Second space in Xiaomi: how it works, why you need and how to set up

If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or a smartphone POCO base MIUI, You've probably encountered the term "Second Space" (or "Dual Space") in your device settings, and this feature often raises questions about what it is, how to turn it on, and most importantly, why do you need it? Unlike the standard multiuser mode in Android, the second space in Xiaomi creates a completely isolated copy of the system with separate applications, files and settings, but without the need to register a new user Google.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔹 What is the difference between the second space from multi-users and guest mode;
• 🔹 How to create, remove and switch between spaces on MIUI 12/13/14;
• 🔹 Benefits and risks of use (including data security);
• 🔹 Hidden opportunities that are not written in the official instructions.

This feature is especially useful for those who want to separate personal and work data, test apps in a sandbox, or give a phone to relatives without risking losing their files, but there are pitfalls — we'll talk about that too.

What is Xiaomi’s Second Space and How Does It Work?

Second Space is a proprietary function. MIUI, It's a completely isolated copy of Android on one device, and it's basically like two phones in one, each space has its own space:

• 📱 Applications (you can install different versions of the same software);
• 📁 Files and media (photos, videos, documents do not overlap);
• 🔧 Settings (wallpaper, sounds, brightness, etc.);
• 🔒 Accounts (you can link different accounts to Google, Mi Account, etc.).

It is important to understand that this is not the same as:

• ❌ Guest mode – temporary access with limited rights;
• ❌ Android Multiusers – requires a full Google profile (not required in the Second Space);
• ❌ Cloning of applications (Dual Apps function in the MIUI) — It only duplicates individual programs, not the entire system.

Technically, the Second Space works as a virtual container inside the main system, using the same hardware resources (processor, memory), but the data is stored separately, for example, if you have a WhatsApp account in the main space with a work account, then in the second one you can open a personal WhatsApp to a different number and they will not conflict.

⚠️ Warning: The second space is not encrypted by default (unlike the main one).If the phone is stolen, an attacker can access both spaces via Recovery Mode. MIUI (Settings → Password and security → Load protection).

The difference between the second space and the multi-user Android

Many people confuse Second Space with Android’s standard Multi-Users feature, and let’s look at the key differences in the table:

When to choose the Second Space:

• 🔹 You need to separate personal and work data without Google;
• 🔹 You want to test your applications in an isolated environment;
• 🔹 Give your child or relative a phone, but don’t want to create a new Google account.

When is the best time to use Multi-Users:

• 🔹 You need full synchronization with Google (mail, contacts, calendar);
• 🔹 Planning to use multiple profiles for the long term (e.g. family).

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Second space in the MIUI — It is a simplified multi-user analogue, but without being tied to Google and with more flexibility in isolation settings.

How to create a second space on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

You can create the Second Space on any Xiaomi, Redmi or smartphone POCO s MIUI 8 And it's new. It's relevant to the MIUI 12/13/14 (including HyperOS).

Make sure you're on the phone. ≥10 GB of free memory|Battery charge ≥50%|Close all background applications|Make a backup copy of important data-->

Step 1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Second space.

Step 2. Click on “Create Second Space” and confirm the action.

Step 3: Wait until the process is complete (it takes 5-15 minutes depending on the model) and the phone will reboot.

Step 4: When you restart, you'll see a second space setting window.

• 🔐 Set a separate password/pattern lock;
• 📱 Choose which ones SIM-maps are available;
• 🔄 Set up automatic switching on schedule.

When you first run the second space, it's empty, without any applications or data.

• 📥 Manually install the required programs (via Play Market or Mi App Store);
• 📎 Transfer files (photos, music) through Files → Internal memory. → SecondSpace;
• 🔧 Customize wallpaper, sounds and other parameters again.

If you want to copy applications from the main space, use the “Clone Apps” function in the second space settings, but note that some programs (such as banking) may block work in the virtual environment.

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To quickly switch between spaces, add the “Second Space” shortcut to the home screen: a long desktop tap. → Widgets → Special facilities.

How to delete the second space and what will happen to the data

If the Second Space is no longer needed, it can be deleted, and all the data inside it (applications, files, settings) will be permanently erased, and it cannot be recovered after deletion.

Instructions for removal:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
2. Select “Delete the second space.”
3. Confirm the action by entering the password (if it is set).
4. Wait until the process is completed (the phone will restart).

