How to increase the amount of RAM on the Xiaomi smartphone: all ways from simple to radical

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi has started to slow down when multitasking and apps are constantly rebooting? The reason is often a lack of RAM. Smartphone manufacturers are saving on this component, especially in budget models, but there are ways to get around the limitations — both software and hardware.

In this article, we will look at all the available methods to increase RAM on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from official MIUI features to non-obvious tricks for advanced users. It is important to understand that not all methods are equally effective, and some can harm the device. We will honestly talk about the pros and cons of each approach so that you can choose the best option.

Before you make any changes, check the current RAM load: open Settings → About Phone → System Status → Memory. If the RAM is less than 20% free in normal use, it’s time to act.

1. Virtual RAM (RAM Expansion) – the official way from Xiaomi

The easiest and safest method is to activate the virtual memory feature that Xiaomi has added to MIUI 12.5+.It uses a portion of the embedded memory (ROM) as an additional RAM, increasing multitasking.The feature is available on most modern models, starting with the Redmi Note 10 and Xiaomi 11.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Expanded memory (RAM).
2. Select the amount of virtual RAM: usually offered 1 GB, 2 GB or 3 GB.
3. Confirm the action and restart the device.

The effectiveness of the method depends on the model:

• 📱 Budget smartphones (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3): multitasking ~15-20%, But lags are possible with intensive use.
• 📱 Mid-segment (Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 12 Lite): Up to 30% improvement, especially noticeable in gaming.
• 📱 Flagships (Xiaomi) 13 Ultra, Black Shark 5): minimality (1-5%), As the physical sensing is already enough.

⚠️ Attention: Virtual RAM It speeds up the switching between applications, but it doesn't increase performance in games or heavy tasks. It just keeps background processes active for longer. It also shortens the lifetime of the internal memory (ROM) due to frequent recording cycles.

Optimizing Current RAM: 7 Ways to Free Memory

Before you build up your RAM, try to make the most of what you have, and these methods work on all Xiaomi models, including older ones (Redmi 5, Mi A2):

• 🧹 Turn off the autoload of applications: Go to Settings → Annexes → Auto-run and disable unnecessary programs, especially voracious messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and social networks.
• ⚡ Activate Performance Mode: In Settings → Battery → Select “High Performance” mode (reduces work time but speeds up the system).
• 🔄 Limit background activity: In Settings → Annexes → Manage applications for each application, set “Limit background activity».
• 🎮 Use Game Turbo: For gamers: Enable Settings → Special facilities → Game Turbo and add games to the list.The system will prioritize resources for them.

Additional tricks for advanced:

• 🛠️ Turn off animation: Activate Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to enable Developer Mode, then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, install all animations on 0.5x or turn it off.
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly: Use the built-in security utility → Cleaning or CCleaner application (but no more than 1 time per week!).
• 🔧 Remove System Applications: With the ADB You can uninstall unnecessary Xiaomi services (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music) Instructions: How to remove system applications through the use of the device ADBConnect your phone to your PC, turn on debugging USB In the developer settings, open the command line and type: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.video Replace com.miui.video with the package of the desired application «MIUI bloatware list»..

Disable the autoload of unnecessary applications

Set the performance mode on "High"

Clear the cache through "Security"

Disable animation in the developer settings

Add frequently used games to Game Turbo-->

3. Root access and modification of system files

For risk-taking users, there are ways to actually increase RAM by changing system parameters, which requires root rights and doesn't work on all models.

• 🔧 Change the build.prop file: Add the line dalvik.vm.heapsize=512m (The value depends on the current RAM. For example, for 4 GB of RAM, you can specify 768m.
• 📄 Editing vm.overcommit_memory: In the file /proc/sys/vm/overcommit_memory change 1 (Allows the kernel to allocate more memory than is physically available).
• 🔄 Swappiness: Increase vm.swappiness (optimal value — 60-80) Makes the system more active in using the paging file.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect changes to build.prop or system files can lead to bootloop (cyclic reboot) or complete device failure:

1. Create a backup with TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery.
2. Check the compatibility of the modifications with your model on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums.
3. Use root-enabled file managers (Root Explorer, FX File Explorer).

An example of a successful modification for the POCO F3 (6 GB of RAM):

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Before you change your system files, check the current values with the command cat /proc/sys/vm/* in the root terminal, which will help you to return everything back in case of problems.

4. Hardware increase of RAM: is it possible?

Unlike a PC where RAM can be physically replaced, Xiaomi smartphones have RAM soldered to the motherboard, meaning that “just buy and paste a new bar” won’t work.

• 🔨 Motherboard replacement: You can find a board from the same model, but with a large amount of RAM (for example, replace the board from the Redmi Note). 10 Pro 6/128 GB version 8/128 GB. Cost from 5 000 before 15 000 ruble + masterwork.
• 🔬 Chip soldering: Some service centers offer to solder RAM chips on the board — 30-40%) And expensive. 20 000 Suitable only for flagships (Xiaomi) 12 Pro, Black Shark 4).

⚠️ Warning: Hardware modifications are warranty-free and can cause the device to operate in an unstable manner, for example, sensors may not work after the board is replaced (gyroscope, NFC) Or a camera before the procedure:

• Check the compatibility of the boards by model number (Fastboot mode → Product name).
• Check with the master whether the IMEI and serial number will remain (otherwise the phone will become a “brick” for telecom operators).
• Make sure the new board supports your version of MIUI (otherwise you will have to flash the device again).

Alternatively, if you’re critically lacking RAM, it may be cheaper to sell your current smartphone and buy it for a model with more memory, for example, the difference between the Redmi Note 11 (4/64 GB) and the Redmi Note 11 Pro (6/128 GB) is only 3,000-5,000 rubles in the secondary market.

5. Alternative firmware: Custom ROM with optimized memory management

Some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience, Havoc-OS) offer more flexible RAM management than standard MIUI. They remove unnecessary Xiaomi services and optimize the kernel for better multitasking.

The advantages of custom firmware for RAM:

• 🚀 Bloatware Removal: There are no background processes of MiuiDaemon, Analytics, and other system services that eat up to 500MB of RAM.
• 🔧 Core settings: You can manually adjust settings LMK (Low Memory Killer – a mechanism that kills processes when memory is scarce.
• 🔄 ZRAM/ZSWAP: Enabling real-time memory compression (savings up to) 30% RAM).

How to Switch Custom Firmware:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account binding and wait 7-14 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Download firmware (like LineageOS 20 for your model) and GApps (if you need Google services).
4. Flow through recovery by running Wipe → Format Data (Warning: Delete All Data!).

Recommended Firmware for Popular Models:

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Custom firmware does not increase performance by actually increasing RAM, but by optimizing its use, but it does require technical skills and lacks warranty.

6. Myths about increasing RAM: what doesn't work

You can find advice on the Internet that is not only useless, but also dangerous.

• ❌ «Applications for RAM cleaning» (RAM Booster, Clean Master: They only force processes to close, which has the opposite effect of having the system re-load data into memory. MIUI Security → Cleaning (it just shows you which apps can be closed manually).

⚠️ Note: If you have received a guide that is:

• Install APK-file RAM» — It's a virus or a blanket.

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Before applying questionable tips, check them out on the 4PDA or XDA forums. Usually there are myth-exposing themes for specific Xiaomi models.

FAQ: Frequent questions about increasing RAM on Xiaomi