How to increase RAM on Xiaomi phone: proven methods and life hacks

Introduction: Why is RAM never enough?

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi has started to slow down, apps are spontaneously shutting down, and games are laying down? 90% of these problems are due to a lack of RAM. Even flagship models in a year or two of operation are facing a shortage of RAM: background processes, updated applications and “glutty” messengers eat every megabyte. But what if upgraded iron is impossible?

In this article, we’ll look at 5 real ways to increase RAM on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from official MIUI features to hidden settings and technical tricks. Spoiler: Virtual RAM (RAM Expansion) on Xiaomi works differently than on Samsung, and its setup requires a special approach. You’ll also learn which methods from the Internet are a waste of time and which give a performance increase of up to 30%.

Before we get started, all memory manipulations are software (safe, reversible) and hardware (risky, need disassembly of the device). We'll focus on the former, which is suitable for 99% of users. If you're ready to solder chips, there's a bonus section at the end of this article for enthusiasts.

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

Since 2021, the MIUI 12.5+ firmware has introduced Memory Extension (aka RAM Expansion), which allows you to add up to 3 GB of RAM using the built-in drive. How does it work? The system reserves part of the ROM (permanent memory) for temporary storage of data, simulating RAM. The effect is noticeable when multitasking, but there are nuances.

To activate the function:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → All characteristics.
• 🔧 Tap 5-7 times on the item RAM (the message will appear “Developer Mode activated»).
• ⚙️ Back to Settings → Additionally. → Memory Extension.
• 🔄 Select the virtual volume RAM (We recommend 1-2 GB of speed and free space balance).

Important: Virtual RAM is not a replacement for physical RAM, it only optimizes the work of background processes. For example, on the Redmi Note 11 with 4 GB of RAM, the increase in multitasking was ~15%, and in games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile) up to 8%. But if you have less than 10 GB of free disk space, the feature can deteriorate performance due to the constant switching between memory and storage.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with UFS 2.1. for example, POCO X3 Pro) virtual RAM It works slower than on devices with UFS 3.1 (Xiaomi 12T). This is due to the read/write speed of the drive – check the characteristics of your model before activating.

2. background cleaning and MIUI optimization: hidden settings

Before you expand your memory, make sure you use it efficiently. MIUI is known for its appetite for resources, but it has hidden optimization tools.

• 🧹 Autoclean: Include in Settings → Annexes → Autocleaning is the "Clean When Locked" option, which closes the background when you turn off the screen.
• 🚫 Limitation of background processes: C Settings → Battery → Select Balanced or Energy Saving mode (reduces the number of active applications).
• 🔄 Cache reset: Clean the cache regularly in Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning up (especially after updates) MIUI).

For advanced users, MIUI has a hidden Developer Options menu where you can manually limit background processes to get there:

1. Activate the developer mode (shap 7 times on the MIUI version in About Phone).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the items: Background Process Limit → Set “Premise 2 Processes”; Don’t Save Activity → Turn on (Reduce RAM consumption when switching between applications).

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If your phone is still slowing after cleaning your RAM, check the apps in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autorun. Turn off autoruns for unnecessary programs (especially gaming launchers and social networks).

These manipulations won’t increase the physical amount of RAM, but they will free up up to 30% of the memory used for unnecessary processes. For example, on the Redmi 9T with 4 GB of RAM, after this optimization, the amount of free memory increased from 500 MB to 1.2 GB.

3. Using microSD as RAM: myth or reality?

On the Internet, the advice to “turn a memory card into a RAM” is often found using applications like ROEHSOFT RAM-EXPANDER or Swapfile. This method doesn’t work on Xiaomi — here’s why:

• 🚫 MIUI Blocks low-level memory access for third-party applications (unlike custom firmware like LineageOS).
• 🐢 MicroSD cards (even the ones with microSD cards) UHS-I) 10 to 100 times slower than physical RAM, So the swipe file on them will create lags.
• ⚠️ Risk of file system damage: frequent overwriting SD-card shortens its lifespan.

The only working scenario is to use microSD to store application data (not the memory itself!).

