How to add a user on a Xiaomi phone: detailed instructions with nuances

Adding a second user to a Xiaomi smartphone is a useful feature for those sharing a device with family or colleagues. Unlike guest mode, a full-fledged additional profile allows you to install individual applications, customize widgets and even limit access to certain features. However, in MIUI (the Xiaomi brand shell), this process has its own features, which depend on the firmware version and phone model.

Many users face the problem of adding a new profile simply not being available in the settings menu, due to Xiaomi’s security policy, which limits multiplayer on some devices. In this article, we’ll look at not only the standard way to create a profile, but also alternative methods for models where the feature is hidden or disabled by default.

It’s important to understand that an additional user on Xiaomi is not the same as a Mi Account. The latter is tied to cloud services and sync, whereas a local profile exists only on the device itself. If you plan to transfer the phone to another person on a permanent basis, it’s better to consider a full reset option.

Does your Xiaomi support multiple users?

Not all Xiaomi smartphones officially support multiplayer, but here are the key factors that make it possible:

• 📱 Model of the device: Flagship series (Xiaomi 13, Redmi) K60) This option is usually available, whereas budget models (Redmi) A2, Poco C50) often deprived of her.
• 🔄 Version. MIUI: Starting with MIUI 12, the feature has become less available due to tightening security policies. MIUI 14 can be completely removed on some devices.
• 🌍 Firmware Region: Global (Global) and European (EEA) The option is less common than in Chinese versions (China).
• 🔐 bootloader Unlock Status: Devices with unlocked bootloader sometimes have hidden settings, including multiplayer mode.

To find out exactly if your phone supports multiple profiles, check if the Users item is in the Settings menu. → System system → Additionally, if it's not there, it doesn't mean that the function is completely unavailable, but it can be activated through hidden settings or ADB-Teams (more on this in the following sections).

Standard way to add a user (if the function is available)

If your device supports multiplayer officially, follow this instruction:

1. Open Settings and go to System (on some models – About phone).
2. Select Additional (or Advanced Settings in older versions of MIUI).
3. Find Users (may be called Multi-Users or Accounts).
4. Click Add User and confirm the action.
5. The system will suggest setting up a new profile - follow the hints on the screen.

Once you have created a second user, you can switch between profiles via the Quick Settings Panel (swipe down from the top edge of the screen) or through the Lock menu. Note that guest mode and the main profile have different limitations:

Check the vacant space (minimum 1 GB)

Disable VPN (may block access to settings)

Make sure your phone is not in energy saving mode

Synchronize important main profile data-->

What if the “Users” option is not in the settings?

If there is no option to add a user to the menu, it does not always mean that the function is completely disabled, in many cases it can be activated through hidden developer settings or ADB-Let's look at both methods.

Method 1: Including through the developer settings

This method works on most devices with MIUI 12-14, but requires pre-activation of the developer mode.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version and click on it 7 times in a row until you become a developer!
3. Return to the main settings menu and open a new section → For developers.
4. Scroll down and find the option Multi-Users (or Multiple Users in English firmware).
5. Activate the switch and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 11, Poco) X4 Pro) the option may not even be available in the developer menu, in which case move to the method with ADB.

Method 2: Activation through ADB (for power users)

If the previous method didn't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your phone to your computer and installing special drivers.

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools.
2. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (see previous section).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
5. Execute the command to activate multiplayer mode: adb shell pm create-user --profileOf 0 New user Instead of New user, you can specify any name.
6. Reboot your phone. A new profile will appear in the lock menu.

On some Xiaomi devices, the team may not work due to manufacturer restrictions, in which case, try an alternative:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.user.SettingsActivity

Limitations and nuances of working with multiple users on Xiaomi

Even if you’ve managed to add a second user, it’s important to understand the limitations of this feature on Xiaomi devices:

• 📵 No separates. SIM-Cards: The second user will not be able to use mobile communication (calls and calls) SMS Only the main profile will be available).
• 🔒 Limited access to files: Each profile only sees its own data. Shared folders (e.g. Download) are duplicated for each user.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: Background processes in both profiles work simultaneously, which can reduce battery life by 10-15%.
• 📱 Not all apps support multiplayer: Some programs (such as banking or instant messengers) may require re-authorization.
• 🔄 No sync with Mi Cloud: Local profiles are not tied to a Xiaomi account, so their data is not backed up in the cloud.

These limitations are especially relevant for owners of devices with a small amount of memory (32-64 GB), each additional user takes from 500 MB to 1.5 GB on the system partition, which can lead to a lack of space for updates or installing applications.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi Mi 11, Redmi) K40) When you create a second user, you automatically turn off the face unlock feature for the main profile.

How to remove a user from Xiaomi and free up space

If you no longer need an additional profile, you can delete it through settings.

1. Open Settings → System → Additional → Users.
2. Select the profile you want to delete.
3. Click on the basket icon or Delete the user.
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.
5. Restart the device so that the changes take effect.

If the uninstall option is not available (the grey color of the button), this means that the profile is currently active.Switch to the main user through the notification bar or lock menu, then try again.

After removing the additional profile, it is recommended that:

• 🧹 Clear the system cache in Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone to free up RAM.
• 📊 Check the vacant space in the Warehouse section – sometimes the data of the remote user takes up space until the next reboot.

💡

If after removing the user, the phone began to brake, perform a cache reset via Recovery mode. To do this, turn off the device, then press the Power button + Volume up until the MI logo appears. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Cache Partition (not to be confused with Wipe Data, which will reset all settings!).

Alternatives to Multiplayer Mode on Xiaomi

If your model doesn’t support multiple profiles or you need more flexible settings, consider alternative options:

One of the most popular options is using Parallel Space (or its equivalents, such as 2Accounts or Island), which creates an isolated environment where you can run cloned versions of applications, such as using two WhatsApp or Telegram accounts on the same phone, but these solutions have their downsides:

• 🐢 Slowdown: Additional layer of virtualization requires more resources.
• 🔋 Fast battery drain: Background activity of cloned applications increases power consumption.
• 🛡️ Security risks: Some cloners ask for too much permission, which can be dangerous.

If you need to separate accounts and completely isolate data (for work and personal use, for example), you should consider buying a second budget smartphone Xiaomi. Models like Redmi A3 or Poco M6 are inexpensive, but will provide complete independence of profiles.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When working with multiple users on Xiaomi, there can be various errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

• 🚫 "Can't add user": Check if Power Saving or Safe Mode is activated. Also make sure your phone has enough free space (at least 1 GB).
• 🔄 A profile is created, but it doesn't appear on the menu: Reboot the device. If it doesn't work, try removing the user through the menu. ADB: adb shell pm remove-user [ID_User] Know ID Adb shell pm list of users.
• 📱 Applications fly out when profiles switch: Clear the cache of problem programs in Settings → If the error repeats, try reinstalling the application.
• 🔒 Fingerprint unlock for second user does not work: On some models, biometric authentication is only available to the main profile. PIN graphical.
• 🌐 No Internet in the second profile: Check if the Save Traffic mode is on for that user. Also make sure that the main profile is not using the main one. VPN.

If none of the methods worked, your Xiaomi model may have hardware limitations on multiplayer, which leaves you with either alternatives (see previous section) or custom firmware (like LineageOS) that don’t.

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Before experimenting with ADB or custom firmware, back up your data via Mi Cloud or locally on your PC. Errors in executing commands can result in your phone being reset or losing access to some features.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions