Running low on storage on your Android device? Disable this feature to free up some space

Most modern Android phones have a feature called virtual RAM that takes some portion of the device storage to keep more apps in memory. Here's how to turn it off and reclaim valuable storage space.

Virtual RAM can be useful if you use an Android device 4GB or less RAM. (Express photo)

While most Android phones offer ample space to store all your images, videos and apps, many of us often find ourselves running out of on-board storage every once in a while. If you happen to run out of storage on your Android device, try disabling virtual RAM to regain some space.

Designed to keep apps in memory and boost the overall performance of the phone, virtual RAM consumes anywhere between 4GB to 12GB of storage space. Also, isn’t useful on Android devices that have more than 8GB RAM, which is the case with most mid-range devices these days.

However, virtual RAM may offer a significant performance boost if you happen to own an Android device with 4GB or less RAM, so we recommend leaving it on if that’s the case. Here’s how to turn it off on OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Samsung and Vivo devices.

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Here’s how to disable virtual RAM to regain storage space on your Android device. (Express Photo)

How to disable virtual RAM on Oppo, OnePlus and Realme phones?

On Oppo phones, which run on ColorOS, OxygenOS and Realme UI, the feature is called “RAM expansion”

1. To find it, open the ‘Settings’ app on your phone, scroll down and tap on ‘About device’.

2. On the screen that appears, click on “RAM” and you will be able to see an option named “RAM expansion”.

3. Depending on your phone, this feature may be enabled by default. To turn it off, simply turn off the toggle, restart your phone and you are good to go.

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How to turn off virtual RAM on Vivo phones?

On Vivo phones running on FuntouchOS, virtual RAM is called “Extended RAM”.

1. To disable it, open the ‘Settings’ app on your phone and tap on the option named “RAM & storage space.”

2. Now, tap on ‘RAM’ at the top of the screen and on the screen that appears, turn off the toggle named “Extended RAM”, following which you will be asked to restart your device.

How to turn off virtual RAM on Samsung phones?

If you use a Samsung phone, the feature is advertised as RAM Plus.

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1. To disable it, open the ‘Settings’ app and head over to ‘Device care.’

2. Now, tap on ‘Memory’ and on the window that appears, scroll down and click on ‘RAM Plus’.

3. Here, you will be able to adjust the amount of storage you want to use as RAM or turn off the feature entirely.

Anurag Chawake

Anurag Chawake is a Senior Sub-Editor at indianexpress.com. His fascination with technology and computers goes back to the days of Windows 98. Since then, he has been tinkering with various operating systems, mobile phones, and other things. Anurag usually writes on a wide range of topics including Android, gaming, and PC hardware among other things related to consumer tech. His Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn user name is antechx. ... Read More