Xiaomi’s “Fill Empty Cells”: What It Means and How to Fix It

You've seen a cryptic notification on your Xiaomi screen, whether it's a smartphone, TV or tablet, "Fill in the empty cells" -- and you don't know what it's about -- that phrase can come up in different scenarios, whether it's when you set up internal memory, when you reset it to factory settings, or even when you update your firmware. In this article, we'll look at what's behind the term "empty cells," why the system asks you to fill them, and most importantly, how to do it safely and without losing data.

Now, let's just say, this is not a bug, but a feature of the MIUI file system (or HyperOS in new models), a term that comes from technical documentation, meaning unused memory blocks that need to be initialized to make the device work properly. Most often, the problem occurs on devices with eMMCs or after an emergency power outage. Next, the details for each case.

Why there is a message about empty cells

The message "Fill in the empty cells" is a system response to a mismatch between the physical and logical structure of the memory.

• 🔄 Resetting to factory settings without full formatting: system detects ‘junk’ blocks left over from old data.
• ⚡ Unconditional power outage during file writing (for example, when the battery is discharged to 0%).
• 📱 Update firmware with errors: new versions MIUI/HyperOS They can work with memory parts differently.
• 🛠️ Repair or replacement of the drive: if the memory chip (eMMC/UFS) has been replaced, the system requires its initialization.

On Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV A2, P1, Q2), the message can appear after a reset or when an external drive with a damaged file system is connected. In smartphones (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T), experiments with custom firmware or manual partitioning changes via TWRP are more often to blame.

⚠️ Note: If a message appears after each device is turned on, it may indicate a hardware fault in the drive, in which case filling the cells will have a temporary effect, but the problem will return.

What are “empty cells” from a technical point of view?

In the context of Xiaomi, empty cells are the uninitiated memory blocks in the file system, and to get a sense of the point, let's take a look at the following terms:

• 📦 File system (F2FS, EXT4, exFAT is the “map” on which a device finds and records data.
• 🧱 Blocks (clusters) – Minimum storage units (usually 4–64 KB).
• 🔳 Empty cells are blocks that physically exist but are not marked in the file system as being writeable.

When the system detects such blocks, it suggests that they be “filled” — that is, that low-level formatting is done to bring the logical structure into line with the physical one — it is not the same as normal file deletion: the process affects service areas of memory that the user does not see.

On devices with eMMC chips (such as budget Redmis), empty cells may appear more often due to the features of the memory controller, which does not support the TRIM command.

When to fill empty cells and when not

Not all messages require immediate action, but here are the criteria by which to judge the situation:

✅ The cells need to be filled if:

• 🔧 The device does not turn on or load only in Fastboot.
• 📉 Memory shows the wrong amount (for example, 64 GB instead of 128 GB).
• 🔄 After reset, the system fixes itself on the logo MI.
• 🚨 Errors such as “I failed to install” /data» into TWRP.

❌ It is not necessary to fill the cells if:

• 📱 The message appeared once after the update and is not repeated again.
• 🔄 The device is stable, but in logs (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Core) has memory warnings.
• 💾 You are using an external drive (a flash drive or a flash drive). SD-map) and the message refers to it.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs (e.g. Mi) TV Q1) filling empty cells can cause all Smart settings to reset TV, including linked accounts and saved channels. Backup through Settings → Account and security → Backup.

Create a backup copy of data (photos, contacts, messages)|Charge the device to at least 50%|Disable two-factor authentication in Mi Account (if you plan to reset)|Prepare the cable. USB Connecting to a PC (in case of errors)-->

How to fill empty cells on a Xiaomi smartphone

The procedure depends on whether the device is turned on and whether there is access to the recovery menu.

📱 Method 1: Recovery menu (if the phone is turned on)

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and 7 times click on the line with the version to activate the developer mode.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (some models call it Format Data).
5. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take 5-15 minutes).

If Recovery doesn’t have Format Data, your device is using dynamic partitions (starting with MIUI 12 on Android 10+).

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot format:ext4 userdata

These commands are executed via Fastboot on a PC with Xiaomi drivers installed.

🛠️ Method 2: Fastboot (if the phone is not turned on)

You will need a computer with Xiaomi tools installed (Mi Flash Tool or Platform Tools).

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to your PC and execute the command: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of your Xiaomi).
3. Enter fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot format:ext4 userdata fastboot format:ext4 cache
4. Reboot the device with command: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: On models with UFS 3.1 (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi) K50) team format:ext4 In this case, use the official firmware via the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option.

💡

If after filling the cells, the phone loads into an endless bootloop (cyclical reboot), try flashing the device in EDL mode using the MiFlashPro tool. This will require an authorized Xiaomi account (you need to send a request to unlock the bootloader).

Features for Xiaomi TVs

On Mi TV and Redmi TV, the procedure is different because of a different system architecture: Here, "empty cells" are more often associated with damage to the /data partition, where the settings and application cache are stored.

📺 Method 1: Reset via menu (if TV is turned on)

1. Go to Settings → Account and Security → Resetting.
2. Select Reset all settings (do not Reset network settings!).
3. Enter. PIN-code (default 0000 or 1234).
4. Wait until the end (the TV will restart 2-3 times).

🔌 Method 2: Hardware reset (if the TV does not respond)

If the TV is stuck on the logo or does not respond to the remote:

1. Turn the TV off the socket.
2. Press the Source (or Menu) button on the TV body.
3. Without releasing the button, connect the power.
4. Hold the button for 10-15 seconds until the recovery menu appears.
5. Select Wipe Data using volume buttons and confirm with OK button.

On TVs with an Amlogic processor (such as the Mi TV A2 43) you may need to reset your Wi-Fi and log in to your Mi Account to unlock Smart TV features after a reset.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users compound the problem by trying to "fix" empty cells in the wrong way, and here are the most common mistakes:

• 🚫 Interrupting the process: if you turn off power while filling the cells, it can lead to a complete loss of access to memory.
• 🔧 Use of third-party utilities (e.g, SD Maid or DiskDigger: They are not designed to work with Xiaomi system partitions.
• 📱 Dumping through TWRP Backup free: Custom Recovery may format partitions incorrectly if the version is incompatible with your model.
• 🔄 Rebooting multiple times in the hope that it will pass: it only increases memory fragmentation.

If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center – especially if we are talking about flagship models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Mix Fold 3), where the cost of error can be high.

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On devices with UFS 3.0/3.1 (flagships 2022-2026), it is not recommended to use fastboot format commands - instead, you should flash the full firmware image through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All and Lock option.

Prevention: How to avoid empty cells

Preventing a problem is easier than solving it.

• 🔋 Do not allow the battery to drain completely (especially on smartphones with eMMC).
• ⚡ Use Original Chargers – Power surges damage the memory controller.
• 📱 Regularly update the firmware in new versions MIUI/HyperOS Correcting errors in memory.
• 🛠️ Avoid dirty firmware (e.g. ported from other models).
• 💾 Periodically clear the cache through Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.

On Xiaomi TVs, it is also useful:

• 📺 Disconnect power via menu (Settings) → Nutrition → Turn it off, not with a button on the remote.
• 🔌 Use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to protect against voltage surges.
• 📁 Do not store large files (for example, movies in the 4K) In internal memory, it is better to use external memory. SSD.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions