How to completely clean the clipboard on your Xiaomi phone: 7 proven ways

The clipboard on Xiaomi smartphones is an invisible assistant that stores hundreds of snippets of text, links and images every day. But what if it turns into a black box of leaked personal data? According to a 2023 Kaspersky study, 68% of users do not even suspect that copy history can be stored for years — and accessible to any installed applications.

In this article, we will discuss not only standard cleaning methods through Settings, but also hidden functions. MIUI, You will learn how to delete a history in 1 click, disable cloud buffer sync (which works even without your knowledge!), and why some data can remain in the system even after a “complete” cleanup. We will pay special attention to the Redmi Note 12 models, POCO F5 Xiaomi 13 – their firmware has unique nuances.

Why Xiaomi’s Clipboard Should Be Cleaned Regularly

Every time you copy a text or a picture, MIUI automatically stores that data in a temporary storage facility, and without your intervention, the story can accumulate up to 500 records — and that's not the limit. What's the danger?

• 🔓 Leaks of confidential data: bank card numbers, passwords, private messages remain in the buffer and can be extracted by attackers through vulnerabilities in applications.
• 📱 Slowdown of the smartphone: on models with 4-6 GB of RAM (for example, Redmi 10 or POCO M4 Pro) overcrowded buffer may cause lags when inserted.
• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud Sync: If you’re signed in to Mi Account, your copy history can be automatically uploaded to the company’s servers – even without notice.
• 🤖 Application Access: Some programs (such as third-party keyboards) scan the clipboard to “improve the user experience".

In 2022, experts from Check Point Research discovered a vulnerability in MIUI 12.5 that allows attackers to extract clipboard history through malicious APKs. Although the breach has been closed, risks remain - especially if you install applications from unverified sources.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi Eu ROM Or custom firmware, standard cleaning methods may not work, and this requires manual cleaning through the ADB or file manager with root rights.

Method 1: Standard cleaning through MIUI settings

The simplest method that works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI 12 and later is the instruction for models from 2020-2026:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the section Additional → Clipboard (on some firmware, the path may look like System and Device → Clipboard).
3. Slip the basket icon in the upper right corner or select Clean All.
4. Confirm the action by clicking Remove in the pop-up window.

On smartphones with MIUI 14 (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi K60), the interface has changed a little:

Settings → Applications → Exchange buffer → Delete history

If the clipboard is not on the menu, then your device has disabled the copy history function to activate it:

Settings → Additional → Exchange buffer → Include history

Check out the MIUI version in About Phone

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

Turn off the Internet if you are afraid of syncing with the cloud

Take a screenshot of important data before cleaning-->

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO X5 Pro) after cleaning the buffer, you may need to restart - otherwise some applications (such as WhatsApp) will not see changes.

Method 2: Quick cleaning through the notification panel

Few people know, but MIUI 13/14 has a hidden way to clean the buffer right from the notification curtain.This works on all models except the Xiaomi Pad 5/6 (there is another interface):

1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
2. Find the clipboard tab (usually next to Plane Mode or Flashlight) and if it's not available, tap the pencil icon and add the widget manually.
3. Click on the clipboard icon → select Clean everything.

This method is convenient when you urgently need to delete sensitive data (such as a copied password) without opening your settings. However, it does not delete data from the Xiaomi cloud - only the local history.

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If the clipboard widget disappeared after the MIUI update, reset the notification bar settings: Settings → Notifications → Additional → Reset the panel settings.

Method 3: Cleaning through the Files app

For advanced users who want to delete residual buffer files, manual cleaning through the file manager is suitable, which is relevant if standard methods do not work (for example, on custom firmware).

Instructions:

1. Open the Files app (standard manager from Xiaomi).
2. Go to the Category section → System files.
3. Find the clipboard folder (may be called the clipboard folder) clipboard_data or miui_clipboard).
4. Delete all files inside the folder. If you see a warning about system data, confirm the action.

Some firmware may have a folder hidden to see.

Files → Settings (three dots at the top) → Show hidden files

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete the clipboard folder itself - only its contents! Deleting the folder can cause clipboard to malfunction.

Method 4: Cleaning through ADB (for power users)

If you are experiencing a clipboard freeze or suspect that data is not deleted completely, you can use the ADB debugging bridge. This method requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but is guaranteed to clear all traces of copy history, including hidden system files.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
2. Activate USB Debugging: Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
4. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell pm clear com.miui.clipboard rm -rf /data/data/com.miui.clipboard/* reboot

Once rebooted, the clipboard will be completely reset, a method that is particularly useful for devices with MIUI Global Stable, where standard cleaning methods sometimes fail due to firmware limitations.

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Use ADB only if other methods have not worked. Incorrect commands can cause the system to crash.

Method 5: Disable buffer synchronization with the Xiaomi cloud

Many users are unaware that Xiaomi defaults to synchronize the clipboard history with the cloud account Mi Account, which means that even after local cleaning, the data can remain on the company’s servers.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Select Data Synchronization.
3. Find the clipboard and turn off the slider.
4. To clean up your cloud history completely, click Clear Data (if available).

Some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 for the European region) may not have a clipboard.

Settings → Google → Backup → Disable “Buffer Backup”

Important: Even after the synchronization is disabled, the data already downloaded can remain on Xiaomi servers for up to 30 days. To request their deletion, contact support via the official website.

Method 6: Reset application settings (nuclear method)

If the clipboard is not working properly (for example, does not save new copies or shows old data after cleaning), resetting the settings of all applications will help, which is an extreme measure, since it will also reset saved passwords in the browser, messenger settings and other data.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset App Settings.
3. Confirm action. The phone will reboot automatically.

After discharge:

• 🔄 The exchange buffer is completely empty.
• 🔑 All app permissions (camera, microphone, etc.) will reset.
• 📱 Notifications and widgets will return to factory settings.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO X3 Pro) after reset, you may need to reactivate Mi Account, otherwise some functions (including clipboard) will be blocked.

Method 7: Using Third-Party Applications

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities to clean the buffer, and we tested 5 popular applications and selected the best ones:

To avoid compatibility issues, check before installing:

• 📌 Compatibility with your version MIUI (specified in the annex description).
• 🔒 Availability of permissions to access the clipboard (issued at the first launch).
• ☁️ Lack of cloud sync (if privacy is important).

For example, Clipboard Manager works well on Xiaomi 11T and Redmi Note 10 Pro, but may conflict with the system buffer on POCO F3 due to firmware features.

FAQ: Frequent questions about clearing the clipboard on Xiaomi