After restarting, return to Settings -> Decoder. You must toggle specific settings:
To ensure you have the latest codec support:
Note: Avoid downloading APKs from third-party sites claiming to be "MX Player HDR Edition." These are often outdated or contain malware. The official app includes all necessary HDR codecs.
Many tutorials/videos claim:
Reality check:
These methods may allow the file to play without pink/grey washout, but true HDR output (bright highlights, wide color gamut) rarely works because MX Player lacks an HDR-compatible rendering pipeline on most devices.
Do not download random APKs from untrusted websites. The official custom codec is maintained on XDA Developers (by the original MX Player team, now under Amazon).
Cause: The video uses 10-bit 422 or 444 chroma subsampling (common in anime or professional cameras). Consumer HDR uses 420. Fix: There is no fix for playback. You must convert the file to 10-bit 420 using HandBrake.
In the era of 4K streaming and high-dynamic-range (HDR) content, video playback on mobile devices has undergone a revolutionary shift. HDR allows you to see details in shadows and highlights that were previously crushed or blown out, offering a visual experience closer to what the human eye can naturally see.
MX Player has long been the gold standard for Android video players due to its hardware acceleration, subtitle gestures, and extensive codec support. However, simply installing the app from the Play Store does not automatically grant you perfect HDR playback.
If you search for "MX Player HDR support install," you are likely facing one of three problems: Washed-out colors (grey blacks), laggy playback, or the dreaded "SW decoder" lock. This article serves as the definitive walkthrough to diagnose, install, and optimize HDR playback on MX Player. mx player hdr support install
This is where most users fix their issues. By default, MX Player tries to use "Hardware Decoding," which is usually the best for battery life and performance. However, sometimes the hardware decoder doesn't handle HDR metadata correctly, resulting in washed-out colors.
Here is how to configure it:
| Step | Status | |------|--------| | Device supports HDR (check spec sheet) | ✅ | | MX Player v1.24+ installed | ✅ | | Custom FFmpeg codec loaded | ✅ | | HW+ decoder enabled | ✅ | | HDR video plays with correct colors | ✅ |
Once these are done, MX Player will successfully play most HDR10 and HLG files. For Dolby Vision, use a specialized player.
High Dynamic Range (HDR) support in MX Player primarily depends on your device's hardware capabilities and using the correct decoder settings. While MX Player supports HDR playback out of the box for compatible devices, many users find they need to install custom codecs to handle specific audio formats often bundled with HDR files, such as EAC3 or DTS. 1. Requirements for HDR Playback
Before attempting to install or configure MX Player for HDR, ensure your setup meets these essential criteria:
Hardware Display: Your phone or TV screen must be HDR-capable (e.g., OLED or high-end LCD with HDR10/Dolby Vision support).
Android Version: HDR playback generally requires Android 7.0 (API 24) or higher.
Hardware Decoder: You must use HW or HW+ decoders in MX Player to utilize the device's specialized hardware for HDR. Software (SW) decoding often lacks the power to render HDR correctly, leading to stuttering or washed-out colors. 2. How to Install Custom Codecs After restarting, return to Settings -> Decoder
If your HDR video has no sound (common with EAC3, DTS, or TrueHD formats), you need to install a custom codec pack. MX Player Custom Codec 2.7.x
29 Jan 2026 — This custom codec is a specialized add-on that enhances MX Player's ability to handle additional, otherwise unsupported formats. * Free-Codecs.com
Enabling HDR (High Dynamic Range) on MX Player generally relies on Hardware Acceleration (HW or HW+) and compatible device hardware rather than a separate "HDR plugin" installation. While custom codecs are often required for audio formats like EAC3, video enhancements like HDR are primarily handled by your device's decoder and display capabilities. How to Enable HDR Support in MX Player
HDR playback is typically automatic if your hardware supports it, but you can ensure it is active by following these steps:
Set Hardware Decoder: Open MX Player and start your video. Tap the Decoder icon (usually in the top right) and select HW or HW+. These modes allow the app to use your device's physical HDR-capable processor for direct output.
Verify Device Display Settings: Ensure your Android system settings are not restricting high-brightness video. Go to Settings > Display and look for features like "Bright HDR video mode," "Video Enhancer," or "Enhanced HDR brightness" to allow the screen to hit the necessary peak brightness for HDR.
Check Hardware Compatibility: Your device must run Android 7.0 or higher and have an HDR-capable display. You can use tools like DRM Info to verify if your device's display and decoders actually support HDR10, HLG, or Dolby Vision. When to Use Custom Codecs
If you are searching for an "install" because your HDR files have no sound or show a "codec not supported" error, you likely need a custom audio codec pack (like the AIO ZIP).
Download: Get the latest version from trusted sources like Free-Codecs.com. Video renderer: Select Surface + EGL
Install: Go to Settings > Decoder > Custom Codec in MX Player, then navigate to your downloaded ZIP file. The app will restart with the new support active. Troubleshooting Dim or Gray Video If HDR content looks washed out or dimmer than SDR:
Disable HW Overlays: On some devices, enabling "Disable HW overlays" in Developer Options can fix HDR rendering issues where colors appear gray until controls are hidden.
Tone Mapping: If your screen is not truly HDR-certified, MX Player may attempt "tone mapping" to convert HDR to SDR, which can sometimes lead to lower brightness compared to native 1080p SDR files. ) you should select when downloading a custom codec?
To get HDR (High Dynamic Range) working properly in MX Player,
there is no separate "HDR feature" file or separate plug-in you need to install
Instead, MX Player utilizes your Android device's native hardware display capabilities and internal decoders to render HDR video. If you are experiencing washed-out colors, gray overlays, or stuttering while trying to play HDR files (like 4K HEVC HDR 10-bit), follow the optimization steps below to configure it correctly. 🚀 Step 1: Switch to the Correct Decoder (Crucial)
MX Player relies on three decoders: HW (Hardware), HW+ (Hardware Plus), and SW (Software). HDR strictly requires hardware-level processing to map colors correctly. Open your HDR video file in MX Player. Tap the screen to reveal the UI controls.
Look at the top right corner for the decoder indicator (it will say Tap it and switch it to
Note: If you use the SW (Software) decoder on an HDR file, colors will look incredibly dull, grey, or washed out because software can't pass the HDR metadata to your phone screen. ⚙️ Step 2: Enable Hardware Accelerated Overlays
If you have HW/HW+ enabled but your screen acts buggy or displays a transparent white/grey overlay on top of the video when controls hide, toggle this developer setting in Android:
Dolby Vision/HDR10 video file defaults to dolby vision #9794