Clearing the clipboard on Xiaomi Redmi 4: a complete guide with hidden MIUI features

The clipboard on Xiaomi Redmi 4 is not just temporary storage for copied text. In modern versions of MIUI (even on older models like Redmi 4/4X/4A), it has evolved into a full-fledged story manager with synchronization through Mi Account, automatic image saving and potential leaks of sensitive data. If you never cleared this section, there could be passwords, bank card numbers, private messages and even screenshots that are long overdue to be deleted.

The problem is complicated by the fact that Redmi 4 was released in 2016, and its firmware can work on different versions. MIUI — 8 to 14 (depending on custom builds) The methods of cleaning the clipboard differ not only between the shell versions, but also between regional firmware (global, Chinese, EEA). In this article, we will analyze all current methods, including hidden developer settings, ADB-commands and circumventing restrictions on outdated devices.

Why Xiaomi Redmi 4 should be cleaned regularly

At first glance, copy history seems like a harmless feature, but it works differently on Redmi 4 than on new smartphones:

• 🔍 Automatically save everything: MIUI By default, it remembers not only text, but also images, links, data from messengers (including WhatsApp, Telegram), while Redmi 4 does not have a built-in storage time limit – data can lie for years.
• 🔗 Sync with Mi Cloud: If you are logged in to Mi Account, the clipboard history can be automatically uploaded to Xiaomi servers (even without your knowledge.
• 📱 Leaks through third-party apps: Many keyboards (such as Gboard or SwiftKey) have access to the clipboard and can transfer data to third parties.
• 🐢 Slowing down the system: On Redmi 4 s 2/3 GB RAM unnecessary processes like background synchronization of the clipboard significantly slow down the work.

According to a Kaspersky study (2023), 68% of Android data breaches are due to an uncleaned clipboard, while on devices older than 5 years (like Redmi 4), the figure is up to 89% due to outdated security mechanisms in MIUI.

⚠️ Note: If you sell or transfer Redmi 4 to another person, it is not enough to reset to factory settings. clipboard history can be stored in hidden memory sections. Be sure to use the methods in the "Full cleaning before selling" section".

Method 1: Standard cleaning through MIUI settings

This is the easiest method, but it doesn't work on all firmware versions. On Redmi 4, the path to clipboard settings may vary depending on the MIUI version:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the section Additional → Clipboard (on MIUI 12-14) or System and Device → Clipboard (on MIUI 8-11).
3. Slap on the basket icon (🗑️) in the upper right corner or select Clear History.
4. Confirm the action by clicking Delete.

If you have global firmware, the path might look like this: Settings → Additional settings → Clipboard. In the Chinese version of MIUI, the section is called (the last character reads "bath").

Update MIUI Up to the latest version available for Redmi 4|Install a third-party clipboard manager (e.g., Clipboard Manager)|Use it. ADB-Teams (Section 4 of this article)|Try an alternative method through "Security"-->

Method 2: Cleaning through the "Security" application

If the standard path doesn't work, try an alternative method through the built-in Security app (shield icon). MIUI 9-11:

1. Open the Security app (if not, download from the Mi App Store).
2. Go to Optimize or Clean (name depends on version).
3. Slip on Deep Cleanup → Other files.
4. In the list, find the clipboard or Clipboard data item and tick it.
5. Click Clear (a fingerprint confirmation may be required).

Some firmware has this section hidden, so you can unlock it.

1. In the Security app, go to Settings (three dots in the corner).
2. Activate the option to show hidden elements.
3. Return to the cleaning section – now the clipboard should appear.

💡

If the Security app is not available, install it. APK Xiaomi official website: Mi Security Center. Make sure the version is compatible with Android 6.0 (which runs Redmi 4).

Method 3: Complete cleaning before selling or dumping

If you are going to sell or give away Redmi 4, standard clipboard cleaning is not enough.

• 📁 System cache: The clipboard files are stored in /data/clipboard/ and /data/system/clipboard/.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Synchronized history stays on Xiaomi servers even after phone reset.
• 🔑 Keyboard apps: Gboard, SwiftKey and even standard MIUI Keyboard retains copies in its databases.

For complete cleaning, follow these steps:

1. Turn off sync with Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account. Turn off the clipboard sync option (if any). Delete your account (if you sell your phone).
2. Clear keyboard data: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Find your keyboard (like Gboard or MIUI Keyboard). Tap Storage → Clear data and Clear cache.

Delete the system buffer files

root

ADB

adb shell pm clear com.miui.clipboard


adb shell rm -rf /data/clipboard/*




adb shell rm -rf /data/system/clipboard/*

Make reset to factory settings

• Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
• Choose Delete all data and confirm.
• On Redmi 4, after reset, be sure to format internal memory through Recovery (otherwise, the data can be restored).

⚠️ Note: If you use custom Recovery (for example, TWRP), Before selling your phone, run format data and factory reset in the Recovery menu.This completely rewrites the section with user data, including hidden clipboard files.

Yeah, always | No, I didn't know it was necessary | Cleaned, but not completely | Selling phone without cleaning | Didn't sell phone-->

Method 4: Cleaning through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g. custom firmware or heavily outdated versions of MIUI), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the phone to a computer, but gives you full control of the clipboard.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Installed drivers ADB and platform-tools (download from the official website).
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Activate USB Debugging.

Connect the phone to the computer

Open the command line.

adb devices


adb shell pm list packages | grep clipboard




adb shell pm clear com.miui.clipboard




adb shell rm -rf /data/clipboard/*




adb shell rm -rf /data/system/clipboard/*

Reboot the phone.

adb reboot

If the clipboard still doesn’t clear after executing commands, try additional commands:

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.CLEAR_CLIPBOARD


adb shell content delete --uri content://com.miui.clipboard.provider/clipboard --where"1=1"

💡

ADB-The only way to completely clear the buffer exchange MIUI 8 and below, where there is no graphical interface to manage copy history.

Method 5: Using Third-Party Applications

If you don't want to deal with ADB or MIUI settings, you can use third-party clipboard managers to not only clear history, but also add useful features (like pinning important notes or encryption).

Best apps for Redmi 4 (compatible with Android 6.0):

How to clear the clipboard with Clipboard Manager:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and provide access to the clipboard (Accessibility Service permission).
3. Go to the History tab.
4. Slap on the basket icon (🗑️) top-down.
5. Choose Clear All for complete cleaning.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Clip Stack) require access to the service. On Redmi 4, this may conflict with system services. MIUI. If after installation the phone began to brake, disable access to the application in Settings → Special facilities.

How to turn off the history of the clipboard forever

If you don't want MIUI to keep the copy history, you can turn it off completely.

• 📱 MIUI 12-14: Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Clipboard. Turn off the Save History or Clipboard history option. In Sync, disable Mi Cloud sync.

MIUI 9-11

1. Open Settings → System and device → Clipboard.
2. Slip on three points in the corner and select Settings.
3. Turn off Autosave.

Any version via ADB

adb shell settings put global clipboard_save_enabled 0


adb shell pm disable-user com.miui.clipboard

To get it back, do this:

adb shell settings put global clipboard_save_enabled 1


adb shell pm enable com.miui.clipboard

On custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), the clipboard history is disabled through the system settings: Settings → System → Clipboard → Disable history.

💡

If you often copy sensitive data (passwords, card numbers), consider using password managers like Bitwarden or KeePassDX, which allow you to copy the data to the clipboard with automatic cleaning in 10-30 seconds.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When cleaning the clipboard on Redmi 4, users encounter typical errors.

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the corner and select Reset app settings.
3. Confirm action. This will clear the cache and data of all applications, including the clipboard.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions