Owners of mobile devices are often faced with a situation where the smartphone starts to work slower, applications crash, or the system reports that there is not enough space to install new apps. In such cases, the first step is to accurately determine the current state of the internal storage and RAM. Understanding how many resources are available at the moment is the key to properly optimizing the operation of the gadget.
Many users confuse two types of memory: operational (RAM) and built-in (ROM). RAM is responsible for system performance and the number of simultaneously running applications, while built-in memory is designed to store photos, videos, games and the operating system itself. Checking each of these parameters requires a different approach, although in modern shells the information is often collected in one place.
Next we will analyze in detail all the available methods for checking the amount of memory on devices running Android. We will look at standard system tools, hidden engineering menus and third-party utilities that will help you get the most accurate data about the configuration of your smartphone.
Differences between RAM and ROM in the Android system
Before moving on to the settings, it is important to clearly distinguish between the concepts. RAM (RAM - Random Access Memory) is volatile memory that is cleared when the device is turned off. This is where all computing processes take place. The more free RAM, the smoother the interface works and the faster task switching.
Built-in memory (ROM - Read-Only Memory or Flash Storage) is a permanent data storage. The operating system Android, user applications, media files and cache are installed here. When you download a movie or take a photo, it is saved here. Lack of space in this section may make it impossible to update the system or install new apps.
Manufacturers often indicate the total volume in the characteristics of a smartphone, but the actual available space is always less than stated. This is due to the fact that system files and pre-installed software occupy a significant part of the disk space even before the user first turns on the device.
⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse a microSD memory card with internal memory. Although on some models applications can be transferred to the card, the system and critical processes operate exclusively in the internal drive.
When buying a smartphone, pay attention not only to the total amount of memory, but also to the type of drive (UFS 2.1, UFS 3.1), as this directly affects the loading speed of applications and the system.
Checking memory through standard settings
The easiest and safest way to find out the amount of memory is to use the built-in settings menu. The interface may differ slightly depending on the version Android and the manufacturer's shell (for example, MIUI, OneUI or ColorOS), but the logic remains the same.
First, open the main menu and find the gear icon. In the list of options that opens, you need to scroll down the page to the section related to the system or storage. In plain language Android this item is usually called Storage or Memory. By clicking on it, you will see a visual diagram showing the distribution of space.
The system will show details by category: how much space is occupied by applications, images, videos, audio files and system data. This allows you to quickly identify what exactly is “eating” free space. For example, if the “Other” category takes up gigabytes, a large amount of messenger cache may have accumulated.
- 📱 Go to
Settingsyour device. - 💾 Find the section
StorageorDevice memory. - 📊 Study the color chart of file distribution.
- 🗑️ Click on a category with a large volume for a detailed view.
As for RAM, in the stock version Android this information is often hidden from the average user. However, shells from Xiaomi, Samsung or Huawei often have a separate item RAM or optimization tool, which displays the current RAM load in real time.
Using the "About phone" menu for general information
Section About the phone contains basic technical information about your device. Here you can quickly find out the processor model, system build version and the total amount of built-in memory without delving into the details of the file system.
To get to this section, scroll to the bottom of the settings. Usually the item About phone or Phone information is located at the end of the list. In the menu that opens there will be a line indicating the total amount of internal storage, for example 128 GB or 256 GB.
It is worth noting that it is the physical volume of the drive that is displayed here, and not the free space. To obtain data about free space, this section is less informative than the Storagemenu that we talked about above. However, this is a quick way to check the characteristics of the device with those stated at the time of purchase.
On some devices, by clicking on the item several times in a row Build number, you can activate developer mode. This opens up access to more advanced monitoring tools, which will be discussed in the following sections.
⚠️ Attention: If in the "About phone" item the memory amount is displayed incorrectly (for example, instead of 64 GB you see 16 GB), this may indicate that the device was reflashed using a homemade method or a fake.
Viewing RAM through developer mode
If the standard menu does not show RAM loading, you must activate the hidden developer mode. This gives access to advanced debugging functions and real-time monitoring of system resources.
Activation is done by repeatedly clicking on the build number in the menu About phone. Usually you need to click 7 times, after which a notification will appear indicating that you have become a developer. After this, a new item will appear in the main settings - For developers.
