How to increase RAM on Xiaomi: all ways + step-by-step instructions

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi has started to “slow down” when multitasking, or modern games are laid even on medium settings? The first thought is to add RAM, but smartphones are not PCs: you can not just insert an additional RAM bar. However, the manufacturer offers several legal and non-obvious ways to expand the available memory — from virtual RAM to hardware tricks in the firmware.

In this article, we will discuss all the working methods for increasing RAM on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from official features like Memory Extension to hidden settings of the engineering menu, explain why physical memory upgrades are impossible (and what to do instead), and warn against dangerous “life hacks” that can turn a phone into a “brick”.

Can I physically add RAM to Xiaomi?

The short answer is no. Unlike computers where RAM is installed in slots on the motherboard, Xiaomi smartphones have RAM soldered directly into the processor (SoC).

• 🔧 It is impossible to replace / add RAM chips without full soldering of the motherboard (which is economically impractical).
• 📱 Volume. RAM rigidly tied to the smartphone model and the version of the chipset (for example, Snapdragon 7 Gen 2 in Xiaomi) 13T Supports up to 12 GB of RAM, but only in the top modification).
• ⚠️ Any suggestions to “install additional memory” from third-party services is fraud (most often implying replacing the motherboard with a more powerful one, which is equivalent to buying a new phone).

But that doesn't mean that we can't improve it, because we have a few software solutions, and we also have ways to optimize the use of memory.

Memory Extension (Virtual RAM)

Since 2021, Xiaomi has been implementing Memory Extension (also known as RAM Expansion or Virtual RAM) in MIUI firmware, which borrows part of the phone’s internal memory (usually 2-8 GB) and uses it as an additional swap file in Windows.

How this works in practice:

• 📲 The system automatically transfers to the virtual RAM background processes that are not actively used but may be needed later (e.g., not fully closed applications).
• ⚡ Performance will not increase in games or heavy tasks (virtual performance). RAM slower than physical, but will help avoid rebooting applications when multitasking.
• 🔄 The function is available on devices with MIUI 12.5+ at least 6 GB of physical RAM (on budget models like Redmi 10A She's gone).

How to turn on Memory Extension:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → All the characteristics.
2. Find the RAM line and tap it 5-7 times (the developer mode is on should appear – if it was not, skip this step).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → Memory Extension (on some models, the path: Settings → Memory → Extension of RAM).
4. Select the amount of virtual memory (recommended 3 GB for the balance between performance and free disk space).
5. Reboot the phone.

Make sure that ≥10 GB of internal memory is free |

Close all applications before activation |

Connect charging (the process can take 5-10 minutes) |

Don’t interrupt the phone reboot.-->

Important: Virtual RAM It's not a physical substitute. POCO F4 GT) The increase in AnTuTu was only one ~5%, but the number of apps held in the background has increased from 8 to 12.+ GBB physical RAM, where it works as a buffer».

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If your phone is slower after activating Memory Extension, turn off the function and check the internal drive health in Settings → Memory → Diagnostics. Virtual RAM is sensitive to the read/write speed of flash memory.

Hidden Settings: Mi Turbo and RAM Optimization

MIUI firmware has hidden tools for fine-tuning performance, including memory management, including Mi Turbo (formerly known as Game Turbo), which optimizes resource allocation.

How to activate Mi Turbo hidden settings:

1. Enable Developer Mode (see instructions in the previous section).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find options: Background Limitation → Set a Standard Limit (this will allow the system to flexibly manage RAM). Don't save actions → Disable (this will reduce memory load). Windows animation and transition animation → Set No Animation (reduces RAM consumption when switching between applications).

Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Special permits → Auto-start

For owners of devices on Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (for example, Xiaomi 12S Ultra) is available additional option:

⚠️ Note: In the engineering menu (#4636##) there is a Memory item that displays current usage. RAM. Do not change the settings manually, as this can cause the system to run in an unstable manner.

What to do if Memory Extension doesn’t work

If virtual RAM doesn’t have a noticeable effect, consider these methods:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Regularly delete the app cache in Settings → Memory. → Cleanup: Facebook and Instagram, for example, can take up to 500MB RAM background.
• 🔄 Transition to lightweight firmware: firmware type MIUI Lite or Pixel Experience (for advanced users) consume 20-30% less RAM Due to the lack of “heavy” services Xiaomi.
• 🎮 Game utilities: Applications like Game Space (pre-installed on) POCO) They allow you to manually allocate more RAM specific game.
• 🔧 Replacement with a larger model RAM: If the budget allows, the most radical way is to exchange the phone for a modification with a large amount of memory (for example, Redmi Note). 12 Pro 8/256 instead 6/128).

Warning about "miracle apps": There are dozens of utilities like "RAM Booster" or "Memory Cleaner" in the Play Market. Don't install them - they are either useless (Android itself optimizes RAM) or harmful (may contain malware).

How to Check Real Use of RAM on Xiaomi

To see if you need additional memory, first analyze the current load.

1. Open Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the kernel version line to enable the hidden diagnostic menu.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → System Diagnostics → Memory Use.
3. Note: Average load: If free < 1 GB in normal use, there is not enough memory. Background processes: More than 30 processes in the list are a signal to optimize. Others: If this item takes > 500 MB, there are junk services in the system.

For a detailed analysis, use the DevCheck app (free on the Play Market) which shows:

• 📊 Schedule of use RAM real-time.
• 🔍 Top consumers (often to blame) MIUI Daemon or Google Play Services).
• 📉 Comparison with other devices of the same model.

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If the RAM consumer list is constantly running mediaserver or android.process.acore, it's a sign of a system failure. Try resetting to factory settings (Settings → Reset).

Myths about increasing RAM on Xiaomi: what not to do

The Internet is full of tips for "increasing RAM", which not only do not work, but also dangerous.

• ❌ «High-volume firmware RAM»: Some “masters” offer to flash the phone firmware from the model with a larger memory (for example, flash Redmi Note). 11 4/64 firmware 6/128). It's not going to work. RAM It's hardware-defined, not software-defined, and at best, it won't turn on, at worst, you'll get a brick».
• ❌ «The soldering iron and new chips: Theoretically, you can solder the chips RAM, But in practice, it's worth it. ~80% of the price of a new phone, requires equipment to BGA-The rations (even Xiaomi service centers don't do this) violate the tightness of the case, which leads to loss of water protection (if it was used).
• ❌ «SD-card RAM»: Some older Android devices (before version 6.0) had a Swap feature on the device. SD, But today's Xiaomi doesn't have it, even if you find instructions for activating it through the ADB, This will not give performance gains – microSD read speeds are 10-20 times lower than internal memory.

⚠️ Note: If you are asked to “increase” RAM» through root access and file modification /sys/devices/system/memory/..., This is a data swap for system utilities (for example, AIDA64). The real amount of memory will not change, but you risk losing the warranty and stability of the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi RAM