Xiaomi’s current Smart TVs run on Android TV, making them powerful multimedia centers. However, over time, even the most productive device can start to run slower and applications can take longer to load, and the main cause of such problems is often overflowing system storage with temporary files that accumulate during operation.
This data, known as cache, is created to speed up access to frequently used information, but when it gets too much, it slows down the interface. If your TV starts to hang when switching channels or respond to remote commands for a long time, it's time to digitally clean up. In this article, we'll look at safe and effective ways to free up memory.
Cleaning temporary files is the first step in solving most software problems, requiring no deep technical knowledge. Regular maintenance allows you to extend the life of a device without having to buy new hardware.
Why you need to clean the cache on Android TV
Many users mistakenly believe that cache is malicious garbage that needs to be removed daily, but it is actually a buffer memory that stores temporary data for applications to run quickly, for example, YouTube stores a preview of videos, and the browser stores pictures of visited sites so as not to download them again from the Internet every time.
The problems begin when the algorithms of the programs fail, and the old files are not replaced by new ones, but simply accumulate, which leads to the fact that the free space in the /data partition ends, and the system has no place to write new data, as a result, the interface becomes twitchy, and heavy applications can simply fly to the desktop.
In addition, crowded cache can cause file version conflicts when an application tries to use outdated resources. Cache cleaning solves this problem by forcing programs to re-download current data, which is especially useful after major firmware updates or the applications themselves.
⚠️ Caution: Clearing the cache does not delete your personal data, logins, passwords or saves in games. However, clearing the data will completely reset the application to factory state, which will require re-authorization.
It’s worth noting that on Xiaomi Mi Box TVs or embedded TVs, internal memory is often limited to 8 or 16 gigabytes. System files take up a significant portion of that space, so every free megabyte is worth its weight in gold.
Standard cleaning through TV settings
The safest and easiest way to free up space is to use the built-in Android TV system. This method does not require installing third-party software and ensures that you do not remove anything extra. First, you need to go to the main menu and find the settings section, which is usually indicated by the gear in the upper right corner of the screen.
The path may then vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI TV firmware or pure Android, and you need to find a point associated with the device's storage or memory, and in some shells it's hidden in the About TV or System section.
The sequence of actions is as follows:
- 📺 Click the menu button on the remote and select Settings.
- 🔍 Go to the Application or Storage section.
- 💾 Find the item Internal memory or device memory.
- 🗑️ Select the option Clear cache or Free up space.
The system will automatically analyze the volume of temporary files and suggest that they be deleted, a process that can take from a few seconds to a minute depending on the amount of debris accumulated, and once the operation is complete, it is recommended to restart the device to apply the changes.
☑️ Checking before cleaning
If the built-in cleanup function didn't work, you can go further and clean the cache of specific "heavy" applications. Most often, video services like ivi, Okko or YouTube take up the most space. When you go into the settings of a particular application, you'll see two buttons: "Clear the cache" and "Clear the data." Use the first one to safely delete temporary files.
Use of Clean Master and analogues
Built-in tools don’t remove all the garbage, as many apps hide temporary files deep in the file system. Xiaomi TV owners often install specialized utilities to clean up the files. One of the most popular is the Clean Master, available on the Google Play store.
Once installed, the program will offer scanning of the device. Clean Master algorithms find not only the cache of applications, but also residual files from remote programs, empty folders and incorrect shortcuts. The application interface is adapted to control from the remote, which makes the process convenient.
In addition to Clean Master, you should pay attention to the following alternatives:
- 🚀 Files by Google – an official application with a simple interface and secure removal of duplicates.
- 🧹 Cache Cleaner is a utility specializing in the search for temporary Java and Dalvik files.
- 🛡️ SD Maid is a powerful tool for advanced users, able to find “dead” files.
When using third-party programs, it is important to be careful not to agree to install additional advertising software, which is sometimes offered as a bundle, and you should not run the RAM booster too often, since the constant forced unloading of processes can, on the contrary, increase the cost of CPU resources to restart them.
Why can't we put too many cleaners in?
