How to make MX Player the default player on Android

Modern smartphones based on Android often come with pre-installed video players, which do not always meet the needs of users. Many enthusiasts prefer to install third-party solutions like MX Playerdue to its powerful decoding engine and support for a wide range of subtitles. However, after installing an application, the system does not always automatically switch to it when you try to open a video file.

This situation can be annoying; when you click on a file in the file manager, it opens in a standard, less functional application. To change this behavior and secure MX Player he status as the primary tool for media playback, you must manually configure file associations on the system. This process is simple, but requires an understanding of how Android manages application access rights to certain types of data.

In this guide, we will examine in detail all stages of setup, from initial installation to resolving conflicts when the system “forgets” your choice. You'll learn how to manage permissions, reset default settings for competing applications, and use hidden features to fully integrate the player into your operating system.

Initial setup of file associations on first launch

The easiest way to make MX Player the main player occurs immediately after its first installation or first launch. The first time you try to open a video file (for example .mkv or .mp4through a file manager, the system Android detects several applications that can play this content. At this moment, a dialog box appears on the screen with a choice of action.

In this list you will see icons of all installed video players, including the system one and the new one MX Player. It is critically important not to just click on the icon of the desired application, but to pay attention to the options for confirming your choice at the bottom of the window. Usually there are two options: “Only now” and “Always”. Selecting the “Always” option tells the system to remember your preference for this file type.

⚠️ Attention: If you accidentally clicked “Only now”, the system will remember this choice only for the current session. The next time you open the file, the selection dialog will appear again, and you will have to repeat the procedure.

After confirming the “Always” action, the operating system creates an internal entry in the application registry, associating the file extension with the package name com.mxtech.videoplayer.ad (or pro version). From this moment on, all files of the corresponding format will be opened automatically through the selected interface without any questions.

Managing application settings through the system menu

If the moment of initial setup was missed or you previously you chose another application by mistake, you can change the priority through the deep system settings. To do this, you need to go to the menu Settings of your smartphone and find the section responsible for managing installed apps. In different shells (MIUI, OneUI, Stock Android), this item may be called “Applications”, “Applications and notifications” or “Application Manager”.

In the list of all apps, find the video player that now opens by default instead of MX Player. This could be a standard “Gallery”, “Video” or another third-party player. By clicking on it, you will be taken to the application card, where all the information about its rights and behavior is stored. Here we are interested in the “Open by default” or “Launch by default” item.

Inside this section you will see a “Remove default settings” or “Reset values” button. Clicking this button breaks the connection between file types and this application. After completing this procedure, the system “forgets” what to open the video with, and the next time you try to launch the file, it will again prompt you to select an application from the list where you can install correctly MX Player.

A similar procedure can be done for itself MX Playerif you want to check what types of files are already assigned to him. This is useful for diagnostics: if the list of supported formats is empty, it means that associations have not yet been created, and you need to initiate their creation manually through the file manager.

Resolving conflicts with pre-installed galleries

One ​​of the most common problems is the aggressive behavior of pre-installed “Gallery” or “Video” applications from the smartphone manufacturer. Brands like Samsung, Xiaomi or Huawei often rigidly prescribe their media players to prioritize certain formats, ignoring user choice. In such cases, a simple factory reset may not be enough, since the system may automatically return the default application after an update or reboot.

To combat this, you can use the competitor's forced shutdown method. In the same application settings menu where you reset the settings, find the system video player. If the Uninstall button is grayed out (which is normal for system software), look for the Disable button. This action will freeze the application, and it will no longer appear in the list of available apps for opening files.

Action	Impact on the system	Risk
Reset settings to default	Temporary break in association files	Minimal
Disable the application	Hide completely from the selection list	Medium (may need to be turned back on)
Remove updates	Return to factory version of the player	Low
Clear data	Reset all application settings	Medium (loss of playlists)

If disabling is impossible or undesirable, try changing the settings inside the competitor application itself. Go to the system gallery settings and look for the item “Open files in...” or “Default player”. Sometimes manufacturers allow you to select a third-party application directly from the interface of the native app, although this function is rare.

