How to expand RAM on Xiaomi: real methods and myths

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi has started to slow down when multitasking, and apps are constantly rebooting? The reason is often a lack of RAM. Unlike the internal memory that can be expanded with a microSD card, RAM on smartphones is usually fixed. But that doesn't mean that the situation can't be fixed.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways that Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO can increase RAM, from official features to experimental methods. It’s important to understand that some solutions will increase productivity, others will prove useless, and still others may even hurt. We’ll be honest about what works in practice and what is a marketing myth.

Let's warn you right away: 99 percent of Xiaomi smartphones cannot increase their RAM hardware without specialized hardware and microelectronics skills. All other methods are software-based. Let's start with the safest ones and end with those that require root rights or risky manipulation.

1. Virtual memory (RAM Expansion) – the official method from Xiaomi

Starting with MIUI 12.5 and later, Xiaomi added RAM Expansion to the firmware, which is not a physical memory boost, but rather a part of the embedded drive (UFS or eMMC) as a buffer for temporary data, essentially the equivalent of a swap file in Linux.

The feature is available on most models, Released after 2020: Xiaomi 11/12/13 series, Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, etc. To activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Extension of RAM.
2. Select the amount of virtual memory: usually offered 1 GB, 2 GB or 3 GB.
3. Reset the device.

How effective is it? According to user and benchmark tests (Geekbench, AnTuTu), multitasking increases by 10 to 25 percent depending on the model.

• 🔹 Virtual memory is slower than physical RAM (especially on cheap eMMC models).
• 🔹 Increased wear of the built-in drive due to frequent records.
• 🔹 On weak processors (Snapdragon) 6xx, Helio Gxx effect almost invisible.

⚠️ Note: On devices with 32 GB of internal memory, it is not recommended to turn on virtual RAM – this can lead to a critical shortage of space for applications and updates.

Optimizing Current Memory: What to Do Before Expansion

Before trying to increase RAM, it is worth making the most of what you have. Here are 3 key steps that are often ignored:

• 🚀 Turn off the autoload of unnecessary apps: Go to Settings → Annexes → Autostart and disable autoboot for instant messengers, games and social networks that you rarely use.
• 🧹 Clean the cache regularly: Use the built-in Cleanup utility (the broom icon on the menu) or third-party tools like SD Maid.
• ⚡ Activate “Performance Mode”: In Settings → Special opportunities → Performance mode (not available on all models).

It's also worth checking which apps consume RAM the most.

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers → Memory use.
3. View the list of processes sorted by RAM consumption.

Often the culprits of the brakes are Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Chinese launchers (for example, POCO Launcher), which can be replaced with lightweight versions (Facebook Lite, Instagram Lite) or alternative clients.

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If your Xiaomi supports MIUI 14+, try enabling Smart Optimization in your battery settings. It automatically closes the background when the screen is off, saving RAM.

3. Using microSD as RAM: myth or reality?

On the Internet, instructions are often found to “turn” a microSD card into RAM using applications like ROEHSOFT RAM-Expander or Swapfile, which doesn’t work on modern Xiaomi smartphones for several reasons:

• 🛑 Android 10+ Blocks swap on external media for security reasons.
• 🛑 Speed of even the fastest microSD UHS-II into 10–50 less than the physical RAM (LPDDR4X/LPDDR5).
• 🛑 Apps for “extension of RAM” require root rights, which deprives of guarantees.

The only partially working scenario is using a microSD as an internal storage device and then creating a swap file, but there are pitfalls here too:

1. The card must be of high class (UHS-I U3 or A2).
2. Formatting as an internal memory will remove all data from it.
3. The productivity increase will be minimal (1-5%).

⚠️ Note: If you do decide to experiment, use only proven brand maps (Samsung) EVO Plus, SanDisk Extreme.Cheap microSDs could fail after days of heavy use like swap.

4. Root and system modification: risky methods

For advanced users willing to sacrifice the warranty, there are ways to increase RAM by modifying system files, all of which require:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (unlocked bootloader).
• 🔓 Getting root rights (through Magisk).
• 🔓 Custom recaveri installations (TWRP).

The most common methods are:

The most effective of these methods is to install a kernel with zRAM. For example, for the POCO X3 Pro (Snapdragon 860), there are custom cores like HellCat Kernel that optimize memory management.

• 🔧 You need a precise firmware for your model.
• 🔧 Bootloop Risk (Licking on the boot) in case of an error.
• 🔧 Some banking applications (Sberbank Online, Tinkoff) will stop working due to root.

5. Hardware increase in RAM: is it possible?

In theory, yes, on some Xiaomi models, you can physically replace or add RAM chips.

• 🔨 Extremely difficult: a soldering station with precise temperature control is required (BGA-bolting).
• 🔨 Expensive: the cost of work in the service center may exceed the price of the smartphone.
• 🔨 Risky: even with successful soldering, there may be problems with chip compatibility.

The only models where this is more or less feasible:

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 9 (variant 6/128 GB can be upgraded to 8/128 GB).
• 📱 Redmi K20 Pro (similar but required replacement of motherboard).
• 📱 POCO F1 (Chip replacement is unofficially supported LPDDR4X).

Where do you look for components? On AliExpress or in specialty stores (like Kimovr), but 90 percent of the chips on the market are used or unoriginal, which can quickly fail.

⚠️ Note: If you still decide on hardware modification, be sure to check the compatibility of the chips by their marking (for example, K4U66324AB-MGCP A mismatch in even one parameter (e.g. timing) will lead to unstable operation.

6. Alternative solutions: when RAM extension is not necessary

Sometimes the problem isn't memory shortage, but suboptimal system performance. Before you try to increase RAM, check:

• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI (Or go to Xiaomi.EU for a cleaner system).
• 🧩 Remove unnecessary system applications (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Music) ADB: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser
• 🎯 Use the Nova Launcher (Lawnchair) instead of the standard launcher. MIUI Launcher.

If your smartphone is older, 2019 Redmi Note of the Year 7, Mi A2 Consider buying a new device, for example, POCO X5 Pro (8/256 GB is about 20 000 ₽ and proposes 2–3 More productivity in multitasking.

Delete cache and unnecessary files|Disable Auto-Run Applications|Update the firmware to the latest version|Check for viruses (via Malwarebytes)|Set up a lightweight launcher-->

7. Myths about RAM expansion that you should not believe

There are a lot of "advice" online that not only doesn't work, but can do harm.

• ❌ «RAM cleaning apps speed up phone": On the contrary, forced memory cleaning forces the system to reboot processes, which increases battery consumption.
• ❌ «File. swapfile.img MicroSD to replace RAM": As mentioned, the speed of the memory card makes this method useless.
• ❌ «Disabling animation frees RAM: Animation does not consume memory – it only visually “slows down” the interface.
• ❌ «Root automatically increases RAM: Root gives access to settings, but does not add memory.

Also avoid “miracle utility” like RAM Booster or Memory Cleaner – they often contain adware or spyware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about expanding RAM on Xiaomi

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Before any manipulation with RAM, backup through Mi Cloud or TWRP. In 30% of cases, memory experiments lead to the need for a complete reset.