Music app on Xiaomi: features, settings and alternatives

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often notice a standard player called Music or Mi Music in the list of applications. Many users doubt whether to trust the built-in software, or it is better to immediately look for an alternative in Google Play. In fact, it is not just a shortcut, but a full-fledged multimedia center that is preinstalled on global versions of MIUI and HyperOS firmware.

The company’s strategy to create a single ecosystem is to implement its own services: Xiaomi’s Music app is designed to integrate with the brand’s cloud services and offers basic track playback functionality without the need to install third-party software. However, depending on the region, the interface and available features can vary significantly, which often raises questions among users.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the purpose of the system component, its capabilities, ways to disable and the best alternatives for demanding music lovers, you will understand whether the standard player is a “junk” application or a useful tool that should be left on the device.

Purpose and functionality of the system player

The main task of the Music application on Xiaomi is to play local audio files stored in the memory of a smartphone or on an SD memory card. Unlike streaming services such as Spotify or Yandex.Music, this player is initially focused on working with MP3, FLAC, WAV and AAC files that the user downloaded himself, which makes it an indispensable tool for listening to music in places with poor Internet connection.

Xiaomi has built a basic equalizer and sound effects set into the app, and users can choose from a mode (like Rock, Pop, or Jazz) or adjust frequencies manually. It also supports visualization of sound waves and album covers if the metadata is filled in correctly.

An important feature is the integration with system audio settings. The Music app can work in conjunction with the Dirac Sound function (on supported models), which allows you to improve the sound quality through built-in speakers or wired headphones. It also supports playback control through the lock screen and notification curtain, which ensures comfortable use in the background.

⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. Russia and CIS countries), online services within the Music app may be restricted or completely disabled due to licensing agreements.

It’s worth noting that the app is often updated through the GetApps store or Google Play, getting new features and bug fixes.This distinguishes it from static system components that don’t change over the years. Regular updates allow you to maintain compatibility with new audio codec formats.

Interface and user experience

The design of the app is in line with the visual philosophy of the MIUI or HyperOS shell. The interface is designed in a minimalist style, using large controls and smooth animations. The main menu is divided into tabs: “Recent”, “Playlists”, “Artists”, “Albums” and “Folders”, which allows you to quickly find the right compositions even in a vast media library.

One of the interface's strengths is the flexibility to sort tracks. The user can organize the list by date, title, duration, or number of listens. For those who are used to the classic file manager, the Folders tab is available, which displays the actual directory structure on the device, which is especially convenient for audiobooks or podcasts.

The Music app on Xiaomi also supports the creation of smart playlists, which can automatically group tracks by genre or suggest lists based on frequently played compositions, and while algorithms are inferior to neural networks on large streaming platforms, they perform basic sorting well.

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For a better experience, enable the player's settings to display the lyrics of the songs if they are built into the ID3-file tags.

And you can't help but mention the design themes, because the app is system-based, it automatically adapts to the user's chosen theme of the entire smartphone, and if you've set a dark theme or a specific color scheme, the player will instantly restructure to keep up with the overall interface style.

Can I remove or disable the application?

The question of whether you can remove Music on Xiaomi worries many users who want to make space or get rid of excess software, the answer depends on what method you plan to use. Standard tools of the system simply take and remove this component, because it has the status of a system application.

But there's the option of disabling the app, and if you go to your smartphone settings, select the Apps section, and you find Music, you'll have the "Disable" button, and then the label will disappear from your desktop, and the app will stop consuming resources and running in the background, and the files will stay in the system, but the player will not work.

To completely remove the rights, you'll need more complex manipulations, such as a computer, a USB cable, and an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) tool, and you can send a request to delete the packet to the current user via the command line, which is safe for the system, but requires care.

There is a risk that after a global firmware update, the disabled application may automatically activate again, which is the standard behavior of the Android operating system when restoring system components, so after each major update, the status of the application should be rechecked.

Instructions for complete removal through ADB

If you're determined to get rid of the system player forever, you'll need to do a number of technical things, which is suitable for advanced users. ADB And the tool is configured. You also need to turn on "Debugging by USB» In the “Developers” menu on your Xiaomi.

The deletion process is as follows: First, connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (terminal) in the folder with ADB. Enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

If a confirmation appears on the phone screen, the serial number will appear in the list of devices, then you need to enter a command to delete the package. The name of the package of the Xiaomi system player usually looks like com.miui.player.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player

Once the command is executed, the application will disappear from the menu. If you want to return it back, you will need to reset your smartphone settings to the factory or re-firm the device, since there is no standard “Restore” button for system components remoted through ADB.

⚠️ Note: Be extremely careful when typing commands ADB. Removing the wrong system packages can lead to unstable interface operation or a cyclical smartphone reboot.

There is also an alternative method using graphical shells for ADB, such as Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools, which allow you to remove system software in one click, selecting components from the list by ticking, a safer option for those who are afraid of making mistakes in the syntax of commands.

Comparison with alternatives

The Android music player market is grotesque, and Xiaomi’s standard solution is often compared to industry leaders. To see if it’s worth keeping the native player, let’s compare it to popular peers in key terms.

The PowerAmp app is considered a benchmark for audiophiles thanks to its powerful audio processing engine, but it is paid and has a complex interface.Musicolet is notable for its complete lack of advertising and Internet access permissions, which guarantees privacy.AIMP is known for its stability and support for a huge number of formats.

The native Music player beats the competition in only one aspect: deep integration with the shell. It doesn't require additional permissions, doesn't drain the battery with background processes, and fits perfectly into the design. For the average user who just turns on music on the go, there's more than enough of it.

Customization of sound and equalizer

For those who choose to stay on a standard player, it is important to know how to make the most of it. There are several useful options hidden in the Music app settings. To get into them, open the player, click on the menu (three dots or gear) and select "Sound settings" or "Sound effects."

Here you'll find a graphical equalizer. You don't have to move all the sliders at once. You'll want to start with presets. For example, Live adds space, Bass Booster increases low frequencies. If none of the presets fit, switch to manual mode and adjust the frequencies to a particular headphone model.

Also in the settings, you should pay attention to the option “Gapless playback”, which provides playback of tracks without pauses between them, which is critical for listening to classical music or concert recordings, where the compositions are continuous.

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Proper equalizer tuning can drastically change the perception of sound even in budget headphones, making their sound more clean and detailed.

And remember, Auto pause, which allows you to pause tracks when you take your headphones off or you turn off your Bluetooth headset, and it saves battery life and eliminates the awkward situations of music playing on the entire subway car.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)