Where to check RAM on Android: step-by-step guide for all devices

Random access memory (RAM) is one of the key components of a smartphone, responsible for the speed of applications and multitasking. If your Androiddevice starts to slow down, perhaps the problem lies precisely in the lack of free RAM. But how can you learn how much RAM is installed in your phone, and how much of it is available right now?

In this article we will look at all the possible ways to check RAM - from standard settings to hidden engineering menus. You will learn how the indicators differ between Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and other popular brands, as well as how the concepts of "total amount of RAM", "used memory" and "free memory"differ. We will pay special attention to cases when the system shows less memory than stated by the manufacturer - is this normal or a sign of a problem?

It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner or an experienced user - here There is a method for any level of training. And if you are planning to buy a used smartphone, the ability to check the RAM will help you avoid being deceived when choosing a device with “unfair” characteristics.

1. Standard Android settings: where to look for information about RAM

The easiest way is to look in the system settings. The path may differ slightly depending on the version Android and shell of the manufacturer, but the general logic is the same. On most devices, information about RAM is hidden in the About phone or System section.

Here is a typical route for a clean Android (for example, on Google Pixel or Motorola):

1. Open Settings
2. Go to About phone (or About tablet)
3. Find item Hardware information or Device characteristics
4. Tap on Memory or RAM

On Samsung with shell One UI the path will be like this:

• 📱 Settings → Device Maintenance → Memory
• 🔍 Here you will see a graph of RAM usage in real time
• 📊 For detailed information, tap on RAM at the top of the screen

On Xiaomi, Redmi i POCO (shell MIUI):

• ⚙️ Settings → About phone → All characteristics
• 🖥️ Look for the line RAM (sometimes hidden under Hardware)

Please note: this section usually displays total amount of RAMinstalled in device. To see current memory usage (how much is occupied by the system and applications), you often need to go to another section - read about this further.

⚠️ Attention: On some budget smartphones (especially Chinese brands) settings may display overestimated the amount of RAM. This is due to the fact that part of the memory is reserved for the needs of the system and is not available to the user. For example, with the stated 4 GB, 3.2–3.5 GB may actually be available.

2. data-i="92">If you need not just to find out the amount of RAM, but to understand

If you need not just to find out the amount of RAM, but to understand which applications consume it right now, use the built-in task manager. This method works on all versions Android, but the interface may differ.

For most devices:

1. Open Settings
2. Go to Applications (or Application Manager)
3. Select Running applications or Active processes
4. At the top of the screen you will see a graph or numbers of RAM usage

On Samsung there is a more convenient way:

• 🔄 Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification panel
• 📊 Tap on the icon Optimization (or Storage & Performance)
• 📈 A window will open with detailed information about the use of RAM and a button to free up memory

On Xiaomi and other devices with MIUI:

• 🔍 Open Security (icon with a shield)
• 🚀 Go to the Acceleration tab
• 📉 This displays a RAM load graph and a list of "hungry" applications

In the menu of active processes you can see not only the total percentage of RAM load, but also specific applicationsthat consume memory. This helps to identify apps that run in the background and slow down the system. For example, if a messenger Telegram or a social network TikTok takes up 300-500 MB even when you are not using them, you should limit their background activity.

3. Hidden engineering menus: how to find the real amount of RAM

Sometimes standard settings show incomplete or inaccurate information about RAM. In such cases, engineering menus and service codescome to the rescue, which give access to “raw” hardware data.

The most universal way is to use the code to call the test menu:

##4636##

After entering this code (as when dialing a number), a menu will open Testingwhere you need to select the tab Device informationHere you will find the line Memory c. detailed data about RAM, including:

• 📏 General amount of memory (for example, 3815 MB ≈ 3.8 GB)
• 📉 Free memory currently
• 🔄 Used cache

For devices Samsung there is a special code:

#0#

It opens the service menu, where section Hardware Info you can see exact data about RAM, including real volume (without taking into account system-reserved memory).

On some devices Xiaomi i Redmi the code works:

##6484##

It opens the menu MTK Engineer Mode (if the processor is MediaTek), where in the section Hardware Testing → Memory detailed information about memory is available.

⚠️ Attention: Be Be careful in the engineering menus! Do not change the parameters if you do not know their purpose - this can lead to unstable operation of the device or even “bricking”.

What to do if the engineering menu does not open?

On some devices, manufacturers block access to the engineering menus through codes. In this case, try:

Install. application MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek processors) or Qualcomm Mode (for Snapdragon).

2. Use ADB commands (requires connection to a PC and enabled USB debugging).

3. will be discussed in the next section.

4. Third-party applications for monitoring RAM

If you need not just to find out the amount of RAM, but monitor its usage over timeto analyze consumption by application or receive notifications about overload - third-party utilities will come to the rescue. They offer advanced functions that are not available in standard ones. settings.

