How to expand RAM on Xiaomi: all ways from virtual RAM iron-upgrade

RAM is one of the key components affecting smartphone performance. Xiaomi, like other Android devices, is experiencing a shortage. RAM This is manifested by slowdowns, drop-outs of applications and a long reboot of background processes, especially the problem is on budget models (Redmi). 9A, Poco M3) or MIUI, where the system is actively consuming resources.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can increase your RAM on Xiaomi, from software tricks to physical upgrades. It’s important to understand that not every method will work for your model, and some can even hurt. We’ll be honest about the risks, limitations, and real-world effectiveness of each option so you can choose the best solution.

1. Virtual RAM: How to turn it on and whether to do it

The easiest and safest way is to use virtual memory (Virtual RAM). RAM). This technology borrows a portion of the internal drive (usually 1-3 GB) and converts it into an additional buffer for temporary data. MIUI 12.5 on most mid- and premium models.

To activate the virtual RAM:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → All characteristics.
• 🔍 Find Memory Extension (or Virtual Memory Extension) RAM newer).
• ⚙️ Select volume (recommended 2GB for balance between performance and free space).
• 🔄 Reset the device.

Advantages of the method: it does not require root rights, it is reversible, it works on most modern Xiaomi.

• ⚠️ Reduces the amount of internal memory – if you have so little space, this method will not work.
• 🐢 Small productivity gains – virtual RAM slower than the physical, so the increase FPS In games or application switching speeds, the minimum will be.
• 🔋 Increased wear of flash memory – frequent write/reading operations reduce the life of the drive.

In practice, virtual RAM It works best on devices with 4-6 GB of physical memory, where it helps to keep 1-2 applications in the background more. On flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Black Shark 5 Pro), the effect is almost invisible, and on public sector workers (Redmi Note 10) it can even worsen the situation due to lack of free space.

Optimization MIUI: free RAM lossless

Before thinking about increasing RAM, it is worth maximizing the current memory usage. MIUI It is known for its “gluttonous” interface, but some problems can be solved by settings:

⚠️ Attention: Disabling system processes through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Systems can cause the phone to run in an unstable way. Don't stop services called miui., com.android. or qualcomm.

Effective ways to release RAM:

• 🚫 Turn off animation: go to Settings → About the phone, tap 5 times on the version MIUI, Then in the Developer Settings, install Windows Animation = 0.5x and Transition animation = Off..
• 🧹 Clear the cache: in Settings → Memory. → Clean Up choose Deep Cleanup (but don’t overuse – this slows down the re-launch of apps).
• 📵 Limit background activity: in Settings → Battery → Power management applications set for unnecessary programs mode Restricted.
• 🔄 Use "Light Mode": in Settings → Screen. → Select the screen mode Light - this will reduce the load on the GPU and, as a consequence, on RAM.

It's also worth checking the autoload of applications. Many programs (especially Chinese services like Mi Browser or GetApps) are launched at the start of the system and hang in the background to turn them off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application, tap Autostart and turn off the slider.
3. Repeat for all unnecessary programs (especially messengers and social networks).

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After cleaning, RAM phone still brakes, check the temperature of the processor in the application CPU Monitor: Overheating causes the system to artificially limit performance, mimicking memory shortages.

3. Root methods: increasing RAM by modifying system files

For advanced users, there are ways to change the kernel-level memory management settings, which requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights, and risks damaging the system.

Change of the Lmk (Low Memory Killer) parameter

Android uses the lmk mechanism, which forcibly closes applications when there is a shortage of RAM. You can configure it so that the system retains programs in memory longer:

adb shell su


echo "50,100,150,200,250,300" > /sys/module/lowmemorykiller/parameters/minfree

The values in the team (50, 100, 150...) determine the thresholds of the Lmk response in megabytes. For Xiaomi with 4-6 GB RAM Optimal values: 60,120,180,240,300,360.

Increase the size of the swap partition

If your device has a swap partition (or you can create one), you can increase the size of the partition:

su


swapoff /dev/block/zram0




echo 2G > /sys/block/zram0/disksize




mkswap /dev/block/zram0




swapon /dev/block/zram0

This command increases the swap to 2 GB, but remember:

• ⚠️ Swap on flash memory wears it out – don’t use this method all the time.
• 🐢 Swap is slower RAM — Productivity gains will be minimal.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect values in minfree can lead to endless reboots or flights to fastboot.Before experiments, make a backup through TWRP Make sure you have access to ADB rollback.

