Random access memory (RAM) is one of the key components of a smartphone, directly affecting its performance. The volume determines how many applications can run simultaneously without freezing, how quickly tasks are switched, and how smoothly the interface works. However, not all users know how to check this parameter on their device. RAM It depends on how many applications can run simultaneously without freezing, how quickly tasks switch and how smoothly the interface works. However, not all users know how to check this setting on their device.

In this article we will look at all possible ways from standard Android settings to specialized utilities and even commands via ADB. You will learn not only how to see the total amount of memory, but also how to estimate its actual use in real time. We’ll also find out why sometimes the system shows less memory than stated by the manufacturer, and what to do about it.

1. Checking RAM through standard Android settings

The simplest and most universal method is to use the built-in system tools. It runs on all modern versions of Android (from 8.0 Oreo and newer) and does not require the installation of additional applications. Here's how to do it:

  1. Open Settings smartphone (gear icon in the application menu).
  2. Go to section About phone (sometimes it is hidden in the submenu System or About device).
  3. Find item Device characteristics, Hardware information or Memory.
  4. In the block RAM or RAM the total volume will be indicated (for example 6 GB or 8 GB).

On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy or Xiaomi Redmi) the path may be slightly different. If you don’t find the desired section, use the search bar in the settings - enter the query “RAM" or "RAM».

💡

On smartphones with MIUI shell (Xiaomi, Poco, Redmi), information about RAM is sometimes duplicated in the section Performance in the main settings.

Please note: this is displayed full amount. memory, not available. Part of the RAM is always reserved by the system for critical processes, so you can see smaller numbers in the task manager.

2. Using the task manager (continuous monitoring)

If you need to not only find out the total amount of RAM, but also track how it is used in real time, use the task manager This method is useful for diagnosing “brakes” or finding applications that are consuming too many resources.

Instructions for most. smartphones:

  • 📱 Press the button recent applications (square or swipe up with a pause on new Androids).
  • 🔍 At the bottom of the screen, find the inscription Memory or RAM (on Samsung this could be the button "Optimization»).
  • 📊 A graph will open with current memory usage, where it will be indicated:
    • Total RAM (for example, 8 GB),
    • Used (for example, 4.2 GB),
    • Free (for example, 1.8 GB).

On Xiaomi and some other brands, the task manager can be opened through Settings → Applications → Task Manager. There is often a button to force memory clearing, but you should not abuse it - Android itself optimizes the use of RAM.

📊 How often do you check the RAM usage on your smartphone?
Never
Only when the phone is slow
Regularly, for optimization
I don’t know, how to do this

3. Special applications for analyzing RAM

Standard Android tools provide basic information, but for detailed analysis it is better to use third-party utilities. They show not only the amount of memory, but also its type (LPDDR4X, LPDDR5), frequency, and also help identify “gluttonous” ones. processes.

Top 3 tested applications:

Application Features Link (Google Play)
CPU-Z
  • Shows real volume RAM taking into account system reservation.
  • Displays the type of memory and its frequency.
  • Without unnecessary water and unnecessary permissions.
 com.cpuid.cpu_z
AIDA64
  • Detailed information about each RAM module.
  • Memory performance tests.
  • Paid version with advanced features.
 com.finalwire.aida64
DevCheck
  • Minimalistic interface.
  • Shows RAM usage in real time.
  • Free, without unnecessary water.
 flar2.devcheck

How to use CPU-Z:

  1. Install the application from Google Play.
  2. Open it and go to the Device (Device) tab.
  3. In the block Memory you will see:
    • Total RAM — general volume,
    • Available RAM —available at the moment,
    • Used RAM —used now.

Item "Total RAM" on the Device tab|Memory type (LPDDR4/LPDDR5) in the Memory section|RAM frequency (MHz)|CPU temperature (tab CPU)-->

These applications are especially useful if you suspect that the manufacturer has underestimated the amount of memory in the firmware (this happens on some Chinese smartphones). They show real dataand not what is advertised.

4. RAM via ADB (for advanced users)

If you need the most accurate data or standard methods do not work (for example, on custom firmware), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB)This method requires connecting your smartphone to a computer, but gives access to low-level information.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Install ADB drivers on your PC.
  2. Enable USB debugging on your smartphone:
    • Go to Settings → About phone.
    • Tap 7 times on Build numberto activate mode Developer.
    • Go back to Settings → System → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.
  • Connect the phone to the PC and open command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux).
  • Enter the command: 
    adb shell cat /proc/meminfo | grep MemTotal

    The answer will be in the format:

    MemTotal:    6145728 kB

    Here 6145728 kB ≈ 6 GB (divide by 1024 to convert to megabytes, and another by 1024 for gigabytes).

    • Additionally, you can display information about free and used memory:

    adb shell dumpsys meminfo
    What to do if ADB does not recognize the device?

    1. Check if the drivers are installed (for Windows, download them from the smartphone manufacturer's website).

    2. Try a different USB cable (preferably the original one).

    3. Enable "Allow USB debugging" in the developer settings. (safe mode). data-i="171">developers

    4. Restart your phone and PC.

    This method is suitable for developers or users with custom firmware, where standard settings may show incorrect data. However, for ordinary tasks the previous methods are sufficient.

