Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, and is still in use today for its reliability and functionality, and features a little-known “Second Space” option, which allows you to create an isolated profile with separate apps, settings and data, as if you have two phones in one. But why do you need it? How do you set it up? And are there pitfalls?
In this article, we will take a closer look at what the second space on Redmi 8 is, how it differs from a guest mode or a multiplayer account, and give you step-by-step instructions on how to create, manage, and delete it, and focus on the hidden limitations of MIUI that are not mentioned in the official documentation — for example, why some apps may not work in the second space or how this affects smartphone performance.
What is the second space on Xiaomi Redmi 8 and why do you need it?
Second Space is a proprietary development of Xiaomi, available on smartphones with a shell MIUI. In fact, it is a full-fledged virtual copy of the system, which works in parallel with the main profile, but with separate:
- 📱 Applications (you can install different sets in each space)
- 🔐 Data (files, contacts, messages do not overlap)
- 🎨 Settings (themes, wallpaper, sounds, labels)
- 🔒 Accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks)
Unlike a guest mode or a multiplayer account (like a pure Android) you can be completely isolated.
- 🔄 Use two accounts WhatsApp/Telegram simultaneously (without app clones).
- 🛡️ Give a phone to a child or colleague without fear of seeing personal data.
- 🔍 Test questionable apps without risking the main profile.
- 🎮 Separate work and personal tasks (for example, messengers for work in one space, social networks in another).
On Redmi 8, the feature runs on MIUI 11/12 (depending on the firmware version).Importantly, the second space is not a separate Android account (as in tablets or some smartphones with pure Android), it is a virtual container inside your profile that is controlled by the MIUI shell.
How to Enable Second Space on Redmi 8: Step-by-step Instructions
It is important to activate the function through the standard MIUI settings. It is important: before creating a second space, make sure that there is enough free space on the phone - the system reserves about 1-2 GB for a virtual profile.
☑️ Preparation for the second space
Instructions:
- Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
- Select Second Space (on some firmware, the item may be called Second Space).
- Click Create a second space and confirm the action.
- Set your password (required! This is random login protection).
- Wait for the setup to be completed (the phone will restart).
Once rebooted, the notification bar will display the “Switch Space” icon (two arrows in a circle) and click on it to navigate between profiles, and you can also use a gesture: swipe down two fingers on the lock screen (on some versions of MIUI).
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from the second space, you can only recover it through a full reset of the phone. Xiaomi does not provide official ways to circumvent this protection.
The Limitations of Second Space: What Doesn't Work
Despite the convenience, the feature has significant limitations that Xiaomi doesn’t always warn about.
| Type of restriction | Manifestation | Bypass |
|---|---|---|
| System applications | Some standard utilities (such as Mi Pay or Mi Home) may not run. | Install alternatives from Google Play. |
| Notifications | Notifications from the second space are not primarily displayed (and vice versa). | Manually check both profiles. |
| PO Updates | The MIUI updates are installed only in the main space, then extended to the second. | After the update, restart the phone. |
| Productivity | On Redmi 8 (with its 4GB of RAM), running two spaces simultaneously can cause lags. | Close the background applications in an inactive profile. |
Another nuance is that some banking applications (such as SberBank Online or Tinkoff) may block the second space, identifying it as an “unsafe environment” due to financial institutions’ security policies.
Why is the second space slowing down on Redmi 8?
How to transfer data between spaces
By default, MIUI isolates files and applications between profiles, but there are ways to share data:
Method 1: Through a File Manager
- Open Files (standard MIUI application).
- Go to Categories → Second space.
- Select files and click Copy or Cut.
- Go back to the main space and paste the files into the desired folder.
Method 2: Through the cloud
Upload files to Mi Cloud or Google Drive from one space, then download them to another, a method that is convenient for large amounts of data, but requires a stable Internet connection.
Method 3: Through OTG or computer
Connect Redmi 8 to your PC via USB and copy the files manually. Note that when you connect by default, only the main space is displayed.
- Enable Developer Mode (click 7 times on the MIUI Version in your phone settings).
- Activate debugging over USB.
- In the command line of the PC, run: adb shell am start -n com.miui.secondspace/.SecondSpaceManageActivity
⚠️ Note: When copying applications (.apk) between spaces, they may not be running due to different runtimes.
How to delete a second space without losing data
If the function is no longer needed, it can be disabled, but with caution: when you delete the second space, all the data in it is erased irrevocably.
- 📁 Transfer important files to the main space or cloud.
- 📋 Export contacts and messages (if any).
- 🔄 Make sure there is enough room in the main space for backups.
Instructions for removal:
- Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
- Select Remove the Second Space.
- Enter the password for confirmation.
- Wait until the process is completed (the phone will restart).
💡
If the phone is slower after removing the second space, clear the system cache: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Menu (three dots) → Clear the cache of all applications.
Comparison of the second space with other MIUI modes
Second Space is often confused with a guest mode or a multiplayer account, and we'll look at the key differences.
| Function | Second space | Guest space | Multiplayer mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data isolation | Complete (separate applications, files, settings) | Partial (limited access to personal data) | Full (as a separate Android account) |
| Password required | Yes. | No. | Yes. |
| Support for Redmi 8 | Yes. | Yes. | No (on tablets only) |
| Impact on productivity | Average (depending on the number of applications) | Minimum | High (full second account) |
Guest space is suitable for short-term transfer of the phone (for example, show a photo), and the second space is for long-term separation of tasks. Multiplayer mode on Redmi 8 is not available, as it is designed for devices with full support for multiple Android accounts (for example, Mi Pad tablets).
Hidden chips of the second space on MIUI
Beyond the obvious features, Second Space has a few undocumented features that could be useful:
- 🔄 Quick switch: On the lock screen, swipe down with two fingers to immediately move to another space (not working on all versions). MIUI).
- 📱 Separate Wallpaper: You can set different wallpapers and themes for each space through Settings → Wallpaper.
- 🔕 Hiding icon: The icon of switching spaces in the notification panel can be hidden in the settings of the notification panel → Systemic icons.
- 🔒 Double authentication: Attach a separate fingerprint to the second space (in the password and security settings).
Another life hack: if you need to hide the application from prying eyes, but do not want to use the second space constantly, you can:
- Create a second space and install “secret” applications.
- Remove the switch icon from the notification panel.
- Switch between spaces only through a gesture on the lock screen (double swipe).
💡
The second space on Redmi 8 doesn’t encrypt data, it only isolates it. Use additional encryption (e.g., through applications like Cryptomator) to protect sensitive information.