Is 6GB RAM enough on Android tablet for JWLibrary?

[WilliamChew]

I'm planning to buy the Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2 Pro tablet. It has a 12.1" QHD screen 6GB RAM, 128GB SD storage, 12,000mah battery. The CPU is snapdragon 7 Gen 4 and the tablet costs US$250 with 1 year warranty.

 

Wonder if anyone is using 6GB of RAM and running JWLibrary?

Edited Saturday at 02:48 PM by WilliamChew

[Mike047]

It's quite low, but some are running LW Library on 4Gb RAM. Best to have 8+ Gb if it's for heavy usage and downloads.  You should be ok with Android tablet on 6Gb if usage is light.

[Eryk]

Even 4Gb RAM (memory) is enough. What you need to look at is storage, as some devices may not come with an SD card expansion slot. If you dowload a lot of videos, you will need lots of storage. Go for 128Gb+.

[Hinata]

Another important factor is your Android version. In specific, at the current time, JW Library is supported only on devices running Android 7.0 or later, iOS 15.0 or later, or Windows 10 1903 or later. [The number can change as the time progress.]

 

*** Frequently Asked Questions—JW Library (Android) ***
JW Library is compatible with devices that run one of the following operating systems:
Android 7.0 or later

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=802013202&srcid=share

 

A quick Google search seems to imply that Redmi 2 does not support Android 7.0. Its latest is either 4.4 KitKat or 5.1 Lolipop.

 

If that is the case, JW Library will not run correctly.

 

Edited Saturday at 01:59 PM by Hinata

[WilliamChew]

47 minutes ago, Hinata said:

A quick Google search seems to imply that Redmi 2 does not support Android 7.0. Its latest is either 4.4 KitKat or 5.1 Lolipop.

 

If that is the case, JW Library will not run correctly.

 

 

Thanks. I checked that the Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2 Pro runs Android 15.

[WilliamChew]

6 hours ago, Mike047 said:

It's quite low, but some are running LW Library on 4Gb RAM. Best to have 8+ Gb if it's for heavy usage and downloads.  You should be ok with Android tablet on 6Gb if usage is light.

 

Thanks. My primary machine is a Windows 11 PC and the tablet is just for use at the meetings and maybe field service.

 

I was attracted by the 12.1" screen. Saw some brothers using a large screen tablet at the meetings so was enticed by it.😁

 

Upgrading to the same model with 8GB RAM 256GB SD memory would cost another US$100.

 

My old Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 4GB RAM 64GB SD memory is very slow now and started to get difficult to open scriptures. Have to tap on the scripture link many times to open scriptures.😅

Edited Saturday at 03:07 PM by WilliamChew

[Mike047]

It becomes a problem. William, especially if you use JW Library across the whole of the facilities it offers. I had a Samsung Galaxy Tab but changed to Apple iPad Air and find it better. Samsung and iPad are both leaders with their hardware and their OS. The latest models are excellent but also expensive, so many go for a cheaper alternative, rather than a pro-owned refurbished model.

 

 

[BigMAC]

I have 4 GB on my Android and it works fine. So you should not have any problems with 6 GB.

 

[Ludwika]

7 hours ago, Eryk said:

Even 4Gb RAM (memory) is enough. What you need to look at is storage, as some devices may not come with an SD card expansion slot. If you dowload a lot of videos, you will need lots of storage. Go for 128Gb+.

I have a Lenovo 10" and a Samsung 11", both have 128g storage and work brilliantly.

I chose an Oppo phone because it has 254g (or 6? can't remember!) purely for the capacity, I never need to worry that I'm filling it up! 

That's what I looked at too with all of them, the storage capacity, and the quality of the tablet or phone.

Edited Saturday at 06:32 PM by Ludwika

[Dré]

It's crucial to consider the future, i.e., progress. While 6 GB was a fantastic choice for any gadget five years ago, tomorrow it'll be a literal antiquarian. Progress is also underway within the Organization, requiring more advanced tools for browsing, reading, and downloading. If you don't download anything and only use current publications, 4-6 GB is sufficient, but if you need to work with publications that are comparable to the Watchtower library, then at least 8 GB is essential, otherwise the processor will slow down your work with JWL. This isn't a desktop PC or a laptop; it's a tablet or a smartphone. It needs overclocking and free space, i.e., to stretch its lungs to breathe. Another year or two, and 4-6 GB will be history. But that's just my opinion. 

Edited Saturday at 07:51 PM by Dré

[Qapla]

With an Android device, if you have removable storage installed and set JWL to d/l to the card instead of the internal storage, it will run much smoother and not keep using device memory every time you d/l another publication or video

[vern]

The asian companies usually give you more specs for the money.  As long as you don.t need to worry about cell data coverage bands it uses its fine.

