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

Your Xiaomi has started to “slow down” when starting games or switching between applications? the screen twitches and the system gives a notification “Not enough memory”? The reason is most often a lack of RAM. Unlike flagships Samsung or Apple, the budget and mid-budget models of Redmi and POCO often come with only 4-6 GB of RAM – this is enough for 1-2 years of active use, but over time the system is “clogged” with background processes.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to increase RAM on Xiaomi – from official MIUI features to hidden settings and hardware solutions. Importantly, not all methods are equally effective, and some can even harm the device. We will honestly talk about the pros and cons of each approach so that you can choose the best option for your model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 Lite, etc.).

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

Since 2021, Xiaomi has added a 12.5+ virtual RAM (RAM Expansion) feature to MIUI firmware, which allows you to borrow up to 3-8 GB of memory from an embedded drive (UFS or eMMC) and use them as a RAM. Sounds tempting, but in practice the effect depends on the model and the type of memory.

To activate the virtual RAM:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → All characteristics.
• 🔧 Click 5-7 times on the “RAM” line (the menu will appear). RAM Expansion).
• 📈 Select the amount of virtual memory (we recommend no more than 3 GB for devices with eMMC).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Virtual RAM It only works with models with MIUI 12.5-14 and not supported on older smartphones (Redmi) 9A, Mi A3 It also reduces the amount of storage available and can accelerate the wear and tear of flash memory when used frequently.

System Optimization: How to Free RAM Without Root

Before you build up your memory, try to free up your existing memory. MIUI has hidden tools for controlling background processes that consume up to 30-40% of RAM.

Optimization methods:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management, select heavy games (like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) and click Clear Cache».
• ⚙️ Limiting background processes: Enable Settings mode → Battery → Performance mode → Light (limits background activity).
• 🚫 Disable AutoRun: In the same App Management menu, ban autorunning for instant messengers and social networks (Facebook, TikTok).
• 🔄 Reboot: Every 2-3 days, reboot your phone – it resets the “hang” processes, taking up to 1-1.5 GB RAM.

Remove unused apps | Clear cache in games and social networks | Turn off autostart for 5+ apps | Activate Easy mode in battery settings |Reboot phone-->

⚠️ Note: Do not use "optimizers" RAM» from Google Play, for example, RAM Booster or Clean Master: These programs often contain advertising software and do not increase the actual memory capacity, but only force processes to close, which can lead to failures.

3.Use of microSD as RAM (root only)

On Android, there is a swap file technology that allows you to use a portion of a microSD card or internal memory as virtual RAM. However, on Xiaomi, this method requires unlocking the bootloader and root rights, which deprives you of warranties and increases the risk of “bricking” the device.

If you are ready for experiments, follow the instructions:

1. Install Magisk and Swap Enabler.
2. In Termux or through ADB, execute the command: su swapon /dev/block/zmnxx (replace to your section)
3. Check the result in Settings → Memory.

📊 Efficiency of the method:

4. firmware update: why the new MIUI can give +1GB of RAM

Xiaomi regularly optimizes the MIUI core for better memory management. For example, MIUI 14 adds a Deep Clean feature that frees up to 1 GB of RAM by compressing background processes. Upgrading to the latest firmware can give performance gains without hardware changes.

How to update:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📥 If a new version is available, download it (preferably via Wi-Fi).
• ⚠️ Before updating, make a backup copy to Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F3) post-update MIUI 14 users complained about increased battery consumption. If the phone started to run out faster after the update, try resetting to factory settings (Settings) → Reset).

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Before updating, check the firmware reviews for your model on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forum. For example, for Redmi Note 11, MIUI 14.0.4 is known for an overheating bug that only fixes 14.0.6.

5. Hardware expansion of RAM: is it real?

Unlike computers, you can't increase the physical RAM on a smartphone -- the RAM chips are soldered to the motherboard.

1. Replacement of the motherboard with a version with a large volume RAM (For example, from 4 GB to 6 GB. It's expensive (from 5,000 GB). ₽) It is suitable only for flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Black Shark 5).
2. Buy a model with a lot of RAM. For example, the POCO X5 Pro in the basic configuration comes with 6 GB of RAM, but for an additional fee you can take the version with 8 GB.

📌 Hardware expansion is only suitable for gamers or users working with heavy applications (Lightroom, Premiere Rush). 6 GB is enough for everyday tasks (social networks, video, navigation). RAM + virtualization.

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Physically increasing RAM on 99% of Xiaomi smartphones is impossible, and the only real way is to buy a model with more memory when you first buy it.

6. Alternative methods: what doesn't work (and why)

There are dozens of tips on how to increase RAM on Xiaomi on the Internet, but most of them are myths or outright deception.

• ❌ «Wonder Apps from the Play Market (e.g, RAM Expander or Memory Booster: They only close the background processes, but they don't add real memory, and many of them contain viruses or display false "critical level" notifications. RAM».
• ❌ Change the build.prop file. Some “gurus” advise editing the dalvik.vm.heapsize string, allegedly increasing RAM. This is actually a parameter for a Dalvik machine (an outdated Android virtual environment), and changing it does not affect physical memory.
• ❌ Shutdown MIUI-Switching to a “pure Android” (for example, via LineageOS) does not add to the problem. RAM, It's just changing the way it's used. A2, Mi A3) It even impairs performance due to lack of optimizations from Xiaomi.

🔍 How to distinguish working method from myth? Check the information on official resources:

• 🌐 Xiaomi official website (support section).
• 📖 Documentation. MIUI on miui.com.
• 💬 Forums 4PDA or XDA Developers (Look for themes with a tagline) [GUIDE]).

7.What method to choose for your Xiaomi model?

The effectiveness of the methods depends on the phone model, the version of MIUI and the type of memory, and we have compiled a table of recommendations:

💡 Tip: Before trying radical methods (root, swap), check the real boot RAM In Settings → The phone. → Status of the system → Memory: If you have more than 1 GB of free, the problem is not with RAM, but with optimizing applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about increasing RAM on Xiaomi