1. Insert a Class A2 card (minimum UHS-I).
2. In Settings → Storage → Memory Map, select “Format as internal storage”.
3. Move heavy apps (like games) to SD via Settings → Apps → [select app] → Storage → Change.

If you’re critically short on memory, you’d better buy a smartphone with a lot of RAM or use cloud services (like Xiaomi Cloud for storing media files), and virtual memory on SD is a marketing hoax that doesn’t really improve performance on Xiaomi.

4. Update of firmware and kernel: hidden potential

The performance of RAM depends not only on its volume, but also on how the system manages it. Newer versions of MIUI (especially those based on Android 13/14) optimized the memory allocation algorithm, which can increase up to 20% without upgrading the hardware.

• 🔄 Update the firmware: Go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest version MIUI.
• 🛠️ Install a custom core: For advanced users, cores like FrancoKernel or Kirisakura optimize the work with the user. RAM (requires an unlocked loader!).
• 📊 Check out the Android version: On Android 12+ Memory Compression (compression of unused processes) RAM), which saves up to 1 GB of memory.

Example: on the Xiaomi Mi 11, after upgrading from MIUI 12.0 (Android 11) to MIUI 14 (Android 13), the amount of free RAM increased from 1.3 GB to 2.1 GB with the same running applications, due to improved cache management and background processes.

⚠️ Warning: If after the update the phone began to brake more, reset the cache through Recovery Mode (press the Power). + When you turn on Volume Up, select Wipe Cache. This is due to conflicts between old and new system files.

5. Hardware extension of RAM: for power users

If software methods fail, there is a physical increase in RAM, which is only suitable for individual Xiaomi models (such as the Black Shark or some flagships) and requires:

• 🔧 Disassembly of the device (risk of losing the warranty).
• 💰 Purchase of compatible chips RAM (for example, LPDDR4X or LPDDR5).
• 🔥 Rationing skills BGA-chips (without special equipment - 90% chance of damaging the motherboard).

The process looks like this:

1. Find the datasheet (technical documentation) on your Xiaomi model (for example, on Xiaomi 12 Pro used SK Hynix LPDDR5).
2. Buy identical RAM chips on AliExpress or from trusted suppliers (e.g. Chip1Stop).
3. Disassemble the phone, heat up the board with an infrared station, remove old chips and solder new ones.

Real cases: A Reddit user (link) has successfully increased RAM on POCO F1 from 6GB to 8GB, but spent 3 days and $150 on it. Another example: a workshop in China offers an upgrade to Xiaomi Mi 10 to 12GB of RAM for ~$200, but without warranty.

Make sure the model supports the upgrade (see 4PDA or XDA)

Buy chips with a stock (in case of marriage in soldering)

Prepare tools: soldering station, flux, thermal paste

Backup data (risk of loss of information ~50%)

Set your mind to a possible failure (not all chips take root)

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⚠️ Note: 90% of Xiaomi models are chips RAM soldered to a processor (SoC) in one case (for example, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1), in which case the upgrade is impossible - you will need to replace the entire chipset, which is equivalent to buying a new phone.

6. Alternative solutions: when nothing helps

If all methods have been tried and RAM is still lacking, consider alternatives:

• 📱 Cloud Games: Services like Xiaomi Game Turbo NVIDIA GeForce NOW Allows you to play heavy projects without loading your phone.
• 🔄 Lightweight versions of apps: Install Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite or Twitter Lite – they consume 2-3 times less RAM.
• 🛒 Buying a new phone: If your model is older than 2020, it might be time to upgrade, POCO F5 8GB RAM worth ~$300 and will last 3-4 years without lags.

For Xiaomi owners with Snapdragon 8xx, there is another life hack: activation of Game Turbo not only for games, but also for regular applications, which prioritizes the allocation of RAM for the active process.

1. Open Settings → Special features → Game Turbo
2. Add the app to the list (like Chrome or Instagram).
3. Enable the option “Performance Priority”.

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Virtual RAM, MIUI optimization and firmware updates add up to 30 percent, and hardware upgrades are only valid for enthusiasts with soldering experience.

FAQ: Frequent questions about RAM on Xiaomi