How to increase RAM on Xiaomi Redmi 9: proven methods and life hacks

Xiaomi Redmi 9 with its 3 or 4 GB of RAM eventually begins to “slow down” — especially if you are actively using multitasking, modern games or resource-intensive applications. Limited RAM becomes a bottleneck, even despite the optimization of MIUI. But what if you can not physically replace memory? In this article, we will analyze all the available ways to increase RAM, from software tricks to hardware solutions, including their pros, cons and hidden pitfalls.

Many users mistakenly confuse RAM with internal storage (ROM), but these are fundamentally different things: RAM is responsible for the speed of applications in real time, and ROM is responsible for the storage of files. We will focus on RAM, because its lack manifests itself in hangings, dropouts of applications and slow switching between tasks. It is important to understand that physical increase of RAM on Redmi 9 without soldering is impossible – all the methods below work through optimization or emulation.

Before you make any changes, check your current memory status: Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory & Storage → RAM. If less than 20% is free, it’s time to act!

1.Using microSD as virtual RAM (Swap)

One of the most common methods is to turn a memory card into an additional one. SWAP-This method is suitable for Redmi 9 with support for microSDXC (up to 512 GB). However, there are nuances: the speed depends on the class of the card (recommended). UHS-I Class 10 or higher) and continuous use SWAP shorten her service life.

Activation will require:

1. Install a memory card (at least 16 GB, class 10).
2. Format it in ext4 or F2FS (via TWRP or terminal).
3. Set up SWAP-file through applications like ROEHSOFT RAM-EXPANDER SwapFile.

⚠️ Note: Not all firmware MIUI support SWAP «On custom builds (e.g. PixelExperience), the function is more stable, but requires unlocking the bootloader. SWAP It does not replace physical RAM – it only smoothes peak loads.

2. Optimizing MIUI for RAM Freeing

MIUI is known for its voracious interface, but it has hidden tools to free up memory, such as Easy Mode (Settings → Special Options → Easy Mode) which disables animations and background processes, saving up to 300-500MB of RAM. Another trick is to limit background applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select AutoRun and disable it for unnecessary programs.
3. In Battery and Performance → Memory Management, activate “Memory Cleanup.”

It's also helpful to turn off MIUI-system-apps:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.home

This team will return the standard Android launcher, which will save ~200 MB of RAM

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Regularly check the section Settings → Memory → Cleaning – there accumulate caches that “eat” up to 1-1.5 GB of RAM.

3. Installation of custom firmware with support for zRAM

zRAM (RAM compression) technology allows you to efficiently increase the available memory without physical changes. In stock MIUI, it works poorly, but in custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or ArrowOS), it can be customized for specific tasks.

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Install TWRP and run the firmware with zRAM support.
3. In /sys/block/zram0/disksize, set the virtual memory size (e.g. echo 2G > /sys/block/zram0/disksize).

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect zRAM settings can cause the processor to overheat (especially on Helio) G80, The optimal size of zRAM is 50-100% of physical RAM. For example, for 4 GB of real memory, 2 GB of zRAM is enough.

4.Use of applications to extend RAM

Google Play has utilities that promise to “enhance RAM” — like RAM Expander, Swapfile, or RAM Booster — most of which work on the SWAP principle (as in the first method), but some use internal memory caching, such as RAM Expander creating a paging file to /data, which is faster than a microSD, but shortens the life of flash memory.

Before installation, check:

• 🔹 Root rights (most utilities require them to work).
• 🔹 Compatibility with MIUI (Some apps are in conflict with Xiaomi optimizations).
• 🔹 User reviews of Redmi 9 (for example, in topics on the Internet) 4PDA or XDA-Developers).

⚠️ Note: Apps like Game Booster or RAM Xiaomi’s Cleaner doesn’t increase RAM – it just kills background processes.This can make multitasking worse, as apps will reboot when they return to them.

Install a Class 10| memory card

Make a backup of data |

Get root rights (if necessary)|

Shut down. MIUI-Optimization in the Developer Settings-->

5. Hardware solution: replacement of motherboard

The only way to physically increase RAM on the Redmi 9 is to replace the motherboard with a version with a large amount of memory. For example, the Redmi 9 model was released in versions with 3/32 GB, 4/64 GB and 4/128 GB. Boards from versions with 4 GB of RAM are compatible with the 3-gigabyte model body, but you will need:

• 🔧 Complete disassembly of the phone (risk of damage to plumes).
• 💰 Donor fees at a cost ~3000–5,000 rubles (for 2026).
• 🔨 Soldering work (if you need to transfer the memory chip).

This method is not recommended for beginners - errors when replacing can lead to a complete loss of the phone's performance.It is better to contact the service center with experience with Xiaomi. The cost of work will be 1,500-3,000 rubles in addition to the price of the fee.

6. Alternative methods: cloud solutions and remote RAM

If all of the above methods don’t work, consider cloud services that transfer some of the computation to the server, such as:

• 🖥️ Shadow PC GeForce NOW — play games on a remote PC.
• 📱 Samsung DeX (via emulation) or Microsoft Cloud PC — heavy-duty.
• 🔄 Termux + SSH — to perform resource-intensive tasks on a remote server.

These solutions do not increase RAM directly, but unload the phone, transferring the load to the cloud. Cons: you need stable Internet (from 15 Mbps) and subscription (from 300 rubles / month). For Redmi 9, this is true if you use the phone for video editing, 3D-modeling or emulation of consoles (e.g, PS2).

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Cloud services are the only way to “boost RAM” without risking the phone, but they depend on internet speed and cost money.

Comparison of methods: what to choose?

To facilitate the choice, we will summarize all methods in a table with an assessment of effectiveness, complexity and risks:

For most users, the best solution would be a combination of MIUI + zRAM optimization on custom firmware. If you want maximum performance (for example, for gaming), consider replacing the board or cloud services.

FAQ: Frequent questions