Cleaning Xiaomi system: from cache to complete reset

Xiaomi devices — whether Redmi smartphones, POCO or Mi TVs — accumulate unnecessary files, app cache and residual data over time, which slow down the system. Even powerful models like Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Mi TV Q2 are not immune to “digital garbage” that takes up precious space and reduces performance. But how to clean the system without removing important data? This article will help you understand the nuances from manual cache cleaning to full reset to factory settings.

We’ll look at official methods (MIUI and PatchWall built-in TV tools), third-party utilities, and hidden features that aren’t covered in standard instructions. We’ll focus on the risks of data loss when resetting via Fastboot — a method that is often recommended on forums, but only suitable for advanced users. If your device is slowing down, overheating, or issuing “Not enough memory” errors, the next steps will help it return to its previous speed.

1. Diagnosis: What exactly is taking up memory?

Before you start cleaning, you need to understand which files or processes are overloading the system. MIUI and PatchWall (Mi TV OS) have built-in memory analysis tools, but they don’t always show the full picture.

On smartphones, open Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see the allocation of memory into categories: System Files, Applications, Media and Cash. Pay attention to the Other section – often there are temporary files from remote applications or erroneous downloads. On Xiaomi TVs, similar information is available in Settings → Storage.

• 📱 Smartphones: If the system files partition takes up more 15-20 GB, this may indicate log accumulation or residual files after updates.
• 📺 TVs: App cache (especially Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video) often inflates to 1-2 GB.
• ⚠️ Suspicious files: Folders like.thumbnails, DCIM/.thumbs or Android/data/com.xiaomi.* can weigh gigabytes.

For deep analysis on smartphones, use the Files by Google app (available in the Play Market), which shows not only large files, but also duplicates, and offers to clear the cache in one tap. There are no such tools on TVs, so you will have to rely on built-in tools or connect them to the Internet. USB-file-storage.

2. Clearing cache and temporary files

Cache speeds up applications, but eventually turns into ballast, and MIUI has two ways of cleaning it: for individual applications and globally for the entire system.

To clean the cache of a particular application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like Facebook or TikTok).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

For global cleaning:

1. Open Settings → Storage → Clean (or Optimize in newer versions of MIUI).
2. Select Cash and confirm the action.

On Xiaomi TVs, the path is different: Settings → Apps → App Management → [Select App] → Clear the data. It’s important not to confuse Clear Cache (safe) and Clear Data (removes settings and accounts in the app!).

Download folder (if files are not needed)|Cash app (Android/data/*/cache)|.thumbnails folder (image miniatures)|Logs of the system (/sdcard/MIUI/debug_log)|Temporary update files (/cache through TWRP)-->

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders Android/obb — It stores game data (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) and its loss will lead to the re-download of gigabytes of data.

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and MIUI "junk"

MIUI is known for its abundance of pre-installed applications, many of which cannot be removed by standard means.

To remove system applications without root rights:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and use the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.package.name Replace com.xiaomi.package.name with the package name (e.g. com.miui.analytics for statistics collection).

List of safe packets to remove (checked on MIUI 14):

• 🗑️ com.miui.analytics – Analytics collection (does not affect the work)
• 🗑️ com.xiaomi.ab – advertising services
• 🗑️ com.miui.hybrid – Hybrid applications (e.g. Mi Video)
• 🚫 com.android.cts.ctsshim – Do not delete (required for Google certification)

On Xiaomi TVs, pre-installed apps are removed even more easily: press the Menu button on the remote → Delete. However, some services (such as Mi Home) are associated with system functions and can return to themselves after an update.

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Before you delete system applications, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup. This will allow you to recover deleted packets if something goes wrong.

4.Deep cleaning: reset to factory settings

If the device is slowing down or you're preparing it for sale, Hard Reset will help.This method deletes all data, including accounts, photos and settings. There are two ways to reset on Xiaomi smartphones:

Method 1. Through the settings menu (recommended):

1. Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Enter your password (if installed) and confirm.

Method 2. Through Recovery (if the phone is not turned on):

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.

On Xiaomi TVs, the reset is done as follows:

1. Settings → Device → Reset and update → Reset to factory settings.
2. Enter. PIN-code (default 0000 or 1234).

⚠️ Note: After a Fastboot reset, the device may require re-authorization to the Mi Account. If you forget your password, unlocking will take up to 72 hours (Xiaomi’s anti-theft policy).

5. Hidden cleaning functions: modes and commands

MIUI and PatchWall have hidden tools for power users, such as using smartphones to activate Safe Mode, which disables all third-party applications, to help identify which software is slowing down the system.

To enter Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
2. Press and hold the power off until a request to switch to Safe Mode appears.

Xiaomi TVs have a hidden menu of engineering settings where you can reset your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth settings without completely resetting.

1. Open the Settings. → About the device.
2. Quickly press 5 times on the PatchWall version.
3. Enter the code 12345 (by default).

For advanced users useful ADB-team:

• 🔧 Clearing the cache of all user applications: adb shell pm trim-caches 1000G
• 🔧 Delete temporary update files: adb shell rm -rf /cache/*
• 🔧 Reboot to Fastboot for further manipulation: adb reboot bootloader

6. Cleaning automation: scheduler and third-party utilities

Manual cleaning is tedious, so MIUI offers automatic optimization tools. Under Settings → Battery and Performance → Optimization can be included:

• 🤖 Autocleaning the cache (weekly).
• 🤖 Limiting background processes to save charge.
• 🤖 Smart memory cleanup (deletes unused files older than 30 days).

For deep automation, third-party utilities are suitable:

• 🛠️ SD Maid (requires root) – cleans residual files, duplicates and empty folders.
• 🛠️ CCleaner (free version) – optimizes cache and application history.
• 🛠️ Files by Google – a simple interface for removing large and unnecessary files.

On Xiaomi TVs, automatic cleaning is limited, only regular manual cache resetting of applications (once in a week) will help. 1-2 month or use USB-storage.

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Regularly cleaning the cache (once a month) and removing unused applications prolongs battery life and prevents the processor from overheating.

7. Features of cleaning for different Xiaomi models

The cleaning procedure may vary depending on the model and version of MIUI/PatchWall.

For models with slots under SD-map (e.g. Redmi) 10C) Move your media files to an external drive, free up internal memory and speed up the system. TV (Like Mi. TV A2) plugged in USB-disk and configure the storage of the cache of applications on it.

Frequently asked questions