How can I play WMA files on my Android?

What are WMA files?

WMA (Windows Media Audio) is an audio compression format developed by Microsoft as an alternative to the popular MP3 format.

WMA files compress audio data to reduce file size while preserving audio quality. The compression algorithm and file format were designed and optimized by Microsoft specifically for encoding music.

Since its launch in 1999, WMA has gone through several revisions and improvements in encoding efficiency. Over the years it became a popular format for music distribution online due to its small file size and high quality compared to MP3s encoded at equivalent bitrates.

WMA is a proprietary, lossy compression format. This means some data is discarded during encoding to achieve smaller file sizes. However, when encoded properly at sufficient bitrates the loss in quality is generally imperceptible to most listeners.

Why play WMA files on Android?

There are several reasons why you may want to play WMA files on your Android device:

WMA files take up less storage space – WMA uses lossy compression, which allows it to produce small file sizes at the same audio quality as MP3s. This means you can store more WMA tracks on your Android’s limited storage. [1]

Better quality than MP3 at same bitrate – WMA encoding is more efficient than MP3 at lower bitrates. So a 128kbps WMA file will sound better than a 128kbps MP3 file. [2]
Want to play old library of WMA files – If you have an existing library of music encoded to WMA, it makes sense to play these on your Android rather than go through the hassle of converting them all to another format.

Being able to play WMA tracks allows you to get the most out of your music collection on your Android device.

[1] https://www.apowersoft.com/what-is-wma.html
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Media_Audio

Challenges playing WMA on Android

Android devices natively support audio formats like MP3, FLAC, AAC, and more. However, they do not include native support for WMA (Windows Media Audio) files [1]. This means you cannot directly play WMA files using just the built-in music players on your Android device.

In order to play WMA files on an Android device, you need to install a third-party app that provides support for the WMA format. Relying on third-party apps introduces some challenges compared to playing natively supported formats:

You have to search for, download, and install a compatible WMA player app from the Play Store or another source.
The app may contain ads, lack certain features, or have usability issues.
You have to learn how to use the new app rather than relying on the native music player.

The app may not receive updates over time or stop working on newer versions of Android.
Some apps may require payment to unlock full WMA playback features.

With the right app, you can overcome these challenges and successfully play WMA files. But it does require some additional effort compared to playing natively supported formats on Android.

Top apps for playing WMA files on Android

There are several great app options for playing WMA files on Android devices. Three top choices are WMA Pro Player, QQ Player, and JetAudio.

WMA Pro Player is a dedicated WMA player app that provides excellent compatibility for playing WMA files on Android (WMA Music Player – Play WMA – Apps on Google Play). It supports a wide range of WMA codec formats and bitrates. Key features of WMA Pro Player include a stylish and intuitive interface, customizable audio settings, playlists, and Chromecast support.

QQ Player is a popular mainstream media player for Android that also handles WMA playback very well (Top 6 WMA Music Players for Android Phone and Computer). It provides reliable compatibility along with many extra features like lyric display, equalizer, AirPlay streaming, and video playback capabilities. The free version has ads, but the paid version removes ads.

JetAudio is another robust music and media app with excellent WMA file support on Android (Top 6 WMA Music Players for Android Phone and Computer). It offers WMA codec support, a 10-band equalizer, tag editing, widgets, themes, and outstanding audio quality. There is a free ad-supported version as well as a paid premium version available.

How to use WMA Pro Player

WMA Pro Player is a free audio player app that can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. It has an intuitive interface designed specifically for playing WMA files on Android devices.

Once installed, WMA Pro Player will automatically detect all WMA files on your device. You can then easily browse and play your tracks. The app supports playlists so you can organize your WMA music collection into different playlists for easy access.

Some key features of WMA Pro Player include:

Free download from Play Store
Intuitive Material Design interface

Automatically detects WMA files
Supports playlists
Standard audio controls like play, pause, skip, etc.

Equalizer with presets
Sleep timer and auto shutdown
Light and dark theme options

Overall, WMA Pro Player provides an excellent option for Android users to play their WMA files. Its focus on WMA support and ease of use makes it a great choice. The free download and ability to create playlists help make it a flexible player for your device.

