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

Lack of RAM is one of the most common causes of brakes on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones. Even flagship models eventually start to “hang” due to background processes, heavy games and multitasking. But don’t rush to buy a new phone: you can increase RAM on Xiaomi Redmi software, and in some cases even hardware methods.

In this article, we'll look at 7 proven ways, including official MIUI features, hidden developer settings, and advanced tricks for power users. Importantly, not all methods are equally effective - somewhere the increase will be 1-2 GB of virtual memory, and somewhere will help to free up to 30% of physical RAM through optimization. Let's start with the safest and end with solutions for enthusiasts.

⚠️ Warning: Methods with root rights or changing system files can lead to loss of warranty and unstable operation of the device.Before experimenting, back up the data via Settings → Memory. → Backup.

1. Virtual RAM in MIUI: the official way from Xiaomi

Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi has added RAM Expansion to the firmware, which allows you to use part of the internal memory as virtual RAM, a method that does not require root rights and works on most Redmi models (from the Note 10 and later).

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → About the phone and tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
2. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Special features → Memory (on some models, the path may differ: Settings → Memory → RAM Expansion).
3. Activate the slider and select the amount of virtual RAM: 1 GB, 2 GB or 3 GB (maximum depends on the model).

⚠️ Attention: Virtual RAM It's not a physical one, it's just a way for the system to switch between applications faster. It's almost unaffected by game performance (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile), but it speeds up multitasking.

The effectiveness of the method depends on the model:

2. Optimization of RAM through the developer settings

There are a few parameters hidden in MIUI that help you free up to 20 to 30 percent of RAM without installing third-party applications, which do not increase the physical volume of RAM, but make the system manage it more efficiently.

Instructions:

1. Activate the developer mode (see previous section).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find and turn on: 🔄 Limit background processes → Select a Maximum 2 process (saves up to 500MB of RAM). ⚡ Not to keep up the action → Turns off the animation cache, speeds up work. 📱 Shut down. HW-Overlays (for experienced only! can cause artifacts graphics).

Memory.

Cleaning RAM when blocking the screen

⚠️ Attention: Limiting background processes to 1-2 will cause messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) to reboot when switching. Optimally 3 processes for balance between performance and convenience.

Turn off window animation|Limit background processes to 3|Energize cleaning RAM lock-in|Shut down. HW-overlays (optional)|-->

To check the result, use the AIDA64 application (System → Memory Usage section), which should increase 15-25% more free RAM after optimization.

3. Cleaning the system: garbage and cache removal

Up to 1-1.5 GB of RAM can take up temporary file debris, app cache and duplicate media. Regular cleaning not only frees up RAM, but also speeds up the work of Redmi as a whole.

Cleaning methods:

• 🧹 Built-in utility MIUI: Settings → Memory. → Cleanup → Select Deep Cleanup and delete unnecessary files (APK, logs, time data).
• 🗑️ Manual cleaning of the cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → cache-sorting → top-cleaning-10 applications.
• 📂 Removing duplicates: Use Files by Google or CCleaner to find repetitive photos/videos.

To automate cleaning, install SD Maid (requires root for deep cleaning) or All-In-One Toolbox.

• 🔍 Find “zombie” files (remnants of deleted applications).
• 📉 Optimize databases (accelerate access to memory).
• 🚫 Block Autoloading of Unnecessary Services.

⚠️ Warning: After deep cleaning, some apps (Facebook, Instagram) can take longer to load on the first run – this is normal, as cache is recollected.

4.Use of the memory card as RAM (root only)

This is a method that works for Redmi with microSD and root rights, and the idea is to create a swap partition on a memory card that will be used as additional RAM, up to 2 GB of virtual RAM, but the speed will be lower than that of physical memory.

Step-by-step:

1. Get root rights through Magisk or TWRP.
2. Install Terminal Emulator from Google Play.
3. Insert microSD (class no lower than UHS-I, volume from 16 GB).
4. In the terminal, enter the commands: su mkswap /dev/block/mmcblk1p1 2G # We create a swap section. 2 GB swapon /dev/block/mmcblk1p1 # activate ⚠️ Replace. mmcblk1p1 The current path to your map (you can find out through ls) /dev/block).
5. To enable swap automatically, add swapon /dev/block/mmcblk1p1 to /system/etc/init.d/99swap (create it if not).

Cons of the method:

• ⚠️ Memory card wears out faster (limited number of write cycles).
• ⏳ Slows down the system when swap is used intensively.
• 🔋 Increases battery consumption by 5-10%.

An alternative for non-root devices is to use applications like ROEHSOFT RAM-Expander, but they require a swap-enabled kernel (not all Redmis).

5. Disabling unnecessary system applications

MIUI is known for its abundance of pre-installed services that are constantly hanging on RAM, even if you are not using them. Disabling unnecessary applications can free up to 500 MB-1 GB of RAM.

List of safe to disable applications (without root):

• 🎵 Mi Music (if you use Spotify or YouTube Music).
• 📺 Mi Video and Mi TV (If you don’t watch the video through a standard player).
• 📰 Mi Browser (replace with Chrome or Firefox).
• 🛒 Mi Pay, Mi Credit (not working in Russia and most CIS countries).
• 📡 Analytics, MSA (Xiaomi statistics collection services).

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the unnecessary application → Disable (do not delete!).
3. To completely remove system applications, root and Titanium Backup or System App Remover are required.

⚠️ Attention: Don't turn it off:

Security (antivirus and permission manager)

Google Play Services (required for most applications)

MIUI Daemon (responsible for system updates)

To check the result, use the command in ADB:

adb shell dumpsys meminfo

Look for Total RAM and Available RAM – the difference should increase after disabling unnecessary services.

6.Scarface-enabled firmware (ZRAM)

For advanced users, there is a way to increase RAM through ZRAM, which is RAM compression technology, which allows you to "unload" physical RAM by compressing unused processes, which requires an unlocked bootloader and custom firmware.

Suitable firmware for Redmi:

• 📱 Pixel Experience (Pure Android with Optimized Memory Management).
• 🔧 LineageOS (supports) ZRAM box).
• ⚡ Corvus OS Project Elixir (special settings for gamers).

How to turn on ZRAM:

1. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
2. Sweep through the selected firmware (instructions on the 4PDA or XDA-Developers forum).
3. In the kernel settings (Settings → Kernel Settings), find the ZRAM section and activate it.
4. Choose the compression algorithm: LZ4 (speed and compression balance) or Zstd (maximum compression).

ZRAM performance:

⚠️ Attention: Castom firmware may contain bugs. Check reviews before installing 4PDA For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro runs the Pixel Experience 13 and the Redmi. 9T — LineageOS 20.

7 Hardware increase in RAM: is it possible?

Unlike computers, Xiaomi Redmi smartphones do not support hardware extension of RAM - memory soldered to the motherboard.

Hybrid Memory Models (Virtual RAM 3.0)

Some new Redmis (such as the Redmi K60 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Turbo) feature Virtual RAM 3.0 technology, which allows up to 8 GB of internal memory as RAM. This is not a software trick, but a hardware feature implemented at the chipset level (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Dimensity 8200).

2. Replacement of motherboard

Theoretically, you can replace the board with a version with a large amount of RAM (for example, with the Redmi Note 11 4/64 GB at 6/128 GB).

• ❌ The cost of repair is comparable to buying a new phone.
• ❌ Risk of damaging the device (sweeping station and experience required).
• ❌ Loss of warranty and IMEI (if the fee is not original).

FAQ: Frequent questions about increasing RAM on Xiaomi Redmi