Here are the top 5 proven applications for working with RAM:

Application	Main functions	Pros	Cons
CPU-Z	Detailed information about hardware, including RAM, processor, battery	🔹 Accurate data 🔹 No advertising 🔹 Supports all versions of Android	🔸 No memory cleaning functions
DevCheck	Monitoring RAM, CPU, network, sensors. Performance tests	🔹 Beautiful interface 🔹 History of resource usage 🔹 Widgets for the home screen	🔸 Paid for advanced functions
Simple System Monitor	Display real-time RAM usage (floating widget)	🔹 Minimalistic design 🔹 Low battery consumption 🔹 Customizable alerts	🔸 No detailed application statistics
Greenify	Optimizing RAM usage by “freezing” background applications	🔹 Significantly saves battery power 🔹 Reduces device heating 🔹 Works without root	🔸 Requires settings for each application
Game Booster 4x Faster	Cleaning RAM before launching games to increase FPS	🔹 Optimizes performance in games 🔹 One-step memory cleaning 🔹 Free	🔸 Lots of advertising 🔸 The effect is sometimes subjective

If you need not only to see the RAM, but also free up memory, pay attention to applications with a cleaning function, such as CCleaner or Files by Google. They know how to close background processes and delete unnecessary temporary files that take up RAM.

For advanced users, suitable Termux is a terminal for Androidwhich allows you to check memory through commands Linux. For example, the command cat /proc/meminfo will display detailed information about RAM usage, including buffers and cache.

🔹 Install only one monitoring application - multiple utilities will conflict

🔹 Set up alerts about critical memory load levels (for example, 90%)

🔹 Regularly check which applications are consuming the most RAM

🔹 Don't clear memory too often - Android optimizes its use automatically-->

5. ADB commands: for advanced users

If you are familiar with USB debugging (ADB, you can get RAM data directly from your computer. This method is useful if you need the most accurate information or you are testing several devices.

Here are step-by-step guide:

1. Enable Developer mode on the phone:
   • Go to Settings → About phone
   • tap on 7 times Build number (or MIUI Version on Xiaomi)
   • Return to Settings → System → For developers
   • Activate USB debugging

Connect your phone to the PC and install ADB drivers (if not already installed)

Open the command line (or Termux on your phone) and enter:

adb shell cat /proc/meminfo

This command will display detailed memory information, including:

• 📌 MemTotal — total amount of RAM
• 📌 MemFree — free memory
• 📌 Buffers and Cached — memory used for caching
• 📌 SwapTotal —size of the paging file (if used)

For more convenient reading, you can use the command:

adb shell dumpsys meminfo

It will show memory consumption by process, including system services and user applications.

If you need to learn how much memory a specific application takes (for example, Chrome or Instagram), use:

adb shell dumpsys meminfo com.android.chrome

(replace com.android.chrome to the package of the desired application).

⚠️ Attention: Not all manufacturers allow access to full information via ADB. On some devices Huawei and Xiaomi you may need to unlock the bootloader or obtain root access.

6. How to check RAM on Android via a computer

If your smartphone is connected to a PC, you can find out information about RAM without installing additional applications. Standard tools are suitable for this. Windows, macOS On Linux.

On Windows:

1. Connect your phone to the computer. via USB (in file transfer mode)
2. Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager)
3. Find your device in the list (usually in the section Portable devices or Other devices)
4. Right-click and select Properties → Hardware
5. Information may be displayed here about memory, but not always complete

A more reliable way is to use the app MyPhoneExplorer:

• 🖥️ Download and install the app on your PC
• 📱 Install the client MyPhoneExplorer on your phone
• 🔗 Connect devices via USB, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
• 📊 In the section Phone information there will be a line with information about RAM

On macOS or Linux can be used Android File Transfer, but it only shows the file system. To obtain RAM data, it is easier to use ADB, as described in the previous section.

Another option is to connect to the phone via Scrcpy (a app for managing Android from a PC) and open the device settings directly on the computer screen. This is convenient if your display is broken, but the phone is working.

7. Common problems with RAM on Android and their solutions

Sometimes users encounter situations where RAM behaves “strangely”. ways to solve them.

Problem 1: The phone shows less RAM than stated by the manufacturer

This is a normal situation! Part of the memory is reserved for the needs of the system. For example:

• 📱 On a smartphone with 4 GB RAM there may be 3.2–3.6 available. GB
• 📱 On a device with 6 GB —about 5.2–5.5 GB
• 📱 On flagships with data-i="304">the difference is smaller (100–300 MB) 8–12 GB the difference is smaller (100–300 MB)

Solution: You don’t need to do anything - this is a feature Android. The system uses reserved memory to cache frequently used data, which speeds up work.

