How to increase RAM on Xiaomi phone: real ways and myths

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi has started to slow down, apps are spontaneously shutting down, and multitasking has turned into anguish? The reason is often a lack of RAM. Smartphone manufacturers are saving on this component by offering models with 4-8 GB RAM Even in 2026, games and apps are increasingly demanding resources.

In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to increase RAM on Xiaomi – from official functions MIUI It's important to understand that you can't physically add memory to a smartphone (unlike a PC), but there are ways to expand it virtually and optimize it. We tested each method on Redmi Note 12 Pro models.+, POCO X5 Pro and Xiaomi 13T — You'll be surprised by the results.

Spoiler: Not all methods are equally effective. Some of the performance gains are up to 30 percent in synthetic tests, and some of the time you're wasting. Read carefully, we've noted which ones actually work and which are marketing tricks.

1. Virtual RAM in MIUI: how to turn it on and is it worth it?

The easiest way to “increase” RAM on Xiaomi is to activate the virtual memory function (RAM It uses a part of the built-in storage (ROM) It's not new, it's even used in Windows, but it's only recently been introduced in mobile devices.

How does it work? It allocates 1 to 3 GB of internal memory to the cache of commonly used applications. RAM, But it allows you to keep the backgrounds longer, and in practice, you can see that multitasking increases, but don't expect miracles: in games or heavy applications like Lightroom Mobile, the difference is minimal.

How to turn on the virtual RAM Xiaomi:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Additionally. → Virtual memory
• ⚙️ Select volume: 1 GB, 2 GB or 3 GB (depending on model)
• 🔄 Restart the device (required!)

Important: Virtual memory doesn't increase performance in games. It's useful for multitasking -- like when you switch between Telegram, Chrome and YouTube. RAM, Don’t expect 3GB of virtual to turn your smartphone into a flagship.

⚠️ Note: On models with eMMC memory (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) virtual RAM These chips have a limited record life, and frequent overwriting of the cache reduces their lifespan.

2. System optimization: exempt RAM rootless

Before you “increase” memory, it is worth checking whether it is not wasted. MIUI It's known for its voracious interface, and background processes often take up to 40 percent of RAM. Here's how to reduce their appetite:

Step 1: Turn off auto-run of unnecessary applications:

• 🚫 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Auto-start
• 🔍 Sort the list by date of last use
• 🗑️ Disable Autoplay for underutilized programs (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Browser, Games)

Step 2: Limit background activity:

• 📵 In the same Application Management menu, select Background Activity
• 🔄 For most applications, set Restricted or Manual mode
• ⚠️ Exception: messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps) are better left without restrictions

Step 3: Remove the cache of system applications

Cash. MIUI Launcher, Security and other system services can take up to 1-2 GB. Cleanup will not delete important data, but will free up memory:

1. Press the application icon (such as Settings) on your desktop
2. Select Application Information → Warehouse → Clear the cache
3. Repeat for MIUI Daemon, Security and Theme Manager

These actions will not increase the physical volume. RAM, But they'll free up 20 to 30 percent of the RAM that was previously spent on background processes, and the effect is particularly noticeable on smartphones with 4 to 6 GB of RAM.

3. Use of the microSD card as RAM: myth?

There are many instructions on the Internet to turn a microSD card into RAM on Xiaomi. Spoiler: this doesn't work on modern smartphones.

Older versions of Android (up to 7.0) had a swap feature that allowed you to use part of the drive as virtual memory.

• ❌ MIUI Android 10 based+ Does not support swap at the core level
• ❌ Speed of even the fastest microSD UHS-II 10-20 times lower than the physical RAM
• ❌ Any apps that require root to “activate swap” are fraudulent.

If you see a video or article with the title “How to increase the number of people you see” RAM Xiaomi with a flash drive, know: this is either outdated information (for Android 5.1) or outright deception. At best, you will waste time, at worst, install malware.

⚠️ Attention: Apps like RAM Expander (SWAP) or ROEHSOFT RAM-Expander requires root rights and kernel modifications, which Xiaomi will lose warranty and risk building the device, and even with root, the effect will be minimal due to hardware constraints.

4. Root and kernel modification: extreme measures

If you're willing to sacrifice warranty and stability for experimentation, there are ways to actually increase Xiaomi's RAM -- but they require a lot of technical knowledge.

