How to view the clipboard on Xiaomi: official and hidden methods

The clipboard on Xiaomi smartphones is not just temporary storage for copied text or links. MIUI It's become a full-fledged tool with history, device synchronization, and even the ability to edit saved snippets, but many users still don't know how to access this feature or why it disappears after a system update.

In this article, we will break down all the official and alternative ways to view the clipboard on Xiaomi, including hidden settings. MIUI Clipboard, Google Keyboard (Gboard), and solutions for devices without built-in copy history. Particular attention will be paid to the problems faced by owners of older models (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi Pro). 9T), where the function can be disabled by default.

If you are looking not only for how to look, but also how to restore deleted data from the buffer or set up automatic synchronization between your smartphone and tablet, here you will find step-by-step instructions based on the latest updates. MIUI 14/15.

1.The official method: MIUI Clipboard (built-in history)

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi added its own clipboard manager to the firmware β€” MIUI Clipboard. It automatically stores the last 20 copied fragments (text, links, phone numbers) and allows you to quickly paste them into any field:

  1. Open any text field (for example, in Notes or Messages).
  2. Touch and hold the empty space until the menu appears.
  3. Slip on the clipboard icon** (the icon with two documents) in the top panel.
  4. You'll see the history of the most recent copies. To insert an item, just click on it.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 NFC Or Redmi 10, the clipboard icon can be hidden to activate it:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Additional settings β†’ Language and input β†’ MIUI keyboard.
  2. Turn on the option to show the history of the clipboard.

πŸ’‘

If the clipboard history is not saved, check if the power saving mode for system applications is turned off. β†’ Battery β†’ Energy saving regime β†’ Appendices and add MIUI Clipboard excepted.

V MIUI 14/15 And it's possible to fix the fragments that we use frequently:

  • πŸ“Œ Press and hold the item in the buffer history.
  • πŸ”’ Select Secure (Pick pin icon).
  • πŸ—‘οΈ To remove the unnecessary fragment, swipe it to the left.

2.Alternative: Google Keyboard (Gboard) with history

If built-in MIUI Clipboard is unstable or not on your model (e.g. Redmi). 7A s MIUI 11), you can use a keyboard from Google, which not only stores your copy history, but also syncs it to other devices through your Google account.

To set up the Gboard:

  1. Install Gboard from Google Play.
  2. Activate it in Settings β†’ Language and input β†’ Current keyboard.
  3. Open any text field, touch the icon βš™οΈ on the keyboard and select the clipboard.

The advantages of Gboard over the standard Xiaomi buffer:

FunctionMIUI ClipboardGboard
Synchronization between devices❌ No.βœ… Yes (via Google Account)
Max: Number of fragments saved201000+
Support for images❌ No.βœ… Yes (in beta)
Editing before insertion❌ No.βœ… Yes.

⚠️ Note: If you use Gboard on your work phone, note that the clipboard history syncs with the Google cloud.This may not be secure for sensitive data (passwords, card numbers) to disable sync:

  1. Open the Gboard. β†’ Settings β†’ buffer.
  2. Turn off the option of synchronization of the clipboard.
πŸ“Š What keyboard do you use on Xiaomi?
Standard MIUI
Gboard
SwiftKey
other

3. Hidden functions: how to enable an advanced clipboard

On some firmware MIUI (particularly POCO And Black Shark, the clipboard history is disabled by default, but it can be activated through hidden settings:

Method 1: Through Developer Settings

  1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings β†’ About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
  2. Return to Settings β†’ Additional settings β†’ For developers.
  3. Find the option Enable clipboard history and activate it.

Method 2: Through ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

adb shell settings put global clipboard_history_enabled 1

This command compulsorily turns on the buffer history, even if it's not in the interface. Once executed, restart the device.

What to do if after ADB-The team's history didn't come up?
Check if the settings are reset after the update MIUI. Also make sure you don’t have custom firmware installed (like PixelExperience), where the feature may work differently.

On Xiaomi models 12/13 s MIUI 14 So we can export the history of the buffer to a text file:

  • πŸ“‹ Open the clipboard (as in section 1).
  • πŸ” Slip on three dots in the upper right corner.
  • πŸ“€ Select Export and specify the folder to save.

Third-party buffer management applications

If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't suit you, you can install specialized applications that offer advanced features like categorizing copied, searching history, backing up, and even more. OCR-image recognition.

Top.-3 clipboard applications for Xiaomi:

  • πŸ“‹ Clipboard Manager – saves unlimited snippets, supports tags and cloud sync.
  • πŸ” Clip Stack – allows you to search by history, has a widget for quick access.
  • πŸ”’ Clipper – encrypts sensitive data and integrates with Google Drive.

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party clipboard managers, give them permissions carefully. Some applications (such as Clipboard Cleaner) may request access to Special Copy Tracking Features - this is a potential risk of data leakage. Before installing, check reviews and rankings on Google Play.

For installation:

  1. Download the app from Google Play.
  2. When you first start, allow the display to be displayed over other windows (required for quick access).
  3. In the application settings, enable the option Automatic Save.

β˜‘οΈ Setting up Clipboard Manager

Done: 0 / 4

5. How to recover deleted data from the clipboard

If you accidentally cleared the buffer history or after the update MIUI It's reset, there are a few ways to get back the lost data, and you know, there's no 100% guarantee, depending on whether the memory sectors where the copies were stored were overwritten.

Method 1: Through a backup of MIUI

If you have automatic backup enabled in Settings β†’ Xiaomi account β†’ Cloud. β†’ Backup, try to recover data:

  1. Go to Settings. β†’ Xiaomi account β†’ Cloud. β†’ Restore.
  2. Select the latest backup (preferably created before data is lost).
  3. Check System settings and click Restore.

