Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 with its 3/4/6 GB of RAM is still a popular smartphone, but over time, even these volumes are no longer able to cope with modern games and multitasking. If your device starts to slow down, applications spontaneously close, and MIUI issues notifications about the lack of memory — it’s time to act. In this article, we will examine all possible ways to increase RAM on the Redmi Note 9, from software tricks to radical hardware interventions.
It's important to understand that physically increasing RAM on smartphones is not a trivial task. Unlike a PC where you can just buy the RAM bar, Redmi Note 9 has a memory soldered on the motherboard. However, there are workarounds: virtual RAM, system optimization, and for advanced users even soldering additional chips, we will analyze each method, assess its effectiveness and risks, and give clear instructions for safe use.
1. Virtual RAM: How to get a smartphone to use internal memory as RAM
The most affordable way to “boost” RAM is to activate the virtual RAM (RAM Expansion) feature that appeared in MIUI 12.5 and later, which allows you to allocate part of the internal drive (usually 1-3 GB) under a cache-like buffer that simulates RAM. The effect is not comparable to a real upgrade, but for everyday tasks can give an increase in smoothness by 15-25%.
To enable virtual RAM on the Redmi Note 9:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → About the phone and 7 times tap on the item Version MIUI, activate the developer mode.
- 🔧 Return to the main settings, go to additional → For developers.
- 🔄 Find the Virtual Option RAM (or Memory Extension and set the slider in the position "On.»
- 📊 Select the amount of virtual memory (recommended 2 GB for balance between performance and free space).
Once activated, the smartphone will restart. Importantly, virtual RAM only works on devices with MIUI 12.5+ and Android 11+. If you have older firmware, update your system first through Settings → Software Update.
⚠️ Attention: Virtual RAM If you have less than 10 GB of free space, it is better not to activate this feature, which is a risk of degradation of performance due to fragmentation of data.
2. System optimization: how to free RAM without root rights
Before resorting to drastic measures, try "unloading" your existing RAM. The Redmi Note 9 on MIUI often suffers from background processes that eat up RAM unnecessarily. Here are proven optimizations:
- 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management, select frequently used programs (e.g. Facebook, Instagram) and click Clear Cache.
- ⚙️ Disable Autoboot: In the same app management menu, find AutoStart and disable it for unnecessary services (especially instant messengers and social media).
- 🔄 Background Process Limit: In Developer Mode (For Developers) → Process limit: set the maximum 2 of the process in the background.
- 🚫 Deactivation MIUI-Bloata: Some system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music) can be disabled via Settings → Annexes → Show it all. → [select] → Shut down.
You should also install a lightweight shell instead of a standard launcher, such as a Nova Launcher or Lawnchair consumes 30-40% less RAM than a native MIUI Launcher. Use the built-in monitor: Settings → About Phone → Memory Status to check current memory usage.
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If your smartphone is still slowing down after optimizing, try resetting the cache via Recovery. Turn off the phone, press Power + Volume up, select Wipe Cache Partition and confirm the action. User data will not be affected!
3. Root access and modifications: risky but effective methods
For users willing to take risks, obtaining root rights opens up access to deep RAM optimization.
- 🔧 Use Magisk modules to fine-tune the kernel (e.g, LMK Tweaks to control Low Memory Killer).
- 🗑️ Uninstall system applications that cannot be disabled without root (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Browser).
- 📈 Forced to limit background activity for all applications via Greenify or Brevent.
- 🔄 Change swappiness settings to more aggressive memory management.
However, there is a downside: loss of warranty, risk of “bricking” the device and security problems (for example, some banking applications refuse to work on rooted devices).
Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires Mi Account binding)
Download custom recovery (e.g. TWRP for merlin – codename Redmi Note 9)
Install Magisk latest version (check compatibility with your firmware)
Make a full backup through TWRP before modification-->
Once you get root, you can install the RAM Expander (SWAP) module from the Magisk repository, which creates a swap partition on internal memory, which is the equivalent of virtual RAM, but with more flexible settings, and the optimal swap file size is 1-2 GB.
⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly configuring the kernel parameters (for example, vm.swappiness) can lead to the opposite effect - an increase in lags due to excessive swap use. For the Redmi Note 9, the recommended swappiness value is 60-80.
4. Hardware increase in RAM: soldering of chips and risks
The only way to physically increase RAM on the Redmi Note 9 is to replace or add RAM chips to the motherboard, a highly complex procedure that requires:
- 🔬 Precise equipment: soldering station with thermal air, microscope, BGA-trigger.
- 🛠️ Experience in microelectronics: chips RAM Redmi Note 9 has a step of conclusions ~0.4 mm.
- 💰 Donor boards: compatible chips (e.g. Samsung) are needed K3UH7H70AM-AGCL modifyable 4/64 GB).
- 📄 Firmware with support for new RAM: may require modification of the device tree in the kernel.
Theoretically, the Redmi Note 9 (model M2003J15SC) can increase RAM from 3 to 6 GB or from 4 to 8 GB, but in practice this is rarely justified:
| Parameter | 3→6GB | 4→8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of work (including the donor) | 8 000–12 000 ₽ | 10 000–15 000 ₽ |
| Productivity gains | ~30–40% | ~20–30% |
| Risk of failure | High (30–50%) | Very high (50–70%) |
| Service life after modification | Decreased by 20 to 30 percent | Decreased by 30 to 50 percent |
Hardware upgrade is only useful for enthusiasts or in cases where the smartphone is used for specific tasks (for example, as a server for Termux or to run emulators). For ordinary users, it is better to consider buying a new device - for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro + with 8-12 GB of RAM.
Where to find the masters for soldering RAM?
5. Alternative solutions: when increasing RAM will not help
Sometimes the problem is not the amount of RAM, but in other bottlenecks of the Redmi Note 9. Before you spend time upgrading RAM, check:
- 🔋 Battery condition: Worn-out battery (capacity) < 70%) may cause performance drawdowns due to processor frequency limitations. Check battery health via ##4636## (menu Battery Information).
- 🔥 Heat trottling: Redmi Note 9 is prone to overheating under prolonged loads. CPU Throttling Test to check if the processor is resetting frequencies.
- 🛠️ Internal Memory Status: If the drive is more than 90% full, the system starts to brake, regardless of the volume. RAM. Make room or transfer the data to SD-map (but remember: applications to the SD slow down!).
- 🖥️ Firmware: Some versions MIUI (Especially Global Stable) contains bugs that cause memory leaks. MIUI EU or Pixel Experience.
If the smartphone continues to slow down after all the manipulations, it may be the degradation of eMMC memory, a common problem with budget smartphones, in which case even increasing RAM will not help: you need to replace the memory chip, which costs almost the cost of a new phone.
adb shell dumpsys meminfoIf you're free RAM If you have less than 200 to 300 MB of memory left in normal use, you really need to optimize or upgrade, and if you have 70 to 80 percent loaded memory, but no lag, you have to have something else (like a slow drive).-->
6. Method comparison: what to choose for your case
To facilitate the choice, we will bring all methods into one table with an assessment of effectiveness, complexity and risks:
| Method | Productivity gains | Difficulty | Risks. | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual RAM | ★★☆ (10–25%) | ★☆☆ (2 minutes) | No. | Free of charge. |
| Optimization of the system | ★★☆ (15–30%) | ★★☆ (10-20 minutes) | No. | Free of charge. |
| Root + SWAP | ★★★ (20–40%) | ★★★☆ (1-2 hours) | Medium (risk of breeze, loss of warranty) | Free of charge. |
| Hardware upgrade | ★★★★ (30–50%) | ★★★★★★ (professional repair) | High (risk of failure) | 8 000–15 000 ₽ |
| Buying a new smartphone | ★★★★★ (100%+) | ★☆☆ (pick-and-buy) | No. | 15 000–30 000 ₽ |
For most users, the best solution is a combination of virtual RAM + system optimization. If you are ready for experiments, try root and SWAP, but be aware of the risks. Hardware upgrades only make sense for enthusiasts or in cases where the smartphone is used for specific purposes (for example, as a mini PC with Ubuntu Touch).