Second space in Xiaomi Redmi 9: hidden features and practical use cases

Xiaomi Redmi 9 owners often encounter the mysterious “Second Space” feature in smartphone settings, which at first glance seems superfluous: why duplicate desktop when there is enough space? In fact, it is a powerful tool for separating personal and work data, testing applications or even protecting confidential information. In this article, we will discuss in detail what the second space in Redmi 9 really needs, how to configure it correctly and in what situations it will be a real salvation.

The second space function (or “Dual Apps” in some firmware) appeared in the MIUI It's a long time ago, but many users still don't realize its potential, and it's not just a copy of the main profile, it's a complete, isolated environment with individual apps, settings, and even account data. For example, you can have two WhatsApp or Telegram accounts on the same device without having to buy a second phone, or you can test beta versions of programs without risking the stability of the main system.

What is the Second Space and How is it Constructed?

The second space in Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a virtual isolated environment that is created on top of the main operating system, essentially a separate user profile with its own:

• 📱 Installed applications (you can duplicate messengers, social networks, games)
• 🔑 Accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks)
• 📁 Files and media (photos, videos, documents do not mix with the main space)
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sounds, notifications)

Technically, the second space is implemented through the Android Work Profile mechanism, but with advanced capabilities from Xiaomi. It does not require root rights and works at the MIUI firmware level. It is important to understand that this is not an emulator or a separate OS, just an additional layer on top of the main system. So the performance of the smartphone is almost not affected, unless you install resource-intensive games in both spaces.

One of the key benefits is that you have complete data isolation, for example, if you install Viber in both spaces, chats, contacts and files will be stored separately, which is convenient for:

• 💼 Separation of workers and personal correspondence
• 🔒 Hiding confidential information from outsiders
• 🧪 Testing new versions of applications without risk to the main profile

Key scenarios for using the second space

Not all Redmi 9 owners understand when to activate the second space, but here are 5 real-world situations where the feature becomes indispensable:

And the second space is particularly useful for freelancers or remote workers, and you can, for example,

1. Install personal messengers and social networks in the main space.
2. The second space is corporate Slack, work mail and Trello.
3. Set up different wallpaper and notification sounds for each profile.
4. Quickly switch between them by swipe on the lock screen.

⚠️ Note: Some banking applications (e.g. SberBank or Tinkoff) may block work in the second space due to security policy.

Step-by-step: how to create and configure a second space

You can activate the second space on Xiaomi Redmi 9 in a few minutes.

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space
2. Click on “Create a Second Space” and confirm the action.
3. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 1-2 minutes).
4. Set up a password or fingerprint to log in (optional).
5. Select applications for duplication (messengers, social networks, games).

After creating the second space, you can:

• 🔄 Switch between swipe profiles down the lock screen (if the appropriate setting is enabled).
• 📲 Install applications selectively – only in one or both spaces.
• 🔒 Block access to the second space with a password or biometric.
• 🗑️ Delete it at any time without losing data in the main profile.

Important: When you first start the second space, the system will prompt you to copy some apps from your main profile, select only those that you really need, which will save space in memory, for example, there is no point in duplicate Google Maps or YouTube, unless they are critical for the second profile.

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If after creating the second space, the smartphone began to slow down, try to turn off animation in the developer settings (Settings → About the phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then Settings → Additional → For developers → The scale of animation).

Limitations and possible problems

Despite the obvious benefits, the second space in Redmi 9 has a few key limitations to be aware of:

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (such as Mi Home for Smart Home) may not work properly in the second space. MIUI access to hardware functions.

The most common problems are:

• 🚫 Not all apps support duplication – some (like Netflix or Disney)+) They can block work in a virtual environment.
• 📶 Notification problems – sometimes alerts from the second space don’t appear on the lock screen.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption – if background processes are running in both spaces (e.g. messengers).
• 📱 Limited access to sensors – some games or fitness apps may not see a gyroscope or pedometer.

It is also worth considering that:

• MIUI updates apply to both spaces simultaneously, and you can’t update just one space.
• When you reset the phone to factory settings, the second space is removed without the possibility of recovery.
• Some features (such as Game Turbo) can only work in the main profile.

Comparison with alternative solutions

The second space in MIUI isn't the only way to share data on a smartphone, but let's compare it to other popular methods:

The main advantage of the second MIUI space over the analogues is that it has minimal impact on performance, and unlike Parallel Space, it doesn't create an extra layer of virtualization, but it works at the firmware level.

• 🚀 Faster application operation.
• 🔋 Lower battery consumption (by 15-20% more cost-effective).
• 🛡️ Greater stability – less risk of departures or errors.

However, if you need more than two isolated profiles, or if you're using a smartphone that's not on MIUI, you'll have to consider alternatives, like Parallel Space, which allows you to create up to 4 virtual spaces, but you have to pay for that with performance.

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The second MIUI space is optimal for 90% of Redmi 9 users, as it combines convenience, stability and minimal impact on the phone.

Hidden chips of the second space, which you did not know

Many users use the second space only to duplicate messengers, but it actually has non-obvious features that can be useful:

The second space allows you to bypass some regional app restrictions, because it can be linked to another Google account in another region, for example, if the main profile is linked to a Russian account, then in the second space you can create a US account and download apps that are not available in your region.

Other useful tips:

• 🎮 Separate game saves – you can have two different progressions in the same game (e.g. Clash of Clans or Brawl Stars).
• 📊 Testing themes and icons – try new designs MIUI in the second space without changing the main profile.
• 🔐 Hidden mode – if you turn off notifications and the icon of the second space on the lock screen, outsiders will not know about its existence.
• 📱 Backup profile - if the main space fails, you can temporarily use the second one while the recovery is underway.

Another interesting trick is using a second space to bypass the bans in games, where some mobile games (like PUBG Mobile or Free Fire) block accounts for cheating or breaking rules, and if your primary account is banned, you can create a new one in the second space and keep playing, because the system will perceive it as a separate device.

⚠️ Note: Some games (such as Genshin Impact) can detect multi-accounts and block both profiles.

Frequent questions about the second space in Redmi 9