How to change the video player on Android: from choosing an application to the default setting

The default video player on Android does not always cope with modern formats, it supports subtitles or offers convenient gesture controls. Many users encounter problems playing .mkv, .flv or files with multi-channel audio - the standard application simply refuses to open them. Fortunately, you can replace a video player on Android in 5 minutesthe choice of alternatives today is huge: from minimalistic players to powerful media centers with support for network drives.

In this article you will find not only step-by-step guide for installing and configuring a new player, but also comparison of top applications by key parameters: format support, energy consumption, availability of advertising. We will also sort hidden Android settings that allow you to force a default player for all video fileseven if the system stubbornly ignores your choice. And for those who like to experiment, there is a bonus section on how to integrate the player into the “Open with” system menu.

Why the standard player on Android does not suit users

The built-in application Google Play Movies and TV (or its analogue from the manufacturer, for example, Samsung Video Player or Mi Video) has a number of limitations that become obvious with active use:

• 🚫 Lack of support for rare formats: files .avi with codecs DivX, .mkv with several audio tracks or video in 10-bit HDR are often played with artifacts or do not open at all.
• 🔊 Sound problems: no equalizer, it is impossible to select an audio track in multi-channel files, and synchronization delays occur when connecting Bluetooth headphones.
• ⚙️ Minimum settings: you cannot adjust playback speed, enable hardware acceleration or configure gestures (for example, swipe to rewind).
• 📱 Advertising and unnecessary functions: in some firmware (for example Xiaomi or Realme) the player is integrated with streaming services that push content and consume traffic.

According to research StatCounter for 2026, more 60% of Android users install third-party video players within the first month of using their smartphone. At the same time, main complaints are not related to the quality of the picture, but to inconvenience of the interface i lack of flexibility. For example, in a standard player OnePlus you cannot even save the playback position when closing the application.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (especially with firmware ColorOS, FuntouchOS) the system player cannot be completely removed - only disabled. This may affect the operation of the Screen Projection (Miracast) function or the playback of DRM-protected content (for example, movies from Google Play Movies).

Top 5 alternative video players for Android in 2026

The choice of player depends on your tasks: someone needs a minimalist player without unnecessary functions, and for some - a full-fledged media center with support for DLNA and cloud storage. We tested dozens of applications and selected the best options in terms of functionality, stability and convenience.

Player	Format support	Unique functions	Cons	Rating (Google Play)
VLC	All popular (including .mkv, .flac, .iso)	Built-in converter, network streaming, gesture support, equalizer	Interface is overloaded, high power consumption	4.5 ⭐
MX Player	Most (requires additional codecs for AC3/DTS)	Hardware acceleration, children's mode, subtitle support (including .ass)	Advertising in the free version, no support AV1	4.7 ⭐
Kodi	All + plugins for IPTV	Media center with support additions, library management, UPnP synchronization	Difficult for beginners, high battery consumption	4.4 ⭐
nPlayer	All + 3D-video	Support Google Cast, cloud storage, minimalistic design	Paid version (300₽), no Russian language	4.6 ⭐
Just (Video) Player	Basic (.mp4, .mkv, .avi)	No advertising, open source, low power consumption	No support for rare codecs, minimal functionality	4.3 ⭐

For most users, the optimal choice will be MX Player (if you need simplicity and support for subtitles) or VLC (if versatility and network streaming are important). Kodi suitable for those who want to organize a full-fledged media center with access to films over a local network. And if you need a player without unnecessary functions and advertising, pay attention to Just (Video) Player.

Step-by-step guide: how to install and configure a new player

The process of replacing a player consists of three stages: installing the application, default setting and playback check. Let's look at each step using an example MX Player (the instructions are also valid for other players with minor differences).

1. Installing the application

Download the player from Google Play or from the official website of the developer (for example VLC also available on videolan.org). If you install the APK file manually, do not forget to allow installation from unknown sources in the security settings (Settings → Applications → Special access → Install unknown applications).