What to do if the “Disable” button is inactive?

In some firmware, system applications are protected from being disabled. In this case, only using ADB commands through the computer to force freezing of the package will help, or obtaining root access to completely remove system garbage.

Using file managers to force opening

Sometimes the system stubbornly does not offer a choice of application, immediately launching the file in an inappropriate app. In such a situation, advanced file managers such as Total Commander, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorercome to the rescue. These tools allow you to manage the context menu of files more flexibly than the standard Explorer.

Find the desired video file in the manager, pinch it with your finger to select it and call the context menu (usually three dots or the “More” button). Select “Open with” or “Open with”. Unlike the standard click, this method almost always forces a dialog to select an application, even if the default player is already set for this file type.

• 📂 Select the file in the manager and click “Open with.”
• 🎬 In the list that appears, find MX Player.
• ✅ Click on it and select the “Always” option to commit the choice.

This method is effective in that it overwrites the association at the call_intent_a level. The system takes this as an explicit instruction from the user and updates its internal priority tables. After such a forced opening through the file manager, regular clicks on videos in the gallery or other folders should also start working through MX Player.

Configuring internal MX parameters Player

Itself MX Player also has settings that can affect its behavior in the system. Go to the player settings (gear icon or three dots in the corner) and find the “General” or “Decoder” section. Make sure that hardware acceleration options are enabled (HW+), as this is often a key factor in why users choose this particular application.

Some versions of the application have a "Codec Registration" or "Media Scanning" feature. Triggering this feature causes the player to rescan the device and declare itself ready to handle all supported formats. This is useful after major updates Androidwhen connections between applications may get lost.

⚠️ Attention: Do not install several powerful codecs at the same time unless absolutely necessary. A decoder conflict may result in video playing without sound or with image artifacts.

Also check your subtitle settings. MX Player is famous for its work with text tracks. Make sure that the automatic connection of subtitles is enabled in the settings, so that when you open a movie you immediately get a full viewing experience, which will cement your desire to use this particular player in the future.

Frequent problems and solutions elimination

Even after all the settings, users may encounter a situation where the settings are lost. This often happens after updating the operating system or the application itself. If MX Player stops opening by default, do not rush to delete it. First, check if a new update for the standard player has appeared in the system, which could intercept the priority.

Another common problem is opening links from instant messengers. A video sent to Telegram or WhatsAppcan be opened in the built-in player of the messenger. This behavior is regulated by the settings of the messenger itself, not the system. In the chat settings or general application settings, find the “Media” item and disable the “Play in built-in player” option, if available.

If all else fails, the last resort is to completely reset application preferences. In the settings menu Android in the “Applications” section, find the menu (three dots) and select “Reset application settings”. This action will remove all "default" assignments for all apps on the phone, returning the system to a "clean slate" state. After that, you will have to re-select MX Player for all types of media files.

• 🔄 Update MX Player to the latest version via Google Play.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache and data of the problematic competitor application.
• 📲 Reboot your device to apply system changes.

Why does MX Player not see some video files after setup?

This may be due to the lack of necessary codecs. Download the MX AIO Codec codec package from the official website or trusted source and install it. After installation, restart the application.

Is it possible to make MX Player a player for online streams?

Yes, the application supports opening network streams. However, browsers and instant messengers often use their own protocols. To open the link in MX Player, copy it, launch the player, select “Network” -> “Stream” and paste the link.

Does choosing the default player affect battery consumption?

Indirectly yes. A more optimized player with hardware acceleration (like MX Player) consumes less processor resources when decoding, which has a positive effect on battery life compared to inefficient standard players.

How can I return the settings back if I don’t like MX Player?

Go to MX Player settings -> Applications -> Open by default -> Delete settings. Then open any video and select another player by clicking “Always”.

Does this instruction work on Android 14 and later?

Yes, the principle of working with intents and file associations in Android remains unchanged from earlier versions. The settings interface may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer's shell, but the logic of actions remains the same.