How to increase RAM on Xiaomi smartphone: real ways and dangerous myths

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi has started to slow down, apps are spontaneously shutting down, and games are lag even at minimal settings? The reason is often a lack of RAM. Smartphone manufacturers are saving on this component by installing 4-6 GB even in mid-budget models, even though modern applications require more resources. But what if you do not want to buy a new phone?

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Xiaomi can increase RAM, from official MIUI features to “surgical” hardware interventions. It’s important to understand that physically adding RAM bars to your smartphone is impossible (except for rare modular concepts), but there are workarounds. Some will increase performance, others will only create the illusion of improvements. We’ll honestly tell you what works and what is a waste of time (or even dangerous for the device).

Before you start experimenting, check if the problem is really RAM. Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory and see the RAM schedule. If there is less than 15-20% free memory, it’s time to act. If the memory is 90 percent full only when you start heavy games, it may be enough to optimize the background processes.

1. Virtual RAM in MIUI: how to turn it on and is it worth it?

Since 2021, Xiaomi has added Memory Extension (aka Virtual RAM or Dynamic Memory Extension) to MIUI, and the idea is simple: it reserves a portion of internal memory (1 to 8 GB) and uses it as a buffer for temporary data, simulating additional RAM. It sounds tempting, but there are nuances.

To activate the virtual RAM:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Memory Extension (on some models, the path may be different: Settings) → The phone. → Memory. → Virtual RAM).
• ⚙️ Select Expansion Volume: Usually available 1, 2, 3 or 5 GB (depending on model and version) MIUI).
• 🔄 Restart your phone after the changes are made.

But don't be too excited. Virtual RAM works like a swap file in Windows, where data is reset to a slower flash memory when physical RAM is lacking. It's better than crashing applications, but it's not as fast as real RAM. In games, you can see an increase in texture loading time, and in everyday tasks, there's a little bit of tweaking when you switch between applications.

⚠️ Attention: On models with UFS 2.1 (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) virtual RAM It can accelerate memory wear due to frequent cell overwriting. If your smartphone is older than 2020, it is better to limit yourself to 1-2 GB of expansion.

2. Optimization of existing RAM: what is the first thing to remove?

Before you build up your memory, try to get rid of the garbage. MIUI is a background process that eats up precious megabytes.

• 🧹 Turn off autoloading of unnecessary applications. Go to Settings → Annexes → Auto-run and ban background work for social networks, instant messengers (except the main ones) and games.
• 🚫 Remove the heavy widgets. Weather, news, or fitness trackers are constantly updated in the background. Keep only the essentials on the home screen.
• 🔄 Limit background activity. In Settings → Battery → Power saving mode: Enable the option “Limit background activity».
• 📱 Use the Lite version of the apps. Replace Facebook with Facebook Lite, Instagram with Instagram Lite (download from APKPure).

Another hidden memory eater is Google's system services, which can take up to 500MB of RAM even in standby mode, to reduce their appetite:

1. Go to Settings → Google Accounts → Google Services.
2. Turn off Backup and Sync for unnecessary data (like Google Fit or Google News).
3. In Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google Play Services, click “Clear Cache”.

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If you still don’t have enough free RAM after optimizing, try restarting your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → Safe Mode) and this will turn off all third-party apps, and you can estimate how much memory they are eating up.

3. Root access and modifications: risky but effective methods

If you're willing to take drastic measures, getting root rights will open up tools that actually optimize RAM usage, but remember, it's insecure, it can lead to banking apps being blocked (due to the SafetyNet trigger), and even the phone getting bricked up. We're just going to describe the methods for familiarization.

The most popular tools for working with RAM after the root:

• 🛠️ Kernel Adiutor – allows you to fine-tune the system kernel, including swappiness parameters (how to actively use swap) and vm.overcommit_memory.
• 🔧 Greenify – Forcedly “freezes” background apps, freeing up memory.
• 📊 RAM Expander (SWAP) — creates a swap file on a memory card (but it is extremely slow and shortens the life of the flash drive).

Example of swappiness configuration via Kernel Adiutor:

1. Open the app and go to the "Memory" section.


2. Find the Swappiness option (usually in the Virtual Memory submenu).




3. Set a value from 30 to 60 (the higher the swap is used, but this can slow down the system).




4. Save the changes and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F3 Mi 11 or Mi) incorrect kernel settings can cause the processor to overheat. Before experimenting, check if your device supports modifications on forums. XDA Developers.

4. Hardware modifications: myth or reality?

You can find videos online of the masters selling extra RAM chips on a smartphone board, which sounds fantastic, but it's theoretically possible on some Xiaomi models with LPDDR4X connector (like the Redmi K40 or the POCO X3 Pro).

• 🔧 Professional equipment (sweeter station, microscope) is required, BGA-Reworker) and donor chips with the same architecture.
• 💥 Risk of damage to the motherboard during overheating or careless soldering - almost 100%.
• 📉 Even with successful soldering, it is not a fact that the system recognizes new memory - firmware modifications are needed.
• 💰 The cost of work (if you find a master) often exceeds the price of a new smartphone.

The only realistic option is to replace the motherboard with a similar, but larger RAM, like the Redmi Note 11, which has 4GB and 6GB of RAM, and you can theoretically find a 6GB donor board and rearrange it.

1. This is officially equated with non-warranty repairs.
2. We have to move. IMEI, MAC-Addresses and other unique data, otherwise you will lose your network.
3. The cost of such a fee on AliExpress or in service centers starts from 15 000 rubles.

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Xiaomi's hardware upgrade is a lottery, and even if you find a master, there's no guarantee that the phone will work smoothly, and 99 percent of the time, it's more profitable to sell an old smartphone and buy a new model with the right amount of memory.

5. Alternative firmware: how much help do they help with RAM?

MIUI stock firmware is far from ideal in terms of memory optimization. Alternative firmware, such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Havoc OS, often work shuttles by:

• 🧹 Uninstall Unnecessary System Applications (Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps).
• 🔄 More aggressive management of background processes.
• 📱 No duplicate services (e.g. in the MIUI Google Play Services and Mi Push Service are also available).

But there are pitfalls:

1. Not all custom firmware supports Dynamic RAM Allocation, which can lead to lags in games.
2. Some LineageOS builds turn off hardware acceleration for individual applications, which eats up the extra RAM.
3. Without GApps, memory is more economical, but you’ll lose access to the Play Market and many apps.

If you decide to flash it, choose builds marked “RAM-friendly” or “De-bloated” (cleaned of garbage). For example, for POCO F1, the Pixel Experience Plus has proven itself well, and for the Redmi Note 9 Pro, Corvus OS.

Make sure that the phone model is supported|Make a backup of the data (including IMEI)|Unlock the bootloader (officially via Mi Unlock)|Download firmware and tools (TWRP, Fastboot)|Check the battery charge (minimum 70%)-->

6.Cloud Solutions: When RAM Can Be "Rented"

If you want to run resource-intensive applications like Photoshop, AutoCAD, or emulators, consider cloud services, which allow you to rent the power of a remote server and stream the image to your smartphone screen, while your Xiaomi will use a minimum of local memory.

Popular services:

• 🖥️ Shadow PC — Virtual Windows-PC with 12 GB of RAM (from 1,200) ₽/moss).
• 🎮 GeForce NOW — Cloud gaming PC (free with restrictions).
• 📱 Rainway – streaming games from your home PC to your phone.
• 💼 Amazon WorkSpaces – virtual desktop for office tasks (from 2 000) ₽/moss).

Cons of cloud solutions:

1. It requires a stable Internet connection (from 25 Mbps for Full HD).
2. There may be a noticeable input lag (the delay between clicking and acting) in games.
3. Subscription costs more than upgrading your phone in the long run.

For the test, take the free GeForce NOW tariff and try running GTA V or Cyberpunk 2077 from your Xiaomi. If the lags aren't critical, this is a temporary solution to the RAM shortage problem.

7 When to Admit Failure: Signs You Need to Change Your Phone

If you have tried all the ways, but the smartphone still:

• 🐢 «Hangs" when opening 3-4 tabs in the browser.
• 🎮 Do not play games on minimum settings (for example, PUBG Mobile on Smooth + Low).
• 🔄 Reboots when you try to record a video in 4K.
• 📱 Heated to 50.°C when simply scrolling through Instagram feed.

Now, it's time to think about replacing the device, because today's apps are optimized for 6 to 8 GB of RAM, and even the most radical methods won't replace physical hardware.

When choosing a new Xiaomi, focus on:

• 12 GB of RAM – for gamers and multi-taskers (Black Shark 5 Pro, Xiaomi 13 Ultra).
• 8 GB of RAM is the best option for most (POCO F5, Redmi K60).
• Type of memory: LPDDR5 is faster and more energy efficient than LPDDR4X.
• MIUI version: MIUI 14 improves memory optimization over MIUI 12.

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If your smartphone is older than 3-4 years, it is more cost-effective to sell it and buy a new model than to spend time and money on upgrades.+ 8GB of RAM costs about 25,000 ₽ — It is cheaper than any major repair of an old phone.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions