Users of modern Smart TVs based Android TV often face a situation where the system automatically opens video files in an inconvenient or functionally limited application. A standard player pre-installed by the manufacturer may not support the required audio codecs or subtitles, which spoils the viewing experience. A logical question arises: how to force the TV to use exactly the VLC or MX Playerthat you installed and configured for yourself?
Changing the default application is not just a whim, but a necessity for comfortable operation of the media center. In the ecosystem, management of app launch priorities is implemented through system settings, but the TV interface can hide these options deeper than in smartphones. Understanding the principles of operation Google management of app launch priorities is implemented through system settings, however, the TV interface can hide these options deeper than in smartphones. Understanding of operating principles file associations will allow you to forever get rid of unnecessary clicks and manually selecting a player every time you start a movie.
In this guide we will analyze all the available methods for changing priorities: from the standard settings menu to advanced actions through the developer options. You will learn how to correctly reset old settings if the system “remembered” the wrong application, and which codecs are really important for high-quality content playback on the big screen.
Principles of how file associations work in Android TV
The operating system Android uses the intents mechanism to determine which application should respond to a specific action. When you click on a file with the extension .mkv or .avi in the file manager, the system sends a request to all installed apps that can process this format. If you previously selected the “Always” option, the system remembers this choice in a special system preference registry.
The problem occurs when the user accidentally clicks “Always” for the built-in player, which has poor functionality. Unlike a PC, where you can easily change the app through the file properties, this process requires intervention in the settings of a specific application. The priority system works on the principle of “who first announced codec support” if the user’s explicit choice is not recorded. Android TV this process requires intervention in the settings of a specific application. The priority system works on the principle of “who was the first to declare codec support” if an explicit choice by the user is not recorded.
It is worth noting that different firmware versions from TV manufacturers (Sony, Philips, Xiaomi) can mask these settings in different ways. Somewhere this is placed in the general application section, and somewhere hidden in the depths of the system menu. It is important to understand that changing the default player does not remove other applications, but only changes the route for processing the request to open media files.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting the default settings for system applications may result in the TV constantly asking you to select a app the next time you start a video. Be prepared to re-confirm your choice.
If you are using a file manager with its own built-in player, make sure that the “Play within application” option is disabled in its settings, otherwise system settings may be ignored.
Preparing to change the video player
Before making changes to the system configuration, you need to make sure that that the desired application is installed correctly and is ready to work. Not all players available in the store Google Playare optimized for remote control. Some versions designed for smartphones may require a mouse or keyboard to be connected, which is inconvenient for use on the couch.
It is recommended to check format support in advance. If you plan to watch heavy 4K rips with a bitrate above 50 Mbps, make sure that your new player supports hardware decoding on the specific processor of your TV. Software decoding can cause image stuttering and sound desynchronization.
You should also pay attention to access rights. When launched for the first time, the new player will ask for permission to access the storage. If you deny this right, the app won't be able to see your video files, and setting it as your primary app will be pointless. Give all requested permissions immediately after installation.
- 📺 Make sure that the application has an interface adapted for TV (supports D-Pad navigation).
- 🎬 Check for built-in codecs for AC3, DTS and HEVC formats.
- 🔒 Grant the application rights to read internal storage and USB drives.
- 🔄 Update the application to the latest version via Google Play for stability.
Method of resetting the settings of the current player
The most reliable way to make the system forget the previous choice is to clear the default settings for the application that is now opening automatically. This method works in 99% of cases on pure Android TV and manufacturers' shells. You do not need to delete the app, you just need to erase the record that it is a priority.
To perform this operation, go to the main menu of the TV and find the section Settings. Next, select Applications or All applications. In the list that opens, find the name of the current player that opens when you start the video (for example, “Video” or “Gallery”). Click on it to enter the application information menu.
Inside the application menu, scroll down the list of options to the item Open as default or Launch as default. If this item is active (not greyed out), click on it and select the option Remove default settings or Reset. After that, the next time you try to open the video file, the system will again ask you which app to use.
Settings → Applications → [Current player name] → Open by default → Delete settingsIf after resetting you see the selection window again, carefully read the pop-up message. There will be two options: “Only now” and “Always”. To secure the result, you need to select an option “Always” and indicate the desired player from the list. Now this association will be fixed until the next reset.
☑️ Algorithm for changing the player
Configuration through the “Default Applications” menu
In some firmware versions Android TV there is a separate section that allows you to manage default applications for various types of actions, and not just for specific files. This approach is more global and allows you to customize the behavior of the system for all media queries at once.
Find the section Applicationsin the TV settings, and then go to the subsection Default applications. Here you can see categories such as Video, Audio or Browser. If the system allows you to edit these fields, simply select the desired item and indicate your preferred application from the drop-down list.