Method 2: Use root access (for power users only)

If you have root, you can try extracting data from system files:

adb shell


su




cat /data/clipboard/clipboard.db

The clipboard.db file contains the buffer history in encrypted form, and decrypting it will require special utilities, such as SQLite Browser.

⚠️ Note: Before trying to restore through root, make a full data backup using the TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery. Wrong actions can lead to a complete phone reset.

Method 3: Checking the keyboard cache

Some keyboards, like Gboard or SwiftKey, store temporary copies of the buffer in their cache to try to extract them:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management.
  2. Find your keyboard (like Gboard) and tap on the Warehouse.
  3. Select Cash and try opening files through a file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager).

πŸ’‘

The only way to recover data from the clipboard is if it hasn't been overwritten by new copies, and the faster you start to act, the better the chances of success.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Xiaomi users often find that the clipboard stops working after updating or resetting settings.-5 problems and ways to correct them:

Problem 1: The history of the exchange buffer is not preserved.

  • πŸ”§ Solution: Check if it's off. MIUI Clipboard in the energy saving settings. Add it to the exceptions.
  • πŸ”§ If you use Gboard, update the app to the latest version.

Problem 2: After the update MIUI The buffer icon disappeared.

  • πŸ”§ Solution: Reset keyboard settings: Settings β†’ Language and input β†’ keyboard MIUI β†’ Resetting settings.
  • πŸ”§ If it doesn’t work, try switching to Gboard and back.

Problem 3: The clipboard shows old data after cleaning.

  • πŸ”§ Solution: Clear the app's cache MIUI Clipboard in Settings β†’ Annexes.
  • πŸ”§ Restart your phone – sometimes data is cached in RAM.

Problem 4: The synchronization between devices is not working.

  • πŸ”§ Solution: Make sure both devices have buffer sync in Gboard or Mi Cloud.
  • πŸ”§ Check that both devices are linked to the same Xiaomi or Google account.

Problem 5: The clipboard does not copy text from some applications (e.g. banking).

  • πŸ”§ Solution: This is a security limitation. Try copying the text into Notes and then from notes into a buffer.
  • πŸ”§ For banking applications, use the Share function instead of copying.
adb shell pm clear com.miui.clipboard

It will reset all the settings, but it will return factory performance.-->

7.Security: How to Protect Data in the Clipboard

The clipboard is one of the most vulnerable places in terms of privacy: Attackers can intercept copied data (passwords, card numbers, private messages) through malicious applications or vulnerabilities in the security system. MIUI. Here's how to keep yourself safe:

Step 1: Turn off synchronization for sensitive data

  • πŸ”’ In Gboard: Settings β†’ buffer β†’ Synchronization β†’ Shut down.
  • πŸ”’ V MIUI Clipboard: Do not copy sensitive information or clear history after use.

Step 2: Use password managers

Instead of copying passwords to a buffer, use specialized applications:

  • πŸ” Bitwarden – Open Source.
  • πŸ” 1Password β€” Supported by biometric authentication.
  • πŸ” KeePassDX – for local storage without cloud.

Step 3: Check the Application Permissions

Some applications (such as memory cleaners or launchers) request access to the clipboard to check:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Privacy β†’ Application Permissions β†’ Clipboard.
  2. Disable access for suspicious programs.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with firmware for the Chinese market (for example, Mi 11 Ultra China) ROM) The clipboard can transfer data to Mi Cloud without the user’s explicit consent. If you use such firmware, we recommend that you disable the buffer sync in your account settings.

Step 4: Clean up your history regularly

To avoid leaks:

  • 🧹 V MIUI Clipboard: Click Clean Everything in the upper right corner.
  • 🧹 In Gboard: Settings β†’ buffer β†’ Delete the story.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

πŸ” Why my Xiaomi doesn’t have a clipboard history?
This may be due to: The outdated version. MIUI (before MIUI 12 Buffer history was missing. Disabled function in settings (see section 3) Custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) where MIUI Clipboard removed. Solution: Update your firmware or install a third-party buffer management app.
πŸ“± How to Transfer the History of the Exchange Buffer to the New Xiaomi?
There are two ways: via Mi Cloud: On an old phone: Settings β†’ Xiaomi account β†’ Cloud. β†’ Backup (enable System Settings). On your new phone: restore backup when you first turn on or manually in cloud settings. Through Gboard: Make sure both devices have buffer sync enabled in Gboard settings. Use the same Google account.
πŸ”’ Can the clipboard be restored after resetting the phone?
The odds are minimal, but you can try: If you've backed up Mi Cloud or Google Drive, restore the data from the backup. If you've had root, try extracting the data from the backup. /data/clipboard/clipboard.db (see section 5). Use data recovery software (like Dr.Fone), but it rarely finds the contents of the buffer. ⚠️ Important: After reset, new data overwrites old data, so act as quickly as possible.
πŸ›‘οΈ How to protect the clipboard from viruses?
Follow these rules: Do not install apps from unverified sources (outside Google Play). Periodically check the list of apps with clipboard access in Settings β†’ Confidentiality β†’ Permissions: Use antiviruses with buffer scanning (e.g. Bitdefender) and don’t copy sensitive data (passwords, card numbers) for long periods of time – clear the history immediately after use.
πŸ“‹ Why Xiaomi’s clipboard only saves text, not images?
That's a limitation. MIUI Clipboard. To copy and paste images: Use Gboard (in beta, supports images). Install third-party apps, such as Clipboard Manager Pro. Use the built-in Screenshot feature for screenshots β†’ Share instead of copy. MIUI 15 Promise to Add Image Support to Standard Buffer.