Your decoder choice is likely wrong. Longer answer: HW+ decoder is often unreliable for HDR metadata. Try switching to HW decoder (not HW+) or update your custom codec pack.
As of 2026, MX Player remains a top-tier choice for playing HDR10, HDR10+, and even some Dolby Vision content, providing a superior visual experience compared to many stock players. However, getting HDR to work flawlessly requires a mix of the right software settings and hardware capabilities.
If you are not satisfied with HDR playback in MX Player, try these troubleshooting steps. mx player hdr support work
Check the boxes for HW+ to ensure the app uses the most efficient hardware acceleration for HDR.
When MX Player cannot use the hardware decoder, it falls back to software decoding. Because the SW decoder cannot interpret the HDR color space (BT.2020) or the brightness metadata, it forces the video into a standard color space (Rec. 709). Your decoder choice is likely wrong
For HDR to work, MX Player uses or HW decoders to pass the HDR metadata directly to the display controller. If the player falls back to software (SW) decoding, the HDR metadata is often lost, resulting in washed-out colors or improper brightness levels. The Role of Custom Codecs
MX Player features three processing engines: HW, HW+, and SW (Software). True HDR signals can only be output using HW or HW+ . Step-by-Step Configuration Guide As of 2026, MX Player remains a top-tier
MX Player supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) video playback primarily through hardware-accelerated decoders, allowing it to deliver deeper contrast and a wider color gamut on compatible devices . Core Functionality and Requirements
For months, he had been downloading high-quality HDR movies — sleek space operas, moody thrillers, nature docs with sunsets that promised to melt your eyes. He had a new tablet, one with a beautiful OLED screen that supposedly supported HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Yet everything looked… flat. Dark scenes were a murky gray. Bright skies seemed clipped and artificial.
In these rare instances, consider using or VLC Media Player for that specific file. These players utilize Android's native ExoPlayer framework, which sometimes has better system-level integration for modern Dolby Vision profiles on certified hardware.