How do I change the default music player app on Android?

On Android, every type of app or file extension has a particular app set as the default. This means whenever you tap on a link, file, or other item that requires an app to open it, your device will automatically launch the default app to handle it.

For example, if you tap on an MP3 file, your device will open the file using whichever music player app is set as the current default. The default is typically the app that came pre-installed on your device, such as Google Play Music.

You may want to change the default music player app if you have installed another app with features you prefer or find to be better suited for playing audio files. Some reasons you may want to switch the default include:

Gain access to more robust music management and playback features
Sync your music library and playlists across devices
Enable crossfading, equalizers, or audio effects

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By setting a new default music player app, you ensure that your preferred music app launches automatically whenever you open an audio file going forward.

Check Current Default Music Player

The first step is to confirm which music player app is currently set as the default on your Android device. To do this, simply open any music file on your device, such as an MP3 or WAV. This will launch the default music player automatically. You can also launch a music streaming service like Spotify or YouTube Music, and whichever app opens is likely set as the default music app. For example, if Spotify launches when asking Google Assistant to play music, then Spotify is the current default.

You can also go to the Default apps section in your device’s Settings app. Under Media, see which music player is listed. This will show you the music player set as the overall system default. As noted on Android Central forums, another method is to long press on a music file, choose which app to open it with, and see which option is pre-checked—this is your current default music app.

Change Default in Settings

One of the easiest ways to change your default music player on Android is through the Settings app. Here are the steps to change the default music player in Settings:

1. Open the Settings app on your device.

2. Navigate to Apps & notifications > Default apps (on some devices it may just be under Apps).

3. Under “Music player”, tap the current default music player app.

4. You will see a list of installed music player apps on your device. Tap the app you want to set as the new default.

5. The selected app will now be set as the default music player on your device going forward. Any music links opened will launch this player automatically.

This method allows you to quickly change the default at a system level for the main music player. It’s available on most Android devices running Android 5.0 or higher. For more details, visit the Google Pixel support page.

Select New Music Player

To change your default music player app on Android, you’ll need to select a new app to be the default. Some popular Android music player apps include:

YouTube Music – Google’s official Android music app (free) but contains ads. Considered one of the best Android music player apps.
Spotify – Popular music streaming app with free and paid options.
Amazon Music – Free streaming for Prime members or subscription option.

PowerAmp – Highly customizable paid music player for local music files. Often recommended as a top Android music player for offline playback.

Consider which features are most important like streaming versus offline playback, ability to play local media files, customization, etc. Most default Android apps should allow changing the default music player.

Change Default via App Info

If you want to change the default music player app on Android without going into the main Settings, you can do it directly from the app’s info page.

To change the default this way:

Open the default music app you want to set. For example, if you want to set Spotify as the default, open the Spotify app.
Tap the three dot menu icon in the top right and select “App info” from the menu.

In the App info screen, tap “Open by default” and select “Clear defaults.”
A popup will appear asking you to select a new default app for music. Choose the app you want to set as the new default.

This method allows you to bypass having to go into the main Settings to change defaults. It resets the current default and prompts you to select a new default music player app.

Use Third-Party Apps

Some apps simplify changing default media players on Android. Better Open With enables you to easily change the default app for file types such as audio or music files. This allows you to select your preferred music player for playing audio, open audio links from other apps, and more.

Better Open With can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and requires minimal permissions. After installing the app, navigating to “Music Player” will show a list of all your device’s installed music players to set as default with just a few taps.

Reset Default Music Player

If you want to revert back to your device’s original default music player app, you can reset app preferences. Here are the steps to reset the default music player on Android:

Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
Tap on the Music Player option.
Tap on the Reset to default option. This will reset the default music player back to your device’s pre-installed default music player app, such as Google Play Music or Samsung Music (sources: https://www.androidheadlines.com/how-to-reset-default-apps-android-app-preferences.html, https://cellularnews.com/mobile-operating-systems/android/how-to-reset-default-apps-in-android/).

Resetting app preferences will restore all defaults, not just the music player. If you want to only reset the default for the music app, use the steps in the Change Default via App Info section instead.

Troubleshooting

If you are unable to change the default music player app on your Android device, here are some troubleshooting tips:

Check that the app you want to set as the default has the “Set as default” option available. Some apps may not support being set as a system-wide default.

Try clearing the defaults for your current music app by going to Settings > Apps > Select the app > Open app info > Clear defaults. Then try setting your preferred app as the default again.

Perform a soft reset on your device by powering it off completely, waiting 30 seconds, then powering it back on. Sometimes this can reset system settings like default apps.

Check for any software bugs or issues with the specific Android build on your device. Fully update your device’s system software in case a fix has been released.

As a last resort, reset your device to factory default settings. Back up your data first, as this will wipe all data from your device. Resetting can clear up system issues that may prevent changing default apps.

If problems persist after trying all troubleshooting, it could be a device-specific issue. You may want to contact the device manufacturer for further support.

Customize Music Players

You can personalize your mobile music experience by customizing options within your music apps. Here are some tips for optimizing your music players on Android:

Adjust the equalizer – Most music apps have equalizer options in the settings to boost bass, midrange or treble frequencies based on your listening preferences.
Turn on volume normalization – This levels out volume fluctuations between songs and albums so music plays at a consistent loudness. Helps prevent constant volume adjustments.
Opt for gapless playback – Enabling gapless playback minimizes pauses or gaps when transitioning between tracks.

Use crossfade – Allows gradual blending or fading from one song to the next.
Prioritize higher quality audio – Streaming over WiFi or downloading songs for offline listening can improve audio quality.
Set a sleep timer – Many players have a sleep timer option to stop musics after a defined time period.

Adjust display options – Options like enabling a dark theme, changing font sizes or reducing album artwork can optimize battery consumption.

Exploring your music app’s settings can help you customize it to your ideal mobile listening preferences.

Conclusion

In summary, you can change the default music player on your Android device in a few different ways.

One straightforward option is to go into Settings and select a new default music player under “Apps & notifications”. You can also change the default player for a specific app by going into that app’s info and selecting “Open by default”. Additionally, some third-party launcher and file manager apps give you options to change system-wide defaults.

No matter which method you use, make sure to grant all the necessary permissions to your preferred music player app. Some options to consider for replacing the default player with a more robust alternative include Pulsar, Rocket Player, Phonograph, BlackPlayer, and Poweramp.

If you ever want to revert your changes, you can always return to the default music app in Settings or clear defaults in the app info. To further customize your experience, most music players let you tweak options for theming, equalizer presets, gestures, and smart playlists.

Changing your Android music player is quick and simple – just choose your favorite option, select it as the new default, and enjoy your upgraded listening experience.