Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have become an integral part of life, combining work tools and personal entertainment. Owners of the popular Redmi Note 9 model often face the need to clearly delineate these areas. The regular Second Space feature allows you to create an isolated environment, almost turning one phone into two independent devices. This is ideal for those who want to separate a work profile from a personal one or hide sensitive data from prying eyes.
Unlike simple hidden folders, this technology creates a full-fledged copy of the MIUI operating system with its own set of applications, gallery, contacts and accounts. data separation occurs at the system level, which provides a high level of privacy. However, users often do not know where to find this option in current versions of the firmware, as developers periodically change the location of the menu.
This article will take a closer look at how you activate, configure and use a hidden profile. We will look at the nuances of working with files, switching between spaces and solving common problems. On the Redmi Note 9, the function can be hidden depending on the version of MIUI, requiring activation through a hidden menu or special commands. A deep understanding of these mechanisms will allow you to maximize the capabilities of your gadget.
What is the Second Space and Why is it Necessary?
Second Space is an advanced virtualization tool built into the MIUI shell. When activated, a new user account is created with its own dataset. It's not just a password folder, but a full-fledged environment where applications can't see files from the main profile. You can install two instances of the same application, for example, two different WhatsApp or Telegram accounts, without using clones.
This feature is not just about separating work and leisure, but many users create a separate profile for children, installing only educational apps and restricting access to other phone functions, and the security of the data is ensured by the fact that without a special password or fingerprint, it is impossible to enter this section, and even when connected to a computer via USB, the second space will remain hidden.
In terms of performance, the Redmi Note 9 handles this task confidently thanks to the Snapdragon processor. However, it is worth considering that having two active environments can consume more RAM. If you plan to run heavy games or resource-intensive tasks in both profiles simultaneously, the system can redistribute resources, which sometimes leads to the background closure of applications.
⚠️ Attention: Creating a second space takes up extra memory on the internal drive. 3-5 GB to make the system work.
It's important to understand the difference between App Cloning and Second Space: Cloning allows you to run a second copy of a particular messenger in the same profile, whereas Second Space hides a whole ecosystem of applications and files. The choice depends on your goals: cloning is enough to quickly change social media accounts, and a second space is needed for complete isolation.
Preparing a smartphone for creating a profile
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your Redmi Note 9 is ready to work with dual profiles. First of all, check the operating system version. The feature is supported on MIUI 12, MIUI 13 and newer versions, but in some regional firmware (for example, Global ROM), it may be limited. It is also recommended to back up important data, although the profiling process should not affect the main system.
Special attention should be paid to access rights. To work properly all functions, you need to have an active Mi Account on the device. Without linking to the Xiaomi cloud service, some synchronization and recovery functions may not be available. Also, make sure that the lock screen has a reliable method of protection: pin code, pattern lock or biometrics.
☑️ Readiness check for Redmi Note 9
If you plan to move work documents there, sort the files in the main profile in advance, which will simplify the initial setup process, and it is worth noting that once the function is activated, a special icon will appear on the lock screen, allowing you to quickly switch between profiles if you set different fingerprints for each of them.
Step-by-step instruction: Incorporation of the function
The activation process can vary depending on the version of the MIUI shell installed on your Redmi Note 9. In most cases, the path lies through standard system settings. You need to find the section responsible for additional features or special features. If the standard path does not work, there are alternative methods of activation through search or special codes.
Let's look at the basic algorithm of actions. First, open the settings menu and find the option "Additional Features." In some versions of the firmware, it may be called "Special Features." Then select the option "Second Space." The system will ask you to familiarize yourself with the features of the function and request confirmation to create a new profile. Press the button "Enable Second Space."
Once the process is started, the system will create a virtual copy of the desktop, and you'll be asked to set up the lock screen for the new space, and here's the important security point: you can set the same password as the main profile, but you'd better come up with a unique one, which will allow you to log in to different spaces just by unlocking your phone in different ways.
What if the second space item is not on the menu?
Once you have set up, you will see a clean desktop, and you can start filling it up, and all apps installed in this mode will be independent of your main profile, and use the built-in GetApps store or Google Play store to install the software, first logging in to your account.
Security settings and entry methods
The main advantage of Second Space on Xiaomi is that it has a flexible security system, so you can set the login so that the phone knows which profile to go to based on how you unlock it, using different fingerprints or passwords to link to different spaces.
To set up a quick transition, go to the second space settings (usually through the desktop switch icon or notification curtain). Find the Switch between spaces. Here you will see the option Different passwords. Activate it and set a unique pin or pattern lock for a hidden profile. Now, when you enter this code on the lock screen, the phone immediately opens the second space.
Similarly, the system works with biometrics. Add a fingerprint for the main profile, and then, while in the second space, add another finger (for example, the pinky of the left hand). Redmi Note 9 will remember which finger to which profile belongs. This allows you to instantly switch between modes, just by putting the right finger to the scanner.
| Parameter | Main space | Second space |
|---|---|---|
| Unlock password | 1234 (example) | 9876 (example) |
| Fingerprint. | Right thumb | Left index finger |
| Visibility of files | Can't see 2nd profile files | Can't see the 1st profile files |
| Notifications | Their annexes | Their annexes (isolated) |
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from the second space, it will be almost impossible to restore access to data inside it without resetting the settings of the second space, which will delete all data inside it.
File management and data transfer
One of the common tasks is to move photos or documents from the main profile to the second one, because the spaces are isolated, you can't just copy a file through the file manager, because the system won't give access to someone else's directory, and MIUI has a special import mechanism for this.
To transfer files, open the Explorer app in the second space. In the menu (usually three dots or stripes), find Move to the second space (if you are in the main profile) or Import files. The system will show a list of files from the main profile available for transfer. Select the desired photos, videos or documents and confirm the action.
It's important to understand that after the transfer, the originals can remain in the main profile if you don't choose the delete option. This is useful for backing up, but takes up double the memory. Memory management becomes critical. Regularly check the Download folder and the gallery in both profiles so that you don't overload Redmi Note 9 storage with duplicates.
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When transferring large amounts of data (4K video), use a Wi-Fi connection, as creating a virtual copy of the file takes the time and resources of the processor.
It's different for apps. You can't just drag and drop the installed one. APK-Applications need to be re-installed inside the second space, however, many modern instant messengers allow you to transfer your correspondence history through built-in backup functions (for example, in Google Drive), which can then be restored to the second profile.
Hiding and removing the second space
There are times when you have to temporarily hide the second profile or completely abandon it. Hiding the switch icon is the first level of protection from prying eyes. Go to the settings of the second space and find the option to Delete the shortcut or Hide the switch. After that, you will only be able to log in through a special password or fingerprint, given earlier.
If the second profile is no longer needed, it can be removed. To do this, go to Settings -> Additional Features -> Second Space. At the bottom of the screen or menu, there will be a button Remove Second Space. The system will warn that all data, applications and settings within this profile will be irrevocably destroyed.
The deletion process takes a few seconds. Once confirmed, Redmi Note 9 will clear the dedicated memory partition and return the system to the state of one user. If you decide to create space again, it will be absolutely clean, like after the first switch on the phone. So make sure to check before deleting if there are any important photos or documents left.
⚠️ Note: Deleting the second space does not affect the main profile data, but the process is irreversible.
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Completely removing the second space frees up a significant amount of memory and returns maximum performance to the system by removing the background virtualization processes.