How to Clean Up the Bluetooth List on Xiaomi Phone: 5 Ways to Work

Why Xiaomi Should Clean Its Bluetooth Devices Regularly

The list of stored Bluetooth devices on Xiaomi smartphones (and other MIUI-based brands) eventually becomes a dump, and it gets headphones you lost long ago, speakers from friends, car tape recorders from past trips, and even random devices from public places.

First, MIUI can automatically connect to the first devices on the list, instead of the priority ones (for example, to old headphones instead of new ones). Secondly, on some Xiaomi models (especially with MIUI 12-14), when the limit is exceeded by 20-30 devices, new gadgets stop being added altogether - the system simply ignores pairing requests. Third, excess devices slow down scanning and increase the time for finding new gadgets.

But the main danger lies in security: saved Bluetooth devices can be used to track your location (via the Internet). MAC-Addresses, or even unauthorized connections, if the attacker knows the password from the old gadget, so cleaning the list is not just hygiene, it is necessary.

Method 1: Standard removal via MIUI settings

The most obvious method is to manually remove unnecessary devices through the settings menu, which works on all Xiaomi models, from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra, and requires no additional knowledge.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to Connections and Sharing (on some firmwares, Bluetooth and devices).
3. Slip on Bluetooth and make sure the module is on.
4. In the list of saved devices, click on the gear (⚙️) near-needle.
5. Choose Remove or Forget the device and confirm the action.

This is a good way to selectively clean, but if there are dozens of devices, it takes a long time to do it, and MIUI sometimes forgets remote gadgets after rebooting, a bug that occurs on firmware before MIUI 13.5.

Make sure your device is not currently connected |Remember the name of your gadget if you plan to reconnect it |Read if there is any important data (e.g., phone history) |Disable Bluetooth on the device being removed (if possible)

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⚠️ Note: On some Poco and Black Shark models, after deleting the device through settings, it may remain on the list until the phone restarts. If this happens, use Method 3 (Bluetooth Resettings).

Method 2: Mass removal through developer mode

If you have a Bluetooth list that's full and you don't want to delete one at a time, you can use a hidden mass cleaning function, and you need to activate Developer Mode -- don't worry, it's safe and reversible.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row until you become a developer!
3. Go back to the main settings menu and find a new Developer section (usually at the bottom of the list).
4. Scroll down to the Network block and select Clear Bluetooth list (in English firmware - Clear Bluetooth pairings).
5. Confirm the action – all saved devices will be deleted with one click.

This method works on MIUI 11 and later, but there is a caveat: on some custom firmware (for example, Xiaomi.EU), the item may be called differently or not.

Settings → Additional → Privacy → Reset → Clear Bluetooth data

After mass cleaning, the phone can look for new devices longer when it first connects — that's OK. To speed up the process, reboot the smartphone.

Once a month |Only when there are problems |Never cleaned |I don't know what's saved |Another option

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Method 3: Reset Bluetooth settings (without data loss)

If standard methods don't work (e.g., devices come back after being deleted), it's time to softly reset, and unlike a phone reset, it only affects Bluetooth settings without affecting apps, photos or accounts.

1. Open Settings → System and device → More
2. Choose Resetting (not to be confused with Resetting before factory!).
3. Slip on Reset Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and mobile network settings.
4. Enter the password from the lock screen (if installed).
5. Confirm the reset – in 10-20 seconds, all stored devices, including Wi-Fi networks, will be deleted.

This method is guaranteed to clear the list even if the devices are stuck due to a firmware failure, but it has a side effect: along with Bluetooth, stored Wi-Fi networks and mobile Internet (APN) settings will be reset.

• 📝 Write down passwords from important Wi-Fi networks.
• 📱 Take a picture of the settings APN (If you use non-standard operator parameters).
• 🔄 Make sure you have a backup of your contacts (in case of a crash).

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 14 and HyperOS may be missing the dual tap function to enable Bluetooth in gestures. → Special facilities → Gestures.

Method 4: Cleaning through ADB (for advanced users)

If you're familiar with USB debugging, you can delete the Bluetooth list with the ADB command, which is useful when the phone doesn't respond to menu clicks or the list of devices is corrupted at the system level.

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 taps → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Next, follow the following steps:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Follow the cleanup command: adb shell pm clear com.android.bluetooth This command will reset all Bluetooth settings, including saved devices.
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

Once you reboot, the Bluetooth list will be empty. This method works 100%, but it requires caution: improper use of ADB can cause your phone to malfunction. If you've never worked with debugging, you better choose another method.

Method 5: Delete via file system (root access)

For users with unlocked bootloader and root rights, there is a radical method - manually cleaning files where Bluetooth data is stored. This method is not recommended for beginners, since improper actions can lead to loss of communication or even a "brick" of the phone. If you are ready for risk, follow the instructions:

1. Install any file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /data/misc/bluedroid/ This is where all Bluetooth settings are stored.
3. Delete the files: bt_config.conf bt_config.xml (Some of the files may only have one of the files).
4. Reboot the phone.

Once rebooted, the system will create new configuration files with an empty list of devices, which is guaranteed to remove even ghost devices that don’t show up in the settings but interfere with the connection of new gadgets.

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If you're unsure of your skills, start with the simplest (1-3) and move to advanced (4-5) only when absolutely necessary. Most problems are solved by resetting Bluetooth settings without root or ADB.

What to do if the Bluetooth list is not cleared?

Sometimes, even after all the manipulation, the old devices continue to show up on the list or interfere with the connection of new ones, which is typical for phones with damaged firmware or after unsuccessful updates.

• 🔄 Update. MIUI to the latest version: Go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and check for updates. Often Bluetooth bugs are fixed in newer versions.
• 📱 Reset network settings: Settings → System and device → Resetting settings → Reset the network settings. This will delete all the saved connections, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
• 🛠️ Reinstall the firmware via Fastboot or Recovery if the problem is related to a system failure. 4PDA or XDA Developers.
• 📞 Contact the service center if the phone is warranty.In some cases, the problem may be hardware (for example, a malfunction of the Bluetooth module).

If none of these methods help, check if they are blocked. MAC-For example, some car radios remember the blacklist of gadgets and ignore them, in which case you will have to reset the settings of the device itself, not the phone, but the device itself ( speakers, headphones, tapes).

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Before visiting the service center, back up your data via Settings → System & Device → Backup. This will save your photos, contacts and app settings, even if the phone has to be reset to factory settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Bluetooth cleanup on Xiaomi