MX Player as a Network Streaming Client

Most people know MX Player as a local video player, but it's also a capable network streaming client. You can use it to play content from your home network, NAS drives, and even direct video URLs — no extra apps required.

Streaming from a Local Network (SMB/Windows Share)

If you have a computer or NAS drive on the same Wi-Fi network, MX Player can access shared folders directly:

  1. Open MX Player and tap the Network tab (or go to the side menu and select "Network").
  2. Tap SMB or Windows Network.
  3. MX Player will automatically scan for shared devices. Tap your device name.
  4. If prompted, enter the credentials for the network share (username and password).
  5. Navigate to your video folder and tap any file to start streaming.

Tip: For the best experience over Wi-Fi, make sure both your phone and the source device are on the same 5GHz Wi-Fi band for reduced latency and higher bandwidth.

Streaming via DLNA

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) allows compatible devices to share media on a local network. MX Player can act as a DLNA renderer (receiving streams from a controller) or browse DLNA servers:

  • On your PC or NAS, enable a DLNA media server (Windows Media Player, Plex, or Jellyfin all support DLNA).
  • In MX Player, go to Network > DLNA/UPnP.
  • Select your DLNA server from the list and browse its library.

Playing Video from a Direct URL

MX Player can open and play any direct video URL (an actual video file link, not a webpage). This is useful for playing IPTV streams or direct download links:

  1. In MX Player, tap the three-dot menu (or the Network option).
  2. Select "Open URL" or "Stream".
  3. Paste your video URL (must end in a video format like .mp4, .m3u8, .mkv, etc.).
  4. Tap OK to start streaming.

MX Player supports M3U8 (HLS streams), which is the format used by many IPTV services. This makes it an effective IPTV player for users with an M3U playlist URL.

Casting to Your TV

MX Player supports Google Cast (Chromecast), allowing you to cast what you're watching to your TV:

  • Connect your phone and Chromecast to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Tap the Cast icon in the top-right corner while a video is playing.
  • Select your Chromecast device.

You can also mirror your screen using your phone's built-in screen mirroring feature, though Chromecast casting is generally smoother for video.

MX Player's Built-In Streaming Content

Beyond local and network streaming, MX Player offers its own free, ad-supported streaming library in its Home tab. This includes:

  • Movies and web series (primarily Indian and South Asian content)
  • Live news channels
  • Short video clips and trailers
  • Music videos

No login is required for free content, though creating an account allows you to save your watch history and access personalized recommendations.

Bandwidth and Quality Tips

  • For 1080p streaming over the network, a connection speed of at least 10 Mbps is recommended.
  • For 4K content, aim for 25 Mbps or higher.
  • If buffering is an issue, try reducing the video resolution or switching from Wi-Fi to a wired connection (via USB-C adapter) on your TV.