A modern smartphone on Android is not just a device for making calls, but a full-fledged multimedia center. From watching movies in 4K HDR to recording professional photos in RAW format - the possibilities are limited only by the characteristics of your device. But what exactly is hidden under the term "multimedia" in relation to Android, and how to make the most of these functions?

In this article we will look in detail at what types of multimedia files are supported by Android, how they are processed by the system, what applications will help expand the functionality, and what to do if the video “slows down” and the music plays with interference. We will pay special attention to hidden settings that many users are not even aware of - for example, how to enable hardware acceleration for video or adjust the equalizer for headphones.

If you have ever encountered problems like "the phone does not see files on the memory card" or "video in Telegram plays without sound", here you will find not only explanations, but also step-by-step solutions. And for advanced users, we have prepared a section on manual optimization of multimedia through ADB and hidden developer menus.

What is multimedia on Android: definition and types of files

The term "multimedia" on Android combines all types of digital content that can be played, recorded or edited on a device. This includes:

  • 📷 Images: photographs (.jpg, .png, .webp, .raw), screenshots, graphics.
  • 🎬 Video: clips (.mp4, .mkv, .mov), streaming video, screen recording.
  • 🎵 Audio: music (.mp3, .flac, .aac), podcasts, voice notes.
  • 🎮 Interactive content: animation (.gif, .apng), AR filters, mini-games.

The peculiarity Android is that the system supports hardware acceleration of decoding for most popular formats. For example, chips Qualcomm Snapdragon or Mediatek Helio have built-in decoders for H.264, H.265 (HEVC) and VP9that allows you to play video in 4K without overloading the processor. However, not all applications can use these capabilities - we will talk about this later.

It is important to understand that multimedia on Android works at three levels:

  1. Hardware: decoders in the processor, graphics accelerator, audio chip.
  2. System: built-in codecs Android, API for developers (MediaCodec, AudioTrack).
  3. Software: player applications, editors, converters.
⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers (for example, Samsung or Xiaomi) modify standard codecs Android in their shells (One UI, MIUI). optimized for “clean” Android (for example, Pixel).
📊 What type of multimedia do you use most often?
Photo
Video
Music
Streaming video (YouTube, TV)
Other

Supported media formats: compatibility table

Official documentation Android lists dozens of supported formats, but in practice it all depends on the version of the system and hardware. Below is the current compatibility table for Android 12–14 (2022–2026). Data is based on tests of flagship devices (Google Pixel 7, Samsung Galaxy S23, OnePlus 11).

Type Format Out of the box support Requires third-party software Notes
📷 Images .jpg/.jpeg ✅ Yes ❌ No Basic support, but Google Photos compresses when uploading to the cloud.
.png ✅ Yes ❌ No Supports transparency (alpha channel).
.webp ✅ Yes (with Android 4.0) ❌ No Compresses better than .jpg, but not all editors open it.
.raw (DNG) ⚠️ Partially ✅ Yes (for example, Lightroom) Requires a powerful processor for processing.
🎬 Video .mp4 (H.264) ✅ Yes ❌ No Standard for social networks and instant messengers.
.mp4 (H.265/HEVC) ✅ Yes (from Android 5.0) ❌ No Saves space, but some older devices do not play.
.mkv ❌ No ✅ Yes (VLC, MX Player) Supports several audio tracks, but not all players read it.
.mov (Apple) ⚠️ Partially ✅ Yes (QuickTime) May not play without sound on some devices.
.avi ❌ No ✅ Yes Outdated format, often requires conversion.

To check support for a specific format on your device:

  1. Download a test file (for example, from here).
  2. Try to open it with a standard player.
  3. If it doesn’t play, install VLC or MX Player (they use their own codecs).
⚠️ Attention: Formats .flac (audio) and .heif (images) are officially supported by Android 9, but some manufacturers (for example, Huawei) may block them in their shells due to licensing restrictions.

Where multimedia files are stored on Android: folder structure

The file system Android is organized so that multimedia is saved by default in standard folders on the internal memory or SD card. Knowing this structure will help you quickly find the files you need or free up space. Main directories:

  • 📁 /DCIM/ - photos and videos from the camera (for example, /DCIM/Camera/).
  • 📁 /Pictures/ - screenshots (Screenshots/) and downloaded images.
  • 📁 /Movies/ or /Video/ —video files downloaded from the Internet.
  • 📁 /Music/ —audio files, including podcasts and ringtones.
  • 📁 /Downloads/ —everything you downloaded through a browser or instant messengers.

Important: some applications (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram) create their own folders in the root of the storage:

  • /WhatsApp/Media/ — photos and videos from chats.
  • /Telegram/Telegram Images/ — media files from Telegram.