How to use QQ Player

QQ Player is a popular cross-platform media player for Android that allows you to play WMA files as well as many other audio and video formats like MP3, AAC, WAV, MP4, and more (https://qqplayer.net/qqplayer-for-android/). One of the benefits of using QQ Player on Android is its ability to play a wide range of media formats besides just WMA.

Another great feature of QQ Player is the built-in equalizer and audio effects. You can customize the sound by adjusting the EQ settings to suit your preferences. There are presets available like Rock, Pop, Classical, Jazz, and more. You can also tweak the settings manually for more precise audio tuning.

QQ Player also syncs between the Android app and the desktop version. This allows you to easily transfer media files and playlists between your phone and computer. The desktop and mobile apps sync over WiFi allowing convenient media management.

Overall, QQ Player is a versatile Android app that not only supports WMA playback but also offers useful features like broad format support, EQ customization, and syncing between platforms.

How to use JetAudio

JetAudio is a popular audio player app for Android that offers advanced features like a 30-band graphic equalizer, support for a wide range of audio codecs, and ChromeCast streaming support. According to the jetAudio listing on Google Play, it is one of the highest rated media players for Android.

One of JetAudio’s standout features is its 30-band graphic equalizer, which allows you to customize the sound output in great detail by adjusting different frequency ranges. This makes it easy to tweak the audio to best suit your listening preferences or type of music.

The app supports playback for all major audio formats including WMA, FLAC, OGG, M4A, and more. Its codec support is one of the most versatile among Android audio apps. So you will likely be able to play just about any audio file type without issues.

JetAudio also supports ChromeCast streaming, allowing you to cast music from your Android device to speakers and displays. This makes it easy to listen to your music library through your home stereo system.

With its advanced audio features and broad format support, JetAudio is one of the top choices for reliably playing WMA files on Android.

Other Options for Playing WMA Files on Android

In addition to using mobile apps, there are a couple other options for playing WMA files on Android devices:

Use a cloud music service – Services like Amazon Music Unlimited and Samsung Cloud allow you to upload your personal music library, including WMA files, and stream it on your Android device. The advantage of using a cloud service is you don’t have to convert files or use up storage space on your phone.

Convert WMA to MP3 – An alternative is to convert your WMA files to the more compatible MP3 format. You can use free online converters like Convertio or desktop programs like Freemake Audio Converter to batch convert WMAs to MP3s before transferring them to your Android device. This allows the files to be played in more apps. The tradeoff is it takes time to convert and you lose any DRM protections.

Recommended Settings

To get the best possible audio quality when playing WMA files on your Android device, there are some settings you should adjust:

First, make sure to select the highest quality output option available in your audio app’s settings. For example, in WMA Pro Player, go to Settings > Audio and select “HiFi Quality”. This will ensure the app uses the highest bitrate audio rendering when playing WMA files.

You should also take some time to optimize the equalizer for your particular headphones or speakers. The best equalizer settings can vary depending on the audio equipment you’re using. Check out this guide for tips on adjusting the equalizer for optimal audio quality.

Some key things to focus on are boosting low frequencies for more powerful bass and sculpting the mids and highs to bring out details like vocals. Take your time to experiment with different equalizer presets and custom settings to find what sounds best on your Android device.

Troubleshooting

If you are still having issues playing WMA files after trying the recommended apps and settings, here are some troubleshooting steps to try:

First, make sure your Android device and the media player app are fully up-to-date. Go to Settings > System > System update to check for and install any available OS updates. Also open the Google Play Store, go to My Apps & Games, and check for app updates. Installing the latest versions can resolve compatibility issues and bugs.

Next, try clearing the cache and data for the media player app. Go to Settings > Apps, select the app, tap Storage, and then tap Clear Cache and Clear Data. This removes temporary files and resets the app which may fix any corrupt data causing problems.

Finally, if the issues persist, reboot your Android device. Hold down the power button and tap Restart. Or, if necessary, you can try formatting the device to factory settings. Back up your data first, then go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).

Following these basic troubleshooting steps should resolve most playback problems with WMA files on Android. If you still can’t get a file to play properly after trying these fixes, it may be damaged or corrupted.