How to free up RAM on Android: a complete guide to speed up your phone

Has your smartphone started to slow down, applications close on their own, and games freeze at the most crucial moment? The reason most often lies in shortage Android- the smartphone started to slow down, applications close on their own, and games freeze at the most crucial moment? The reason most often lies in the lack random access memory (RAM). Even flagship models with 8–12 GB of RAM eventually face overload due to background processes, cache and unoptimized applications.

In this article we will analyze current methods of freeing up RAM on Android in 2026that work without rootrights and not require the installation of dubious "cleaners". You'll learn how to manually close unnecessary processes, set up autocleanup, and even limit memory-hungry applications. And also why popular tips like “turn off animation” are often useless, and what will really help restore the phone’s performance.

Why the phone is slow: RAM vs permanent memory

Many people are confused RAM and internal memory (ROM), although these are fundamentally different things. RAM is the "home" of the phone, where data from active applications is temporarily stored. When there is not enough memory, the system begins kill processes in the background, which causes slowdowns.

Signs of low RAM:

• 🔄 Applications reload when you return to them (for example, YouTube or Telegram "forget" your place in the feed).
• ⏳ Long loading time for the interface after unlocking.
• 🎮 Games reduce FPS or crash with an error Out of Memory.
• 🔋 Rapid battery drain due to constant rebooting of processes.

To check the current RAM load, open Settings → Device care → Memory (the path may differ depending on the shell - MIUI, One UI, ColorOS etc.). Here you will see a graph of RAM usage and a list of the most "gluttonous" applications.

Method 1: Manually cleaning RAM through the developer menu

The fastest way to free up memory is to manually close background processes. This does not require third-party utilities: just activate developer menu (if it is not already enabled).

How to enable the developer menu:

1. Go to Settings → About phone.
2. Find the item Build number and tap on it 7 times in a row.
3. Enter the PIN code, if required.
4. Done! Now a new section will appear in the main settings For Developers.

Next:

• 📱 Open Settings → For Developers.
• 🔍 Find the option Background processes limit (or Background processes limit).
• ⚙️ Set the value No background processes or Maximum 2 processes.
• 🔄 Return to the main menu and select Clear memory (or Stop all).

⚠️ Attention: Limiting background processes may cause messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) and music services (Spotify, Yandex Music) to be turned off more often. Use this method only if there is an acute lack of memory.

Method 2: Optimizing startup applications

Many apps launch automatically when you turn on the phone or connect to the Internet, taking up precious megabytes of RAM. You can disable startup without rootrights, but the methods differ depending on the manufacturer.

For Samsung (One UI):

• 📱 Go to Settings → Applications.
• 🔍 Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Autorun.
• ❌ Disable unnecessary applications (for example, games or stores that you rarely use).

For Xiaomi (MIUI):

• 🛠️ Open Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
• 🔄 Select Autostart and deactivate unnecessary apps.

For "pure" Android (Pixel, Motorola):

• 🔧 Install the application Autostarts (requires ADB-commands for full access).
• 📋 Manually disable autostart for selected applications.

Manufacturer	Path to startup settings	Limitations
Samsung	Settings → Applications → Autorun	You cannot disable system applications
Xiaomi	Settings → Applications → Management → Autorun	Resetting settings after updating MIUI
Google Pixel	Required Autostarts + ADB	Difficult for beginners
Huawei	Settings → Applications → Launch	Limited list of applications

Method 3: Using built-in optimization tools

Modern Android shells (One UI 6.0, MIUI 15, ColorOS 14) have built-in utilities for cleaning memory. They are less aggressive than manual ones. methods, but they work in the background and do not require your intervention.

How to enable auto-cleaning:

• 🧹 On Samsung: Settings → Device care → Automatic optimization → turn on the slider.
• 🔄 On Xiaomi: Settings → Applications → Cleaning → activate Auto cleaning.
• 📊 On Oppo/Realme: Settings → Additional settings → Optimization.

These tools usually work:

• 🔋 When the battery charge is low (less than 15%).
• 📵 When the phone is not used for a long time.
• 🔄 After locking the screen (after 30–60 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Built-in optimizers sometimes mistakenly close important processes (for example, Google Play Services), which can disrupt the operation of push notifications. If you notice problems, add critical applications to exceptions.

Method 4: Limit Greedy Apps with ADB

Some apps (for example, Facebook, TikTok, or games like Genshin Impact) can take up to 1-2 GB of RAM even in the background. If the phone manufacturer has not provided restrictions, you can manually reduce the priority of such applications. via ADB.

Instructions:

1. 🖥️ Install ADB Tools on your computer (you can download from the official website Android Developers).
2. 📱 Enable USB debugging in the developer menu on phone.
3. 🔌 Connect the phone to the PC and run the command:

   adb shell cmd appops set  RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND ignore

   For example, for Facebook:

   adb shell cmd appops set com.facebook.katana RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND ignore

This command prevents the application from running in the background after closing. To return the standard behavior, replace ignore with allow.

How to find the batch name of the application?

Install App Inspector from Google Play or use command adb shell pm list packages | grep "application_name".

Examples of package names of popular applications:

• 📘 Facebook: com.facebook.katana
• 🎵 Spotify: com.spotify.music
• 📺 TikTok: com.zhiliaoapp.musically
• 🎮 Genshin Impact: com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact

Method 5: Using lightweight alternatives to "heavy" applications

Many popular services have "light" versions (Lite), which consume 2–3 times less RAM. For example:

• 📘 Facebook Lite instead of the standard one Facebook (saves up to 500 MB of RAM).
• 💬 Messenger Lite instead of the main messenger.
• 📺 YouTube Go to watch videos without background.
• 🗺️ Google Maps Go instead of the full version of the maps.