What happens after removal:

• ✅ The main space will not be affected – all data will remain;
• ❌ All files and applications from the second space are permanently deleted;
• 🔄 Released. ~5-15 GB of memory (depending on the number of installed programs).

⚠️ Note: If you used Mi Account binding in the second space, unplug your account in the settings before deleting it. Otherwise, synchronization errors may occur next time you create the space.

If you need to save data before deletion:

1. Switch to the second space;
2. Copy important files into files → Internal memory. → Download (this is the main space folder);
3. Export contacts and notes through the relevant applications.

The hidden possibilities of the second space, which few people know

In addition to the basic functions, the second space in the MIUI There are several hidden opportunities that can be useful:

1. Different wallpapers and themes for each space

You can customize unique wallpaper, icons and themes for the main and second spaces.

1. Switch to the right space;
2. Open the Settings. → Wallpaper;
3. Choose a new theme – it will only apply to the current space.

2.Separate battery and performance settings

In the second space, you can:

• 🔋 Set up an individual mode of energy saving;
• ⚡ Enable/disable auto-run applications regardless of the main space;
• 🎮 Optimize performance for games (through Settings) → Special facilities → Game mode).

3.Use of the second space for firmware testing

If you like to experiment with custom firmware or beta versions MIUI, The second space can become a sandbox:

• 📦 Install. APK-Firmware file only in the second space;
• 🔍 Check the stability of the work;
• 🗑️ If something goes wrong, simply remove the space without risking the main system.

4. Separation of notices

Notifications from the second space do not appear on the main lock screen.

1. Switch to the second space;
2. Unlock the phone;
3. See the notices in the curtain.

This is handy if you use a second workspace and don’t want personal notifications to get in the way.

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The second space can be used as a sandbox for testing applications, firmware or individual settings without risk to the main system.

The security of the second space: myths and reality

Many users believe that Second Space is a reliable way to hide data, but it's not. Let's look at the basic myths and the real risks.

Myth 1: “The second space is completely anonymous”

❌ Reality: Despite the isolation, both spaces work on the same device and can be connected via a single device:

• 📡 IP-Address (if connected to the same network);
• 📱 IMEI and serial number;
• 🔗 General system logs (e.g., call logs if SIM-The map is used in both spaces).

Myth 2: “Data in the second space is protected from hacking”

❌ Reality: If an attacker gets physical access to the phone, he can:

• 🔓 Bypass the lock via Recovery Mode (unless you have a download password set);
• 📱 Connect your phone to your PC and copy the data using ADB;
• 🔍 exploiting vulnerabilities in MIUI (For example, exploits to bypass the lock).

🔹 How to improve security:

• 🔒 Set different passwords for each space;
• 🔐 Enable device encryption (Settings) → Additionally. → Encryption);
• 🚫 Turn off the debugging. USB both-space;
• 📵 Do not store banking applications or passwords in the second space.

⚠️ Note: If you are selling or transferring a phone, be sure to remove the second space before resetting your settings, otherwise the new owner can recover your data through specialized programs (for example, Dr.Fone or Tenorshare).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When using Second Space, users encounter common errors, and we'll look at the most common ones.

1.The phone is braking or overheating

Reason: The second space consumes additional resources (RAM, processor).

Decision:

• 🔄 Close the background applications in both spaces;
• 🔋 Energize the power saving mode;
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary programs from the second space.

2. Notifications are not working.

Reason: Notifications are only shown in active space.

Solution: Switch to the second space and check the notification settings for each application.

3. you cannot install the application in the second space

Reason: Some applications (e.g. banking) block installations in virtual environments.

Decision:

• 📥 Try downloading it. APK from the official website and install manually;
• 🔧 Turn off security check in the second space settings (Settings) → Special facilities → Security → Checking applications).

4.The second space has disappeared after the update MIUI

Reason: Large updates (e.g., with a MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) space may be ejected.

Solution: Recreate it. You can't recover the data.

5. There is not enough memory for the second space.

Reason: Second space reserved ~5-10 GB for system files.

Decision:

• 🗃️ Make room in the main space;
• 🔄 Use a memory card (if supported);
• 🧹 Remove the application cache (Settings) → Annexes → Clear the cache).

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If the second space is only needed for a few applications, consider an alternative – the Dual Apps function. MIUI. It's less resource intensive.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions