How to check memory on Xiaomi Redmi: operational (RAM) and built-in (ROM)

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are known for their price-performance ratio, but even the most powerful models eventually start to slow down due to lack of memory. The problem can be in both filled storage (ROM) and overloaded RAM. However, before cleaning the cache or deleting files, you need to accurately diagnose the problem – and this requires correct memory checks.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the memory checks available on Redmi, including standard MIUI tools, hidden engineering menus, and power user commands. You’ll learn how to distinguish between RAM getting stuck from crowded ROM, which applications are eating up resources, and what to do if the system shows incorrect memory data. Instructions are relevant for all models, from the Redmi Note 10 to the Redmi 13C, as well as for devices based on MIUI 12-14.

1. Standard Memory Checking Methods in MIUI

Let's start with the simplest methods that do not require installing third-party apps or connecting to a PC. MIUI There are built-in memory monitoring tools, but they are often hidden or not obvious to the user.

To check the total volume and occupied space of the ROM (built-in memory), go to: Settings → About Phone → Storage.

Here you will see a diagram with the distribution of memory by category: “Apps”, “Images”, “Video”, etc. Click on any category to see a detailed list of files.

• 📊 RAM (RAM): displayed in the Settings section → The phone. → Memory: This is a real-time graph of RAM usage, and a list of applications that consume the most resources.
• 🔍 Detailed analysis: in MIUI 14 added the tool "Deep cleaning" (Settings) → Annexes → Deep cleaning, which shows not only occupied space, but also garbage files, cache and duplicates.
• ⚠️ Limitation: Standard tools MIUI They may not always show the actual state of memory, for example, they may not take into account system reserves (up to 5-10 GB on some models) or hidden update files.

If you need to make room quickly, use the Cleanup function in the same storage section, but beware: MIUI sometimes deletes useful data, such as downloaded files from messengers.

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To see hidden files (such as MIUI backups), turn on the system folder display in any file manager (such as Mi File Manager): Settings → Show hidden files.

Memory check through the Engineering Menu (CIT)

The Certification Test (CIT) is a hidden MIUI tool that provides advanced hardware information, including detailed memory data, which is useful if standard settings show inaccurate data or if you suspect hardware problems (such as broken memory sectors).

To open CIT:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636###.
3. In the menu that appears, select Hardware Testing.
4. Go to Memory or Storage (the name may vary depending on the version of MIUI).

Here you'll see:

• 📱 Total RAM — full amount of RAM (e.g. 6) GB 8 GB).
• 🗃️ Internal Storage – the real volume of ROM (may differ from the manufacturer’s stated due to the system partition).
• ⚡ Memory Usage – current RAM load in percentage.
• 🔧 Storage Health – Memory Health Status (if there are errors, there will be a bad or warning mark).

If the Storage Health section displays Bad status, this may indicate physical memory wear (especially for budget models with eMMCinstead of UFS), in which case it is recommended to back up the data and contact the service center.

3.Use of ADB for deep memory diagnostics

For advanced users who want to get the most accurate data about the state of memory, the ADB tool (Android Debug Bridge) is suitable, which allows you to unload system logs, check the actual use of RAM and ROM, and also identify hidden problems, such as memory leaks or malfunctioning virtual memory (swap).

To take advantage of ADB:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools.
2. Enable USB Debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line:

adb shell dumpsys meminfo

This team will produce a detailed report on the use of RAM, including:

• 📈 MemTotal - the total amount of RAM.
• 📉 MemFree - Free Memory.
• 🔄 Cached – memory occupied by cache (can be released if necessary).
• ⚠️ SwapFree is a virtual memory state (if the value is close to 0, the system actively uses swap, which can cause lags).

To check the ROM, use the command:

adb shell df -h

⚠️ Note: If the command df is withdrawn -h You see the section. /data more occupied 90%, This can lead to system freezes. MIUI reserve 10% memory for critical operations, and when it is lacking, the phone begins to spontaneously reboot.

Standard settings MIUI|Engineering menu (CIT)|ADB-team|Party of the annex (e.g, AIDA64)-->

4. Third-party applications for memory analysis

If you don’t want to mess with ADBs or engineering menus, you can use third-party utilities, which often provide more visual information and additional features, such as cache cleaning or application background monitoring.

