How to increase RAM on Xiaomi: real ways and myths

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face situations where apps start to “fly out” or the device noticeably slows down when multitasking. The first thought is to increase RAM, but here lies the catch: unlike computers where RAM can be physically added, smartphones do not have this option. However, there are both software solutions and optimizations that will help improve performance.

In this article, we'll look at all the methods available, from the official virtual RAM function to fine-tuning the system. It's important to understand that physically increasing Xiaomi's RAM is impossible without replacing the motherboard -- all other methods only mimic expansion or optimize the use of existing memory, but even such measures can give a noticeable increase in speed.

We tested all of these methods on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5 Pro models with MIUI 14/15, and you can find the results and nuances below. If your model is older than 2020, some features (such as virtual RAM) may not be available, we will talk about that too.

1. Virtual RAM: How it works and how to turn it on

The most common way to increase RAM on Xiaomi is to use virtual RAM (RAM Expansion) technology, which borrows a portion of the embedded memory (ROM) and converts it to RAM, a feature available on most models with MIUI 12.5+ and Android 11+.

How does this work in practice? Let's say you have a smartphone with 6GB of RAM. When you activate virtual RAM, the system reserves 1-3GB from internal storage and uses them as a buffer for background processes. Importantly, this is not real RAM, but emulation — the speed will be lower than physical RAM, but better than constant rebooting of applications.

• 📱 Supported models: All devices on MIUI 12.5–15 (except for the Redmi A and budget series) POCO C).
• ⚡ Performance gains: Up to 15-20% in multitasking (Geekbench tests).
• ⚠️ Side effect: Available storage space decreases (1 GB of virtual storage) RAM = ~1GB is occupied on disk).

To enable virtual RAM:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → All the characteristics.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the item RAM (on some models – version MIUI).
3. In the menu that opens, select the RAM Extension and set the value (we recommend 1-2 GB).
4. Reset the device.

Check the vacant storage space (needs at least 5 GB)

Close all background applications

Connect the charger (the process can take 5-10 minutes)

Do not interrupt the setting before restarting-->

⚠️ Attention: On models with UFS 2.1 (e.g. Redmi Note 10) virtual RAM It works slower than on UFS 3.1 (Xiaomi 12T). If after activation the smartphone began to warm up - reduce the amount of virtual memory to 1 GB.

2. Optimization of current RAM: closing background processes

Before you expand your memory, you should make the most of what you have. MIUI is known for aggressive back-end management, but sometimes it leaves unnecessary applications active. Here's how to fix it:

The hidden "eaters" of RAM:

• 🎮 Games: Even after closing some games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile leaves processes in memory.
• 📱 Social media: Facebook, Instagram and TikTok are constantly syncing data in the background.
• 🔄 Autoboot: AliExpress or Wildberries apps run when your phone is turned on.

How to clean the RAM manually:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the Started tab and close unnecessary processes.
3. For deep cleaning, use Security → Cleanup (remove cache and temporary files).

Once a day.

When the phone starts to brake

Never clean.

Using automatic cleaning.-->

To automate the process:

• Enable Settings → Battery and Performance → Memory Management → Auto Clean.
• Set background process limitation: Settings → Special features → Developer → Process limit (select Standard Limit or No Background Processes).

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If the smartphone still brakes after cleaning the RAM, check the temperature of the processor in the CPU Monitor application. Overheating can artificially limit performance.

3.Use of MIUI functions to save memory

MIUI offers a few built-in tools for optimizing RAM that many users ignore.

The Game Turbo mode deserves special attention, not only does it allocate additional resources for games, but it also blocks notifications, which prevents unnecessary RAM loading.

1. Start the game.
2. Swipe down from top to top to open the notification bar.
3. Slip on the Game Turbo icon (gamepad icon).
4. In the mode settings, select Performance → Optimize memory.

⚠️ Note: On models with 4 GB of RAM (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) Game Turbo mode can cause overheating. Watch the temperature through the app AIDA64.

4. Alternative firmware: is it really possible to get more RAM?

Some users believe that installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) can unlock hidden RAM, a myth that the physical amount of RAM won’t change, but optimized software can better manage resources.

The advantages of custom firmware for RAM:

• 🚀 Absence of Bloatware: In Standard MIUI There are many unnecessary applications (Mi Browser, Mi Video) that take up memory.
• 🔄 More aggressive killer processes: Some firmwares close background tasks faster.
• ⚙️ Manual swappiness setting: In custom cores, you can change the vm.swappiness parameter, which affects the use of virtual memory.

Risks and disadvantages:

• ❌ Loss of guarantee.
• ❌ Possible bugs with camera or sensors (especially on newer models).
• ❌ Difficulty rolling back on standard firmware.

If you still decide on custom firmware, follow the instructions:

⚠️ Attention: On models with Dynamic RAM Allocation (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) custom firmware can disable this feature, which will lead to a decrease in available RAM.

5 Hardware modifications: myths and reality

You can find suggestions on the Internet for "hardware increase in RAM" on Xiaomi, from soldering additional chips to replacing the motherboard.

Real ways:

• 🔧 Replace motherboard: The only way to physically increase RAM is to install a board from a larger memory model (e.g., swap the Redmi Note board). 11 4/64 on 6/128). Cost: 50–70% from the price of a new smartphone.
• 🔄 Solding chips: theoretically possible on some models (e.g., chips, POCO F1), It requires specialized equipment and skills, and the risk of damage to the fee is 80%.

Myths and fraud:

• ❌ «There's no RAM unlock firmware. All of these sentences are viruses or scans.
• ❌ «USB-RAM – Connecting external memory through OTG Does not increase working memory.
• ❌ «Magnetic stickers are absolute deception, not related to reality.

If you are considering hardware modification, consider:

• The cost of work often exceeds the price of a new smartphone with the desired amount of RAM.
• The warranty is canceled, and in case of failure, the phone can become a brick.
• On models with LPDDR5 (Xiaomi 13, POCO F5) soldering chips is almost impossible due to the multi-layer board.

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Hardware augmentation of RAM on Xiaomi is not economically feasible. If you critically lack memory, it is easier to sell your current smartphone and buy it for a model with a lot of RAM.

6. Alternative solutions: when to increase RAM is impossible

If all of the above methods didn’t work, or your Xiaomi model doesn’t support virtual RAM (like Redmi 8A or POCO C3), consider alternative approaches:

Optimization of applications:

• 📱 Lightweight versions of apps: Replace Facebook with Facebook Lite, Instagram with Instagram Lite.
• 🎮 Graphics settings in games: Reduce resolution and FPS in game settings (for example, in Call of Duty Mobile, select Low Quality).
• 🔄 Disabling animation: In Settings → Special opportunities → Developer install Windows animation and transition animation 0.5x.

Cloud solutions:

• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud: Move photos and documents to the cloud to make room for virtualization RAM.
• 🖥️ Remote Access: For resource-intensive tasks (video editing, games) use services like Shadow PC GeForce NOW.

Hardware accelerations:

• 🔋 Battery replacement: A worn-out battery can cause trottling (performance restriction), which indirectly affects RAM use.
• 🌡️ Thermopaste: On warming models (POCO X3) Replacing thermopaste can remove performance restrictions.

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If you use Google Chrome frequently, turn on the Light Mode feature in your browser settings, which reduces RAM usage by 30-40% by making it easier to render pages.

FAQ: Frequent questions about increasing RAM on Xiaomi