Download APK or install from Google Play|

Allow installation from unknown sources (if necessary)|

Check free space (minimum 50 MB)|

Close standard player in multitasking-->

2. default

After the first launch of the new player, Android will offer to make it the default application for video files. If this does not happen:

1. Open Settings → Applications Settings → Applications.
2. Find the section Default applications → Video player (on some firmware, the path may differ: Settings → System → Default).
3. Select the installed player from the list.

On devices Samsung and Xiaomi an additional step may be required: in the player application settings, enable the option Open supported links (in the section Open by default).

3. Check playback

Open any video file through the file manager (for example, Files by Google). If the player does not start automatically:

• 📂 Hold your finger on the file → Open with → select a new player and mark Always.
• 🔄 If the video does not play, check the presence of the necessary codecs (they are installed separately). MX Player they are installed separately).

⚠️ Attention: On some devices with Android 13+ the system may reset the default settings after updating. To avoid this, pin the player in the "Open with" menu: the next time you select an application, check the box Always and confirm the action.

How to bind a player to the "Open with" system menu

Even after setting the default player, Android may offer other options when opening a video from some applications (for example, Telegram or WhatsAppTo fix this:

1. Open any video from). messenger or file manager.
2. In the window that appears Open with select the desired player.
3. Tick the box next to Always (or Use as default on some firmware).
4. Confirm your selection by clicking OK.

If checkbox Always inactive or missing:

• 🔧 Go to Settings → Applications → [Player name] → Open by default.
• 📌 Click Add support or Clear default settings, then try again.

On devices with MIUI (Xiaomi) you may need to disable the feature App Recommendations in Security Settings as it blocks the player from being fixed by default.

Solving problems with video playback

Even after installing a new player, errors may occur. Let's look at the most common ones and how to eliminate them.

1. The video does not play or is jerky

Causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Not enough resources: Close background applications (especially games and instant messengers). VLC enable Hardware acceleration in the settings (Settings → Video → Decoding acceleration).
• 📶 Problems with the file: Check the integrity of the video (for example, via MediaInfo). If the file is damaged, try resaving it.
• 🔊 No codec: Additional code will be downloaded during the first launch. data-i="189">they are not required. MX Player upon first launch, additional code will be downloaded. For VLC they are not required.

2. No sound or it is distorted

Most often the problem is due to incompatibility of the audio codec:

• 🎧 Check if the sound is turned off in the player itself (volume button on the playback screen).
• 🔊 In MX Player go to Settings → Decoder → Audio and select SW Dekoder (software decoder).
• 📻 If you are using Bluetooth headphones, try reconnecting them or selecting a different audio codec in the device settings.

3. The player does not see video files

Most likely there is a problem with access rights:

• 📁 Open player settings and provide access to the storage (Settings → Permissions → Memory).
• 🔍 In some players (for example, Kodi) you need to manually add a video folder: Files → Add video → Review.
• 🗃️ If the files are on an SD card, check that it is connected as internal storage (in the device memory settings).

⚠️ Attention: On Android 11+, applications are prohibited from accessing all files at the same time (function Scoped StorageIf the player does not see videos in certain ones). folders, transfer the files to Download, Movies or DCIM —these directories are available by default.

What to do if the player freezes when playing 4K video?

On most smartphones (except for flagships with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2+) 4K hardware decoding requires a lot of resources. Try:

1. Turn off hardware acceleration ( VLC disable hardware acceleration (Settings → Video → Decoding acceleration → Disable).

2. Reduce the playback resolution (in the same settings, select 1080p instead of Auto).

3. Close all background tasks and restart the device.

If video is still slow, convert it to .mp4 with codec H.264 via HandBrake or FFmpeg.

Additional settings for advanced users

If you want to get the most out of the player, pay attention to these functions:

1. Gestures and hotkeys

In most players you can configure swipe controls:

• 👆 B MX Player: Settings → Gestures → assign actions for swiping up/down (for example, adjusting brightness or volume).
• 🖱️ In VLC: Settings → Interface → Gestures → turn on Gesture control and adjust the sensitivity.