 

 

6gb ram today seems low imo.

[➕👇 ꓤꓱꓷꓠꓵ🎵Tone]

I recently had an offer to get at a 50% reduced priced a 14" screen.

I currently have a Samsung Tab 6 at 10.4".

I'm scared I will break a 14" unit. It's just too big.. imo.

As to Ram, and storage...

Strech for the extra ram. I'm currently showing 4.7GB use on my 8GB Ram. The device will service you longer if you have spare Ram. New software seems to keep creeping in size.

My device was one of the last Samsung devices that allowed the addition of an SD card, so I  have 170GB free (of 256GB).  It's a pity they stopped this imo.

My old Samsung Tab 6 is still doing everything i require of it, even though it is now over 6 years old. It is running Android 12, and Samsung will no longer provide updates.

I only use it for theocratic activities. Everything else is either on my phone or PC. (Both quite current.)

So there is a built in 'best before' date. So get the extra ram, and it might service you for a year or two extra.

With my device, I'm sure some upcoming update will force it in to retirement, as it will not longer run the latest  software.  (It has an upcoming 'use-by' date, much like me. lol) 

My son bought a 2-year old refurbished unit. Now, the battery does not hold charge, and the software support from Samsung is ending. So, stick to new device -  if you can afford it. It may work out more cost-effective in the long run.

(My son just purchased a new device this week. He effectively only got 2 years of use on his refurbished unit.)

Hope this helps.

Have fun installing all of your JW library books and notes to the new device. 

(I'm not looking forward to that when my tablet retires...)

PS Let me know what you get.  I'll be getting one in a year or two. Ty

Edited Saturday at 11:56 PM by ➕👇 ꓤꓱꓷꓠꓵ🎵Tone
Typo

[Dré]

When choosing a tablet, its size is crucial. While larger tablets are more comfortable to read or view, they can be inconvenient to travel with and take up a lot of space in your luggage. If we're using them for door-to-door preaching, we should also consider convenience, practicality, reliability, and functionality.

 

Photo: Brothers preaching to a man using a tablet. (Cultivate Compassion for “All Sorts of People”, ws18 July p. 27)

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/ws18/2018/552

 

Photo: Sisters in Switzerland using a video from our Teaching Toolbox (Sample Conversations, mwb19 December p. 1)

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/mwb19/2019/1009

 

[WilliamChew]

I finally bought the 12.1" Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2 Pro 6GB RAM 128GB SD memory for US$232 instead of US$250 due to a 10.10 offer.

 

I didn't think it was worth it to pay US$100 more (or 43%) to upgrade to a 8GB RAM 256GB memory model for future proofing.

 

This tablet was just released on 2025, September 24 and Xiaomi have committed to 4 years of Android updates.

 

I hope to have 2 copies or instances of jwlibrary side by side on the tablet. If the 6GB RAM is too little to allow that then I'll have to stick to one copy of jwlibrary on the tablet.😅

[Qapla]

 

1 hour ago, WilliamChew said:

I hope to have 2 copies or instances of jwlibrary side by side on the tablet. If the 6GB RAM is too little to allow that then I'll have to stick to one copy of jwlibrary on the tablet

 

 

 

 

Edited Sunday at 09:37 AM by Qapla

[bvr]

I know everyone has their preferences, but for me, I would look for a tablet with at least 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. This is because I have to consider both app performance and storage capacity. Focusing solely on storage without considering the CPU and RAM is not practical. For example, having 2TB of storage is pointless if your applications run slowly due to low RAM, making it a wasted investment.

 

For those who prefer Apple products like the iPad, the Apple Certified Refurbished website (https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/ipad) is worth considering if you want to save money on the latest models. That is where I bought my iPad Pro, and I got almost a $400 discount. Just a note: this website is not a third-party refurbished platform; it is an official Apple refurbished website. If you are thinking about buying a Samsung device, check out their official refurbished website:
https://www.samsung.com/us/smartphones/certified-re-newed-phones/

 

If you prefer Android, pay extra attention to the RAM. For storage, if your tablet supports an SD card, you can purchase one and insert it into the device. If possible, you can then change the download media location in the JW Library settings, or, if available, in the Android system settings. If neither option works, you will need to carefully consider the built-in storage capacity when purchasing.

 

Always remember that when purchasing a device, do not just think about its capabilities now. You also need to make sure that it will meet future demands so that your investment will not be wasted after only a few years. The JW Library app continues to evolve and will always follow the latest performance and hardware standards. This means that two to four years from now, the app may require higher performance than it does today. Make sure that the device you buy today can still handle those future requirements.

 

At this current market, it is recommended to have at least 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for smooth app performance. If you decide to go lower than that, you can, but keep in mind that you may experience issues in the long run.