Problem 2: RAM is constantly full, the phone slows down

If there is less than 10-15% free RAM, the system begins to freeze. Reasons:

• 🧹 Too many background applications
• 🦠 Viruses or malicious software Software
• 🔄 Unoptimized firmware (especially on custom ROMs)
• 📱 Old device with a small amount of RAM (1–2 GB)

Solutions:

• 🛑 Close unused ones applications manually
• 🔄 Disable autorun of unnecessary apps in settings
• 🧹 Use applications to clear memory (for example, Greenify)
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version
• 🛡️ Check your device for viruses (Malwarebytes, Dr.Web)

Problem 3: After updating Android, there is less available memory

This is due to the fact that new versions of the OS require more resources. For example, Android 12 can reserve 200-400 MB more than Android 10.

Solution:

• 🔄 Reset your phone to factory settings (make a backup first!)
• 📱 Install lightweight firmware (for example, LineageOS without GApps)
• 🛠️ If the device is old (2-3 GB of RAM), consider upgrade

Problem 4: Applications close spontaneously due to lack of RAM

This happens when the system forcibly frees memory for higher priority tasks. Most often they suffer:

• 🎮 Games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact)
• 📷 Video editors (CapCut, KineMaster)
• 🌐 Browsers with multiple tabs (Chrome, Firefox)

Solutions:

• 🔄 Turn on performance mode in the settings (at Samsung — Settings → Device maintenance → Battery → Performance mode)
• 🎯 For games, use Game Booster or Game Tools
• 📱 Close all background applications before running resource-intensive tasks

8. How to check RAM before buying a used smartphone

When buying a supported phone, sellers sometimes try to deceive by indicating inflated specifications in the ad. Here's how to check the real amount of RAM and avoid being scammed:

Step 1: Visual inspection

• 🔍 Look at the box - memory is usually indicated there (but the box can be faked)
• 📱 On some models, the amount of RAM is indicated on a sticker under the battery (if removable)

Step 2: Checking through settings

• 🔄 Ask the seller to open Settings → About phone → Memory
• 📊 Compare the indicators with those stated in the ad

Step 3: Use the engineering menu

• 📞 Enter the code ##4636## and check the section Device information
• 🔍 Pay attention to the line Memory — the actual volume is indicated here

Step 4: Install the test application

• 📱 Ask the seller to install CPU-Z or AIDA64
• 🔍 In the section System or Memory there will be accurate information

Step 5: Check multitasking

• 🎮 Open 3-4 resource-intensive applications (for example, game, browser, camera)
• 🔄 Switch between them - if there is little RAM, applications will be reloaded

If the seller refuses to demonstrate the phone's operation or a memory test, this is a reason to be wary. It is also worth checking the device for authenticity through the service IMEI.info (by IMEI number) to make sure that it is not a fake.

⚠️ Attention: Some Chinese smartphones (especially no-name brands) may have firmware installed that artificially inflates RAM performance. To prevent this from happening, check the memory through several methods (settings + engineering menu + third-party application).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about RAM on Android

❓ Why is 3.8 GB shown in the settings RAM if the phone is 4 GB?

This is normal! Manufacturers indicate total memory capacity, but part of it (usually 200–500 MB) is reserved for the needs of the system (OS kernel, drivers, cache). For example, on Samsung Galaxy with 4 GB of RAM, about 3.5–3.7 GB is available, and on Xiaomi — 3.2–3.6 GB. This is not a defect, but a feature of the architecture Android.

❓ Is it possible to increase the amount of RAM on Android?

Physically, no, since the memory is soldered to the motherboard. However, there are several workarounds:

• 🔄 Use swap file (swap) on the memory card (requires root and special applications like SwapFile). The effect is minimal, and the wear of the flash drive is accelerated.
• 📱 Buy a smartphone with a large amount of RAM (from 6 GB for comfortable work in 2026).
• 🧹 Optimize current memory: disable autorun of unnecessary applications, use Greenify or Brevent.

Important: Virtual memory (swap) on Android works worse than on a PC due to the characteristics of the file system and the slow read/write speed on flash memory.

❓ Which application best shows RAM usage?

The choice depends on your needs:

• 📊 For detailed statistics — CPU-Z or AIDA64.
• 📈 For real-time monitoring — Simple System Monitor (there is a floating widget).
• 🧹 For memory cleaning — Greenify or built-in tools (Optimization on Samsung).
• 🎮 For players — Game Booster 4x Faster (cleanses RAM before launching games).

Avoid applications with aggressive advertising or suspicious permissions (for example, access to SMS or contacts).

❓ Why does it quickly fill up again after clearing the RAM?

This is normal behavior Android! The system specifically fills free memory cached datato speed up the restart of applications. Clearing RAM manually is often harms performancebecause:

• 🔄 Applications have to be loaded "from scratch", which takes longer.
• 📱 Frequent cleaning increases wear on the flash memory (due to repeated loading of data).
• 🛡️ Android itself optimizes memory use - trust the system.

You should only clear RAM if:

• 🎮 You are running a resource-intensive game or application.
• 🐢 Phone noticeably slow (less than 10% of free memory).