How to Free Memory on a Xiaomi TV: The Complete 2026 Guide

Why Xiaomi TV is slowing down and how it relates to memory

Xiaomi TVs on Android TV or Google TV (in new models) eventually slow down, slowly open apps or even give out a notification about a memory shortage. The reason almost always lies in clogged storage: the system reserves space for updates, the cache of applications grows to giant sizes, and user files (screenshots, recordings from the air) take up precious megabytes. Unlike smartphones, where memory can be expanded with a memory card, most Xiaomi TVs do not have this option – you have to optimize the available space.

The problem is especially acute on budget models (Mi TV 4A, Redmi Smart TV) with 8-16 GB of internal memory, where the user is allocated from the force of 4-6 GB. Even after resetting to factory settings, the system takes up to 70% of storage - and this is without taking into account installed applications! In this article, we will analyze 7 proven ways to free memory, including hidden Android TV functions that are not described in the official documentation.

Before you start cleaning, check how much memory is actually occupied.

1. Open the settings → Device → Storage.
2. Pay attention to the "System", "Applications" and "Other" sections - they are the ones that grow most often.
3. If less than 1 GB is free, the TV will slow down even when watching IPTV.

Method 1: Delete the app cache – quick win of 1–3 GB

Cache is a temporary file that apps save to make things faster, accumulates over time and can take up to 40% of your TV’s total memory, especially if you’re actively using YouTube, Netflix or IVI. Clearing the cache is safe: apps will simply recreate it the next time you run it.

How to clean the cache selectively:

• 📺 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Installed annexes.
• 🔍 Select an app (such as YouTube) → Clear the cache.
• 🗑️ For complete cleaning, click Clear Data (⚠️ This will reset the application settings!).

For mass cleaning of all applications:

1. Open Settings → Device → Storage → Cached data.
2. Confirm the removal – this will free up 500 MB to 3 GB (depending on the model).

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications called com.android. or com.google. – this can cause a malfunction of the remote or voice search.

Write down the username/password from the applications (if you use)

Check the vacant space before and after cleaning

Do not clean the cache of system services

Reboot the TV after the procedure-->

Method 2: Remove unnecessary applications (including preinstalled ones)

Manufacturers often install dozens of unwanted apps on Xiaomi TVs, from local streaming services to games you never launched, some of which can be removed by standard means, and some only through ADB (Development Tool).

How to remove applications without ADB:

• 📦 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Installed annexes.
• 🚫 Select an unneeded app (such as Prime Video if you don't use it) → Delete.
• 🔄 If there is no Remove button, try Disabling (this will stop background processes).

To remove system applications, you will need a computer and an ADB program:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mitv.appstore

Where com.xiaomi.mitv.appstore is the batch name of the application (for example, the Xiaomi brand store).

adb shell pm list packages

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications can disrupt your TV. Do not remove services called droidlogic, tvprovider or leanback, which are responsible for basic Android features. TV.

Method 3: Transfer applications to USB-storage device (only for some models)

Not all Xiaomi TVs support USB memory expansion, but models with USB 3.0 port (such as Mi TV Q1 or Redmi Max 86) can transfer some applications to a USB drive.

1. Connect. USB-storage device (recommended format) FAT32 exFAT).
2. Go to Settings. → The device → Warehouse → USB-accumulator.
3. Click Format as an Internal Storage (⚠️ All data from the flash drive will be deleted!).
4. After formatting, select Transfer Data – the system will prompt you to move supported applications.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not all apps can be moved (for example, Netflix or YouTube remain in internal memory).
• ❌ Speed of application with USB lower than the internal storage.
• ✅ Suitable for storing media files (movies, music) and some games.

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If the TV doesn’t see the flash drive, try formatting it on your computer in FAT32 with a cluster size of 32 KB (use the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool).

Method 4: Cleaning up downloads and temporary files

Xiaomi TVs automatically save screenshots (when you press Menu + Volume Down), ether recordings (if the antenna is connected), as well as files downloaded through a browser or applications. This data often goes unnoticed, but can take up gigabytes of memory.

Where to look for garbage:

• 📁 Download folder – here you can store files downloaded through your browser or File Commander.
• 📷 folder Pictures/Screenshots — screenshot.
• 📺 folder Movies/Recordings — Television recordings (if you use them) DVR-function).
• 🔄 folder Android/data — Temporary application files (clean carefully!).

How to delete files:

1. Install a file manager (e.g., File Commander or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /storage/emulated/0/ (internal memory).
3. Remove unnecessary files or folders (use Settings → Television → Records to record from the air).

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders Android/obb or Android/mediaserver — This can lead to a media player failure.

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Check the Download folder regularly – many apps (e.g, APK-installers) save installation files that remain after installation.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the Xiaomi TV is slowing down even after cleaning the cache and deleting the applications, and there is critically little free memory (less than 500 MB), a complete reset will help.This procedure removes all user data, applications and settings, returning the system to its original state.

Record the username/password from your Google account and Mi Account

Take a picture of the network settings (IP, DNS, proxy)

Save the list of installed applications

Disconnect TV from Xiaomi account (if tied)-->

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → Device → Reset.
2. Select Erase all data (reset to factory settings).
3. Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter) PIN-code from Xiaomi account).
4. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔄 TV will offer you to set up language, network and accounts – skip unnecessary steps.
• 📥 Do not restore data from a backup (if offered) – this will return old files.
• 🛠️ Install only the necessary applications (avoid junk programs).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Mi) TV 4S, Redmi Smart TV X50) Re-activation of licenses for Netflix or Disney may be required+ via official websites.

Method 6: System optimization through developer (for advanced)

If standard methods do not help, you can use the developer mode and hidden settings of Android TV. This will disable background processes, limit caching and even reduce the resolution of the interface (savings memory).

How to turn on the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings → Device → Information about the TV.
2. Find the line build number and click on it 7 times in a row (the notification will appear "You became a developer").
3. Return to Settings → Device – a new item for developers will appear.

Useful settings for freeing up memory:

• 🛠️ Limit background processes → Select the Maximum 2 of the process.
• 🗑️ Do not save actions (disable the log of recent applications).
• 🖼️ Minimum width → Set 1080 (reduce the load on the device) GPU).
• 🔄 Disable automatic system updates (if critically small memory).

For power users, the ADB command is available, which forcibly clears Dalvik cache (can free up to 1 GB):

adb shell pm trim-caches 1000000000

Method 7: Update the firmware (sometimes solves the memory problem)

In some cases, the memory shortage is due to firmware bugs that the manufacturer fixes in new versions. For example, in Mi TV 4A (2020) there was an error that caused the cache of Google Play Services to grow to 2 GB. After upgrading to Android 9, the problem disappeared.

How to update firmware:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → The device → Update of the PO.
• 🔍 Click Check for Updates.
• 📥 If a new version is available, download and install (requires at least 1.5 GB of free memory!).

If the update doesn’t find a new firmware, but you know it’s out:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Support website.
2. Copy the file. update.zip on USB-storage device FAT32).
3. Connect the flash drive to the TV and select Settings → Device → Software Update → Update via USB.

⚠️ Note: Do not install firmware from third-party developers (custom) ROM) — This will deprive you of warranty and can lead to the "bricking" of the TV.

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Before upgrading via USB, disable all peripherals (mouse, keyboard, sound bar) – they can cause conflicts during installation.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory release on Xiaomi TV