How to Change the Default Video Player on an Android Device

When it comes to video players, the good news for Android users is that Android devices come with a default video player, usually a pre-installed app. The bad news is that in most cases, it’s equipped with just the basic features and tools. For that reason, most Android users tend to look for alternative solutions.

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of third-party apps you can turn to for a better viewing experience. In this article, we’ll show you how to change your default video player and discuss the best third-party solutions.

Choose or Install Your Preferred Android Video Player

First, you need to choose and install your preferred Android video player. Here’s a breakdown of some of the more popular apps available on the Google Play Store:

• VLC for Android. The open-source media player is compatible with all Android devices. It supports a wide range of formats and codecs for both audio and video files.
  Some of the more advanced features include an EQ with five different filters, multi-track audio, and network streaming. The app also allows you to adjust the brightness and volume settings through gesture control. The player also gives you the ability to add subtitles and closed captions to your video, enable multi-track audio, and rotate the direction.
  There’s no need to worry about random commercial pop-ups because the VLC player is entirely ad-free.
  
• BS Player. The app has had quite a legacy since it was first published in 2004. Just like VLC, it’s packed with advanced features and supports several different file formats. It has a hardware-accelerated video replay, which increases speed while decreasing battery consumption.
  It supports all common media file formats, different audio streams, subtitles, playlists, and various playback modes. BS Player also allows users to personalize the video UI with various skins.
  The app’s layout is accessible and easily adjustable, with a range of themes available. To assist with multitasking, BS Player has a helpful “pop-out” feature. The lite edition is free but features advertisements.
  
• MX Player. The app is one of the first Android video players to allow multi-core decoding.  It’s compatible with nearly all video and audio file formats.
  MX Player has a slew of features included in its simple and user-friendly interface. You’re free to zoom in and out, adjust the video orientation, fast forward and backward, and add subtitles. Gesture functions are also available, such as swiping and “pinching” the screen. The app even has an on-screen child lock.
  The video player is available for free in the Google Play Store. You can also get plugins for additional features. The only major downside is that it includes commercials.
  
• AC3 Player. It’s a great Android video player that supports the AC3 audio format. AC3 Player will automatically scan for this format without any need for additional plugins. The app also supports other typical video and audio formats.
  There’s a variety of subtitle formats available, including automatic synchronization. The media player is simple to use, with user-friendly settings for sound, brightness, and video orientation. It can play web videos and can even play videos in the background. It also has an equalizer built-in.
  

If you don’t have a particular app in mind, you can browse the Google Play categories. Pay attention to the user reviews and app ratings before downloading.

When you find a video player you like, proceed to install it on your device. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your device.
   
2. Tap the search box at the top of the screen. Enter the name of the app you’re looking for. You can also find it through the Categories tab.
   
3. Select the app from the search results. Tap the Install button under the app info.
   
4. Tap the Open button to complete the download.
   
5. A pop-up window will appear. Tap Allow to grant access to your media files.
   

Set Your Preferred Default Video Player Using Android Settings

After you’ve successfully downloaded the third-party app, you can make it your default video player. Depending on your operating system and the device issuer, the steps may vary. However, you should be able to apply a similar method to most phones and tablets.

Here’s how to set your preferred default video player using Android settings:

1. Open the Settings app. You can either tap the gear icon on your home screen or access it via the pull-down menu.
   
2. Scroll through the list of settings and tap on Apps.
   
3. Select Manage Apps from the options menu.
   
4. Tap the little gear icon in the top-right corner. In some cases, there are three vertical dots instead. Select Default Apps from the options menu.
   
5. You’ll see a list of categories. Open the one containing the video player apps. Remember, the categories can vary depending on the device.
   
6. A list of your installed video players will appear. Tap on the little circle next to your preferred video player.
   

The latest version of the Android OS (Lollipop) requires even fewer steps:

1. Go to Settings > Applications.
2. Scroll to the Default Applications category. Locate your default video player app and tap on it.
3. Select the Clear Defaults option.
4. Go back to Default Applications and this time select Set Defaults. Choose a different video player app from the list.

Sometimes, if there are no default apps, Android will automatically recommend one. For example, if it’s your first time opening a video on a particular device, a small pop-up window will appear. There are usually two options available. If you want to set one of them as the default video player, tap “Always.”

Default Android Video Player FAQs

Can I Change My Default Android Video Player After Setting It?

Another way to reset your default app settings is with the help of a third-party tool. Here’s how to switch to a different video player by using Default Manager Lite:

1. Open the Google Play Store app.

2. Type the app name in the search dialog box.

3. Tap Install under the app info. Make sure to select the “Lite” version of the app manager.

4. When the installation is complete, tap Open to launch the app.

5. Scroll through the list of categories and locate the default video player. Tap to open it.

6. Select your preferred video player from the list of apps.

The managing tool provides a clear overview of your default app settings. It allows you to change your device configuration in a few simple steps.

Can I Use a Non-Google Play App as My Default Video Player?

Although Google Play is the official app store for Android, it’s not the only option. Here’s a list of alternative app stores you can use to hunt for apps:

· Amazon Appstore.

· APKMirror, APKUpdater, and APKPure.

· F-Droid.

· Samsung Galaxy Apps.

· Humble Bundle.

· Yalp Store.

Here’s how to download apps outside of Google Play:

1. Tap on the gear icon in your app menu to open Settings.

2. Go to Apps and Notifications > Advanced.

3. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and select Special App Access.

4. Choose Install Unknown Apps from the list of options.

5. Select the web browser you’ll use to access third-party app stores.

6. Tap the toggle under the browser icon to enable the setting.

If you have an older generation model, the steps are slightly different:

1. Go to your device, Settings.

2. Scroll down and open the Security tab.

3. Tap the toggle next to Unknown Sources to allow downloads from third-party stores.

How Do I Reset My Default Android Video Player?

As you can see, you’re not limited to using the built-in video player. Even if you don’t have an alternative, you can choose to reset the default app. Here’s how to do it:

1. Tap on the gear icon on your home screen to open Settings.

2. Scroll through the list of categories. Open the Apps tab.

3. Go to App Settings and then select All Apps.

4. Scroll through the list of apps and locate your default video player. Tap to open App Info.

5. Tap the Clear Defaults button in the Launch by Default section.

6. Go back to App Settings and choose a different default video player.

You can also opt for resetting all your default apps. That way, you have complete control over your device configuration. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open your device Settings.

2. Select Apps from the list of options and go to App Settings.

3. Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the screen.

4. Choose Reset App Preferences from the small drop-down menu.

5. A small pop-up window will appear. The device will ask you to confirm the reset. Tap Reset Apps or Cancel if you want to stop the process.

There’s no need to worry about losing any data. The reset feature doesn’t remove the apps from your device.

It’s Never Too Late to Hit Reset

Although Android has quite an intuitive operating system, the default app settings are hit-or-miss. Luckily, you can always reset them both manually and automatically. There are even managing tools you can use specifically for that purpose.

When it comes to video players, a wide range of apps is available on the Google Play Store. Pick one that suits your needs and set it as the default app by using Android Settings. You’re not even limited to the official Android store – you can download from third-party sources as well.

What is your go-to video player for Android? Do you like to leave your default settings as-is? Comment below and tell your experience with the Android operating system.