Disabling the expansion of RAM on Xiaomi: safe ways and nuances

The RAM Expansion feature in Xiaomi smartphones appeared with the MIUI 12.5 update and is actively used in models based on MIUI 13/14. The technology allows you to use part of the internal drive as a virtual RAM, increasing multitasking by 1-3 GB. However, not all users notice a performance increase, and some face slowdown, overheating or accelerated wear of flash memory. If you decide to return the standard configuration, this instruction will help you do this without errors.

It’s important to understand that turning off virtual RAM doesn’t always have the expected effect. On weak devices (like the Redmi 9A or Poco M3), it can even make things worse, since the system is initially optimized for memory deficits. On the other hand, on flagships like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Black Shark 5 Pro, turning off the function often leads to more stable operation. Before you act, check if the brakes are due to other causes, such as background processes, viruses or overcrowd storage.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔍 How it works RAM Expansion and why it is worth (or should not be) disabling
• ⚙️ 3 Official Ways to Disable Through Settings MIUI
• 🛠️ Alternative methods for advanced users (including: ADB)
• ⚠️ Possible risks and how to avoid them
• ⚡ What to do if after disconnecting the smartphone became slower

What is RAM Expansion and Why Turn It Off

RAM Expansion (sometimes called Memory Extension or Virtual RAM) is a software mechanism that reserves some of the internal memory (UFS/EMMC) for RAM needs. For example, on Xiaomi 12T with 8 GB of RAM, you can add another 3 GB of virtual memory to a total of 11 GB. It sounds tempting, but in practice there are nuances:

First, virtual RAM is much slower than physical RAM. If your smartphone’s LPDDR5 has a bandwidth of ~50 GB/s, even a fast UFS 3.1 will give you a maximum of 2-3 GB/s. This means that applications moved to virtual memory will open with a delay. Second, frequent overwriting of data to flash memory accelerates wear and tear — especially relevant for budget models with EMMC 5.1.

When to turn off the function:

• 📉 Smartphone slows down when switching between applications, despite the free RAM
• 🔥 The device overheats for no apparent reason (virtual memory increases the load on the processor)
• 💾 You use a slow memory (for example, EMMC instead UFS)
• 🎮 Minimum delay in games (virtual) RAM add lambs)

When it is not recommended to disconnect:

• 📱 You have less than 6 GB of physical RAM (For example, Redmi Note 10 with 4 GB)
• 🔄 You often keep in the background a lot of applications (messengers, social networks, navigators)
• 🤖 The smartphone works on MIUI 12.5 or older: The algorithm is better optimized in newer versions

Official method: disabling through MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. The instructions are relevant for MIUI 12.5-14 versions (including HyperOS for new models). Importantly, on some devices, the path to settings may differ, depending on the firmware version and regional build.

Steps to shut down:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → All parameters (or additionally).
3. Find Memory or Memory Extension (in some versions, Memory Extension).
4. Slip the slider or disable button (confirmation may be required).
5. Restart the device to apply the changes.

If the Memory Extension item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Choose Memory and Performance.
3. Find the Virtual RAM option and deactivate it.

What to do if the switch button is inactive?

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes resetting temporary files helps.
• 📱 Check if you have installed system updates (check Settings). → Update of the PO).
• 🛠️ If the device is rooted, it may be a conflict with Magisk modules – try to disable them.

💡

On some models (like the Poco F4 GT), RAM Expansion is hidden in the developer menu. To find it, activate Developer Mode: go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times. Then go back to Settings → Additional → Developer and look for Memory Extension.

Disconnection through ADB: for advanced users

If the standard method didn't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge. Warning: the wrong ADB commands can disrupt your system. Use this method only if you are confident in your actions.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. Activate USB debugging on your smartphone: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode). Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging.

File transfer

Command line.

Terminal

ADB

adb devices

(Your device should appear)

adb shell

settings put global virtual_ram_enable 0

reboot

Once you reboot, RAM Expansion will be disabled. To return it, use the same command, replacing 0 with 1.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (such as custom LineageOS or Pixel Experience) may not work, in which case you need to edit the build.prop file manually, which is fraught with the risk of a device blink.

Resetting to factory settings: an extreme measure

If none of these methods worked, and the virtual RAM continues to work, you have a complete reset, and it's a radical solution that will delete all the data from the device, so use it only as a last resort.

• 📎 Create a backup through Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud backup.
• 🔐 Take a photo or write down passwords from your accounts (they will be deleted).
• 📱 Make sure there is enough charge on your smartphone (≥30%).

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose Delete all data (or Factory Reset).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

Once reset, RAM Expansion will be disabled by default (unless it is activated automatically when you first set it up) to prevent it from being turned on again:

• 🚫 When you initially set up your smartphone, skip the memory optimization point.
• 🔧 After setting up, immediately go to Settings → Memory and check function status.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable can automatically install an update after a reset, which activates again. RAM To avoid this, disable auto-update in Settings before resetting. → Update of the PO → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-update.

What to do if after disconnecting the smartphone became slower

Paradoxically, sometimes turning off virtual RAM results in poor performance, because the system has been optimized for memory expansion, and now it's running out of resources. Here's how to fix it:

If problems persist, try alternative optimization methods:

• 🔄 Enable Performance Mode in Settings → Battery.
• 🗑️ Clear the system cache through Recover Mode (click Power). + Volume up when the phone is off).
• 📥 Install a light firmware (for example, MIUI Lite for older models).

💡

If the smartphone started to work worse after the RAM Expansion was turned off, it does not mean that the feature was useful. Most often the problem lies in the incorrect optimization of MIUI - try resetting or switching to custom firmware.

Xiaomi models that run the worst on RAM Expansion

Not all Xiaomi devices have the same virtual memory performance, and the following models have the worst performances, according to user and benchmark tests (Geekbench, AnTuTu):

• 📱 Redmi 9A/9C — weak processor (Helio) G25/G35) load-bearing.
• 📱 Poco M3 — EMMC 5.1 rapidly degrades when used actively.
• 📱 Redmi Note 10 (4/64 GB - little physical RAM modern applications.
• 📱 Mi 10 Lite – problems with thermothrottle when loaded virtual memory.

On these devices, turning off RAM Expansion often gives you 10-15% increase in performance, especially in games and multitasking. On flagships like Xiaomi 13 Pro or Black Shark 5, the difference is almost invisible – it is better to leave the function on.

If you are not sure whether to turn off virtual RAM on your model, do a test:

1. Install AnTuTu Benchmark or Geekbench 6.
2. Run the test with RAM Expansion enabled.
3. Turn off the function and repeat the test.
4. Compare results in the CPU and Multi-Core sections.

💡

For objectivity, conduct tests under the same conditions: the same battery level, closed background applications, disabled Performance Mode.

Frequent questions about RAM Expansion on Xiaomi