How do I fix codec not supported on Android?

Codecs are software components that encode or decode media content to allow devices to properly display and playback audio, video, and images. Codecs compress media into common formats like MP3, MP4, JPEG etc. When your Android device encounters media encoded with a codec it doesn’t support natively, you’ll get errors about unsupported codecs.

There are a few potential reasons you may get codec errors on Android:

The media file is encoded with an uncommon or proprietary codec that Android doesn’t include.

Your Android OS or media apps are outdated and missing codecs added in newer versions.
Your device manufacturer customized the OS and removed certain codecs.
The app you’re using lacks the necessary codec to play the media format.

The good news is there are several ways to fix unsupported codec errors on Android so you can successfully play your media files. We’ll go through the main troubleshooting methods step-by-step.

Determine the Problematic Codec

The first step is to figure out which specific codec is causing the “codec not supported” error on your Android device. Here’s how to do that:

1. Try playing the video file that’s giving you trouble through a different media player app like VLC or MX Player. If the video plays fine, then the issue is with your default media player app, not the codec.

2. Check the video file properties to see what codec it’s encoded with. On Windows right click the file, select Properties > Details. On Mac, Get Info and look at the More Info section. The codec will typically be listed such as H264, MPEG-4, DivX, Xvid etc.

3. Search online to see if that particular codec is supported on your Android version. Codec support can vary across devices and Android versions.

4. Try playing other videos encoded with the same codec. If they also fail to play, then you’ve likely identified the problematic codec causing the error.

Knowing the exact codec that’s unsupported will help narrow down your troubleshooting and solutions.

Install a Compatible Media Player

One way to enable playback of unsupported codecs on Android is to install a more capable media player app. Many popular Android media players support additional codecs beyond what comes pre-installed on your device. Here is an overview of some top options:

VLC (https://www.androidpolice.com/best-video-players-android/) is one of the most popular and versatile media players for Android. It can play just about any video or audio format you throw at it. VLC has extensive codec support and is free with no ads.

MX Player (https://www.gumlet.com/learn/best-android-video-player/) is another top choice that can play many obscure codecs. The app offers hardware acceleration, multi-core decoding, pinch-to-zoom, and other advanced features.

Kodi (https://www.androidpolice.com/best-video-players-android/) is primarily designed as a media center app, but also works well for local video playback. Its codec support is strong and it has many customization options.

Overall, installing one of these more robust media player apps is an easy way to expand your device’s codec support and playback capabilities for both local and streamed video content.

Use a Converter App

One of the easiest ways to convert unsupported media codecs on Android is by using a converter app. There are many free and paid apps on the Google Play Store that can transcode videos into a format compatible with your device. Some popular converter apps include:

Video Converter by WonderFox – This app supports converting between a wide range of formats including AVI, MOV, MP4, MKV and more. It provides presets optimized for Android devices.

MX Video Converter – A straightforward converter app with options to customize output resolution, bitrate and frame rate. Can batch convert multiple files.

These apps allow you to simply select the video you want to convert, choose a compatible output format like MP4 or 3GP, and convert. The resulting file will play properly in apps and devices that don’t support the original codec.

Converter apps provide a quick and easy software solution without requiring you to install other programs or dig into technical settings. However, they may be slower at converting large or long videos compared to transcoding on a desktop computer.

Update Device Software

One way to potentially fix unsupported codecs on Android is by updating your device’s software. Android releases new versions of its operating system every year, with each update adding support for more media formats and codecs. For example, Android 10 added support for the AV1 video codec.

So if you are getting a “codec not supported” error, checking if your device is on the latest Android version is advisable. You can find your current Android version in your Settings app. If a newer version is available for your device, you can update by going to System > Advanced > System Update.

Major Android updates like OS upgrades from Android 9 to 10 can introduce new codecs like AV1. But even minor updates on the same Android version can sometimes add support for codecs the device didn’t initially have. Keeping your system completely up to date gives you the best chance of being able to play newer media formats.

Install Custom ROM

One way to enable more codec support on your Android device is to install a custom ROM. Many custom ROMs offer codec support beyond what comes standard on stock Android, including codecs like LHDC and aptX HD. Some popular custom ROMs known for good codec support include:

LineageOS (https://lineageos.org/) – LineageOS is one of the most popular and long-running custom ROM projects. Many builds include support for aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, and other high-quality audio codecs.