 

Have fun!

 

 

 

PS: I bought my refurbished M1 iPad Pro back in 2023, and it has been more than two years now. It’s been fantastic and extremely powerful, and hasn’t degraded in performance in any way. I might stick with it until iPadOS stops supporting this model.

 

Edited Sunday at 11:57 AM by bvr

[bvr]

I also use it as my main driver for work and remote computer access.

So, if you want an iPad, go for M-series ones.

 

 

Edited Sunday at 12:08 PM by bvr

[Dré]

4 hours ago, WilliamChew said:

I hope to have 2 copies or instances of jwlibrary side by side on the tablet. If the 6GB RAM is too little to allow that then I'll have to stick to one copy of jwlibrary on the tablet.

 

If possible, could you explain to me, an illiterate person, what your words about JWL copies mean?  

 

1 hour ago, bvr said:

 

 

Why is there so much JWL in the photo of your tablet?  

 

I would be very grateful for your answers and explanations!

Edited Sunday at 12:50 PM by Dré

[Dré]

Vision Pro. I think we will soon come to this and will use it for watching films and short videos, both at home and in ministry. When they build a film studio in Ramapo, the future will not keep you waiting long.  

 

[WilliamChew]

2 hours ago, Dré said:

If possible, could you explain to me, an illiterate person, what your words about JWL copies mean?  

 

In a normal android phone, you can only open jwlibrary once. However, if the speaker quotes a scripture not in the studied subject your would have to lose your place in the study (either in the CLMM or WT study) to look up the scripture.

 

Being able to open a 2nd copy of the jwlirary app allows you to use the 2nd copy of jwlibrary to look up scriptures without affecting your place in the studied subject. On my Xiaomi 13T phone, the feature to open 2 copies of an app is called dual app. 

Spoiler

which phones have a dual app feature?

 

Many popular brands, including Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, and OnePlus, offer built-in dual app or app cloning features. This functionality allows users to create a duplicate of an application, such as a messaging or social media app, to run two separate accounts on the same device. 

 

Brands with built-in features

• Samsung: The feature is called "Dual Messenger" and can be found in Settings > Advanced features.
• Xiaomi: The feature is called "Dual apps" and is located in Settings > Apps.
• Huawei: Offers a built-in "Dual App" feature for creating duplicate applications.
• OnePlus: Includes a similar feature, which users can find in the settings.
• Vivo: Has an "App clone" feature available in Settings > Apps. 

 

How it works

1. Locate the feature: Go to your phone's settings and find the "Dual apps," "Dual Messenger," "App clone," or a similar option.
2. Select an app: Choose the application you want to duplicate from the list of supported apps.
3. Enable the clone: Turn on the toggle for that app. The phone will create a second, independent copy of the app.
4. Use separate accounts: The duplicate app will appear with a special indicator on its icon. You can then log in to a different account on the second version of the app. 

 

Alternative for other phones

• If your phone does not have a built-in feature, you can use third-party apps from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to clone applications.
• Popular third-party options include Parallel Space and Do Multiple Accounts. 

 

I was hoping that with a larger 12.1" screen, I can then open the 2 copies of jwlibrary side by side for convenience.

 

Check out this post about the subject.

Edited Sunday at 03:20 PM by WilliamChew

[Eryk]

2 hours ago, WilliamChew said:

 

However, if the speaker quotes a scripture not in the studied subject your would have to lose your place in the study (either in the CLMM or WT study) to look up the scripture.

I have never found this to be the case. Each tab/section keeps track of the last publication it is opened to (at least on Android). So your Meetings tab stays on the current material while the Bible tab/section is used for something else.

 

The whole desing of JW Library is such that you can go back and forth. Using two copies of the whole app just for that seems like an overkill.

[➕👇 ꓤꓱꓷꓠꓵ🎵Tone]

At the meeting, I use 2 devices.

The tablet is for following along with the Workbook or magazine, etc.

 

My phone is to look up scriptures that are not linked on the tablet - which will pop up on the side pane.

(And sometimes I have been known to chat to others. 🤭🤫)

 

However, I will look in to this 'dual session' thing. I may learn a new technique!

Ty

[Qapla]

Having two copies open at the same time also allows you to display two different languages at the same time

 

[WilliamChew]

6 hours ago, Eryk said:

I have never found this to be the case. Each tab/section keeps track of the last publication it is opened to (at least on Android). So your Meetings tab stays on the current material while the Bible tab/section is used for something else.

 

The whole desing of JW Library is such that you can go back and forth. Using two copies of the whole app just for that seems like an overkill.

 

You are right. Most of the time it works as you described. However, in some cases it doesn't work. I can't identify when though. 

Its most frustrating during the book study or WT study when you lose your place in the publication.😅