Android 11 Media Controls on Any Phone

Android 11 introduced a redesigned media player in the notification shade, with larger album art, playback controls, and quick device switching. While it’s built into stock Android 11, many phones running older versions or custom skins (like Samsung One UI or Xiaomi MIUI) don’t have it by default. This guide shows you how to get that same media control interface on almost any Android device, using either built-in settings or a lightweight app. No root required for most methods.

What You’ll Need

• An Android phone running Android 8.0 (Oreo) or newer (most methods work on 8.0+, some require Android 10)
• For the manual method: access to Settings and Developer Options (if not already enabled)
• For the app method: a stable internet connection to download an app from the Play Store
• Optional: a file manager app if you choose to sideload an APK

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Enable via System Settings (Stock Android / Near-Stock)

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Scroll down and tap About phone (or About device).
3. Find the Build number entry and tap it 7 times. You’ll see a message like “You are now a developer!” after the 7th tap.
4. Go back to the main Settings screen and tap System (or Additional settings on some devices).
5. Tap Developer options.
6. Look for a toggle named Media controls in quick settings (or Media resumption). On stock Android 11, this is under Media section. Enable it.
7. Play any music or video, then pull down the notification shade. The new media player UI should appear with album art and a seek bar.

Method 2: Use a Third-Party App (Works on Most Phones)

1. Open the Google Play Store on your phone.
2. Search for “Media Control” or “Android 11 media”. Look for apps like Media Control – Android 11 Style or Notification Media Player. (Note: App names and availability may change; choose one with good ratings and recent updates.)
3. Install the app of your choice. Many of these apps work as a notification media player that mimics the Android 11 look.
4. Open the app and follow its setup instructions. Typically, you’ll need to grant notification access and possibly enable a foreground service.
5. Once configured, play audio from any app. The new media control interface will appear in your notification shade, styled like Android 11.

Method 3: Sideload an APK (For Advanced Users)

1. On your phone, go to Settings > Security (or Biometrics and security) and enable Unknown sources (or allow installs from your browser).
2. Open a web browser and search for a trusted source that hosts the Android 11 Media Controller APK (e.g., APKMirror).
3. Download the APK file that matches your device architecture (usually arm64-v8a for most modern phones).
4. Open the downloaded file and tap Install.
5. After installation, open the app and grant it notification access if prompted.
6. Play media and check your notification shade – the Android 11 style media controls should be active.

Common Mistakes

• Not enabling Developer Options correctly: Some phones require you to enter your PIN/pattern after tapping Build number 7 times. If you don’t see Developer options, you may have missed the 7 taps or the phone has a different method (e.g., on MIUI, tap the MIUI version instead).
• Using an outdated app: Many media control apps are abandoned and may not work on newer Android versions. Always check the last update date and compatibility in the Play Store.
• Expecting the exact UI on all apps: The Android 11 media player is integrated into the system UI. Third-party apps can only approximate it; some audio apps may not show album art or seek bars correctly.
• Not granting notification access: Most media control apps require notification access to read media info. If you skip this, the player will be blank or not appear.

Tips

• If your phone runs Android 10 or older, the Developer Options method might not have the exact toggle. Use the app method instead.
• For Samsung phones, look for Media output in quick settings – it’s a different feature but related. The Android 11 media player is only available on One UI 3.0 (Android 11) and later.
• Some launchers (like Nova Launcher) have a setting to force the system media player style. Check your launcher’s settings if you use one.
• If you use a music app that has its own notification player (like Spotify), the system media player may not override it. You can usually disable the app’s custom notification in its settings to see the system one.

Troubleshooting

• Media controls not appearing after enabling Developer Option: Reboot your phone. If it still doesn’t show, your device’s ROM may have removed the toggle. Try the app method.
• Third-party app shows nothing: Uninstall and reinstall the app. Make sure you’ve granted notification access (go to Settings > Apps > [App] > Notifications > Allow notification access). Also, check if the app’s battery optimization is set to “Unrestricted” to prevent it from being killed.
• Player appears but no album art: This is often a limitation of the app or the audio app not providing art. Try a different media app to test.
• Player disappears after a while: The app may be killed by the system. Add it to your battery optimization whitelist (Settings > Battery > App battery management > [App] > Don’t optimize).
• APK won’t install: Make sure you downloaded the correct architecture (arm64 vs armeabi-v7a). If you’re unsure, try the universal APK if available. Also, ensure “Unknown sources” is enabled for the browser you’re using.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this work on Samsung One UI?

Yes, but only if your phone runs One UI 3.0 (based on Android 11) or later. On older One UI versions, the system media player is different. The app method works on any One UI version.

Do I need root access?

No, all methods described here work without root. You only need to enable Developer Options or install a regular app.

Can I get the Android 11 media controls on Android 9?

Yes, using the third-party app method. The system toggle is not available on Android 9, but apps can replicate the look.

Why does my Spotify not show the new media player?

Spotify uses its own notification player. To see the system one, go to Spotify settings and turn off “Device Broadcast Status” or similar (the exact option varies). Alternatively, use a different music player that uses the system media session.

Is there a way to get it without any app?

Only if your phone has the Developer Options toggle (usually on stock Android 11+). On other phones, you’ll need an app.

Will this drain my battery?

The app method may use a little more battery because it runs a foreground service. The system toggle method has no noticeable battery impact.

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