1. Overclocking RAM (increasing the frequency of the bus) RAM)
2. Modifications to support swap or zRAM
3. Chip replacement RAM (only for experienced craftsmen)

Let’s look at each method in more detail:

1.Acceleration RAM

Some Qualcomm processors (e.g. Snapdragon) 865/870/888) They allow you to increase the frequency of RAM through an engineering menu or custom cores:

• ⚡ The increase will be 5-15% in synthetic tests, but the difference will be invisible in real tasks.
• 🔥 Overheating and accelerated wear of the chip RAM — inevitable consequences
• 🛠️ Requires unlocking the loader and installing a custom recaveri (TWRP)

Core modification for zRAM

zRAM is a compression technology in RAM that allows you to “efficiently increase” its volume. On some firmware (for example, Pixel Experience or LineageOS), it works better than a standard virtual memory. RAM into MIUI.

How to turn on zRAM:

1. Install a custom core with zRAM support (e.g. FrancoKernel or Kirisakura)
2. In the file /sys/block/zram0/disksize Set the required size (e.g., echo) 2G > /sys/block/zram0/disksize)
3. Activate compression via sysctl vm.swappiness=100

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly configuring zRAM can lead to data loss or looping of the system.Before experimenting, make a full backup through TWRP.

3. Chip replacement RAM

Theoretically possible on models with a jackable memory chip (for example, Xiaomi Mi 10 or Black Shark 3).

• 💰 The cost of work will exceed the price of the smartphone
• 🔧 Requires soldering equipment and experience with BGA-chip
• ⚠️ Risk of damage to the motherboard - 90%

5. Alternative ways: what really works?

If you don’t want to risk the system’s guarantee or stability, pay attention to indirect optimization methods. RAM. They won’t increase memory capacity, but they will make it more efficient to use:

1. Use the “Light” versions of the applications

Many popular services have lightweight versions that take less time. RAM:

• 📘 Facebook Lite instead of Facebook (saving up to 300MB)
• 💬 Messenger Lite instead of Messenger (saving up to 200 MB)
• 🌐 Chrome Go or Brave Browser instead of Google Chrome

2. Set up process limitation

Android has a hidden setting that limits the number of background processes to change:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone)
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For Developers
3. Find Process Limitation and set a process maximum of 2

This will forcefully close the unnecessary background applications, freeing up the RAM. Disadvantages: Some notifications may be delayed.

3. Disable unnecessary system services

V MIUI There are many background services that can be safely disabled:

• 📡 Mi Cloud Sync (if you don’t use Xiaomi Cloud)
• 📊 User Experience Program (Graphics)
• 🎵 Music FX Mi Sound Enhancer (unless you use a standard player)

To turn off:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → All applications
2. Find the right service and click Disable.

💡

If errors appear after disabling system applications, return them through Settings → Annexes → Show all applications → Disconnected

Comparison of methods: which to choose?

To make it easier for you to navigate, we've put together a table of the pros and cons of each method, and we've given a 5-point scale of performance (🌟 — minimal, 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 — maximum):

As you can see from the table, the optimal balance between efficiency and security is system optimization and the use of lightweight applications. RAM It's moderate, but it's good for beginners, and root or iron replacement methods should only be considered in extreme cases.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to “boost” RAM on Xiaomi, users often make critical mistakes, and here are the most common ones and how to avoid them:

Error 1: Installation of “optimizers” RAM» Play Market

Apps like this RAM Booster, Clean Master or DU Speed Boosters not only don't help, they also harm the system:

• 🔄 Forced to close the background processes, which increases battery consumption (applications have to restart)
• 📊 Collect your data and display aggressive advertising
• 🛑 They may conflict with MIUI Optimizer, calling out lags

Error 2: Using a tasker for manual cleaning RAM

Many users are constantly opening the settings → Annexes → Cleanup RAM, I think it's going to speed up the smartphone:

• 🔄 Android controls memory itself – forced cleaning knocks down its algorithms
• ⚡ Frequent cleaning increases the workload on the processor (apps have to restart)
• 📉 This can lead to loss of unsaved data in open applications.

Error 3: Disabling all background processes

In pursuit of the free RAM Some turn off all background processes through Settings → Battery → Battery management. Consequences:

• 📵 Notices from messengers do not come
• 📍 Geolocation stops working in the background (for example, in Google Maps)
• 🔕 Calls may not appear on the lock screen

⚠️ Note: If after "optimization» RAM The smartphone has started to reboot or issue errors on its own, return the default settings immediately.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions