Why it is important to know the amount of RAM on the Mi A2 Lite and where it will come in handy
RAM is one of the key parameters of the smartphone, directly affecting its performance. Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite, released in 2018, came in two versions: with 3 GB and 4 GB of RAM. Knowing the exact amount of memory will help you assess the capabilities of the device before buying a used model, optimize the system or understand why applications begin to βflyβ when multitasking.
For example, if your Mi A2 Lite is slowing down when opening 5-6 tabs in the browser or when running heavy games like Genshin Impact, the problem may lie in a lack of RAM. Also, memory information will come in handy when choosing custom firmware - some versions of LineageOS or Pixel Experience require at least 4 GB for stable operation. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods of verification - from standard settings to hidden engineering menus.
Method 1: Verify through Android settings (the easiest method)
It's a basic method that doesn't require any additional apps to be installed, and it's suitable for all versions of the Mi A2 Lite firmware, including stock Android One and custom builds, and the main advantage is speed, which takes no more than 10 seconds to complete.
Instructions:
- π± Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
- π Scroll down and select the System section.
- π Tap on the item About the phone (or About the device in some firmware).
- π Find the line "Rapid memory" or RAM β Here's the exact amount.
Some custom firmware may have a slightly different path, for example, in MIUI (if you've been through the device), you need to go to Settings β About Phone β All specs. If there's no RAM string, try alternative methods from the following sections.
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If the settings display available memory (for example, 2.7 GB of 3 GB), this is normal - part of the RAM is reserved by the system for background processes.
Method 2: Using AIDA64 (for detailed diagnostics)
AIDA64 is one of the most powerful hardware analysis apps on a smartphone, showing not only the amount of RAM, but also the type of RAM (LPDDR3 or LPDDR4X), the frequency, and the loading of memory in real time, which is useful if you suspect that some of the memory is faulty or malfunctioning.
How to check:
- Download AIDA64 from Google Play.
- Open the application and provide access to device information.
- Go to the System tab.
- Select Memory β at the top of the screen will be the total amount of RAM and the current load.
AIDA64 also provides a memory history, for example, if free RAM falls below 500MB, it is a signal to optimize (remove background processes, disable application startup).
What if AIDA64 has less memory than it should?
Method 3: ADB commands for advanced users
If youβre familiar with the developerβs tools, you can find out the amount of RAM you need through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that is suitable for diagnosing βdeepβ problems, such as when your smartphone doesnβt turn on normally but responds to commands via your computer.
Step-by-step:
- Install. ADB-PC drivers.
- Turn on USB Debugging on Mi A2 Lite (path: Settings β System β About Phone β Assembly Number β tap 7 times, then go back to Settings β System β Developer).
- Connect the phone to your computer and type in the command line:
adb shell cat /proc/meminfo | grep MemTotalIn the answer you will see a line of the form MemTotal: 3072000 kB is the amount of RAM in kilobytes (here 3 GB).
Install ADB drivers on PC
Enable debugging over USB on your phone
Connect your phone to the original cable
Check the connection of the adb device team
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β οΈ Attention: Use ADB The wrong commands can cause the system to fail. If you're not sure what you're doing, use other methods.
Method 4: Engineering menu ##4636## (hidden settings) on Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite has a hidden engineering menu that allows you to get technical information without third-party applications. MIUI. How to open: Open the Phone app. Enter ##4636## (as a normal number). From the menu that opens, select Phone Information. Scroll down to the Memory block, where total RAM and current usage will be listed. The engineering menu also checks sensors, battery status and other settings, but donβt change the settings on this menu without understanding the consequences, which can cause the device to malfunction. π What is the most important way to check your RAM?Through Android settings AIDA64ADB-Menu Engineering has never checked
Method 5: View characteristics through Fastboot (for non-functioning devices)
If the Mi A2 Lite doesnβt turn on or is stuck on the logo, but reacts to a PC connection, you can find out the amount of RAM through Fastboot mode. This is true for cases when the phone is not booted into the system, but you need to determine its configuration before repairing or firmware.
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone (if it freezes, press the power button for 10+ seconds).
- Press the Power button + Volume down before the Fastboot logo appears.
- Connect the device to the PC and enter the command:
fastboot getvar allIn the output, find the line ram: - here will be the memory capacity (for example, ram: 3GB).
This method is also useful for authenticating a device, for example, if a seller claims that the Mi A2 Lite has 4 GB of RAM and the team shows 3 GB, this is a reason to doubt the honesty of the seller.
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Fastboot mode is the only way to find out the amount of RAM on a broken phone without disassembling.
Comparison of methods: which one to choose?
Each of these methods has its pros and cons. Below is a table for quick selection of the best option depending on your situation.
| Method | Difficulty | PC required | It's working on a faulty phone. | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Android settings | β (simple) | β No. | β No. | Just the total amount of RAM. |
| AIDA64 | ββ (middle-of-the-road) | β No. | β No. | Type of memory, frequency, real-time loading |
| ADB | βββ (difficult) | β Yes. | β Yes (if debugging is on) | To diagnose deep problems |
| Engineering menu | ββ (middle-of-the-road) | β No. | β No. | It also shows the use of CPU and network |
| Fastboot | βββ (difficult) | β Yes. | β Yes. | For non-functioning devices |
For most users, the first two methods (settings or AIDA64) are sufficient, and if the phone doesnβt turn on or you suspect cheating when buying, use Fastboot or ADB.
What if the RAM volume is less than the declared?
Sometimes it turns out that the Mi A2 Lite is installed 3 GB instead of the promised 4 GB. The reasons may be different:
- π§ Hardware modification: the seller replaced the motherboard with a cheap analogue with less memory.
- π€ 32-bit firmware: some custom builds limit the use of RAM to 3 GB.
- π Reservations for GPU: part of the memory is allocated to the GPU (for example, 512 MB out of 4 GB).
If the difference is significant (for example, 2 GB instead of 4 GB), this is an excuse to return the device under warranty or claim compensation.
β οΈ Attention: On Mi A2 Lite with 3 GB of RAM is not recommended to install heavy custom firmware (such as HavocOS or DerpFest) β they can work unstable due to lack of memory.