Xiaomi’s Magazine Generator app: What is it, how does it work, and should it be removed?

If you've ever looked at the installed list on your Xiaomi smartphone, you've probably noticed a strange name, Log Generator or com.miui.bugreport, which doesn't have a desktop shortcut, doesn't show up in the app menu, but sticks to the memory of the device. What is it? Why is it needed? And most importantly, can it be safely removed to free up precious megabytes?

Many users mistake this app for a virus or unnecessary "junk," especially if they encounter it after resetting or buying a used phone. In fact, Log Generator is a system component of MIUI firmware that plays an important role in troubleshooting. But its real utility to the average user is questionable. Let's get into the details.

What is the “Journal Generator” on Xiaomi and what is it for?

Log Generator is a built-in MIUI firmware tool designed to collect and generate system logs, which contain detailed information about the device’s operation: application errors, module failures (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS), battery charge, processor temperature, and more.

The program’s primary purpose is to help diagnose problems. When a user contacts Xiaomi’s support team or forums to complain about a smartphone’s unstable performance, the first thing they ask for is the logs, and it’s the Log Generator that makes it easier to collect them by packing the data in a format that’s easy to analyze.

But there's a caveat: the average user is almost never going to use this tool.

• 🔧 Developers MIUI firmware-debugging.
• 🛠️ Service centers for phone repair under warranty.
• 🤓 Enthusiasts who are engaged in customization of firmware (for example, porting). MIUI on-demand).

For most Xiaomi owners, the app remains a “dead load” that takes up space in memory and sometimes even consumes resources in the background (for example, when automatically collecting logs after critical errors).

How does the “Log Generator” work and where is the collected data stored?

The application is activated in two cases:

1. Manual – when the user starts collecting logs through a special menu (more about this below).
2. Automatically – after a serious system failure (for example, bootloop or sudden restart).

Collected logs are stored in a folder /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log (or /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/debug_log newer MIUI). Files are either.zip or.tar.gz and can weigh from a few megabytes to hundreds of megabytes, depending on the amount of data collected.

To manually start collecting logs:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636###.
2. In the menu that appears, select “Collecting Information” (on some firmware, the item may be called “Bug Report”).
3. Confirm the start of the collection - the process will take 1-3 minutes.

After completion in the folder debug_log You can send an archive with a date and time of creation, it can be sent to support or analyzed independently (for example, through the Logcat Reader program).

Does the “Journal Generator” consume smartphone resources?

In normal mode, the application does not affect performance — it is in a dormant state and does not start processes in the background. However, there are two scenarios when it can load the system:

1. Automatic log collection after a crash – if the phone is frequently rebooted or “flying out” in recovery, the Log Generator will run every time, consuming up to 10-15% of the CPU for 1-2 minutes.
2. Manual diagnostics – while collecting data, the application actively reads system files, which can cause slowdowns (especially on budget models like Redmi 9A or Poco C31).

Check whether the "Generator of magazines" loads your smartphone, you can use the menu "Battery":

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Use.
2. Find the list com.miui.bugreport (or "Journal Generator").
3. If the consumption exceeds 0.5-1% per day without manual collection of logs - this is an occasion to think about deleting.

💡

To reduce the load of automatic log collection, disable the “Send Error Reports” option in Settings → About Phone → Reviews and Diagnostics. This will not delete the “Log Generator”, but will reduce its activity.

Can I remove the magazine generator and what happens if I do it?

Technically, it's possible to delete, but there are nuances. The application is system-based, so you can't just uninstall it through the Apps menu. You need root rights or ADB.

Consequences of disposal:

Unless you plan to support Xiaomi or modify the firmware, removing the Log Generator won’t hurt.

⚠️ Attention: The service center may refuse warranty repair if it detects the absence of system components.

Instructions for removal through ADB (no root):

Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to activate Developer Mode, then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB)

Install ADB Tools on PC

Open the command line and enter:

adb devices

(Make sure the device is determined)

Enter the command to delete:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.bugreport

Reboot the phone.-->

💡

Removing the Journal Generator won’t improve smartphone performance, but it will free up ~50-100MB of memory, with the main advantage of eliminating automatic log fees after crashes.

Alternatives to the "Journal Generator": how to replace the system tool?

If you have removed the standard application, but suddenly you need to collect logs (for example, to debug custom firmware), you can use third-party utilities:

• 📱 Logcat Extreme – Logcat Logs Reading and Export Application (requires root for full access).
• 🖥️ Android Studio – a professional tool with built-in Logcat (for developers).
• 🔍 MatLog - open source software for viewing logs in real time (works without root, but with restrictions).

For most tasks (for example, diagnosing problems with Wi-Fi or battery), MatLog will suffice. If you need complete system logs (including the kernel and drivers), you can not do without root rights.

Comparison of opportunities:

Frequent problems with the “Journal Generator” and how to solve them

Despite its simplicity, the app sometimes raises questions from users, and let's look at typical situations:

1. folder debug_log It is not created after collecting the logs.

Reasons:

• 📁 Lack of space on the internal drive (needs at least 500 MB).
• 🔒 No recording rights (check permissions for com.miui.bugreport).
• 🛠️ The firmware is damaged (reset via Fastboot will help).

2.The application constantly consumes the battery

Decision:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes the process “hangs” in the background.
• 🚫 Turn off automatic reporting in Settings → The phone. → Reviews and diagnostics.
• 🗑️ Remove old logs from the folder /MIUI/debug_log (They can take gigabytes!).

3. "Could not collect the logs" error

It's most common on custom firmware.

• 🔄 Reinstallation MIUI via Fastboot.
• 📥 Install the original com.miui.bugreport from the official firmware.

⚠️ Note: If after removing the "Journal Generator" phone stopped booting, restore it through ADB Team: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.bugreport

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi’s Magazine Generator