It is also worth paying attention to web versions services. For example:

• 📧 Open Gmail or VKontakte via a browser (in Chrome you can add a shortcut to the home screen).
• 🎵 Listen to music on YouTube Music through the website instead of the application.

Application	RAM consumption (standard)	RAM consumption (Lite/web)	Saving
Facebook	~800 MB	~200 MB (Facebook Lite)	600 MB
Instagram	~600 MB	~300 MB (web version)	300 MB
Google Maps	~500 MB	~150 MB (Maps Go)	350 MB

Method 6: Setting up a swap file without root

If your phone has less 4 GB of RAM, you can create swap file (swap), which will use part of the internal memory as additional RAM. This will not replace physical RAM, but will help avoid sudden brakes.

To do this:

1. 📱 Install application Swapfile Activator (requires Android 10+).
2. 🔧 Set the size of the swap file (recommended 1–2 GB, but not more than 20% of the free space).
3. 🔄 Reboot your phone.

Important:

• ⚠️ Swap file increases memory wear (especially on cheap smartphones with eMMC instead of UFS).
• ⚡ Reduces operating speed (swap is 10–100 times slower than RAM).
• 🔋 Increases battery consumption by 5–15%.

⚠️ Attention: On phones With Android 12+ and file system F2FS swap may be unstable. Before setting up, check the processor model and memory type in the application AIDA64.

Method 7: Resetting the cache and data for problematic applications

Sometimes the cause is RAM overload. becomes damaged cache or accumulated temporary files. Clearing the cache will not delete your data (photos, messages), but can return the application to normal operation.

How to clear the cache:

• 📱 Go in Settings → Applications.
• 🔍 Select the problematic application (for example, Google Play Market or Chrome).
• 🧹 Click Storage → Clear cache.
• 🚫 If the problem persists, try Clear data (⚠️ this will delete settings and inputs!).

Applications whose cache should be cleared regularly (once every 1-2 months):

• 🌐 Browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Opera).
• 📷 Social networks (Instagram, TikTok, VKontakte).
• 🎮 Games with online cache (PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty).
• 🗺️ Maps (Google Maps, Yandex.Navigator).

What does NOT help free up RAM (common myths)

You can find dozens on the Internet "tips" for speeding up Android that actually doesn't work or even harm the phone. Here are the most popular myths:

Myth 1: “Close all applications from multitasking”
❌ Reality: Android is optimized for working with background processes forcing the system to waste more resources on them. restart. The exception is if the application is really frozen.

Myth 2: “Disabling animation speeds up the phone”
❌ Reality: Animation does not affect RAM consumption. Disabling it (Developer settings → Animation scale) only improves the interface. less smooth, but does not free up memory.

Myth 3: “Memory cleaners (Clean Master, CCleaner) help"
❌ Reality: These applications often increase load the system while running in the background More. In addition, they can delete important temporary files, which will lead to crashes.

Myth 4: “Switching to custom firmware will solve all problems”
❌ Reality: Custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) can improve performance, but require root-rights and often deprive the phone of official support. For most users, the risks outweigh the benefits.

Myth 5: “The more free RAM, the better”
❌ Reality: Android uses free memory. for caching. data-i="275">inefficient use of resources empty RAM is inefficient use of resourcesnormal if 70–85% of the RAM is occupied.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about RAM on Android

❓ How much RAM should be free for normal operation? work?

Android is not designed to work with “empty” RAM. Normal state:

• 📱 4 GB RAM: 0.5–1 GB free.
• 📱 6–8 GB RAM: 1–1.5 GB free.
• 📱 12+ GB RAM: 2–3 GB free.

If less than 10% of the total volume is free, it is worth optimizing background processes.

❓ Why does the phone slow down again after 10 minutes after clearing the RAM?

This happens due to:

• 🔄 Automatic restart of applications (especially relevant for MIUI and ColorOS).
• 📱 Unoptimized games/applications (for example, Genshin Impact or Facebook).
• 🔋 Google background services (Google Play Services can take up to 300–500 MB).

Solution: use ADB-commands to limit problematic applications (see Method 4).

❓ Is it possible to increase the RAM on the phone?

Physically - no. But there are workarounds:

• 🔧 Swap file (swap) - temporary solution (see Method 6).
• 📱 RAM Plus mode (on some Samsung i Xiaomi) - uses part of the internal memory as virtual RAM.
• 🔄 Firmware update —manufacturers sometimes optimize memory management in new versions of Android.

⚠️ Attention: Virtual RAM (RAM Plus) only works on phones with UFS 3.0+ Android 11+. On budget models, this can worsen performance.

❓ Which applications load the RAM the most?

Top 5 RAM "eaters" (according to AIDA64 for 2026):

1. Genshin Impact — up to 3.5 GB in the background.
2. Facebook — 700–900 MB (even when minimized).
3. TikTok — 600–800 MB.
4. Google Chrome — 500–1200 MB (depending on the number of tabs).
5. Instagram — 400–600 MB.

Solution: use lightweight versions or web clients (see Method 5).

❓ Why did the phone slow down after updating Android?

Reasons:

• 🔄 New system services (for example, Google Discover or Wellbeing).
• 📱 Outdated hardware - new versions of Android require more resources.
• 🔧 Resetting optimizations — after the update, some settings are reset.

What to do:

• 🧹 Clear the system cache (Settings → Storage → Data cache).
• 🔋 Roll back to factory settings (if the brakes are critical).
• 📲 Check for updates for a specific model on the forums (for example, 4PDA).