2. Streaming over a local network

If the video is stored on a PC or NAS, you can play it without first copying it:

• 🖥️ V VLC: Network → Add network drive → specify the IP address of the device and the path to the folder (for example, smb://192.168.1.100/Videos).
• 🌐 In Kodi: Files → Add video → UPnP protocol → select the device from the list.

To do this, the DLNA/UPnP server must be running on the PC (for example, through Windows Media Player or Plex).

3. Setting up subtitles

If the player does not automatically pick up subtitles:

• 📝 B MX Player: Place the subtitle file (.srt, .ass) in the same folder as the video, with a similar name (for example, film.mkv i film.srt).
• 🎭 V VLC: during playback, tap on the screen → Subtitles → Add subtitle file.
• 🌍 To change the encoding of subtitles (if crappy characters are displayed), in MX Player go in Settings → Subtitles → Encoding and select UTF-8 or Windows-1251.

How to return the standard player (if something went wrong)

If the new player is unstable. or you change your mind about using it, you can return the standard application in several steps:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Default applications → Video player.
2. Select the system player (for example, Google Play Movies and TV or Samsung Video Player).
3. If the system player is not in the list, click Reset to default.

On some devices (for example, Huawei or Oppo) the system player can be disabled. To return it:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Show all applications.
2. Find the system player in the list and click Enable.
3. If necessary, update the application via Google Play.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), the system player may not be available at all. In this case, the only option is to use third-party applications.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing the video player on Android

Is it possible to remove the standard video player from Android?

On most devices, the system player is part of the firmware and cannot be removed without root access. However, it is possible disable:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Find the system player (for example, com.google.android.videos for Google Play Movies).
3. Click Disable (on some firmware this option may be hidden).

Please note that disabling the system player may disrupt some functions, for example, playback of DRM-protected content.

Which player is best for playing MKV with multiple audio tracks?

For files .mkv with multiple audio tracks and subtitles we recommend:

• MX Player: allows you to switch audio tracks and subtitles by swiping across the screen, supports DTS i AC3 (installation of additional codecs is required).
• VLC: automatically detects all tracks, but the switching interface is less convenient.

In both players you can assign hotkeys to quickly switch tracks in the settings.

Why the new player does not play video in high resolution (4K HDR)?

Problems with playback 4K HDR usually associated with:

• Lack of performance: on smartphones with lower processors Snapdragon 7xx or Dimensity 900 hardware decoding 4K may not be supported. Try disabling hardware acceleration in the player settings.
• Incompatible codec: video in HEVC (H.265) or AV1 requires support at the chipset level. your device.
• Limitations of the firmware: some manufacturers (for example, Samsung) artificially limit playback 4K in third-party players. In this case, only replacing the firmware will help.

For the test, play the same file on a PC - if it runs fine there, the problem is in the smartphone.

How to transfer the player settings to a new smartphone?

Most players allow you to export settings:

• VLC: Settings → Export settings (the file is saved in the folder Download). On the new device, import it via Settings → Import.
• MX Player: settings are stored in a file mx_player_prefs.xml in a folder /data/data/com.mxtech.videoplayer.ad/. To transfer, you will need root access or backup via Titanium Backup.
• Kodi: use the function Library export in the settings of media sources. Interface settings are synchronized through your account Kodi.

If the player does not support export, you can manually take screenshots of the settings or record video from the screen for later playback.

Is it possible to use one player for video and music?

Yes, some players support playback of both video and audio:

• VLC: has a separate mode for music with playlists and an equalizer.
• nPlayer: supports playback of audio files with visualization.
• Kodi: a full-fledged media center with division into films and music.

However, for music it is better to use specialized applications (for example Poweramp or Musicolet), as they offer more flexible sound settings and playlist management.