Inside this section, find the item Memory or Running Services (Running services). This displays a list of active processes and the amount of RAM they are consuming. This is an invaluable tool for identifying applications that are running incorrectly in the background and consuming resources.
Settings → System → For Developers → MemoryUsing this data allows you to understand why the phone is slow. If there is critically little free RAM even after closing applications, the system may not have enough physical resources to comfortably run modern heavy apps.
☑️ Activating developer mode
Third-party applications for system diagnostics
When the built-in tools are not enough, specialized utilities from store Google Play. Applications like CPU-Z, AIDA64 or DevCheck provide comprehensive information about the hardware of your smartphone.
These apps show not only the total amount, but also the type of memory, processor frequency, sensor temperature and the actual throughput of the drive. For example, CPU-Z in the tab Device clearly separates Total RAM (all memory) and available to the user.
Particular attention should be paid to the section Storage in such applications. There you can see a detailed breakdown of the disk partitions, including the system partition, which is usually hidden from the user's eyes in a standard file manager. This is useful when diagnosing problems with software updates.
| Application | Main function | Complexity | Advertising |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU-Z | Info about the processor and RAM | Low | Yes |
| AIDA64 | Full diagnostics of all sensors | Medium | No (paid) |
| SD Maid | Site analysis and cleaning | High | Yes |
| DevCheck | Real-time monitoring | Medium | Yes |
Using third-party software also allows you to check the characteristics if you bought the phone second hand. Fraudsters often modify system files so that the settings show more memory than it really is. Specialized utilities read data directly from the memory controller, bypassing software substitutions.
Why is real memory less than declared?
Manufacturers use the decimal number system (1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes), and the operating system uses the binary number system (1 GB = 1,073,741 824 bytes). In addition, part of the space is reserved for system needs and data recovery.
Engineering menu and hidden codes
For advanced users, there is access to the engineering menu through a set of special USSD codes in the "Phone" application. This method allows you to access hardware tests and detailed memory usage statistics without installing additional software.
The codes may vary depending on the processor manufacturer (MediaTek, Qualcomm) and the phone brand. The most universal code is ##4636##, which opens the testing menu. In it you can select the item Memory usageto see statistics.
For devices based on MediaTek the code ##3646633##often works, opening a full engineering menu. Here in the tab Memory you can see a detailed map of the distribution of flash memory partitions. Be extremely careful: changing settings in this menu may cause the device to malfunction.
⚠️ Attention: Never change values in the engineering menu unless you know exactly what each parameter does. Resetting memory settings can turn your smartphone into a “brick.”
If the codes do not work, the manufacturer may have blocked this feature in the firmware. In this case, returning to third-party applications or standard settings remains the only safe diagnostic option.
The engineering menu is intended primarily for service engineers, and not for ordinary users. Use it only to view information, avoiding making changes.
Frequently asked questions about memory on Android (FAQ)
Why is there less memory available than indicated in the specifications?
Part of the built-in memory is occupied by the operating system Android, drivers and preinstalled manufacturer's applications. In addition, there is a difference in gigabyte calculation systems between the drive manufacturer and the OS.
Is it possible to increase the RAM on a phone?
It is impossible to physically increase the RAM chip. However, many modern smartphones support a function Virtual RAM (memory expansion), which uses part of the built-in storage as an addition to RAM. This function can be enabled in the settings if it is provided by the manufacturer.
How to free up space in the internal memory?
The most effective methods: deleting the application cache, transferring photos and videos to cloud storage or a memory card, and deleting unused apps. Clearing the folder Download and messenger cache (Telegram, WhatsApp) also helps.
Does filling the memory affect the speed of operation?
Yes, critically. When the built-in memory is more than 90% full, the speed of writing and reading data drops, which leads to noticeable system slowdowns. Also, the lack of free space prevents the system from creating temporary files for applications to run.
Where can I see the exact type of memory (UFS/eMMC)?
In standard settings, this information is usually hidden. To obtain data about the type of drive (for example, UFS 3.1 or eMMC 5.1), it is best to use the application AIDA64 or DevCheckthat read this data directly from the controller.