How to completely clean the memory on the Xiaomi TV: from cache to factory settings

Xiaomi Android TVs eventually become slow, hanging when switching channels or launching apps. The main reason is crowded memory. Unlike smartphones, where cleaning cache has become common, many users do not know how to properly free up space on Mi TV or Redmi Smart TV. This article will help to understand the types of TV memory, safe cleaning methods and nuances that are not written in the standard instructions.

We’ll look at basic ways to remove unnecessary apps, but also hidden features that the manufacturer doesn’t advertise, such as how to clean the cache of Google Play Services, the main memory eater on Android TV, or why factory resets on some Xiaomi TV 4S/5A models work differently than on the newer Mi TV Q1/Q2.

Why Xiaomi TV is being clogged and how it manifests itself

Xiaomi TVs use two types of memory: internal (ROM) for system and application storage, and operational (RAM) for temporary data.

• 📱 App cache grows to gigabytes (especially YouTube, Netflix and Prime Video)
• 🗑️ Garbage files remain after deleting programs (in folders) /data/local/tmp)
• 🔄 System updates keep old firmware versions in a hidden folder /cache
• 🎮 Games and emulators (like RetroArch) create large save files

Signs of overflowing memory:

On Xiaomi TVs with an Amlogic chipset (such as Mi TV 4A 32), the cache is cleared differently than on MediaTek TVs (Mi TV Q1E).

Method 1: Clearing the application cache without losing data

The safest method is to delete temporary files that apps create to speed up work, and on Xiaomi TV, there are two ways to do this:

Through the settings menu

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Here you will see a list of all installed programs, sorted by memory size.

• 🎬 com.google.android.youtube.tv (YouTube) – cache can reach 1-2 GB
• 📺 com.google.android.gm (Gmail) – stores emails offline
• 🎮 com.xiaomi.mitv.gamecenter – Xiaomi gaming center

For cleaning:

1. Select the application → Storage
2. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data!)
3. System applications may require unlocking Developer Settings (click 7 times on the Software Version in Settings → About TV)

Through ADB (power-user)

If the TV menu is not available due to lags, you can clear the cache through the computer:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep 'package:'


adb shell pm clear com.google.android.youtube.tv

Warning: pm clear not only removes the cache, but also all application data (logins, settings).

adb shell pm trim-caches 1000000000

(where 1000,000,000 is the size in bytes to be released)

Method 2: Remove unnecessary applications and files

Many pre-installed apps on Xiaomi TV cannot be removed by standard means, but they can be disabled or removed via ADB. Here is a list of the most "heavy" system programs:

For removal via ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.smarthome

Attention: ⚠️ Deleting some system applications may result in:

• 🔴 Loss of remote functionality (if you delete com.xiaomi.mitv.remote)
• 🔴 Errors in updating the firmware
• 🔴 Problems with work HDMI-CEC

It is safer not to delete, but to disable unnecessary programs: Settings → Applications → Select program → Disable.

💡

Before removing system applications, check their dependence through the command adb shell dumpsys package com.xiaomi.smarthome.If the output has a line "required-for", deletion will cause the associated functions to fail.

Method 3: Reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

An extreme measure when other methods don't work. There are two types of resets on Xiaomi TV:

1. Soft reset (saves some network settings): Settings → About TV → Reset settings
2. Hard reset (full formatting): clamping Menu + Up on the remote when turned on

On Xiaomi models TV firmware MIUI TV 3.0+ (2022 and newer) hard reset requires input PIN-Standard code - the last 4 digits of the TV serial number (indicated on the box or sticker at the back).

What will be removed:

• 📁 All installed applications and their data
• 🔐 Saved Wi-Fi passwords
• 🎛️ Individual image/sound settings
• 📺 Channel lists and favorite apps

What's left:

• 📡 Network settings (with soft resetting)
• 📦 Pre-installed system applications
• 🔄 Current version of the firmware

💡

After the first 24 hours of resetting, the TV will be slower -- that's OK -- the system recovers the cache and optimizes the storage.

Method 4: Cleaning through the Engineering Menu (Hidden Functions)

For power users, there are hidden commands that allow you to clear the memory deeper, to get into the engineering menu:

1. Open the TV Settings app (not standard settings!)
2. Enter the code: ↑↑↓↓←→←→ (Like a Contra game)
3. Choose Factory Menu → Storage Test

Options are available in this menu:

• 🧹 Clear eMMC – Complete cleaning of internal memory (similar to formatting)
• 🔄 Rebuild Dalvik Cache - reassembly of the system cache (helps with application errors)
• 🗃️ Partition Check – Checking the integrity of memory partitions

Attention: ⚠️ Clear eMMC removes all the information, including the firmware, and after this operation, you will need to reflash the TV through the computer. USB. Use only if:

• The TV is not turned on due to damaged memory
• You are ready to flash through the Amlogic USB Burning Tool or MediaTek Flash Tool
• You have a backup firmware for your model

Method 5: Optimize Memory Without Cleaning

If there is enough space, but the TV still slows down, try these methods:

• 🔧 Disable animation: in the Developer Settings, install: Windows animation → 0.5x Animation of transitions → Off.
• 📶 Limit background activity: Settings → Annexes → Special access → Battery Optimization (Yes, This Works on TV!)
• 🔄 Move the applications to USB (Only for models with support USB OTG): adb shell pm set-install-location 2

For Xiaomi TV A Pro and newer models, the RAM Boost function is available:

1. Go to Settings → About TV → Memory
2. Turn on RAM Boost and set the Aggressive Level
3. Restart the TV.

This feature uses a portion of internal memory as virtual RAM, which is especially useful for models with 1-1.5GB of RAM.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make memory problems worse by making these mistakes:

1. Installing memory cleaners from Play Market, programs like Clean Master or CCleaner not only fail to help, but also create additional workload. Android TV has built-in cleaning mechanisms that work more efficiently.
2. Low-end memory cards: Class 4 or 6 microSDs slow down the system when you migrate applications to them, and the minimum recommended class is UHS-I (U1).
3. Disable system updates. Older versions of firmware contain memory management errors. For example, MIUI TV before version 2.0.19 had memory leaks when working with DRM-protected content (Netflix, Disney+).

Attention: ⚠️ On Xiaomi TVs with Widevine L1 (Full support HD In streaming services, cleaning some system files can lower the level of protection to L3, This will limit the maximum resolution to 480p.

Check the current level of Widevine with the team:

adb shell dumpsys media.drm | grep securityLevel

FAQ: Answers to popular questions