Get More Out of MX Player

MX Player is deceptively deep. Most users stick to the defaults and never discover the features that make it truly exceptional. Here are 10 tips that will change how you use the app.

1. Use Variable Playback Speed

MX Player lets you adjust playback speed from 0.25x up to 4x. This is perfect for binge-watching a series faster or slowing down a tutorial. While a video is playing, tap the three-dot menu > Playback Speed and drag the slider. You can also set it to a custom value by long-pressing the speed options.

2. Swipe on Subtitles to Fix Sync

If your subtitles are out of sync, you don't need to manually edit the file. Simply swipe the subtitle text to the left to delay it, or swipe right to advance it — each swipe adjusts timing by 100ms. This is one of MX Player's most useful hidden features.

3. Enable Loop Mode for a Single Video

Want a video to repeat indefinitely? Tap the overflow menu (⋮) > Loop while playing. You can loop the entire video or — in some versions — set a custom A-B loop section. Great for language learners reviewing a specific clip.

4. Lock the Screen Mid-Playback

Accidentally pausing or adjusting volume during a long video is annoying. Tap the padlock icon on the playback screen to lock all touch controls. A long-press unlocks it. This is different from Kids Lock — it's designed for adults who just want uninterrupted viewing.

5. Customize Your Double-Tap Seek Duration

By default, double-tapping the left or right side of the screen seeks by 10 seconds. You can change this to 5, 15, 30, or even 60 seconds. Go to Settings > Controls > Double Tap and select your preferred seek interval.

6. Use Pinch-to-Zoom for Any Aspect Ratio

Tired of black bars? You can pinch-to-zoom directly on the video to crop and fill the screen. Unlike fixed aspect ratio presets, this gives you pixel-level control. Double-tap to reset to the original size.

7. Enable Background Play for Audio

MX Player can play video audio in the background while you use other apps. Go to Settings > Player > Background Play and enable it. When you switch apps, the audio continues and you'll see playback controls in the notification drawer.

8. Sort Your Library Like a Pro

In the file browser or video list, you can sort by name, date added, file size, or duration. Long-press on a folder or tap the sort icon in the top-right to change the order. You can also switch between grid and list views for easier browsing.

9. Use the Built-In Equalizer

MX Player includes an audio equalizer with preset profiles (Normal, Classical, Dance, Rock, etc.) and a manual band editor. Access it from the three-dot menu > Audio > Equalizer during playback. This can dramatically improve audio quality on different genres of content.

10. Create and Use Playlists

You can create video playlists inside MX Player without any third-party tools. In the file browser, long-press a video and tap "Add to Playlist." Give your playlist a name, then find it in the Playlists tab. Playlists auto-advance to the next video, making it ideal for episodic content where filenames aren't sequentially named.

Bonus: Use MX Player with a Bluetooth Remote

If you connect a Bluetooth keyboard, game controller, or remote, MX Player responds to media keys by default. You can also remap specific keys in Settings > Controls > Key Mappings — incredibly useful for TV boxes or when watching from a distance.

These tips barely scratch the surface of what MX Player can do. Spend time exploring the Settings menu — nearly every behavior in the app is configurable.