Smartphones are no longer just a means of communication, becoming digital repositories of our personal lives. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices often face the need to hide certain applications or files from prying eyes, whether colleagues, children or friends. Standard screen locking no longer provides enough privacy when a phone is used by several people or when a device needs to be handed over to someone to call.
This technology allows you to create virtually two independent smartphones on a single physical device. The second space is an isolated software environment that has its own desktop, its own set of applications, its own photos and even its own system settings. To the user, it looks like you are holding two different gadgets, although physically the device is the same. The switching between these worlds is instantaneous and can be protected by a separate password or fingerprint.
This option gives you complete control over what others see, you can give your child a phone to play with without fear of deleting important documents or stumbling across adult content, and it’s the perfect way to separate work and personal life without buying a second phone. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to activate this feature, what limitations it has, and how to make the most of the sharing capabilities on MIUI and HyperOS.
The essence of data sharing technology in MIUI
This is based on deep isolation of user profiles, and unlike the simple icon hiding that is common in other shells, it creates a full-fledged copy of the user interface. Application data stored in one space is completely invisible in another. If you install the messenger in the main profile, it will not be in the second one until you decide to add it.
System resources are allocated dynamically between the two environments, which means that RAM and CPU time are shared between tasks running. However, background processes in the second profile can be limited to the system to save battery power if it is not actively working. This is an important nuance to consider if you plan to use a hidden profile for background downloads of files or listening to music.
⚠️ Note: When you delete the second space, all the data inside it (photos, contacts, installed applications) will be permanently deleted.
Technically, this is done through Android’s multiplayer modes, but with a deeply redesigned interface from Xiaomi, which allows you to set different wallpapers, themes, and even Google or Mi Account accounts for each profile, creating the feeling of using completely different devices.
Step-by-step instructions for activating the function
The process of turning on Second Space on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones is as simple as possible and takes only a couple of minutes. You can find the right switch through the standard system settings menu. The algorithm of actions is the same for most current models running on the basis of the MIUI 12, 13, 14 shells and the new HyperOS.
First, you need to open the main settings of the phone. Search by settings (the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen), type the phrase "Second Space" or "Second Space." The system automatically prompts you to go to the appropriate section. If the search does not yield results, manually follow the path: Settings → Additional settings → Second space.
☑️ Activation checklist
When you press the switch, the system will suggest you set your access settings, you will be asked to create a separate password or attach a fingerprint to log in, and a fingerprint is the most convenient way to switch, and you can set the system so that unlocking with a certain finger (like your left thumb) immediately opens the hidden profile, bypassing the main screen.
In the initial setup phase, the system will also ask if you need to create a shortcut to quickly transition to the main space settings, and it is recommended that you leave this option on so that you can easily manage the second profile, delete it or change the security settings if necessary.
Application management and data portability
Once you activate a hidden profile, you have to fill it with content, and by default, the second space is empty, you can re-install apps through Google Play or GetApps, or you can migrate programs that have already been installed from your main profile, and you use a built-in data migration tool.
To move the application, open the settings of the second space and find the item "Data portability." The system will show a list of programs that can be copied. It is important to understand that data transfer is not possible for all applications. Some banking programs or corporate customers may block work in isolated environments for security purposes.
- 📱 Open the settings of the Second Space.
- 🔄 Select the item "Data Transfer».
- ✅ Check the required applications.
- ⏳ Wait for the copying process to be completed.
Photos and videos can be moved through a standard gallery. The Second Space album has a media add button that allows you to select pictures from the main gallery and copy them to a hidden profile. When you copy the originals in the main profile, you save them unless you manually delete them.
Features of the notification
Security and biometrics setting
Security is a top priority when using split profiles. As mentioned, biometrics is a key element of protection. You can assign different fingerprints to different spaces, for example, the index finger of the right hand opens the main profile, and the thumb of the left one opens the hidden one.
In addition, the system allows you to hide the fact that there is a second space. In the security settings, you can turn off the display of the transition shortcut in the settings, in which case you can only get to the second profile using a pre-configured fingerprint when you unlock the screen or through a special code in the call (if this option is supported by the firmware version).
| Protection parameter | Main space | Second space |
|---|---|---|
| Unlock password | Basic PIN-code | Separate PIN-code |
| Fingerprint. | Finger 1, 2 | Finger 3, 4 |
| Visibility in settings | Viden (default) | Hidden (optional) |
| Access to files | Only your own. | Only your own. |
You also need to look at Hide Apps, and even inside the second space, you can hide the icons of individual programs, you need to pinch the empty space on your desktop, select Hide Apps, and add the programs you want to add to your list, and they disappear from your desktop and only get access through a special input in your theme or desktop settings.
💡
Using different fingerprints for each profile is the fastest and safest way to switch, which requires no passwords and looks like a regular unlocking of your phone.
Comparison with third-party analogues
Users often ask why a built-in solution is needed when there are clone applications like Parallel Space or 2Accounts. The main difference between the native function and third-party counterparts is the level of integration with the operating system. The built-in second space runs at the kernel level of the system, which provides better stability and less resource consumption.
Third-party clone apps often run unstable, may not display notifications correctly, or drain the battery due to constant background processes.Native function is devoid of these disadvantages, as it is part of MIUI.In addition, third-party applications require extensive permissions to access your data, which in itself is a risk to privacy.