Xiaomi’s Self-Cleaning Base: Hidden Features and Real Benefits for Your Device

If you’ve ever looked into the service menu of a Xiaomi TV or other smart device, you’ve noticed a mysterious item called Self-Cleaning Database, which sounds like a marketing ploy at first glance — but it’s actually one of the most useful (and hidden) features that can save your device from “digital trash.” Unlike standard cache cleaning, the self-cleaning database works at the system level, removing residual files, broken links, and unnecessary data that accumulate after updates, app installation/deletion, and even normal use.

Why is this feature so little known? The fact is that Xiaomi doesn't advertise it in the basic settings — you have to search for it manually or run it through an engineering menu. Moreover, in different models (for example, Mi TV 4S, Mi Box S or Redmi Smart TV), it can be called differently: "Database Cleanup", "System Optimization" or even "Deep Clean". In this article, we will not only explain what exactly does the self-cleaning database, but also show how to run it correctly so as not to harm the device. And also analyze myths - for example, why it should not be used as a "magical button for acceleration every day" TV.

What is the self-cleaning base in Xiaomi devices

Self-cleaning Database is a built-in tool that scans the system files of a device for:

• 🗑️ Residual data from remote applications (e.g., settings, log files, or cache that have not been completely erased).
• 🔗 Broken links in the Android TV or MIUI database that slow down the interface.
• 📁 Duplicate entries in system logs that arise after firmware updates.
• 🧹 Temporary files that should have been deleted automatically but for some reason remained.

Unlike conventional cache cleaning (which can be done in storage settings), the self-cleaning database works at a deep level — it interacts with the SQLite database, which is used by Android to store settings, action history and other service information. For example, if you delete an application but its settings are still hanging in the system, this can lead to errors or slowdowns.

It's important to understand that this is not a factory reset, it doesn't delete your personal data, it doesn't delete your installed apps or settings, it's just system trash, but like any deep cleanup, it has its nuances.

How the Self-Cleaning Base Affects Productivity

Many users expect that after the self-cleaning base is launched, their TV or Xiaomi console will start flying like new, in practice, the effect depends on how polluted the system is.

But the self-cleaning database isn’t a panacea for all problems: If your Xiaomi TV is slowing down because of a weak processor (like the Mi TV 4A models with the Amlogic T962), cleaning the database will have a temporary effect, but it won’t solve the problem drastically. The same goes for 4GB devices crammed with apps — only manual cleaning or resetting will help.

Another important point is that once cleaned, some settings can reset to standard ones, for example, if you change the order of the Live TV channels or set the hot keys on the remote, they will have to be restored. This is not a bug, but a feature of the tool's operation, it also removes some user preferences if they conflict with system data.

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Before you start the self-cleaning database, take screenshots of key settings (such as the order of apps on the home screen or a list of favorite channels) that save you time to recover from the cleanup.

Where to find the base of self-cleaning: step-by-step instructions

Unfortunately, Xiaomi doesn't put this feature prominently, and depending on the device model and firmware version (MIUI TV or Android TV), the path to it may differ.

Method 1: Through TV settings (for MIUI TV)

Suitable for most Mi TVs and Redmi Smart TVs based on MIUI TV:

1. Open the settings (cog on the main screen).
2. Go to About TV → Storage.
3. Click on Memory Cleanup (or Optimization).
4. At the bottom of the screen will appear the item Self-cleaning Base (or Deep Clean).

Method 2: Engineering menu (for Android TV)

Relevant for Mi Box S, Mi TV Stick and Android TVs:

1. Open the settings → Device → About the program.
2. Find the Build Number string and click on it 7 times to activate Developer Mode.
3. Return to Settings → Device → Developer settings.
4. Activate Debugging over USB and find the Database Cleanup item.

Method 3: Through ADB- command (for power users)

If the item is not in the menu, you can start cleaning through the computer:

adb shell pm compile -m speed-profile -f com.android.tv.settings


adb shell cmd package bg-dexopt-job

These commands force system files to be optimized, but require ADB connectivity and knowledge of the basics of working with the console.

When to start a self-cleaning base (and when not)

Many users mistakenly believe that the more often you start cleaning, the better, and in fact, abuse of this feature can be harmful.

• ✅ We need to start:
• 🔄 After a major firmware update (e.g., from MIUI TV 3.0 to 4.0).
• 📉 If the TV has become noticeably slow for no apparent reason.
• 🗃️ If you delete a lot of apps, but the memory isn't freed up.
• ❌ You don't need to run:
• ⏱️ More than once every 2-3 month (the system itself is optimized).
• 🔋 If the device is less than 50% discharged (risk of failure during cleaning).
• 🛠️ If you are not sure what you are doing (you can delete the system data you want).

Especially careful should be owners of Xiaomi Mi TV 4A and other low-cost models with low storage capacity, on such devices, the self-cleaning database can remove the cache of applications that are often used (for example, YouTube or Netflix), which will make them load longer at the next launch.

Myths and truths about Xiaomi’s self-cleaning base

There's a lot of rumors going around this feature, and let's look at the most popular ones.

⚠️ Warning: The self-cleaning database does not remove viruses or replace antivirus. It only cleans system debris, but does not scan files for malicious code. If your device is infected, use specialized applications (e.g. Malwarebytes for Android TV).

Myth 1: “The self-cleaning base speeds up the TV by 200%.”

Truth: Maximum performance gains are 10-15% (through memory freeup and deletion of broken links). If your Mi TV is slowing down due to weak hardware, cleaning won't help.

Myth 2: “It can be run every day.”

Truth: Frequent cleaning leads to fragmentation of the database, and can, on the contrary, slow down the system. Optimally, once a quarter.

Myth 3: “It deletes all data like a factory reset.”

Truth: The self-cleaning database doesn't touch your files, apps, or basic settings. It only works with system data.

Myth 4: “This feature is not available on Xiaomi’s new TVs.”

True: The feature is there, but in recent models (for example, Xiaomi TV Q2 2023) it may be called otherwise – “System Optimization” or “Deep Clean”.

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The self-cleaning base is not a magic wand to speed up the device, but a tool to keep it healthy, and use it purposefully, not just in case.

What to do if the self-cleaning base is not working

Sometimes users find that the cleaning point is missing from the menu or the process is stalled.

If none of these methods worked, it may be the hardware (e.g., worn-out flash memory) that is the best way to contact Xiaomi’s service center.

⚠️ Warning: Some firmware (especially custom ones) may not be running properly and may delete user application data. If you use unofficial software, make a full backup via ADB backup before cleaning.

Alternatives to the self-cleaning base: what else can be done

If cleaning the database didn’t produce the expected result, try these methods:

• 🧹 Manual Cache Cleanup: Go to Settings → Apps, select each app and click Clear Cache.
• 🔄 Factory reset: Last resort, but it helps 90% of the time. Don't forget to back up!
• 📥 Firmware Update: Sometimes the brakes are caused by bugs from the old version of the software. Check the updates in Settings → About TV → System Update.
• 🛠️ Optimization with ADB: The commands adb shell pm trim-caches 500M or adb shell cmd package compact help free up memory without being completely cleaned.

For Android TV devices (such as the Mi Box S), you can also use applications like SD Maid or CCleaner, but with caution – they can delete data necessary for the system to work.

If the problem is in the “iron” (for example, the processor overheats or there is not enough RAM), then no cleaning will help – you need an upgrade or replacement of the device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's self-cleaning base