    5. Why does Android show less RAM than stated?

    Many users are faced with a situation where the characteristics of the smartphone indicate, for example, 8 GB of RAM, but the system shows only 6.5–7 GB. This is normal, and here's why:

    • 📱 System reservation: Android always allocates some memory for critical processes (kernel, drivers, system services). Typically this is 0.5–1.5 GB.
    • 🖥️ Integrated graphics: On some chipsets (for example, Qualcomm Snapdragon or Mediatek Helio) video memory takes up part of the RAM. This is called UMA (Unified Memory Architecture).
    • 🔧 Firmware and optimizations: Manufacturers (especially Samsung i OnePlus) sometimes limit the available space for stability.

    For example, on Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra s 12 GB RAM the user has access to about 10.5 GB, and on Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro s 8 GB s - approximately 6.8 GBs. This is not a defect, but a feature of the architecture.

    💡

    If the difference between the declared and available RAM exceeds 20%, this may indicate incorrect firmware or a hardware defect. In this case, you should check your phone using applications like AIDA64 or contact the service.

    To learn how much memory is actually available user applications, use the command:

    adb shell getprop ro.sys.fw.bg_app_limit
    ⚠️ Attention: On some devices (especially with Mediatek) this command may not work. In this case, be guided by the data from CPU-Z or AIDA64.

    6. How to increase the amount of RAM on Android (spoiler: it's almost impossible)

    Many users are looking for ways to “overclock” or increase the RAM on their smartphone. Unfortunately You cannot physically change the amount of RAM. the memory is soldered into the motherboard. However, there are several legal and not-so-legal optimization methods:

    Legal methods:

    • 🧹 Clearing the background: Close unused applications manually (although Android manages the memory itself).
    • ⚙️ Disable startup: In application settings, disable the background operation of unnecessary apps.
    • 🔄 Software update: Manufacturers optimize memory use in new firmware versions.

    Illegal (and dangerous) methods:

    • 🛠️ Modified firmware: Some custom ROMs (for example, LineageOS) allow you to “deceive” the system by showing a larger amount of RAM. However, this does not add real memory, but only masks the data.
    • 💻 Using a swap file: You can create a swap file on the internal memory, but this greatly wears out the flash drive and provides almost no performance gain.

    The best way to “increase” RAM is to buy a smartphone with a large amount of memory initially. For example, if you constantly do not have enough 4 GB, it makes sense to consider models with 6–8 GB (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Samsung Galaxy A54).

    ⚠️ Attention: Using apps like “RAM Booster” or “Memory Cleaner” from Google Play is not only useless, but also harmful. These utilities forcefully close background processes, which can lead to data loss (for example, unsaved messages in messengers) and increased battery consumption (applications will have to be restarted).

    7. Common mistakes when checking RAM and how to avoid them

    Even in such a simple procedure, users make mistakes that lead to incorrect conclusions. Here are the most. common:

    Error Consequences How to avoid
    Confused RAM and internal memory Incorrect diagnosis of “brakes” (for example, clearing the cache instead of optimizing RAM) RAM is measured in gigabytes (4–12 GB), and internal memory is measured in terabytes (64–512 GB)
    Use killer tasks Deterioration in performance, loss of data in the background Entrust memory management to Android - the system is smarter than most "optimizers"
    Compare free memory on different devices Wrong conclusions about Android's "gluttony" Android uses free memory for caching - it's normal if it's free 10–20% from the total volume

    Another common mistake is to trust data from AnTuTu Benchmark or other tests. These applications often show theoretical memory performance, and not its actual size, use CPU-Z or AIDA64.

    If after checking you find that the available memory is critically low (for example, less than 500 MB free with the total volume 4 GB), this may indicate:

    • 🦠 Virus or miner (check with Malwarebytes),
    • 🔄 Memory leak in the firmware (relevant for beta versions of Android),
    • 📱 Hardware defect (if memory “leaks” even after resetting the settings).

    FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

    Is it possible to install an additional RAM stick in a smartphone, like in a PC?

    No, in 99% of cases this is impossible. RAM in smartphones is soldered into the motherboard (the exception is some gaming smartphones like ASUS ROG Phone, but even there the upgrade is extremely limited). (for example,

    Why is there less available memory after an Android update?

    New OS versions (for example, Android 13 or Android 14) can reserve more RAM for system processes. Also, manufacturers sometimes limit the available amount in new firmware for stability. If the difference is significant (more than 1 GB), try rolling back to the previous version or contact support.

    How to check RAM on Android if the phone is not working. turns on?

    If the smartphone does not boot, but responds to connection to the PC, you can try:

    1. Connect it in mode Fastboot (press Volume down + Power).
    2. Enter command: 
      fastboot getvar all

      In the output, find the line with ram.

    If the device does not respond at all, all that remains is to disassemble it and look at the markings on the memory chip (but this requires skills).

    Does the type of RAM (LPDDR4 vs LPDDR5) affect performance?

    Yes, but not as much as the volume. LPDDR5 faster LPDDR4X by 20-30% due to higher bandwidth, but the difference will be noticed only in heavy games or benchmarks. For everyday tasks (social networks, videos, instant messengers), the type of memory is not critical - its size is more important. (minimum 6 GB in 2026).

    Is it possible to deceive the system by showing a larger amount of RAM?

    Technically yes, but this is pointless for some custom kernels (for example, for Magisk) allow you to replace memory data, but:

    • Applications will not have access to more real memory.
    • Some apps (banking, games) can block the device due to modifications.
    • The risk of “bricking” the smartphone if incorrect edits.

    Better spend time optimizing the current memory (see section 6).