How to increase RAM on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: real ways without risk

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its 4 GB of RAM (in the basic version) often becomes a bottleneck when working with modern applications. If your phone starts to “slow down”, the applications spontaneously close or the games give an error “Not enough memory” – this is a signal that it is time to optimize the use of RAM or try to expand it.

Unlike PCs, where RAM can be physically added, smartphones only allow RAM expansion through software or hardware specifics. In this article, we will look at all the working ways to increase RAM on the Redmi Note 9, from official MIUI functions to hidden settings and system optimization. Importantly, not all methods will give the same performance gains, so we will evaluate their effectiveness and risks.

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

With the release of MIUI 12.5 and newer versions, Xiaomi has added RAM Expansion, which allows you to use part of the phone’s internal memory as an additional RAM. On the Redmi Note 9, this option works stably, but has limitations.

How to turn on virtual RAM:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → All characteristics.
• 🔧 Find RAM Extension (or Memory Extension in Global Firmware).
• ⚙️ Select the amount of virtual memory: 1 GB, 2 GB or 3 GB (maximum depends on the free space on the drive).
• 🔄 Restart your phone to apply changes.

⚠️ Note: Virtual memory is slower than physical RAM because it uses a flash drive, which is suitable for background tasks (such as holding messengers in memory), but will not speed up games or heavy applications like Photoshop or Lightroom.

Optimizing current RAM: What can be done without root

Before you try to “enhance” RAM, you should make the most of the available 4 GB. MIUI has hidden settings that help free up memory without removing applications.

List of actions for optimization:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management, select a heavy app (like Facebook or Instagram) and click Clear Cache.
• 🚫 Limitation of background processes: C Settings → Battery and productivity → Memory management set a limit of background processes to Standard or Strict.
• 🔄 Disable animations: activate Developer Mode (7 taps according to Version) MIUI In About Phone, then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, install Windows animation = 0.5x and Transition animation = 0.5x.
• 📵 Disabling Autostart: in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-run disable unnecessary apps (especially games and social media).

⚠️ Note: Do not use Google Play memory boosters (such as Clean Master or Google Play). DU Speed Booster: These apps not only don't increase RAM, they also consume additional resources, impairing performance. MIUI It already has built-in optimization tools that work more efficiently.

3. Use of memory card as additional RAM (only for firmware with support)

Some custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) allow you to use a microSD card as a swap partition - an analogue of virtual memory on a PC. MIUI function is missing.

If you are ready for experiments, you can try:

1. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
2. Break up the microSD into two sections: FAT32 (for files) and ext4 (for swaps).
3. Edit /etc/fstab file to mount swap partition.

⚠️ Warning: This method requires an unlocked bootloader and can result in a loss of warranty.Also, Redmi Note 9 use UFS 2.1 for internal memory and microSD (Class) 10/UHS-I) work 10–20 Swap on the memory card will give a minimum increase in performance, but will increase the wear of the drive.

4. firmware update: why the new version of MIUI can "increase" RAM

Xiaomi regularly optimizes the MIUI core for better memory management, for example, MIUI 14 adds Deep Sleep Optimization, which reduces the RAM consumption of background processes by 15-20%. Updating the firmware will not add physical memory, but can effectively increase the available volume through optimization.

How to Upgrade Redmi Note 9 to the Latest Version

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📥 If an update is available, download it (recommended via Wi-Fi).
• 🔋 Make sure the battery is charged >50%.
• 🔄 Click Reboot and Update.

If the official update is not available, you can install global firmware manually via Fastboot or TWRP.

1. Download the latest version of MIUI for Redmi Note 9 (codename merlin) from en.miui.com.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the phone’s memory.
3. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points (menu) → Select an update file.

5. Root access and modification of the core: extreme measures

If you are willing to take risks, getting root rights and modifying the kernel allows you to:

• 🔧 Change the settings of vm.swappiness and vm.vfs_cache_pressure for aggressive memory management.
• 📈 Install Magisk modules, such as: RAM Expander (SWAP) Virtual Memory Tweaks or Virtual Memory Tweaks.
• 🚀 Optimize the task planner (CPU Governor) to prioritize foreground applications.

Instructions for getting root on Redmi Note 9:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account binding and wait 7 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for merlin (Redmi Note 9 model).
3. Run Magisk through TWRP.
4. Install memory management modules (such as RAM Expander).

⚠️ Attention: Root access deprives of warranty and may lead to:

• 🔴 Unstable operation of the system (accidental rebuttals).
• 🔴 Google Pay, Netflix and banking apps (due to SafetyNet).
• 🔴 Poose. OTA-Updates (you will need to update manually).

6. Alternative methods: when increasing RAM will not help

Sometimes the problem isn't memory, but system setup or hardware limitations. Before you experiment with RAM, check:

Signs that the problem is not in the memory:

• 📉 The phone warms and brakes even after rebooting (possibly, the processor trottling due to overheating).
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge (may indicate background malware activity).
• 🎮 Lags in games with free 1.5+ GB RAM (video chip) Mali-G52 Redmi Note 9 is weaker than RAM).

In such cases, it will help:

• 🧊 Reset to factory settings (before that, make a backup via Settings) → Additionally. → Backup).
• 🛠️ Replace thermopaste (if the phone overheats - contact the service).
• 🔧 Retreat to a stable version MIUI (If the lags appeared after the update).

FAQ: Frequent questions about increasing RAM on the Redmi Note 9