Why Yandex History is Cumulating on Redmi 5 and How to Fix It
Xiaomi Redmi 5 with MIUI firmware is actively integrated with Yandex services from search to maps and mail. Even if you don’t use Yandex’s browser, the system can store your query history, geolocation and autocomplete data through built-in services, not only taking up space in your device’s memory, but also creating privacy risks.
On Redmi 5, Yandex history can be stored in three places at the same time: 1) Local history in the Yandex or Yandex.Browser application, 2) Synchronization data in the Yandex account (if you are authorized), 3) Cache of MIUI system services associated with Yandex (for example, Yandex.Search in the widget).
Cleaning up only one source is often not enough – after a while, the story reappears.
In this article, we will discuss all the ways to delete, including hidden MIUI settings that are not obvious to users, and we will also find out why history can be restored automatically after cleaning and how to prevent this.
Method 1: Clearing the history directly in the application Yandex
The easiest method is to use the built-in tools of the application, which is suitable if you use the official Yandex.Browser or the Yandex application (with search and services).
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Yandex or Yandex.Browser application on your Redmi 5.
- 🔍 Slip on the profile icon (in the lower right corner) → Choose History.
- 🗑️ Press three points (⋮) top-right → Delete the story.
- ⏳ Select the period: Last hour, Today, All time (recommended).
- ✅ Confirm the removal by pressing Ready.
This only removes the local history on your device, and if you are logged in to your Yandex account, the data can be stored on the company's servers and synced back, so to avoid this, go to the next method.
Method 2: Delete history through Yandex account (synchronization)
If you were logged in to a Yandex account on Redmi 5, your search history and browser might sync with the cloud, in which case local cleaning won't help, the data will come back the next time you log in, and to delete it forever, you need to go to your account settings.
Step-by-step:
- Open any browser on your phone and go to the website passport.yandex.ru/profile.
- Sign in with your login (unless you are automatically logged in).
- Go to the Data Management section → History of search.
- Click Delete History and select a period (optimally For All Time).
- Confirm the action by SMS or through the application Yandex.Key.
After that, the story will be erased on all the devices you use that account, but if Redmi 5 is autosynchronized, the new data will start to accumulate again, to turn it off:
- 🔄 Go to your phone settings. → Accounts. → Yandex.
- 🔕 Turn off the slider Synchronization of history (or Synchronization of Yandex data).
Close all Yandex apps on your phone |
Turn off the internet (Wi-Fi and mobile data) |
Log in to Yandex’s account on your computer (for convenience)|
Check which devices are linked to your account (in security settings)-->
Method 3: Yandex Data Reset via MIUI Settings
MIUI firmware on Xiaomi Redmi 5 has hidden settings that allow you to reset system applications, including Yandex services.This is useful if the history is saved even after cleaning through the application.
How to reset:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the search bar, enter Yandex and select all related applications (Yandex.Browser, Yandex.Search, Yandex.Maps, etc.).
- For each application, click Storage → Clear Data and Clear Cache.
- Return to the basic settings and go to Memory → Cleanup → Deep Cleanup (select Yandex in the list).
This method removes all local data, including saved passwords and settings. Once cleaned, Yandex applications will work as if they were first installed. If history still appears, the problem may be with MIUI system services, which automatically restore data.
What if the story comes back after the reset?
Method 4: Remove via Safe Mode (if the application is not removed)
Sometimes Yandex system applications on Redmi 5 cannot be removed or reset by standard methods, in which case Safe Mode, a mode in which all third-party applications, including MIUI protection, are disabled, will help.
How to log in to Safe Mode and clear up the story:
- 🔄 Turn off the phone, then press the Power button before the Redmi logo appears.
- 👆 Once the logo appears, press and hold the Volume Down button until the phone boots up.
- 📱 In the lower right corner of the screen will appear the inscription Safe Mode – means that the mode is activated.
- 🧹 Now go to Settings. → Apps and find Yandex apps. Here you can find them:
Once cleaned, restart your phone as normal. If Yandex apps are preinstalled (e.g., Yandex.Search in the widget), they can’t be removed completely, but you can disable and hide them.
⚠️ Note: Some functions are not working in Safe Mode MIUI, And that includes your fingerprint and Face Unlock, and don't worry, when you reboot, everything will be back to normal.
Method 5: Completely reset your phone (extreme case)
If none of the methods worked, and Yandex’s history continues to recover, the last resort is to reset your phone to factory settings, which will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, so only use this method if:
- 🔒 It is critically important for you to delete your history (e.g. before selling your phone);
- 📱 The phone is slowing down due to accumulated data;
- 🔄 Other methods didn't work.
How to reset:
- Create a backup copy of important data (contacts, photos, messages).
- Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
- After the reboot, set the phone up as new without restoring data from the backup (otherwise the story may come back).
If you plan to continue using Yandex services after resetting:
- 🚫 Do not log into Yandex’s account on your phone;
- 🔕 Turn off synchronization in the settings MIUI;
- 📱 Use alternative browsers (such as Chrome or Firefox).
| Cleaning method | Deletes local history | Removes cloud history | Requires a phone reset | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Through the Yandex app | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ⭐ |
| Through the Yandex account | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐ |
| Data reset to MIUI | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Safe Mode | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Complete phone reset | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
💡
If you often clear history, install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) on Redmi 5 and remove the Yandex.Search widget from the home screen.
Additional measures: how to prevent the accumulation of history
To prevent Yandex history from accumulating again, it is enough to perform a few simple actions:
- Turn off autosynchronization: Go to Settings → Accounts → Yandex and deactivate synchronization of history, bookmarks and search queries.
- Use private mode: Yandex.Browser has Incognito (mask icon in the upper right corner).
- Replace System Apps: Install alternative browsers (Chrome, Firefox) and search widgets (Google Search).
- Limit the rights of Yandex: In Settings → Applications → Yandex disable permissions for Geolocation, Microphone and Warehouse.
If you want to get rid of Yandex services on Redmi 5, you can use ADB to uninstall system applications, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and can lead to unstable phone operation.
⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI for Redmi 5, disabling Yandex system applications can cause errors in the operation of Yandex.Maps and Yandex.Navigator. If you use them, it is better to limit yourself to cleaning the history without removing applications.
💡
On Xiaomi Redmi 5, Yandex history can be stored in three places: locally in the application, in the account cloud and in the MIUI system cache.