The efficiency of these programs is to automate the process. You don't have to manually go through dozens of applications. You just need to run scans once a week to keep the TV in optimal condition. This is especially true for devices with 8 GB of storage, where space runs out very quickly.
Manual management of applications and their data
Sometimes automatic cleaners can skip certain types of data or delete something they need, and manual control comes to the rescue, which takes longer, but gives you full control over what's being removed from your Smart TV.
To start, you need to make a list of apps you don't use very often, and the default is a lot of pre-installed programs from Xiaomi or partners that are just taking up space, and removing or disabling those apps is a great way to free up resources.
The manual cleaning algorithm looks like this:
- Go to Settings → Applications.
- Select the All Apps tab to see the full list.
- Click on an unnecessary or heavy program.
- Click Clear Cache. If the app is not in use at all, select Delete.
Special attention should be paid to system applications that cannot be removed by standard methods, which are available as a "Disable" option, which hides the application from the interface and stops its processes, freeing up RAM, but be careful: disabling critical system services can lead to unstable TV operation.
| Type of application | Can I remove it? | Recommended action | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| User-generated (YouTube, Netflix) | Yes. | Clearing the cache or deleting | Safe. |
| Google System Services | No. | Just cleaning the cache. | High (do not touch) |
| Pre-installed (Mi Video) | Partially. | Shutdown or cleanup | Average. |
| Launcher (Work Table) | No. | Don't touch it. | Critical |
Regularly reviewing installed software helps keep the system clean, and if you installed a video player a week ago, watched a movie and haven't run it since, delete it. It takes less than a minute to install it again through the app store than it takes to put up with a memory shortage.
Cleaning through Developer Mode and ADB
For advanced users who are not afraid of complex manipulations, there is a method of cleaning through debugging by ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to delete even those system files and cache that are hidden from the average user, but it requires connecting the TV to the computer or using special remote applications on the smartphone.
Before you start, you need to activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About the device and quickly click on the Build Number 7 times. After the message "You became a developer", a new section will appear in the menu to configure debugging.
The idea is to connect to the TV over the network and send commands to clean it up, which is especially useful if the TV interface is too hung and doesn't respond to the remote commands, and with ADB, you can force the processes to be completed and the cache cleaned.
adb shell pm clear com.android.browser
adb shell pm clear com.google.android.youtubeThese commands will completely clear the cache and data of these applications, instead of the package names, you can substitute any other ones, and you can find the exact package name from the application list or through special directories on the Internet.
⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB An error in command input, such as cleaning the com.android.systemui system package, can cause the TV to stop displaying the image or go into an endless reboot.
If you're not sure what you're doing, you'd better limit yourself to a graphical interface. ADB — It's a "heavy artillery" that is needed in the rare cases where standard methods are powerless, and for everyday maintenance, it's redundant and potentially dangerous for inexperienced users.
💡
Use the application "Remote" ADB Shell on an Android smartphone connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the TV, which allows you to enter commands without having to connect your PC to your TV. USB-cable.
Prevention and optimization of Smart TV
To avoid returning to the issue of cleaning the cache too often, you should stick to the simple rules of using a smart TV. First of all, do not store heavy files on the internal drive, such as movies or installation. APK-For media, it's better to use external media. USB-storage NAS.
It is also recommended to check for firmware updates regularly. Xiaomi engineers are constantly optimizing the system, and new versions of the software often contain patches that improve memory performance.
Basic rules of prevention:
- 🔄 Reboot the TV (turning off the outlet or menu) at least once a week.
- 📉 Remove apps you haven’t used for more than a month.
- 🚫 Avoid installing apps from unknown sources (not from Google Play).
- 🌡️ Watch the temperature of the device – overheating also slows down the processor.
Compliance with these guidelines will allow your Xiaomi TV to work quickly and steadily for many years. Remember that electronics require not only physical, but also software care. A clean file system is the key to a long life of your gadget.
💡
Regularly restarting the TV is more effective at preventing the accumulation of errors in RAM than frequent cleaning of the cache.