However, it is worth considering that manufacturers often limit this list to only system applications or those that were preinstalled at the factory. Third-party players downloaded from the store may not appear in this menu. In this case, returning to the application-specific reset method (described above) is the only working option.
| Action | Where to look for the setting | Change option | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run video files | Application settings | High | Requires resetting the current selection |
| Music playback | Default applications | Average | Depends on the Android version |
| Opening links | Special access | Low | Often blocked by the manufacturer |
| Launch games | Game mode | Low | Automatic detection |
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may differ depending on the version of Android (9, 10, 11) and manufacturer's shells (Google TV, MIUI for TV). If you don’t find the “Open by default” item, try finding it in the “Advanced” section.
What to do if there is no “Open by default” item?
Sometimes this item is hidden. Try tapping the menu button (three dots) in the top right corner of the app information screen. You can also try clearing the application cache before searching for this option.
Using third-party file managers
An alternative and often more flexible way to control playback is to use advanced file managers such as X-plore, File Commander or Solid Explorer. These apps allow you to manually configure file associations within their interface, ignoring Android system settings.
In the settings of such managers there is usually a section “Built-in player” or “File processing”. You can disable embedded playback and set the rule: “Use an external application for all video files.” When you click on a file, the manager will call the player you need, passing it the path to the file.
This method is convenient because it works locally inside the manager application. Even if the system tries to impose its player, the file manager intercepts the command and redirects it to where you need it. This is especially useful when working with network resources (SMB, NFS), where standard players often do not see network folders.
However, this approach has a drawback: to watch a movie, you always need to go to the file manager first, and not open the file directly from the “Gallery” or “Media” of the TV. For users accustomed to a certain operating logic, this may be a slight inconvenience.
- 📂 Install a file manager with support for setting up external players.
- ⚙️ In the manager settings, disable “Embedded playback”.
- 🔗 Specify the path to the executable file of your favorite player.
- 🌐 Use this method to conveniently work with network storage NAS.
Third-party file managers give maximum control over opening files, but require changing the usual media launch script (through the manager, and not through the system gallery).
Solving problems and common problems errors
Sometimes even after following all the instructions, the TV continues to stubbornly open the video in the old application. This may be due to the fact that the system cache was not updated instantly. In such cases, it is recommended to completely reboot the device rather than simply putting it into standby mode. Unplug the power cord from the outlet for 10-15 seconds.
Another common problem is a version conflict. If you have several versions of the same player installed (for example, system and updated from the Play Market), the system may be confused with application signatures. Try uninstalling all versions of the player and installing only one, preferably the latest stable one.
It is also worth checking whether the “Demo” or “Store” mode is enabled in the TV settings. In this mode, many system settings are locked and resetting applications to default becomes impossible. Disable this mode in the section Settings → System → About TV.
If all else fails, you can use debugging by ADB. By connecting to the TV from a computer, you can forcefully reset preferences using the command:
adb shell pm reset-preferred-appsThis command resets all “Open by default” settings for all applications on the device. Use it with caution, as after this, when opening links from the browser or launching games, the system will also ask you to select an application.
⚠️ Attention: Using ADB commands requires enabling the “For Developers” mode on the TV. Inexperienced users should limit themselves to standard menu settings so as not to disrupt the system.
How to enable developer mode?
Go to Settings → About TV (or System). Find the item “Build number” and quickly press it with the remote control 7 times. A notification “You have become a developer” will appear.
Choosing the optimal player for your tasks
After you have learned how to change the settings, it is worth thinking about which player is best suited for your tasks. There is no universal solution: for one user, support for complex Blu-ray menus is important, for another, a minimalistic interface, and for a third, the ability to customize the picture.
It is great for viewing local files from your hard drive VLC thanks to its omnivorous formats. If you are building a full-fledged home theater with covers, descriptions of films and music, then it is better to take a closer look at Kodi. Ideal for a simple and quick launch without unnecessary graphics Just (Video) Player.
Pay attention to support hardware decoding. On weak TVs with budget processors, only some players are able to correctly use the video core to play heavy content. The rest will load the central processor, causing heating of the device and interface lags.
Do not forget to regularly update the selected application. Developers are constantly improving support for new codecs and correcting compatibility issues with various TV models. An outdated version of the player may stop opening files recorded in new compression standards.
Why doesn’t my TV see files on the flash drive after changing the player?
Most likely, the new player does not have permission to access external drives. Go to the application settings and check the "Permissions" section. Also make sure that the flash drive is formatted in a file system that Android can read (usually FAT32 or exFAT).
Is it possible to make a different player for movies and TV series?
This cannot be done using standard Android tools. The system binds the application to the file type (extension), and not to the content. However, some file managers allow you to create rules for specific folders.
What to do if the “Delete settings” button is inactive (gray)?
This means that the “default” action is not fixed for this application. You may have previously selected the “Only now” option, or the system itself reset the setting after the update. Try opening a video file to prompt a selection request.
Does changing the player affect the picture quality?
Yes, directly. Different players use different scaling, noise reduction, and color processing algorithms. A good player can significantly improve the picture on an old TV through software post-processing.