How to increase RAM on Xiaomi Redmi 9: everything from virtual RAM to deep optimization

Xiaomi Redmi 9 with its 3 or 4 GB of RAM often starts to slow down after a year or two of active use. Apps fly out, games lag, and multitasking turns into anguish. But what if we say that you can increase RAM on this smartphone without a soldering iron and expensive repair? Yes, physically add memory bars to the phone is impossible — but there are at least 5 working ways to “overclock” existing memory and even create a virtual counterpart.

In this article, we'll look at all the methods available, from the official features of MIUI to the little-known swap-file tricks and zRAM. The important thing is that not all methods are equally effective, and some can even hurt if applied thoughtlessly, so we'll not only tell you how, but also explain why, and also warn you against common mistakes. Start with the simplest, and gradually get to advanced techniques.

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

With MIUI 12.5 and more, Xiaomi’s firmware has introduced RAM Expansion (or RAM Extension) — not a magical increase in physical memory, but a transfer of some of the data from RAM to embedded storage (ROM) that works as a buffer, essentially a swap file in Linux, but adapted for Android.

How it works on Redmi 9:

1. The system reserves 1-3 GB of internal memory (depending on the selected settings).
2. When physical RAM is filled, the least used data is transferred to that reserve.
3. If necessary, the data is returned to RAM.

Performance is certainly falling (because ROM is slower than RAM), but it’s better than shutting down applications altogether.

To activate the function:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Slip on RAM Extension (or RAM Expansion in English version).
3. Select the amount of virtual memory: 1 GB, 2 GB or 3 GB (maximum depends on the free space in the ROM).
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: If you have less than 10GB of storage space left, don’t turn on the 3GB extension. The system will start aggressively cleaning the cache, which will lead to even larger lags.

2. Optimization of current RAM: what takes away memory and how to free it

Before you "enhance" memory, make sure you use what you have efficiently. 9 modestly 3–4 GB of RAM even background processes can eat up to 50% Here's the top of the resource.-5 Memory Eaters and How to Deal With Them:

• 🔄 Autoloading applications: MIUI It is a sin because many programs (including system) are launched at the start of the phone. → Annexes → Auto-start.
• 🎮 Background games: Even closed games (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact can leave processes in memory. Use Memory Cleanup in the notification curtain.
• 📱 Google Duplicate Services: Redmi 9 often runs parallel Google Play services and their counterparts from Xiaomi (for example, com.google.android.gms and com.xiaomi.mipush.sdk). → Annexes → All applications.
• 📊 Analytics and reports: Functions like Mi Analytics or Usage & Diagnostics are constantly monitoring the system. → Additionally. → Confidentiality.
• 🔄 Animations and visual effects: MIUI He loves smooth transitions that eat up RAM. Scale down the animation in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers → Scale of animation).

It’s also worth checking which apps consume the most memory:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort by RAM usage.
3. Remove or limit background activity for the most voracious (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok).

3.Using zRAM/swap: The Hidden Potential of the Android Kernel

If you're ready for a deeper setup, you should look at zRAM (formerly known as swap), which is a RAM compression technology that allows you to "unload" memory by using it more efficiently. On Redmi 9 with a MediaTek Helio G80 processor and a Linux kernel zRAM, it is already on by default, but its settings can be optimized.

How to check and configure zRAM:

1. Install Terminal Emulator from Google Play.
2. Type the command: su -c "cat /proc/swaps" If you see a line with /dev/block/zram0, then zRAM is active.
3. To increase the size of zRAM (root rights required), use: su -c "echo 2G > /sys/block/zram0/disksize" Here 2G is the size (you can specify 1G, 3G, etc.).

Without root rights, you can try an alternative method through ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers.
2. Enter the PC command line: adb shell settings put global swap_frequency 100 This increases the frequency of swap use.

⚠️ Note: Do not set the zRAM size to more than 50% of physical RAM. for example, if you have 3 GB RAM, maximum for zRAM - 1.5 GB. Otherwise, the system will begin to "choke" in data exchanges.

4.Alternative firmware: more RAM due to optimization of MIUI

The MIUI stock firmware on Redmi 9 is far from ideal: it is overloaded with unnecessary services, advertising and background processes. Switching to custom firmware (for example, LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Havoc-OS) can free up to 1-1.5 GB of RAM due to:

• 🧹 Delete Bloatware (pre-installed applications Xiaomi, Google, Facebook, etc.).
• ⚡ Optimized core with better support for zRAM and LMK (Low Memory Killer).
• 🛠️ The ability to fine-tune build.prop (e.g., parameter) ro.config.low_ram).
• 🔄 More aggressive memory management (e.g., closing background processes after 5 minutes of inactivity).

Instructions for installing custom firmware:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account binding and wait 7 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi 9 (the version must match the model: Lancelot for the global version).
3. Download firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience for lancelot) and GApps (if you need Google services).
4. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
5. Install firmware and GApps, then restart.

Results after switching to Pixel Experience 12 (based on Redmi 9 user tests):

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware resets the warranty and can lead to a brick of the phone if the wrong version is selected or the sequence of actions is broken. L1 for Netflix HD) They may stop working.

5. Physical increase of RAM: myth or reality?

On the Internet, there are often "instructions" for soldering additional memory chips on the Redmi 9 board.

• ❌ Impossible for 99% of users: RAM chips on Redmi 9 soldered on the motherboard (model) LPDDR4X), Replacing them requires professional equipment (BGA-Microscope, station, experience with ball grid array).
• ❌ Cost of work will exceed the price of the phone (on AliExpress, the new Redmi 9 can be bought for the first time) ~10 000 ₽, And rations will cost 5,000 to 8,000. ₽).
• ❌ Risky: Even with successful soldering, there is no guarantee that the system will recognize the new memory (requires firmware bootloader and kernel with support for new volume).

The only real way to physically increase RAM is to buy another phone, but if it's critical that you keep the Redmi 9, consider:

• 🔄 Trade-in:Svyaznoy or MTS offer a discount on a new smartphone when you pass the old one. Redmi 9 in good condition can get up to 5 000 ₽.
• 🛠️ Upgrade repairs: Some service centers offer replacement of the motherboard with an analogue with a large amount of RAM (for example, from 3 GB to 4 GB), but it is worth it. ~3 000–4 000 ₽ and not always justified.

💡

Physically boosting RAM on Redmi 9 is technically possible, but it doesn’t make any economic sense: It’s better to optimize current memory or consider buying a new phone.

6 Myths about increasing RAM: what not to do

There are a lot of “advice” that are not only not helpful, but can also harm your Redmi 9.

• 🚫 «RAM cleaning applications: Programs like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster doesn't increase memory, it just shuts down processes, and it has the paradoxical effect of spending even more resources restarting applications.
• 🚫 «Paging file on SD-Some “gurus” advise creating a swap file on a microSD. This is a very bad idea: the speed of reading / writing a memory card is 10 to 100 times lower than that of the memory card. ROM, And the constant recording operations will quickly kill her.
• 🚫 «Change build.prop": You can find instructions on how to edit a file on the network /system/build.prop (For example, add the line dalvik.vm.heapsize=512m). On current versions of Android, this doesn’t work and can lead to bootloop.
• 🚫 «Shutdown MIUI Optimization: In older versions MIUI This trick has increased productivity, but in MIUI 12.5+ Disabling optimization leads to shell failures (for example, gestures stop working or a dark topic stop working).

If you want to experiment, at least back up your TWRP or ADB Backup:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

💡

Before you manipulate the system, check how much free memory remains after the reboot. If less than 1 GB, optimize your current RAM first, rather than trying to “enhance” it.

7.Outcomes: What really works and what is a waste of time

To draw a line, of all the methods we've looked at, the real effect is:

Our advice is to start by optimizing your current RAM and RAM Expansion. If that’s not enough, try custom firmware (but only if you’re risk-averse), techniques like swap on SD or magic memory cleaner apps aren’t worth your time.

And remember, the Redmi 9 is a budget smartphone, and its hardware limitations won’t magically disappear. If you want real multitasking, consider switching to a model with 6–8GB of RAM (like the Redmi Note 11 or the POCO X4 Pro).

FAQ: Frequent questions about increasing RAM on Redmi 9