These files are often duplicated and take up extra space. To see them, turn on the display of hidden folders in the file manager (for example, in Files by Google click ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files).

If you are connecting a phone to the computer via USB, but you do not see the folders with multimedia, check the connection mode:

1. Connect the phone to the PC via USB

2. Swipe down the notification panel on the phone

3 Click on the “Charging via” notification. USB"

4. Select the "File Transfer" (MTP) mode

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On devices with Android 11+ access to folders is limited due to policy Scoped Storage. In order for applications to be able to save files to arbitrary directories, they require special permissions. For example, file managers like Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer request access to the entire storage via MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE.

How to optimize multimedia: compression, conversion, cleaning

Multimedia files quickly fill up the smartphone's memory For example, a minute of video in 4K 60 FPS can weigh up to 400–600 MB, and a photo in RAW - up to 50 MB. Here's how to reduce their size without losing quality:

1. Photo compression

  • 📱 Use the built-in function in Google Photos: Settings → Release space (converts photos to .webp while maintaining visual quality).
  • 🔧 For manual compression: applications Photo Compress 2.0 or Resize Me! allow you to set the target file size (for example, reduce from 10 MB to 1 MB).
  • 🖼️ For batch processing: PicsArt or Snapseed support export with quality settings.

2. Video conversion

If video "slows down" during playback, it can be re-encoded into a lighter format:

  • 🎥 HandBrake (for PC) or Video Converter Android (for phone) - convert .mkv to .mp4 with codec H.265.
  • 📉 Reduce resolution: from 4K to 1080p (saving up to 70% space).
  • 🔊 For audio: convert .wav to .mp3 (320 kbps) via Audacity or MediaHuman Audio Converter.

3. Clearing duplicates

Applications like Files by Google or CCleaner have built-in tools for searching:

  • 🔍 Duplicate photos (for example, screenshots with the same content).
  • 🗑️ Unused files (messenger cache, temporary editor files).
  • 📂 Empty folders (remained after deleting applications).
💡

Before mass deleting files, make a backup copy in Google Drive or on a PC. Some applications (for example WhatsApp) may stop working if you delete their media folders.

For advanced users: if you often work with large files (for example, editing videos), consider connecting OTG drive or use NAS (network storage). Modern smartphones support exFAT i NTFS via an adapter, which allows you to connect hard drives with a capacity of up to 2 TB.

Problems with multimedia on Android and their solutions

Even on flagship devices, users encounter bugs when working with multimedia. Here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

1. Video does not play or slows down

  • 🔄 Codec is not supported: Install VLC or MX Player (they use their own decoders).
  • 📶 Buffering during streaming: In YouTube or Netflix reduce the quality to 720p in the playback settings.
  • 🔋 Device overheating: Close background applications and reduce the screen brightness. Video in 4K loads a lot. processor.

2. No sound in video

  • 🔊 Sound is muted in the player: Check the volume slider and settings Dolby Atmos (if any).
  • 🎧 Problem with Bluetooth headphones: Reconnect the device or reset its settings (Settings → Connected devices → Headphones → Forget).
  • 📹 Damaged file: Try playing it on another device. If the problem persists - download the file again.

3. Photos are not displayed in the gallery

  • 🔄 Gallery cache: Clear the application data Gallery or Google Photos (Settings → Applications → Gallery → Storage → Clear cache).
  • 📁 Files in a non-standard folder: Move them to /DCIM/ or /Pictures/.
  • 📵 Hidden files: In the file manager, enable the display of hidden elements (folders with a dot at the beginning, for example .thumbnails).
What to do if the phone does not see SD card?

1. Restart the device.

2. Remove the card and check it on another device (it may be damaged).

3. Format the card in exFAT or FAT32 (attention: all data will be deleted!).

4. If the card works, but the files are not displayed, check the path: some applications save data in /Android/data/, which is not visible without root access.

To diagnose hardware problems (for example, if the camera does not focus or the speaker distorts the sound) use hidden tests:

##4636## → Testing → Multimedia

Here you can check the operation of the microphone, speakers and camera without third-party applications.

Hidden multimedia settings: how to enable hardware acceleration and improve quality

Many users do not know that There are hidden options for optimizing multimedia. They can be activated through special commands. Android There are hidden options for media optimization. They can be activated via Developer menu or special teams.

1. Hardware video acceleration

To force applications to use built-in ones. processor decoders:

  1. Activate developer menu: go to Settings → About phone → Build number and tap on it 7 times.
  2. Go back to Settings → System → For Developers.
  3. Find options:
    • Disable hardware overlay → Disable (improves video performance).
    • GPU rendering acceleration → Enable.
    • Debugging GPU rendering → Select Overlaying bands (to diagnose lags).

2. Audio optimization

To improve audio quality:

  • 🎛️ Enable Dolby Atmos (if supported): Settings → Sound → Sound quality and effects.
  • 🎧 Adjust the equalizer: in the player Poweramp or Neutron Music Player select a preset for your headphones.
  • 🔊 Disable Bluetooth compression: in Settings → For developers → Codec Bluetooth select SBC (for stability) or aptX (for quality).

3. Improving the quality of photos and videos

On devices with a chip Google Tensor (Pixel 6/7/8) or Samsung Exynos (Galaxy S22/S23) hidden shooting modes are available:

  • 📸 B Google Camera (for Pixel) activate HDR+ Enhanced via Settings → Advanced → HDR+ models.
  • 🎥 V Samsung Camera enable Super Steady to stabilize video (Settings → Video → Stabilization).
  • 🔍 To manually adjust ISO and shutter speed, use Pro Mode in the standard camera application or Open Camera.
⚠️ Attention: Changing the settings in the developer menu can lead to unstable operation of the system. For example, enabling GPU debugging on weak devices will cause lags in the interface. After experiments, it is recommended to reset the settings to factory settings.

The best applications for working with multimedia on Android

Standard applications Android (for example, Gallery or Google Photos) are suitable for basic tasks, but for professional work you will need specialized tools. We tested dozens of apps and selected the best in each. categories.

1. Players for video and music

Application Advantages Disadvantages Price
VLC Supports all formats, no advertising, hardware acceleration. The interface is overloaded, sometimes lags on weak devices. Free
MX Player Lightweight, gesture support, decoders for AC3 and DTS. Advertising in the free version, codec AC3 requires manual installation. Free (Pro - $5.99)
Poweramp Best equalizer, support FLAC and APE, tagging. Paid after trial period, difficult for beginners. 7,99$

2 Photo editors and. video

  • 📷 Snapseed - free editor from Google with support for RAW and masks.
  • 🎬 CapCut - simple video editor with templates for TikTok and YouTube.
  • 🖌️ Adobe Lightroom - professional color correction (requires subscription).
  • 🎵 Audacity (via Termux) - for multi-track recording and audio processing.

3. Utilities for optimization

  • 🗃️ Files by Google —cleaning duplicates and cache.
  • 📊 SD Maid —search for “garbage” files and remnants of deleted applications.
  • 🔄 HandBrake (for PC)—video conversion with bitrate settings.
💡

For video editing on weak devices use KineMaster or InShot —they are optimized for mobile processors and support rendering in the cloud.

Multimedia security: how to protect personal photos and videos

Photos and videos on a smartphone often contain confidential information: scans of documents, personal correspondence, intimate photographs. Here's how to protect them from prying eyes:

1. Hidden folders and archives

  • 🔒 V Google Photos: transfer the files to the "Archive" folder (they will remain in the cloud, but will not appear in the main feed).
  • 📂 In the file manager: create a folder with a dot at the beginning (for example .private) - it will become hidden.
  • 🔐 Use KeepSafe or GalleryVault to encrypt folders with a password.

2. Encryption and backup

For reliable protection:

  • 🔐 Encrypt files using Cryptomator (creates encrypted containers).
  • ☁️ Store backups in Proton Drive or Tresorit (encrypted clouds).
  • 📱 On devices with Android 9+ enable phone encryption: Settings → Security → Phone encryption.

3. Leak protection

To prevent accidental sending of personal files:

  • 🚫 In WhatsApp and Telegram disable media auto-download: Settings → Storage → Autoload media.
  • 📱 Set AppLock to block the gallery and instant messengers using your fingerprint.
  • 🔍 Before selling your phone, delete files through Settings → System → Reset → Delete all data (simple delete not erases files completely!).
⚠️ Attention: Even after deletion, files can be restored using apps like DiskDigger. To permanently erase, use Secure Erase (available in TWRP or through ADB): 
adb shell sm erase force

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about multimedia on Android

🔍 Why does a video in Telegram play without sound?

This is a common problem due to the codec Opusthat Telegram uses for compression. Solutions:

  1. Update Telegram to the latest version.
  2. Download the video to your device and open it in VLC.
  3. In settings Telegram disable "Save as MP4" (experimental function).
📸 How to take a photo in RAW format on Android?

Format RAW (for example, .dng) saves raw data from the camera sensor, which allows you to flexibly edit photos later. To enable it:

  • On Google Pixel: open Camera → Settings → Advanced → Formats → RAW+JPEG.
  • On Samsung Galaxy: Camera → Settings → Save copies in RAW format.
  • On other devices: use Open Camera or Adobe Lightroom (they support RAW even on budget smartphones).

⚠️ Please note: files RAW occupy 20–50 MB