Xiaomi Mi TVs on Android TV platform eventually begin to slow down, hang or issue errors in applications. The main reason is a crowded cache that takes up precious space in memory and slows down the system. Unlike smartphones, cleaning the cache on Smart TV has its nuances: there is no usual menu "Storage", and some functions are hidden in engineering mode.
In this article you will find 5 We'll look at the proven ways to clean up cache, from standard tools to hidden commands for power users, and we'll look at how to clean the cache of individual applications, IPTV), It's a system cache, and even a Dalvik cache, which is responsible for the speed of running programs. TV 4/4A/4S/5/5X and the Mi Box S, as they have different versions of firmware and interface.
Important: Clearing the cache does not delete personal data (logins, saves in games), but it will reset temporary files - for example, a YouTube video buffer or a gallery cache. If the goal is a complete "general cleaning", consider also resetting to factory settings (section at the end of the article).
1. Standard cache cleaning through Android TV settings
The safest and most recommended way is to use the built-in Android TV tools.This method is suitable for all Xiaomi Mi TV models (including Mi TV 4A 32"/43" and Mi TV 5 Pro) and does not require technical skills.
Instructions:
- 📺 Open Settings (cog in the upper right corner of the main screen).
- 🔧 Go to the Apps → Installed annexes.
- 🗑️ Select the app you want (like YouTube or Netflix) and click Clear Cache.
- 🔄 For a complete cleanup, repeat the action for all apps on the list.
Note that in some firmware, the Clear cache option may be called Delete cache data or Erase cache. If the button is inactive (gray), then the cache is empty.
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Once the cache is cleared, applications can run longer than usual for the first time, which is normal, and the system recovers the necessary temporary files.
2. Clear the cache of all applications at once (hidden function)
Few people know, but Android TV has a hidden option to mass-clean the cache of all installed applications.This saves time if you need to free up memory quickly.The feature runs on MIUI TV firmware version 1.4.5 and later (including Mi TV 5X and Mi Box S 2nd generation).
How to activate:
- Press the Home button on the remote and hold for 5 seconds until the menu appears.
- Select Settings → Storage and Reset → Internal Memory.
- Scroll down and click Cached Data.
- Confirm the action by selecting OK.
The system will show how much memory is released, which is typically 500MB to 2GB, depending on the number of applications installed, and this method does not delete application data (logins, settings), only temporary files.
3. Manual decache via ADB (for power users)
If standard methods don’t help or you need to clear the system cache (for example, after updating the firmware), you can use ADB, the Android debugging tool, which requires a computer and basic command line knowledge, but gives you complete control over the files.
Step-by-step:
- Download Platform Tools from the official Android website.
- Turn on USB Debugging on your TV: Go to Settings → About TV → Software Version. Tap 7 times on the Software Version until the message "You're a developer" appears. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer and activate Debugging on USB.
USB 3.0
cmd
Platform Tools
adb devices(Serial number device should appear)
adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.providers.media(Clears media cache, including video thumbnails)
adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.google.android.youtube.tv(clears YouTube cache)
To completely clean the system cache, use:
adb shell su -c "rm -rf /cache/*"What if ADB can’t see the TV?
4. Cleaning Dalvik cache to speed up the system
Dalvik cache is an optimized file that Android creates to quickly launch applications, which can get corrupted over time, leading to an “App Stopped” error or a long interface load, and cleaning up the Dalvik cache helps when:
- 🐢 TV is slowing down after updating the firmware.
- 🔄 Applications are constantly restarted.
- 🚨 There is a “not enough memory” error, although there is a place to go.
How to clean:
- Connect to the TV via ADB (see Section 3).
- Follow the command:
adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*"- Reboot the TV: Adb shell reboot.
The first run after cleaning will take up to 5 minutes, as the system will recover the cache again, a method particularly effective for the Mi TV 4S and Mi Box S with limited memory (8-16 GB).
Battery charge (for Mi Box) over 50% |Stable power supply connected |Significant data backup made |Ready to wait 5-10 minutes to reboot-->
5. Reset to factory settings (last resort)
If none of these things work, and the TV keeps getting glitchy, it's a complete reset, and it'll delete all the data, including your accounts, your Wi-Fi settings, your installed apps, and you can only use this as a last resort!
How to reset:
- Go to Settings → About TV → Reset settings.
- Select Erase all data (on some models – Restore factory settings).
- Enter. PIN-code (by default 0000 or 1234 if you have not changed it).
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).
After resetting, the TV will look like new.
- 🌐 Connect to Wi-Fi.
- 👤 Sign in to your Google account (if you have used it).
- 📥 Install applications from Google Play.
- ⚙️ Customize the picture and sound.
Comparison of Cache Cleaning Methods on Xiaomi Mi TV
| Method | Difficulty | What cleanses | Time. | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard cleaning through settings | ⭐ (simple) | Cache of individual applications | 2-5 minutes | No. |
| Mass cache cleaning | ⭐⭐ (covert) | Cache all the apps. | 3 minutes. | No. |
| ADB (Manual Cleaning) | ⭐⭐⭐ (PC) | System cache, Dalvik, media files | 10-15 minutes | You can delete important files if you make a mistake in your team. |
| Cleaning up the Dalvik cache | ⭐⭐⭐ (demand ADB) | Optimized application files | 5 minutes + reboot | The first launch of applications will be slow. |
| Reset to factory settings | ⭐⭐ (irreversibly) | Everything, including accounts. | 15-20 minutes | Loss of all data and settings |
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Clearing the cache seems like a simple procedure, but many users make mistakes that lead to even bigger problems.
⚠️ Warning: Never clear the cache of system applications called com.android. or com.xiaomi. ADB, If you're not sure what they're doing, it can cause a cyclical reboot of the TV!
Typical misses:
- 🔌 Interrupting the process if you clear the cache through ADB Or you reset your settings, don't turn the TV off the socket, it can damage the file system.
- 📂 Delete data instead of cache. There are two buttons in the app menu: Clear cache and Delete data. The second erases all application settings (logins, game progression).
- 🔄 Frequent cleaning. Cache is needed for quick operation - only clean it when necessary (every 1-3 months).
If after cleaning the cache, the application stopped working, try:
- Reboot the TV.
- Update the app through Google Play.
- Remove and re-install it.
⚠️ Attention: On the TVs Xiaomi Mi TV firmware MIUI TV 2.0 and newer (e.g. Mi) TV Q1/Q2) After cleaning the cache, the screen calibration may be lost. To restore the colors, go to Settings. → Picture → Picture mode → Custom and adjust brightness/contrast again.