Xiaomi’s Memory Fusion technology is an innovative solution to increase RAM by using a built-in drive. Basically, it reserves some of the flash memory (usually 1-3 GB) and converts it to virtual RAM, allowing more applications to run simultaneously without hanging, especially for budget and mid-budget smartphones with 4-6 GB of physical memory, where every megabyte counts.
However, not all users know that Memory Fusion is often disabled by default – it needs to be activated manually through hidden settings. In this article, we will discuss how to check for support for the technology on your device, turn it on correctly and avoid typical errors. You will also find out which models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO Support the function, and whether it should be used on weak chipsets.
What is Memory Fusion and How Does It Work?
Memory Fusion is a hybrid technology that combines physical RAM and a portion of internal storage into a single memory pool, similar to a swap file on Windows or zRAM on Linux, but optimized for Qualcomm and MediaTek mobile processors.
When a system is running out of RAM, it transfers inactive processes to a virtual partition on the drive.
- 📱 Keep 20 to 30% more apps in the background without rebooting.
- ⚡ Reduce the number of “offs” of games and social networks while multitasking.
- 🔄 Reduce the cache cleaning frequency of the system (which saves battery power).
It is important to understand that virtual memory is slower than physical RAM (due to the speed limitations of the read/write flash drive).So Memory Fusion will not replace a full-fledged upgrade of RAM, but it can improve the user experience on devices with low memory capacity.
What Xiaomi models support Memory Fusion?
Memory Fusion technology is available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones released after 2021 based on MIUI 12.5+ or HyperOS.
- ✅ Full support: Xiaomi 11/12/13 series, Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, POCO X3 Pro/X4/X5.
- ⚠️ Limited support: Redmi 9/10 series (only on top modifications with the 6+ GB RAM).
- ❌ Unsupported: Devices on MIUI 11 and older, and models with 3GB of RAM or less.
To find out exactly if your smartphone supports the feature, check:
- Open the settings → About the phone → version of MIUI.
- If the firmware version is 12.5 or newer, the odds are high.
- For HyperOS (starting in 2026), support is guaranteed.
| Series of devices | Support for Memory Fusion | Max: The volume of virtual RAM |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13 Ultra | ✅ Yes. | 3GB |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | ✅ Yes. | 2GB |
| POCO F5 Pro | ✅ Yes. | 3GB |
| Redmi 10A | ❌ No. | — |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite | ⚠️ Partially (only 1 GB) | 1GB |
⚠️ Attention: On devices with UFS 2.1 The slower virtual memory can be slower than the UFS 3.0/3.1. If after switching on, there are lags, try to reduce the amount of reserved memory to 1 GB.
Next Next post: How to Turn On Memory Fusion
The activation of the technology takes no more than 5 minutes.
- Open Settings → Additional → Advanced Memory Settings (the HyperOS path may differ: Settings → Memory → Virtual RAM).
- Slip on the item "Virtual RAM" or "Memory Extension".
- Select the amount of reserved memory: 1 GB, 2 GB or 3 GB (it is recommended to start with 1 GB for the test).
- Confirm the action and restart the device.
Close all background applications
Connect the charger (50+ charge recommended)
Check the free space on the drive (needs a minimum of 5 GB)
Make a backup copy of important data-->
If there is no Virtual RAM on the menu, try:
- 🔍 Update the firmware to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system.
- 🛠️ Enable Developer Mode (7 taps by Build Number in About Phone) and activate Force option GPU Rendering (sometimes helps).
- 📱 Install an alternative launcher (for example, POCO Launcher), if you use custom firmware.
What if Memory Fusion is not turned on?
Optimal Memory Fusion settings for different scenarios
The volume of virtual memory should be selected based on physical RAM and typical tasks:
| Physical RAM | Recommended Virtual RAM Volume | For what tasks |
|---|---|---|
| 4GB | 1GB | Social networks, instant messengers, light games (Clash Royale, Brawl Stars) |
| 6GB | 2GB | Multitasking, PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact on mid-size settings |
| 8 GB or more | 3GB (or turn off) | Heavy games, video editing, working with large files |
On devices with 12 GB of RAM (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) to include Memory Fusion pointless – physical memory enough for any tasks, and virtual only add load to the drive.
⚠️ Note: If you use a microSD card as internal memory (Adoptable Storage), virtual storage is a virtual memory. RAM It may not work smoothly. It is recommended to disable Memory Fusion or move applications back to the built-in drive.
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After you turn on Memory Fusion, check your actual memory consumption in Settings → Memory → Using RAM. If your free memory is less than before activation, reduce your virtual RAM by 1 GB.
Problems After Incorporating Memory Fusion and Solutions
In some cases, activation of virtual memory can lead to problems, and consider the typical symptoms and ways to eliminate them:
- 🐢 Slowing down the interface: Reduce the virtual space RAM up to 1GB or disable the feature.Maybe your drive (eMMC 5.1 or UFS 2.1) is not capable of handling the load.
- 🔋 Increased battery consumption: Virtual memory uses the drive more often, which increases power consumption. Try calibrating the battery (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruption).
- 🚫 Apps fly out more often: Paradoxically, but on weak chipsets (Snapdragon) 6xx, Helio Gxx) virtual RAM This can make it less stable, so it's better to turn off the function.
- 📉 Decreased performance in games: Some games (like Call of Duty Mobile) conflict with virtual memory. → Annexes → Special permits → Optimizing the battery.
If problems persist, reset through Settings → Restore and Reset → Reset all settings (data will not be deleted). In extreme cases, roll back to the previous firmware version via MIUI bootloader.
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On the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2 and Dimensity 9000 chipsets, Memory Fusion is the most stable thanks to optimized memory drivers.
Memory Fusion vs. Alternative Ways to Increase RAM
In addition to the built-in technology from Xiaomi, there are other methods of expanding RAM.
| Method | Root is required. | Risks. | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory Fusion (built-in) | ❌ No. | Minimum (Lags possible) | ★★★☆☆ |
| Applications such as RAM Expander | ✅ Yes. | High (instability, bootloop) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| swap file via Termux | ✅ Yes. | Medium (drive wear) | ★★★☆☆ |
| Hand-cleaning the cache | ❌ No. | No. | ★☆☆☆☆ |
For most users, Memory Fusion is the best option, as it does not require superuser rights and minimally affects stability. Root alternatives can give a 5-10% increase in performance, but the risks (up to “bricking” the device) outweigh the benefits.
If you are critically short of memory, consider buying a smartphone with a large amount of RAM. For example, the POCO X5 Pro with 8 GB of RAM will cost less than repairing after unsuccessful experiments with virtual memory.