How to expand RAM on Xiaomi Android smartphones: a complete guide

Xiaomi smartphone owners sooner or later face a shortage of RAM (RAM), especially if the device is used for multitasking, gaming or working with heavy applications. Even the flagship models of the Redmi K70 or POCO F6 Pro after 1-2 years of operation begin to “brake” due to limited resources. But do not rush to buy a new phone – there are several ways to effectively increase the available RAM, including both software tricks and hardware solutions.

In this article, we will look at all the current methods of expanding RAM on Xiaomi, from official MIUI functions to hidden settings for advanced users. It is important to understand that physical increase of RAM (for example, soldering of new chips) on smartphones is impossible – we are talking about virtual memory, optimization of resource use and alternative approaches. We will also analyze which models support certain functions, and give recommendations for choosing the most effective solution for your device.

1. Virtual RAM in MIUI: How to enable and configure

Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi has added official support for virtual RAM (RAM Expansion) — a feature that uses a portion of the internal drive as an additional RAM. It is not a physical increase in memory, but allows the smartphone to keep 20-30% more applications in the background without rebooting.

The feature is available on most models released after 2021, including the Redmi Note 11/12/13 series, POCO X5/F5, Xiaomi 12/13/14.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → All the characteristics.
2. Tap 5-7 times on RAM until the RAM Extension menu appears.
3. Select the amount of virtual memory (usually offered 1, 2 or 3 GB).
4. Reset the device.

Important: Virtual RAM doesn’t replace physical RAM, it only helps the system manage background processes. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with 8 GB of physical RAM, adding 3 GB of virtual will keep up to 15-18 applications in the background instead of 12-14, but will not speed up the work of heavy games like Genshin Impact.

⚠️ Attention: Virtual RAM If you have less than 10 GB of free space, you should choose the minimum volume (1 GB) or refuse the function.

System Optimization: How to Free RAM Without Root

Before you increase memory, you should maximize the efficiency of existing RAM. MIUI has hidden settings that allow you to reduce background memory consumption without root rights.

First, check which applications load the system the most:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Memory Use.
3. Sort the list by using RAM.

Typical RAM eaters on Xiaomi:

• 🎮 Games: PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, Genshin Impact (up to 1.5 GB).
• 📱 Social networks: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok (up to 500 MB in the background).
• 🔄 System processes: com.miui.home (launcher), com.android.systemui.

To reduce the load:

• 🚫 Turn off auto-start for unnecessary apps in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.
• ⚡ Enable Performance Mode in Settings → Battery → Performance modes (available on flagships).
• 🗑️ Clean the cache once a week through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.

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If the game or application is severely slowing down, try manually limiting background activity: go to the application settings → Additional → Battery → select Limited Background Mode.

3.Use of microSD as RAM (root only)

For advanced users, there is a way to turn a microSD card into a swap partition that will work as an additional RAM. This method requires root rights and is only suitable for Qualcomm Snapdragon-based devices (for example, POCO F3, Redmi K40).

Step-by-step:

1. Install Magisk and get root access.
2. Download Swap Enabler from Magisk Modules.
3. Insert a microSD class at least UHS-I (U3) (64GB or more is recommended).
4. In Swap Enabler, select a memory card and set the size of the swap file (no more than 20% of the card’s volume).
5. Reset the device.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Real increase in available memory for background processes.
• ✅ It is suitable for older models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO X3 NFC).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Reduces microSD life (due to frequent records).
• ❌ It can lead to lags if the card is slow.
• ❌ Requires root, which deprives of guarantees.

⚠️ Note: Do not use this method on devices with MediaTek Helio (e.g. Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) — Their processors are poorly optimized for swap, which will lead to even more brakes.

4. Hidden MIUI settings for memory management

Xiaomi hides a few useful options that allow you to manually control the distribution RAM. These settings are available through the engineering menu or ADB-team.

Method 1: Re-prioritize processes (requires ADB):

adb shell settings put global low_ram false


adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

These commands disable background process restrictions, allowing you to keep more applications in RAM, suitable for devices with 6+ GB of RAM.

Method 2: Manual setting of LMK (Low Memory Killer):

• Install the Kernel Adiutor app (requires root).
• Go to the Low Memory Killer section.
• Increase the minfree values for your RAM volume (e.g., for 8GB: 18432,23040,27648,32256,36864,61440).

The effect of these settings:

Make sure the battery is 50%+ charged.

Make a backup copy of the data

Check the processor model (Snapdragon/MediaTek)

Turn off important notifications during settings-->

5. Alternative methods: cloud-based RAM and external devices

If the software methods don’t help, consider hardware solutions:

1. Cloud RAM (Cloud RAM)

Some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU) supports offloading, which is the transfer of data from RAM to cloud storage.

• 📱 Install the firmware Xiaomi.EU or Pixel Experience.
• 🌐 Connect to your Google Drive or Mi Cloud account.
• 🔄 Enable Cloud Boost option in the developer settings.

This method is suitable for working with documents and lightweight applications, but it will not help in games.

External GPU connection (for POCO F5 and later)

USB-C 3.2-enabled models (POCO F5, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) can connect to external GPUs via Thunderbolt docks. This does not increase RAM directly, but allows you to run heavy tasks on an external device, unloading the smartphone’s RAM.

3.Use of DeX Mode (for Xiaomi Mix Fold 2/3)

Xiaomi foldable smartphones support DeX mode, which optimizes memory allocation when connected to the monitor, in which the system allocates up to 40% of additional resources for active applications.

6. when it is best not to try to increase RAM

Not all methods are suitable for all devices, here are cases when expanding RAM is not advisable:

• 📉 You're Xiaomi with 2-3 GB RAM (Like Redmi. 7A, POCO C3) — Better to buy a new smartphone.
• 🔋 The battery is worn out by more than 60% - an additional load on the RAM increase battery consumption.
• 🔧 Device on MediaTek Helio G25/G35 — These processors are not optimized for virtual memory.
• 📱 You use custom firmware older than 2022 – current methods may not be supported.

Critical information: On Android 12 and later devices (e.g. Xiaomi 13T, POCO X5 Pro), virtual RAM only works if there is free space in the /data partition. If internal memory is packed to the end, the system will automatically disable the extension, even if it was activated in the settings.

If your smartphone falls under these criteria, consider alternatives:

• 🔄 Reboot the device regularly (once in a week) 1-2 day-day).
• 🗑️ Use the lighter versions of apps (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
• 🛒 Buy a smartphone with 8+ GB RAM (for example, POCO F6 or Redmi K70).

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Visual lags and twitching interfaces when virtual RAM is on are a sign that your device is not coping with the load, in which case it is better to turn off the function and optimize the existing memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about RAM expansion on Xiaomi