4. Hardware expansion RAM: possibility

Physically increasing RAM on Xiaomi smartphones is a daunting and often impossible task, unlike PCs where RAM can be added to free slots, phones have memory soldered into the motherboard.

If you still decide on hardware modification, consider:

• 💰 Cost: Re-solding memory will cost 50-70% of the price of a new phone.
• ⚡ Risks: Even in service centers, the success rate of such an operation does not exceed 60-70%.
• ⏳ Time: The process will take 3-7 days (you need to order chips, test compatibility).
• 📉 Loss of warranty: Any interference with hardware will void Xiaomi warranty.

The only realistic option is to buy modular gaming smartphones (Black Shark or RedMagic), where the board can theoretically be replaced entirely.

1. Find a large donor device with a large volume RAM.
2. Make sure that the board revisions are compatible (even within the same model there may be differences).
3. Seek out a specialist with experience with BGA-chip.

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Hardware expansion RAM It's 99 percent economically inefficient on Xiaomi, and if you're critically short of RAM, it's easier to sell your current phone and buy it for a high-volume model.

5. Alternative solutions: when to increase RAM cannot

If none of the above methods are suitable, consider alternative approaches:

Use of the “cloud" RAM

Some applications (such as Samsung Cloud) RAM Or SwiftShader, which emulates additional memory through cloud computing. There's not much for Xiaomi, but you can try it:

• 🌥️ Shadow PC GeForce NOW — for games (streaming images from the server, the load on the phone is minimal).

5.2. Optimization of applications

Some programs can be "facilitated":

• 🎮 Games: use GFX Tools to reduce graphical settings (resolution, FPS, shadow).
• 📱 Social networks: replace official clients with lighter versions (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) or web versions.

Transition to custom firmware

Some custom ROM (LineageOS or Pixel Experience are better optimized than MIUI. They can:

• 🔄 Use a more efficient LMK (Low Memory Killer).
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary Xiaomi system services (advertising, analytics).
• ⚡ Support zRAM (real-time memory compression).

However, installing custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader and resetting data.

6. Myths of magnification RAM: it doesn't work

You can find dozens of RAM "advice" on the Internet that are actually either useless or harmful.

• ❌ "Cleanup RAM Manually speeds up the phone, instead, Android is optimized to caching frequently used applications. Forced cleaning forces the system to reboot data, which slows down the work.
• ❌ "Applications of type 'RAM Booster’ increases memory – they simply kill background processes, which gives a short-term effect, but in the long run worsens multitasking.
• ❌ "Paging file on SD-map RAM" — MicroSD read/write speeds are 10 to 100 times lower than RAM, and this upgrade will only add lags.
• ❌ "Disabling animation releases RAM" — And animation doesn't consume RAM, it only affects speed perception.
• ❌ "Reflashing to a newer version MIUI add RAM" — RAM is determined by hardware, not software.

Another common myth is that the more free you have. RAM, In fact, Android is designed to use as much as it is. RAM Empty RAM is an inefficiently used resource; the system must store frequently used data in order to load it faster.

If you see that you have "free" 1–2 GB 4 GB is normal. Problems begin when there is no memory left. <10% The system starts to actively kill the processes.

7. How to Choose Xiaomi with Enough Volume RAM

If you haven’t bought a phone yet and want to avoid memory problems in the future, check out the following recommendations:

When choosing, also consider:

• 🔄 Type of memory: LPDDR5 faster and more energy efficient LPDDR4X (flagship-y).
• 📊 Memory frequency: The higher (e.g. 3200 MHz vs 2133 MHz), the better the performance.
• 🔧 Extensibility: Some models (Black Shark) allow you to buy additional memory modules.

If the budget is limited, it is better to choose a phone with 6 GB RAM and pure Android (e.g. Poco) X5 Pro than 8GB RAM, heavy-shelled (MIUI Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

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For 2026, the optimal price/performance balance is smartphones with 8 GB LPDDR5 and the Snapdragon 7 processor+ Gen 2 (e.g. Poco) F5 or Redmi K60E).

FAQ: Frequent questions about RAM on Xiaomi