How to Clean Up the Buffer on Xiaomi Phone: Step-by-step Instructions for All Models

The clipboard, app cache, and system temporary files are the three main “invisible enemies” of the performance of Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO smartphones. Even on new devices, up to 1-3 GB of garbage accumulates over time, which slows down the interface, causes hangings, and speeds up battery discharge. But most users only clear part of the buffer, skipping critical areas such as MIUI Optimized Cache or Google Play Services data.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to clean up Xiaomi’s buffer, from standard MIUI tools to hidden commands for power users, and focus on the difference between clipboard, app cache, and system debris, as they’re often confused. You’ll also learn why some apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram) may be temporarily slower after clearing the buffer—and how to avoid it.

What is a Xiaomi buffer and why should it be cleaned?

The term “buffer” on Xiaomi usually refers to three different types of data:

• 📋 Clipboard – temporary storage for copied text, images or links (limited to the last 20 elements in the text). MIUI 14+).
• 🗃️ Application cache – files that programs save for quick operation (for example, thumbnails in the Gallery or map data in Google Maps).
• 🧹 System garbage – residual files after updates, error logs (.log), temporary files APK and media duplicates.

According to Xiaomi Community, an untreated buffer can take up to 15% of the device’s total memory after 6-12 months of use.

• 📉 Productivity falls on 20-30% memory fragmentation.
• 🔋 Battery discharges faster - background processes constantly overwrite cache.
• 🚨 Application errors (such as Instagram or TikTok crashes) are caused by conflicts between old and new versions of cached data.

⚠️ Caution: Clearing the clipboard removes all copied data without recovery. If you have saved an important password or link in the buffer, first transfer it to Notes or another secure source.

Method 1: Clearing the clipboard through standard settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which is suitable for all models, starting with the Redmi Note 5 (2018) and later.

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Clipboard.
2. Click on the basket icon (or “Clean”) in the upper right corner.
3. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

In MIUI 14 and later, the clipboard is integrated with smart search to remove a specific item (such as a copied password),

• 🔍 Hold your finger on the right entry in the history of the buffer.
• 🗑️ Select “Delete” (or click on the basket icon next to the item).

If the "Clipboard" option is not on the menu, then your device has a lightweight version of MIUI (for example, for the Redmi A1 or POCO C50).

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three points (menu) → Show system → Find the “Change buffer” → Storage → Clear the data

Save important data from the buffer in Notes|Close all applications (to avoid losing unsaved copies)|Check the version. MIUI (at the Settings → The phone)|Disable buffer synchronization with Mi Account (if enabled)-->

Method 2: Manually cleansing the application cache

App cache is the main memory eater on Xiaomi. for example, Facebook can accumulate up to 500 MB of cache per month, and Google Play Services can accumulate up to 1 GB. Cache cleaning does not delete account data or settings, but may require re-authorization in some services.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Chrome or WhatsApp).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. For a complete cleanup (including temporary files), click Clear Data, but note that this will reset the app settings!

To clear the cache of all applications at once:

• 📱 Use Security (Settings) → Security → Cleanup).
• 🧹 Click “Deep Clean” and select “App Cache».
• ⚡ V MIUI 13/14 There is a smart cleaning option – it analyzes unnecessary files automatically.

⚠️ Warning: Do not cache com.android.systemui or com.miui.home system applications manually – this can cause an interface crash MIUI (Black screen or endless reboot. Use only standard tools to clean them (Settings) → The phone. → Warehouse → Cleanup).

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If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, restart the phone. MIUI will automatically recover critical cache data the next time the program starts.

Method 3: Using the built-in Cleanup Tool

Xiaomi offers its own garbage cleaning tool, the Security app (or “Security” in global firmware), which analyzes:

• 🗑️ Residual files after uninstallation of applications.
• 📁 Duplicate photos and videos.
• 🔄 Cache system updates (OTA).
• 📋 Error Logs (.log and.tmp files).

How to use:

1. Open Security. → Cleanup.
2. Click Scan (the process will take 10–30 seconds).
3. Select the categories to clean (we recommend marking everything except Download).
4. Click “Clear” and confirm the action.

MIUI 14 has a Deep Clean feature that removes:

• 🧩 Fragmented cache files.
• 📦 Unused. APK-Files (remainders after updates).
• 🔍 Google Play Services data that is not used for more than 30 days.

After deep cleaning, the phone can reboot automatically, which is normal, and the first boot time after the procedure will increase by 10 to 20 seconds.

Method 4: Cleaning with Recovery Mode (for power users)

If the phone is slowing down and standard methods don't work, you can clear the buffer through Recovery Mode, which deletes all temporary system files, including:

• 📂 Cash updates (/cache).
• 🔄 Logs of the nucleus (/data/log).
• 🗃️ Dalvik-cache data (optimized application files).

Note: This method does not delete user data (photos, contacts), but resets some system settings (e.g. background wallpaper or screen brightness).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (control – volume buttons, choice – power button).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-3 minutes).
5. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

After the reboot:

• 🔄 The first turn on will take longer than usual (the system restores the cache).
• 📱 Some applications (such as Mi Fit) may require login re-entry.
• 🎵 Sound settings (volume, equalizer) will be reset to factory.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option (Factory Reset) will delete all data from your phone, including photos and apps. Use it only for a complete reset!

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Cleaning with Recovery Mode is the most effective way to remove system debris, but it requires caution. Use it if the phone is noticeably slowing down and standard methods are not helping.

Method 5: Automatic cleaning with third-party applications

If the built-in MIUI tools seem inadequate, you can use third-party utilities.

How to use SD Maid (we recommend it for Xiaomi):

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Launch and provide access to the storage.
3. Select CorpseFinder (search for remnants of remote applications) and AppCleaner (clear cache).
4. Press "Run" and wait for the scan to be completed.
5. Delete unnecessary files (we recommend that you only tick the boxes on the "Cache" and "Leftovers" points).

For POCO F3, Redmi Note 10 Pro and other models AMOLED-The system clearer function is useful in SD Maid – It deletes unnecessary animation files and themes that take up space and drain the battery.

⚠️ Please note: Do not use applications such as Clean Master or DU Speed Booster – They aggressively clear cache, which can disrupt the work MIUI. According to the data XDA Developers, such utilities often delete critical com.miui files, which leads to interface errors.

What to do if after cleaning the buffer, the phone began to work worse

In rare cases, after cleaning the buffer, users are faced with:

• 🐢 Slowdown (especially noticeable on Redmi) 9A or POCO M3 with 2GB of RAM).
• 🔄 Frequent reboots (usually due to a corrupted cache from Google Services Framework).
• 📱 Application departures (such as Mi Home or Mi Fit).

Causes and solutions:

If the problems persist, try:

1. Start Settings → About Phone → Update the system (sometimes bugs are patched).
2. Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and networks → Resetting network settings).
3. Install MIUI Optimization (available in the Lab of some firmware).

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If you have a long time to load media files after cleaning the WhatsApp or Telegram buffer, go to the settings of these applications and manually clean the media cache. For example, on WhatsApp: Settings → Storage → Storage Management → Clear.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up the buffer on Xiaomi