The best memory checker apps on Xiaomi Redmi:

For quick check, we recommend DevCheck – it shows not only occupied space, but also the type of memory (for example, the memory, UFS This is important because eMMC degrades faster than eMMC over time. UFS, may require replacement.

If you notice that free memory is self-decreasing (for example, from 30 GB to 20 GB per week), check the applications for hidden mining or viruses using Malwarebytes.

Check the list of applications in Settings → Applications → All applications (sorting by size)|

Delete the cache of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) manually |

Transfer the photo/video to SD-map|

Disable auto-update apps in Google Play|

Check the Download folder for unnecessary files-->

5. How to verify the authenticity of memory (is it not a fraud?)

Some unscrupulous sellers or “grey” resellers may overstate the memory in the firmware, for example, instead of the 128 GB ROM claimed, it will actually turn out to be 64 GB, and the rest of the space will be replaced through software tricks. To avoid cheating, follow the following steps:

Method 1: Verification with AIDA64

1. Install AIDA64 from Google Play.
2. Go to the Storage section → Memory of the device.
3. Compare Total space and System ROM, if the difference between them and the declared volume is greater than 10-15 GB, it is suspicious.

Method 2: Write/read test

If the seller claims that the UFS 3.1 memory, but the phone behaves like an eMMC, check the speed:

1. Install AndroBench.
2. Start the Sequential Read/Write test.
3. Compare the results with the references for your model (for example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ with UFS 2.2 should show ~500 MB/s per read).

⚠️ Note: If the write speed is below 100 MB/s and the reading speed is below 200 MB/s, there is a high probability that the phone is a cheap eMMC instead of the stated one. UFS. This is critical for gaming and multitasking.

Method 3: Checking through Fastboot (requires an unlocked bootloader)

fastboot getvar all

In the conclusion, look for the storage-type or emmc/ufsa lines. If the memory type does not match the official specifications, this is a reason to return the device.

6. Frequent errors in memory testing and how to avoid them

Many users experience false positives in memory diagnosis, and here are the most common errors and how to avoid them:

• 🔄 «Memory is full, but there are few files: MIUI reserve 10 GB for system needs (updates, cache) To see the real distribution, use the adb shell df -h.
• 📉 RAM is always loaded at 80-90%: this is normal for the user. MIUI — It's aggressively cacheing data. You don't have to manually clean the RAM, it'll only slow down.
• ❌ Deleting files does not free up space: check the folder /sdcard/Android/obb — There may be heavy game files (up to the end) 2–4 GB).
• 🔍 Apps show different data: for example, Settings say that 20 GB is free, and AIDA64 — 15 GB. This is because MIUI does not include the reserved space for OTA-update.

If after cleaning the memory the phone still brakes, check:

• 🔋 Battery state (a worn-out battery may cause lags due to voltage drawdowns).
• 🔄 Background activity: Some apps (like Facebook or TikTok) consume RAM even when folded.
• 🛠️ Processor Temperature: Overheating Leads to Trottling and Artificially Limiting Performance.

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If after all the manipulations, free memory continues to "disappear", most likely the problem is a virus or system failure. → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).

7.Memory optimization: what to do if the place ends

If the diagnosis shows that the memory is indeed full, here are some effective ways to release it without losing important data:

• 🗑️ Cleaning the application cache: go to Settings → Apps, select the “heavy” app (like Google Play Services) and click Clear Cache.
• 📁 Transfer of files to SD-Map: in Mi File Manager, select files → Move it → SD-Note: Not all applications support external memory.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Google Photos (image compression), Mi Cloud (5GB free for Xiaomi users).
• 🎮 Removing heavy games: Games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile take up to 10-15 GB. → Annexes → Games to see their real size.
• 🔄 Disable automatic downloads: in Telegram, WhatsApp and other messengers, turn off autoloading media files on the mobile network.

To optimize RAM:

• 🚫 Stop Auto-Run Unnecessary Applications: Settings → Permits → Auto-start.
• ⚡ Enable Performance Mode in Settings → Special facilities → Performance mode (available on some models, such as Redmi) K50).
• 🔄 Regularly reboot your phone (every 2-3 days) – this clears the background activity.

If you use Redmi with 6/128GB or less, consider buying a model with 8/256GB – the price difference will be justified by the comfort of use for 2-3 years ahead.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions