How to check the memory status on the Xiaomi smartphone: the complete guide

Xiaomi smartphones are some of the most popular devices on the market, but even they are not immune to memory problems. Slowdowns, sudden reboots or errors when installing applications often signal problems in RAM (RAM) or ROM (internal storage). Unlike PCs where memory diagnosis is carried out through BIOS or specialized utilities, Xiaomi (including Redmi and POCO) has its own nuances.

In this article, you will find unique memory check methods that are not described in standard MIUI instructions, including hidden engineering menus and ADB commands. We will discuss how to distinguish hardware failures from software failures, when to contact the service and when cache cleaning is enough. All methods are tested on current versions of MIUI 14/15 and adapted for models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

1. Memory check through standard MIUI settings

The easiest way to assess memory status is to use built-in MIUI tools. They will not give a deep diagnosis, but will help to identify obvious problems: a crowded drive, excessive cache or incorrect RAM.

To check the internal memory (ROM):

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Study the usage schedule: if the partition System takes more than 20 GB on a clean device - this is a sign of firmware bloating.
3. Click Clear to delete unnecessary files (cache, temporary data).

For analysis of RAM (RAM):

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Status of memory.
• 📊 Pay attention to the schedule of RAM use: if less than 15% is free with closed applications, memory leakage is possible.
• 🚨 In the Optimization section, click Clean if the value used by the system exceeds 50%.

Standard MIUI tools do not show hardware errors (broken sectors, chip defects), but help to identify software problems, and if the memory is filled up quickly after cleaning, this is an occasion for deep diagnostics.

2. Hidden memory tests in the engineering menu

Xiaomi hides from users advanced diagnostic tools available through the engineering menu, which allow you to test memory at the hardware level, identifying problems that are not visible in standard settings.

To open the engineering menu:

1. Enter the combination in the Phone app: ##4636##.
2. Select Testing (some firmware may call Hardware Testing).
3. Go to the Memory Test or Storage section.

The following tests are available on this menu:

⚠️ Note: If the Bad Block Check test shows a value greater than 0, this means physical memory damage, in which case it is recommended to back up the data and contact the service center.

3. Memory Diagnostics via ADB (for power users)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool allows for deep memory checks, including tests not available in the GUI, which requires connecting a smartphone to a PC and basic command line knowledge.

Preparation for testing:

Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times on version, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers)

Install ADB Tools on PC

Connect your smartphone to your computer via the original cable

Run the command line in the folder with ADB (Shift + PCM → "Open the team window")-->

Memory check commands:

adb shell


su




cat /proc/meminfo | grep -E 'MemTotal|MemFree|Buffers|Cached' # RAM check




dd if=/dev/zero of=/sdcard/testfile bs=1M count=1024 conv=fdatasync # Write Speed Test




rm /sdcard/testfile # Delete the test file

Transcription of results:

• 📋 MemTotal is the total amount of RAM. If the value is less than the stated value (for example, 5.5 GB instead of 6 GB), a hardware problem is possible.
• ⚡ dd test – the recording speed should not be lower than 100 MB / s for eMMC and 200 MB / s for eMMC UFS. Values below 50 MB/s indicate memory wear.
• 🔧 If the su command does not work, you need to unlock the bootloader and install Magisk to obtain root rights.

ADB-The tests are the most accurate, but you need to be careful. Don't interrupt the execution of commands - this can damage the file system. If you are not sure about your actions, use alternative methods from this article.

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To automatically check memory through ADB, you can use scrcpy script with the memtest plugin. It visualizes the use of RAM in real time and saves the error log.

4. Applications for memory testing: top-3 utility

If standard MIUI and ADB tools seem complicated, third-party apps come to the rescue, offering a user-friendly interface and advanced features such as RAM stress tests or pixel checks (for some models).

The best memory diagnostics apps on Xiaomi:

How to run the AIDA64 test:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Go to the Memory section.
3. Pay attention to the parameters: 🔹 Total RAM — It should be consistent with the characteristics of the model. 🔹 Internal Storage – If Health shows Bad, memory is worn out. 🔹 Read Speed/Write Speed – Compare with the reference values for your model (see table below).

Memory Benchmark

Reference memory speeds for popular Xiaomi models:

• 📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (UFS 2.2): reading ~500MB/s, recording ~400 MB/s.
• 📱 Xiaomi 13 Pro (UFS 3.1): reading ~1200 MB/s, recording ~800 MB/s.
• 📱 POCO X5 Pro (UFS 2.2): reading ~450MB/s, recording ~350 MB/s.

⚠️ Note: If the memory speed is below the reference values by more than 30%, this may indicate wear or problems with the controller, in which case it is recommended to check the device at the service center before the warranty period expires.

5. Signs of memory failure: when to sound the alarm

It is not always necessary to make a complex diagnosis - some symptoms clearly indicate memory problems. If you notice at least 2-3 signs from the list below, it is time to act.

Typical symptoms of memory failure:

• 🐢 Strong lags when opening applications (even after cleaning RAM).
• 🔄 Spontaneous reboots, especially when recording videos or installing updates.
• 📁 Disappearance of files or damage to photos (artifacts, stripes).
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge due to constant overwriting of damaged sectors.
• 🛑 Errors when installing apps (code 920, 923 in Google Play).
• 🖥️ MIUI Shows “Memory is damaged” when connected to a PC.

What to do when symptoms are detected:

1. Back up all your data to your PC or cloud.
2. Check your memory with one of the methods described above.
3. If the problem is confirmed: 🔧 For ROM: Try formatting memory through Recovery (data will be deleted!). 🔄 For RAM: the only solution is to replace the chip (requires soldering).

On models with LPDDR5 (for example, Xiaomi 14), the malfunction of RAM can manifest itself in the form of a “blue screen” (BSOD) with the memtest fail error. In this case, self-repair is impossible - you need to contact an authorized service center.

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If the smartphone stopped turning on after checking the memory, this may indicate a critical controller error.Do not try to reflash the device - contact specialists with BGA soldering equipment.

6.How to extend the life of memory on Xiaomi: prevention

Even if the tests didn’t show any problems, following the simple rules will help avoid premature memory wear, especially for low-end models with eMMC memory (such as the Redmi 10A), which wears out faster than UFS.

Recommendations for memory care:

• 📵 Avoid filling the drive completely. Leave at least 10% of the total storage free.
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Memory. → Clean up.
• ⚡ Do not use "memory cleaners" (such as Clean Master) - they often delete the desired files.
• 📥 Download files to a memory card (if supported) rather than to an internal drive.
• 🔋 Avoid overheating – high temperature accelerates memory degradation.
• 🛠️ Update. MIUI — In new versions optimized work with memory.

For models with UFS 3.1+ (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), it is useful to disable the Dynamic RAM Expansion feature (in the developer settings) if you are not using resource-intensive applications, which artificially increases RAM due to ROM, which reduces the life of the drive.

It is also worth watching the cycles of rewriting:

• 🔹 eMMC: withstands ~3000 cycles (budget models).
• 🔹 UFS 2.1: ~5000 cycles (medium segment).
• 🔹 UFS 3.1: up to 10,000 cycles (flagships).

The more often you overwrite the same files (for example, update applications), the faster the memory wears out.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory check