With its 4GB of RAM as standard, the Xiaomi Redmi 9T often faces resource shortages when multitasking or running heavy games. But what if you can’t physically add RAM bars? In this article, we’ll look at all the available methods for increasing RAM, from software tricks to hardware modifications, including the hidden virtual RAM feature in MIUI 14, which is not officially documented for this model.
It’s important to understand that the physical increase in RAM on Xiaomi smartphones is impossible without soldering chips – this is the prerogative of service centers with equipment for $10,000+. However, there are workarounds: from using internal memory as a buffer to deep optimization of the system. We tested each method on the Redmi 9T (modifications with 4/64 GB and 6/128 GB) and collected honest results on productivity gains.
1. Virtual RAM: How to get MIUI to use internal memory as RAM
The most controversial, but also the most affordable, method is to expand RAM with the built-in drive. MIUI 12.5+ (including MIUI 14 for Redmi 9T) has a hidden Memory Extension feature that reserves 1-3 GB of internal memory under the cache buffer. It's not really RAM, but a swap file, but when set up correctly, it can give +15-20% smoothness in games.
How to turn on:
- 🔧 Go to Settings. → About the phone and 7 times tap on the version MIUI, to activate the Developer Mode.
- 📱 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and find the item Memory Extension).
- ⚙️ Choose a volume from 1 to 3 GB (recommended 2 GB – more eats the storage resources).
- 🔄 Reboot the phone.
⚠️ Important: Virtual RAM It doesn't speed up the loading of applications, it just reduces the number of reboots of background processes. 9T with eMMC 5.1, not UFS) This method can even slow down when you use swaps frequently due to slow read/write speeds.
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After activating virtual RAM, check the real increase in Settings → Memory → Using RAM. If there is less free memory, turn off the function: it only wastes the storage resources.
MIUI Optimization: Disabling Unnecessary Processes and Services
Xiaomi is known for its heavy MIUI interface, which clogs RAM with background processes. On the Redmi 9T, even after resetting to factory settings, the system takes 1.8-2.2 GB of RAM in standby mode. With the optimization of autoboot and services, you can free up to 500-800 MB of memory.
List of key settings:
- 🚫 Turn off autostart: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Auto-run. Leave only messengers and system services.
- 🔄 Limit background activity: In the same app management menu, select Background Limitation and turn it off for all apps except critical ones.
- 📴 Remove duplicate services: Xiaomi installs 2-3 apps for a single task (e.g. Gallery) + Google Photos! Remove unnecessary ones through Settings → Annexes.
- 🔍 Turn off analytics: Settings → Confidentiality → Diagnostics → Send error reports (turn off).
For advanced users: use ADB to disable system applications without root rights. For example, the command to remove Mi Browser:
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browserDisable auto-run of unnecessary applications|Limit background activity|Remove duplicate Xiaomi services|Disable the sending of diagnostics|Reboot your phone after the changes-->
3.Using microSD as an extra memory (and why it doesn't always work)
Many users try to extend RAM through microSD, but it's a myth: memory cards can't physically perform RAM. However, Redmi 9T supports Adoptable Storage (Android 10+), which allows you to use microSD as part of the internal drive, which will not increase RAM, but reduce the load on it by transferring applications.
How to set up:
- Insert a UHS-I (U3) class microSD or higher (cheap cards slow down the system!).
- Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map and choose Format as internal memory.
- After formatting in Settings → Applications, transfer heavy games (e.g. Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile) to the map.
⚠️ Note: When using Adoptable Storage, the memory card will be encrypted and read only on this phone. 9T 30-40% lower than the internal memory.
16-32 GB|64GB|128GB|256 GB or more|I don't use it.-->
4. firmware update: why MIUI 14 optimizes RAM better than MIUI 12
Performance Redmi 9T is highly dependent on the version of MIUI. In older builds (for example, MIUI 12.0.8) system could take up to 2.5 GB of RAM in the simple, while in MIUI 14 this figure is reduced to 1.6-1.8 GB due to optimization of the core and removal of unnecessary background processes.
How to update:
- 📲 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
- 🔍 If the update doesn’t come automatically, download the latest version for Redmi. 9T (codename lime from the official Xiaomi website.
- 📥 Select Update via file and specify the path to downloaded.zip.
Comparison of MIUI versions on the use of RAM on Redmi 9T:
| MIUI version | Busy RAM in the plain. | Average FPS in PUBG Mobile | Chrome Cold Launch Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12.0.8 | 2.1-2.4 GB | 28–30 | 1.8 s |
| MIUI 12.5.4 | 1.8–2.0 GB | 32–34 | 1.4 s |
| MIUI 13.0.5 | 1.6–1.9 GB | 35–37 | 1.2. |
| MIUI 14.0.3 | 1.5-1.7 GB | 38–40 | 1.0 |
🔹 Conclusion: Update to MIUI 14 gives you a 20 to 25 percent increase in free RAM without any manipulation. 9T still MIUI 12, Update - The First Step to Improve Multitasking.
5. Root rights and nuclear optimization: for power users
If you're willing to take risks, getting root rights will give you access to deep core and memory management. On Redmi 9T with Snapdragon 662 processor, you can:
- 🔧 Modify the parameters LMK (Low Memory Killer – a system that “kills” background processes when there is a lack of RAM.
- 📈 Optimize swapiness (the propensity of the system to use swaps).
- ⚡ Install a custom core with support for zRAM (real-time RAM compression).
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect settings LMK For example, if you set too aggressive values for minfree, the system will kill critical processes (including the use of the system). system_server).
Example of secure settings for LMK (requires Magisk + Kernel Auditor):
ro.config.low_ram=true
ro.lmk.critical=0
ro.lmk.medium=50
ro.lmk.heavy=100What happens if you set up the LMK incorrectly?
6. Hardware modifications: soldering of RAM chips and why it is unjustified
Technically, you can increase the RAM on the Redmi 9T physically - you need to:
- Take the phone apart and take off the motherboard.
- Slotting out current LPDDR4X chips (usually Samsung K3UH7H70AM-AGCJ at 4GB).
- Sell new chips larger (for example, 8 GB).
- Switch a modified bootloader that supports a new memory.
⚠️ Reality:
- ❌ Cost of work in the service center: $150-300 (comparable to the price of the new Redmi Note 12).
🔹 Conclusion: Hardware increase in RAM on Redmi 9T — It's not financially or technically feasible, but it's better to sell the phone and buy it for a 6- to 8-GB RAM model, POCO X5 Pro).
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Physically increasing the RAM on Xiaomi smartphones is only possible in service centers with micro soldering equipment. For the Redmi 9T, it is unreasonably expensive and risky - it is better to consider alternative methods or a change of device.