Xiaomi’s mobile devices are famous for their performance and optimizing the MIUI shell, but over time, the accumulation of digital debris can slow down the system. Clearing history is not just a way to make room, but an important measure to preserve your privacy. In Xiaomi smartphones, data is stored in a variety of places, from a standard browser to application system logs.
Users often forget that history is not just about visited web pages. Android and MIUI caching previews, image thumbnails, search logs and navigation routes. Regular maintenance of the device allows you to keep its performance at a high level and prevents the leakage of personal information in the event of loss of the gadget.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the methods of deleting temporary files in detail. You will learn to manage storage efficiently using both built-in tools and hidden system capabilities. Completely clearing history at Xiaomi requires a comprehensive approach to the settings of each application individually, since there is no single “erase everything” button for third-party programs.
Clearing History in the Standard Xiaomi Browser
Starting with the most obvious place to store data, the built-in browser: the Mi Browser (or Chrome, if it's installed by default) stores detailed information about your movements across the network, and to delete this data, you need to open the application and go to a menu, usually designated by three bars or dots.
Select Settings, then look for Privacy and Security, where you can use the Clear Data option, and the system will tell you to choose which to delete: your visit history, cookies, cached images or saved passwords. Be careful when choosing so that you do not accidentally lose important authorizations.
If you use Google Chrome, the procedure is similar, but the path may be different. Click three dots in the corner of the screen, select History, and click Clear History in the menu that opens. It's important to understand that deleting data in one browser won't affect the data of another if you use it.
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Use incognito mode to visit sites you don’t want to keep in history, eliminating the need for manual cleaning after each session.
Delete cache and data in social networks and instant messengers
The most voracious consumers of memory are social networks and instant messengers. Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber and Instagram store huge amounts of media files and temporary data. Cleanup is divided into two types: deletion of cache (temporary files) and data cleanup (full reset).
To clean it safely, go to your smartphone Settings, search for the Apps section, and select All Apps. Find the social network you want in the list. Inside the app menu, you'll see the Clean button. Click on it and select Clear Cache. This is a safe action that won't delete your emails or account.
However, if you choose to Clean everything or Wipe your data, the app will return to a state immediately after installation, you will have to re-enter your login and password, so for instant messengers like Viber or WhatsApp, it is better to use the built-in cleaning tools inside the application itself.
- 📱 Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Use of memory → Clear the cache.
- 💬 WhatsApp: Settings → Data and storage → Storage management → Delete files.
- 📸 Instagram: Phone settings → Annexes → Instagram → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
- 🎵 TikTok: Profile → Settings and privacy → Make room → Clear the cache.
⚠️ Warning: Before clearing the data in messengers, make sure you have a backup of important correspondence.Resetting the application data will delete all local chats without the possibility of recovery.
How to clear your call history and SMS-message
Call logs and text messages also contain your activity history. On Xiaomi smartphones, deleting this data is done through the standard Phone app. Open it and go to the tab with the clock or call list.
To delete a specific number, click on it and hold your finger, then select the basket icon. To bulk clean, click on three dots in the corner of the screen and select Clear Call Log. Confirm the action, and the entire history of incoming and outgoing calls will be deleted.
S SMS-Messages can be used to delete individual dialogs or to use a cleanup function. MIUI automatic cleaning of old messages is available, which can be configured in the application parameters.
If standard methods don't work or the call log is full and glitzy, you can use a deeper method through the Phone app storage settings. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Phone → Storage and click Clear. This will reset dialing settings, but won't delete contacts.
☑️ Checklist for full phone cleanup
Managing Search History in Google and YouTube
Google's ecosystem is tightly integrated into Android, so your search and browsing history on YouTube syncs with your account. Even if you clear your browser history, the data can stay in the cloud. Use your Google account settings to manage that.
Go to Settings on your phone, search for the Google section, and select Manage Google Account. Go to Data and Personalization tab. This is the Application History and Web Search section, and by clicking on it, you can view and delete all search activity.
To clear your YouTube history, open the app, click on your profile avatar, and select Settings. Next, go to General and find Clear Search History or Clear Browsing History. This action will remove recommendations based on your past interests.
It's also worth checking your location history if you're navigating. The same Google account menu has a Location History (or Timeline) section where all your movements are stored.
| Type of data | Wherever | Impact on the system | Security of removal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash browser | Browser settings | Speeds up page loading | Safe. |
| Cookies | Confidentiality | Save logins on websites | It'll take a re-entry. |
| Cash app. | Settings → Applications | Accelerates program launches | Safe. |
| Application data | Settings → Applications | Stores settings and progress | Reset the app |
Why does Google keep history?
Using the built-in Xiaomi cleaner
The MIUI shell has a powerful built-in tool to maintain the system. The Security app (green shield icon) allows you to quickly clean up the garbage. Run it and press the Cleanup button.
The system scans the device and finds temporary files, remnants of deleted applications and large files, but this method does not always delete the history of browsers and applications completely. It is focused primarily on freeing up space, not privacy.
For a deeper cleanup inside the Security app, there's an Acceleration section that closes the background processes, which indirectly helps clear the RAM, but doesn't affect the stored history on the drive. Use this tool regularly to keep it running.
Newer versions of MIUI have added Extended Cleanup inside the same app, which allows you to find duplicate photos, rarely used apps, and large files that take up space, which is a great way to keep the file system in order.
Third-party solutions and cleaning automation
If standard tools aren't enough, you can use trusted third-party tools, applications like Files by Google or SD Maid offer more flexible cleaning settings, and they can find tails of remote programs and empty folders.
When installing these applications, ask for the minimum permissions you need, don't give contacts or microphones to memory cleaners, enough permissions to access files and storage.
Automation is another useful tool, and in Xiaomi’s settings, you can set up automatic cleaning of the gallery basket in 30 days, which will prevent the accumulation of deleted photos that actually take up space on the disk.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid installing aggressive accelerators and antiviruses from unreliable sources.They are often the source of advertising themselves and can slow down your Xiaomi instead of speeding up.
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The combination of manually cleaning your browser history and periodically using the built-in MIUI cleaner is the optimal strategy for keeping your smartphone in perfect condition.