Cleaning up Xiaomi TV on Android: how to free up memory and speed up work

Why is Xiaomi’s Android TV starting to slow down?

Xiaomi’s Android TV-based smart TVs are slower over time, with apps loading for a long time, the interface hanging over, and video playback with jerks. It’s not always hardware — memory is more often to blame. Unlike smartphones, TVs are less likely to reboot, and background processes and app cache accumulate for months.

The main “junk” areas in the system: application cache (temporary files that should be cleaned automatically, but often remain), residual data from remote programs, system logs (error logs and reports), software updates that were not installed correctly.

On Xiaomi Mi TV 4/4S/4A/5, Redmi Smart TV and newer models with Google TV (e.g. Xiaomi TV A Pro) these problems manifest in the same way, but the cleaning methods are different.

Before you start cleaning, check the free space in your memory:

Go to Settings → Device → Memory.

If the free is less than 1-1.5 GB, the system begins to brake.

On Xiaomi TVs with 8/16 GB of internal memory, 800 MB of free space is considered a critical threshold - below this value, lagas become noticeable even when watching IPTV.

Method 1: Cleaning the application cache manually

The safest method is to delete temporary files for each application separately, which will not delete your data (like logins on YouTube or Netflix), but will free up to 500-1500 MB of memory.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (cog in the upper right corner of the main screen).
2. Go to the Apps → Installed annexes.
3. Select an app (such as Prime Video or Megogo).
4. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – it will delete all settings!).

To speed up the process, sort apps by cache size: click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.

• 📺 Priority Cleaning Apps: Google Play Services, Android System WebView, MIUI TV Launcher, Live Channels.
• ⚠️ Don't clear the cache: Xiaomi Market (a firmware update may break), DRM Info (responsible for reproduction) 4K-content).
• 🔄 After cleaning: restart the TV (Settings) → The device → Reboot).

Open Settings → Applications

Sort by cache size

Clear the cache for the top-5 «heavy-handed

Reboot the TV

Check the free space in memory-->

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models TV (Like Mi. TV 4A 32") after clearing the Google Play Store cache, access to the app store may be lost. To restore work, go to Settings → Accounts and entrance → Google and re-authorize.

Method 2: Automatic cleaning through “Optimization”

Xiaomi’s Android TV 9-12 has a built-in optimization tool that deletes unnecessary files and stops background processes.The feature is hidden in the menu and doesn’t work on all firmware, but if it is, it’s the fastest way.

How to start:

1. Open the settings → Device → Memory.
2. If you have an Optimize or Clean button, press it.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-3 minutes).

On new models with Google TV (e.g. Xiaomi TV Q2 55), the path is different:

Settings → System → Memory → Free up space

If there is no optimise button, try an alternative method:

1. Install Files by Google from the Play Store.
2. Open it and select the Cleanup tab.
3. Click Free Place and follow the instructions.

Files by Google

1-2 GB

💡

If the TV still brakes after optimizing, check the list of auto-run apps in Settings → Apps → Special Access → Auto-Run. Turn off auto-run for unnecessary programs (e.g. Mi Home if you don’t use a smart home).

Method 3: Remove Unnecessary Apps and Updates

Many pre-installed apps on Xiaomi TV cannot be removed by standard methods, but they can be disabled or removed to free up space, such as Mi Video, Mi Music or PatchWall (on models for India) take up to 300-500 MB each.

How to remove updates:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Installed Applications.
2. Select an app (e.g. Google Play Music).
3. Click on the three dots in the top corner and select Remove Updates.

This will return the app to the factory version, saving up to 100-200 MB each.

• 🗑️ Apps that you can safely disable: Mi Game Center (if you don’t play), Mi Remote (if you don’t use the remote as a universal), Live Channels (if you don’t watch on-air TV) Android TV Core Services (Do not delete, only clear the cache!)
• 🚫 What NOT to delete: Xiaomi OTA Updater (responsible for firmware updates) DRM Protected Content (Netflix, Disney)+ into 4K) Google Play Services (will cause errors in other apps)

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware MIUI TV (Not a pure Android. TV) Deleting system applications can lead to loss of access to Mi Account and inability to update the software. If you are not sure, it is better to just clear the cache.

Method 4: Deep Cleaning through ADB (for experienced)

If standard methods didn’t work and the TV still slows down, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to remove hidden system files, a method that is suitable for Xiaomi Mi TV 4/5 and Redmi Smart TV models on Android 9-11.

What you need:

• Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• USB-cable (preferably original from Xiaomi).
• Platform Tools utility from Google (download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging on your TV: Go to Settings → Device → About TV. Press 7 times on the Build Number until the message “You’re a developer” appears. Go back to Settings → Device → For Developers and turn on USB debugging.
2. Connect your TV to your PC and open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with Platform Tools.
3. Check the connection command: Adb devices should appear with a serial number.
4. Follow the instructions for cleaning: adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms (cleaning Google Services) adb shell pm clear com.android.vending (cleaning Play Store) adb shell cmd package bg-dexopt-job (optimizing Dalvik cache)

💡

Use ADB only if you are confident in your actions. Wrong commands can lead to data loss or a cyclical reboot of the TV.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked, and the TV is stuck on the logo or constantly restarting, it will be a complete reset, which will delete all apps, accounts and settings, but return the device to a “clean” state.

How to reset:

1. Open Settings → Device → Data Reset.
2. Choose Reset all settings or Delete all data (depending on the model).
3. Confirm the action with a password from Mi Account (if tied).
4. Wait until it is completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After the reset, the TV will restart and offer to go through the initial setup, as after purchase.

• 🔄 What will be saved after the reset: Files on an external drive (a flash drive or hard drive); firmware updates (the TV will not roll back to the old version).
• ❌ What will be deleted: Apps installed and their data; Linked accounts (Google, Netflix, Mi Account); Network settings, sound and images.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs with encrypted storage (Models 2022 and newer) may need to be re-activated after reset DRM-keys for reproduction of content in 4K. To do this: Connect to the Internet. Run any application with 4K-Content (e.g. Netflix) Follow the on-screen instructions for re-certification.

How to Prevent Memory Clogging in the Future

To prevent Xiaomi TV from slowing down again, follow the simple rules:

• 📅 Cleaning regularly: Clear the app cache every 1-2 months (see Method 1).
• 🚫 Limit AutoRun: Disable AutoRun for Unnecessary Applications in Settings → Annexes → Special access.
• 🔄 Reboot: Turn off the TV from the socket once a week for 1-2 minutes (this clears RAM).
• 🛡️ Updates: Install firmware updates – new versions often optimize memory.
• 💾 External Storage: Use for movies and apps USB-drive or hard drive (formats are supported) FAT32, exFAT, NTFS).

To clean up automatically, install one of these apps (available in the Play Store for Android TV):

• SD Maid – Deletes residual files and duplicates.
• CCleaner TV – optimizes cache and RAM.
• Files by Google is a simple file manager with a cleanup function.

Important:

💡

On Xiaomi TVs with 8 GB of memory, it is recommended to keep at least 1.5 GB free, and with 16 GB – 2.5 GB. This will prevent lags when multitasking (for example, while playing video and downloading files).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Xiaomi TV