ArrowOS (https://arrowos.net/) – ArrowOS is another custom ROM aimed at providing a clean, bloat-free experience with useful customization options. The developers have added support for codecs like LHDC and aptX Adaptive.

PixelExperience (https://pixel-experience.org) – PixelExperience delivers a stock Android UI similar to Google Pixel phones, along with under-the-hood optimizations. Builds are available with aptX, aptX HD, and other codec support.

So installing one of these custom ROMs can potentially give you more control over audio codecs on your Android device. Just keep in mind you’ll need an unlocked bootloader and custom recovery like TWRP to install custom ROMs. It also voids your warranty, so proceed with caution.

Transcode on PC

Your computer provides an easy way to convert video files into a compatible format for your Android device. Most video editing or converter software for Windows, Mac or Linux allows you to re-encode files into codecs that are supported on Android, such as H.264 or H.265 (consult https://developer.android.com/media/platform/transcoding for a list of compatible codecs).

To transcode on your PC:

Install video transcoding software like Handbrake (free) or FFmpeg (free command line tool).
Add the video file you want to convert.
Select an output video codec supported on Android, like H.264.

Customize other encoding settings as needed.
Start the transcoding process to convert the video to a compatible format.
Transfer the transcoded video file to your Android device via USB or cloud storage.

The advantage of transcoding on a PC is that it provides more encoding options and often faster conversion speeds compared to on-device solutions. Just be sure to convert files to a compatible codec before transferring them to your Android device.

Use a Cloud Converter

Cloud converters provide online media file conversion services that can help transcode unsupported codecs on Android. Popular options include:

Cloud Media Converter by Softnautics (https://www.softnautics.com/cloud-media-converter) – Offers fast conversion of media files to formats compatible with Android and other devices. Can be used via their website or APIs.

AWS Elemental MediaConvert (https://aws.amazon.com/mediaconvert/) – Part of Amazon Web Services, this cloud service can encode media files into Android-friendly formats.

CloudConvert (https://cloudconvert.com/) – Web and API-based media file conversion supporting over 200 different audio, video, document, ebook, archive, image, spreadsheet, and presentation formats.

These cloud services allow you to upload media files for conversion, specify output formats and settings, then download the converted files. This provides a quick and easy way to fix codec issues on Android without installing any software.

Contact App Developer

If an app doesn’t support a particular media codec on your Android device, contacting the developer directly can be an effective way to request adding support. Developers may not be aware of codec compatibility issues or specific user needs. Reaching out provides an opportunity to explain the problem and suggest adding support for the problematic codec.

Find the app developer’s contact information in the Google Play store listing or on the developer’s website. Email the developer politely explaining the codec incompatibility you’re experiencing. Provide the name and details of the unsupported codec along with your Android device model. Ask if they can add support for the codec in a future app update.

Developers rely on user feedback to improve their apps. Codec support issues impact user experience, so they are often motivated to address them. Be patient though, as adding codec support may take some development work. Follow up if you don’t hear back after a reasonable time. If they confirm no plans to add support, you may need to use another media app instead.

According to https://developer.android.com/media/platform/supported-formats, the platform supports popular codecs like H.264, H.265, VP8, VP9, and more. Contacting developers gives users a chance to request codecs important to them that may not be on Android’s default list.

Conclusion

There are several ways to fix codec not supported errors on Android devices. The best solutions are updating your device software, installing a custom ROM, downloading a compatible media player app, or using a converter app or service to transcode the incompatible media file.

Updating to the latest Android OS version can resolve codec support issues and allow your device to play more formats natively. Custom ROMs like LineageOS also include updated codecs. Apps like VLC, MX Player, and KMPlayer have their own built-in codec support and may play files the default app can’t.

Converter apps like Handbrake or XMedia Recode can transcode media files into a compatible format for your device. Cloud converting services provide a quick way to convert files online. As a last resort, you can also contact the developer of the problematic app and request codec support.

With the right software updates, media players, converters, or custom ROMs, you should be able to overcome most “codec not supported” errors on your Android device.