How to add a user to Xiaomi: all the ways and nuances

Why You Need Multiple Users on Xiaomi and When You Need It

Xiaomi’s current MIUI-based smartphones support multiplayer, the ability to create separate profiles with unique settings, apps and data, an option that is especially useful when multiple people, family members, colleagues or even you, share work and personal data.

Main use cases:

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Smartphone: Parents and children can have their own accounts with different restrictions (for example, blocking purchases or time of use for a child).
• 💼 Work and personal life: separation of contacts, correspondence and applications for work and personal activities.
• 🔒 Guest mode: temporary access to the device without the risk of leakage of personal data.
• 🛠️ Testing: Checking applications or settings in a “clean” profile without affecting the main one.

It is important to understand that on Xiaomi’s budget models (Redmi Note series, POCO M), the multiplayer function may be limited or absent, due to hardware limitations and MIUI policies for different device lines. Before setting up, check the support for the feature in your model.

Supported devices and versions of MIUI: where the feature is available

The user add feature appeared in MIUI 8 and is saved in current versions (including MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 based on Android 13/14).

• 📱 Device models: flagship series (Xiaomi) 13/14, Mix supports the function fully, while budget (Redmi A, POCO C-- no.
• 🌍 Regional Firmware: in Chinese Versions MIUI The option may be missing or work differently.
• 🔄 Android Versions: On Android Go devices (e.g. Redmi Go) multiplayer is disabled.

To find out exactly if your device supports the feature, go to Settings → System → Additional → Multiplayer. If there is no option, then the option is not available.

Step-by-step: how to add a new user

The profile creation process takes no more than 2-3 minutes.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the System → additionally (on some firmware, the path may differ: Accounts → Users).
3. Choose Multiplayer Mode or Users.
4. Click Add User (or Guest if you need a temporary profile).
5. Confirm the action by pressing OK in the window that appears.
6. Wait for the profile to be created (it can take up to 1 minute).
7. Set up a new account: add a Google account, install apps, and personalize your settings.

Check the support of the function on your model

Make a backup copy of the main profile

Make sure you have free memory (minimum 1 GB)

Connect to Wi-Fi to synchronize data-->

After creating a profile, you can switch between users via:

• 🔄 Notification panel: swipe down → user icon → profile.
• 🔑 Lock screen: swipe left/right to change your account.
• ⚙️ Settings: Users section → profile.

⚠️ Note: When you first log in to a new profile, the system may request a password from the main account. This is a security measure - remember or write down the master password, otherwise you risk losing access to both profiles.

The limitations and nuances of multiplayer mode

Despite the convenience, the function has a number of limitations, which you should know in advance:

• 📱 Storage: Each user takes up additional space (500MB to 2GB depending on the installed applications).
• 🔒 Applications: Some system programs (such as Settings or Phone) are duplicated for each profile, but their data is isolated.
• 📶 Network: Wi-Fi and mobile Internet settings are common for all users.
• 🔋 Charging: background processes of additional profiles can increase battery consumption 5-10%.

Critical nuances:

• 🚫 Deleting the user leads to the irretrievable deletion of all his data (photos, messages, files.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI You can reset your multiplayer settings. After the update, check the profiles.
• 📵 Calls and SMS They only arrive at a profile that is currently active, which may cause you to miss important notifications.

How to delete a user or guest profile

If you no longer need a profile, you can delete it in a few steps, and it is important to transfer important data (photos, contacts) to your main account or to the cloud before you delete it.

1. Open Settings → System → Additional → Users.
2. Select the profile you want to delete (click on the user icon).
3. Slip on the Recycle Bin icon or Remove the user.
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from the main account (if required).

For the guest profile, the process is simplified:

• Go to Settings. → Users.
• Choose a Guest. → Delete the guest profile.
• Confirm removal.

⚠️ Note: If you delete a child with parental control, first disable the restrictions in the Digital Well-being section, otherwise the control settings may remain active for the new profile.

💡

Before deleting a user, export their contacts through Contacts → Settings → Import/Export. This will save phone numbers even after deleting the profile.

Problem Solving: What to do if you can’t add a user

Sometimes, when you create a new profile, you get some mistakes. Let's look at typical situations and ways to solve them:

If the standard method doesn’t work, try an alternative method via ADB (requires a PC connection):

adb shell pm create-user --profileOf 0 "User name"

Where 0 is the main user ID and the username is the new profile name.

💡

If the Users section is missing after the MIUI update, reset settings via Settings → Additional → Resets → Reset all settings. This will return hidden options without losing data.

Security: How to protect data in multi-user mode

Using multiple profiles on a single device requires a special focus on security, and here are the key precautions:

• 🔐 Passwords and locks: Set a unique one PIN Or a pattern lock for each profile. Use Settings. → Lockdown and protection → Blocking applications for critical programs (banks, instant messengers).
• 📁 Data isolation: Turn off synchronization of personal data (photos, documents) with the clouds in guest mode. MIUI storage.
• 👁️ Activity control: Check your settings periodically → Accounts. → Device activity for suspicious activity. Set up profile login notifications via Settings → Notifications.

For family use, it is recommended:

• 👶 Activate Parental Controls in Settings → Digital Well-Being for Children's Profiles.
• 🕒 Limit device usage time and access to certain applications.
• 📵 Set up a blacklist to block unwanted contacts.

⚠️ Note: In multiplayer mode, Xiaomi does not encrypt each profile data separately. When physically accessing the device (for example, through Recovery Mode), you can bypass protection. → Additionally. → Encryption.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions