How to completely clear the clipboard on Xiaomi Redmi 8: all ways

The clipboard on Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a temporary storage for text, images and links that you copy. Over time, it fills up with unnecessary data, which can slow down the smartphone or pose risks of leaking confidential information. Unlike iOS or “pure” Android, MIUI firmware has its own features of buffer management that are not always obvious to users.

If you notice that previously copied data suddenly appears at an uncomfortable moment (for example, when inserting a password), or the phone begins to slow down while working with text, this is a sure sign that the clipboard requires cleaning. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways for Redmi 8, including hidden MIUI functions, third-party applications and manual methods.

Why Xiaomi Redmi 8 should be cleaned regularly

Many users are unaware that the clipboard in MIUI works differently than on Android stock, and here are the key reasons why cleaning it becomes a necessity:

• 🔍 Privacy is at risk: Passwords, bank card numbers and private messages can be stored in the buffer for weeks if not manually cleaned.
• 🐢 Slowdown: On Redmi 8 with 4GB of RAM, a clogged buffer can cause delays when inserting text or even cause system applications to crash.
• 📱 Mistakes. MIUI: firmware MIUI 12.5 The clipboard sometimes “forgot” to be cleaned automatically, which led to the overlay of old data on new data.
• 🔄 Application conflicts: Some messengers (such as Telegram or WhatsApp) can block the insert if the buffer is full.

On Redmi 8, the clipboard defaults to store up to 20 last items (including text and images), but this value can be changed through the engineering menu. If you are actively using the copy feature, it is recommended to clean it at least 1 time per week.

⚠️ Attention: In versions MIUI 13+ The clipboard is integrated with the Mi Cloud cloud service. If you haven't disabled sync, cleaning your phone won't delete data from Xiaomi servers. To completely erase history, go to Settings. → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → buffer.

Method 1: Cleaning through MIUI settings (official method)

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which works on all Redmi 8 firmware versions, but the interface may vary slightly:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Scroll down and select the Additional section (or Advanced Settings in newer versions).
3. Slip on the clipboard (in some firmware it is hidden under System applications).
4. Click on the basket icon in the upper right corner or select Clean All.
5. Confirm the action if a request appears.

If the clipboard is not on the menu, your version of MIUI is using an alternative path.

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three points (menu) → Show system → Clipboard

Check out the MIUI version in About Phone

Close all applications that use the buffer (messenger, browsers)

Turn off sync with Mi Cloud (if not needed)

Take a screenshot of important data from the buffer (if necessary)-->

Once cleaned, restart your phone to make the changes effective.This method only deletes local data — if you used cloud sync, repeat the steps in the Mi Cloud section.

Method 2: Using the Gboard keyboard (for Google users)

If you use Google's Gboard keyboard, it has its own clipboard manager that duplicates the system's, and cleaning through Gboard is often more effective, since it deletes data from both sources:

1. Open any field to enter text (for example, in Notes or Messages).
2. Slip the clipboard icon in the top Gboard panel (the icon with two documents).
3. In the window that opens, click on Edit (pencil in the upper right corner).
4. Select all items (or mark the ones you want) and click Remove.
5. Confirm the cleanup.

The advantage of this method is that Gboard shows a preview of copied items, so you can selectively delete only unnecessary data.

• 🔄 Gboard syncs the buffer with your Google account if you have set the appropriate setting. To clear the data on all devices, go to Gboard Settings. → buffer → Synchronization.
• 🚫 If you use SwiftKey or another keyboard, this method will not work – each application has its own buffer.

💡

To disable buffer history saving in Gboard, go to Settings → Text input → Clipboard → Clipboard history and deactivate the option.

Method 3: Manually clean through file manager (for power users)

For those who prefer full control, there is a method of manual cleaning through system files, which requires root rights or ADB use, but is guaranteed to remove all traces of the buffer, including hidden caches.

Attention: Mistakes can cause MIUI to malfunction.If you are unsure of your skills, skip this section.

⚠️ Note: Before starting, back up your data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset: Deleting system files without root can cause clipboard errors.

Instructions for users with root access:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Cross the path: /data/clipboard/ or (in new versions) MIUI): /data/user_de/0/com.miui.clipboard/files/
3. Delete all files in this folder (they have.clip or.db extensions).
4. Reboot the phone.

For users without root, you can use ADB (USB debugging):

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/clipboard/*




rm -rf /data/user_de/0/com.miui.clipboard/files/*




reboot

This method completely resets the clipboard, including data that is not displayed in the standard MIUI interface. Use it if other methods have not helped or you suspect that the buffer left “ghost” data.

Method 4: Third-party applications for buffer management

If you don't like the built-in MIUI tools, you can use specialized applications that offer advanced features: selective cleaning, password protection, and automatic deletion of old data.

The best apps for Redmi 8:

Before installing, check the permissions of the application. Some buffer managers request access to:

• 📋 Notifications (to track copying)
• 🖼️ Storage (for backup copies)
• 🔗 Internet (for synchronization)

To avoid data leakage, after installation:

1. Open the application settings.
2. Turn off cloud sync (if not necessary).
3. Install automatic cleaning of old items (for example, older than 7 days).

Through MIUI settings

I'm using Gboard.

Third-party annexes

Manual cleaning through ADB/root

I'm not cleaning at all.-->

Method 5: Resetting clipboard settings (last resort)

If the clipboard doesn’t work properly (e.g., doesn’t store new data or shows old items after cleaning), it may be necessary to reset its settings, which will return the buffer to factory status, but will not affect other data on the phone.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the clipboard in the list (or Clipboard in English firmware).
3. Slap it on and select the Warehouse.
4. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
5. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

After discharge:

• 🔄 The clipboard will be empty, but the settings MIUI (For example, synchronization with Mi Cloud will be maintained.
• 📱 Some system applications (such as Notes) may request permissions again.
• ⚠️ If the problem recurs, check your phone for viruses or update it. MIUI last-minute.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 12 resetting the clipboard may cause the Copy-Pass function to temporarily fail in system applications. If this happens, restart the phone in Safe Mode (Power Button) → Restart in Safe Mode and Repeat Cleaning.

💡

Resetting clipboard settings is not the same as resetting your phone to factory settings; it affects only one system application and does not delete your files or installed programs.

How to protect the clipboard from external access

Cleaning the buffer is only half the solution, so to prevent future data breaches, set up protections:

• 🔒 Disable Cloud Sync: For Mi Cloud: Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → buffer → For Gboard: Gboard settings → buffer → Synchronization → Turn it off.
• 🛡️ Restrict App Access: Go to Settings → Annexes → Permits → Access to clipboard. Disable access for unreliable applications (especially keyboards from third-party developers).
• 🔄 Set up automatic cleaning: In Clipboard Manager or similar applications, set a rule: "Remove items older than 1 day." Avoid cleaning frequently used data (for example, message templates).

Use alternative methods of copying

1. For sensitive data (passwords, card numbers), use password managers (Bitwarden, 1Password).
2. For temporary file sharing between devices, use Mi Drop or Nearby Share instead of a buffer.

On Redmi 8 with MIUI 11 firmware and below, the clipboard is particularly vulnerable, as these versions lack built-in protection from reading data by other applications. If your phone is running on old firmware, consider upgrading or installing custom firmware (such as LineageOS).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after clearing the clipboard, Redmi 8 users may experience problems, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If neither method worked, check your phone for viruses with Malwarebytes or Dr.Web. Some malware blocks access to the clipboard to hide its activity.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions