduces processor load).
3. Synchronization with other devices:
- π Mi Account β Sign in to one account on your phone and TV for seamless file transfer.
- π‘ Local area network β enable device detection in Settings β Mi Cast.
For users who store video on SD-map, it's useful to set up:
- Automatic scanning of external drive: Settings β Folders. β Add a path.
- Caching to memory card: Settings β Warehouse β Cache conservation site.
β οΈ Note: If you use Mi Video to watch movies from an external hard drive connected to the video OTG, Turn off the video optimization feature in the settings. It may cause stutters when playing high-bitrate content (for example, 4K HDR).
Frequent Mi Video Problems and How to Solve Them
Like any system application, Mi Video sometimes crashes, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Video is not being played | There is no codec or the file is corrupted. | Install. MX Player with a set of codecs or convert video to.mp4. |
| App flies out | Conflict with renewal MIUI memory deficit. | Clear the cache in Settings β Annexes β Mi Video β Warehouse. |
| No sound. | Failure in audio output settings or file problem. | Check the volume in the player and switch the audio track (if there are several). |
| Mi Cast's not working. | Telephone and TV are not on the same Wi-Fi network. | Connect both devices to the same access point and restart Mi Video. |
| Slow video downloading | Traffic restriction or weak internet connection. | Turn off βTraffic Savingsβ in the app settings or upload the video in advance. |
If none of these methods worked, try:
- Update the app via Google Play (if available) or Mi App Store.
- Reset MIUI settings to factory (pre-reverse!).
- Install an alternative player (see previous section).
For root-right users, there is a radical solution β replacing the system APK It's a modified version with no advertising or features, but it's a process that requires experience and can disrupt the work. MIUI.