How to add a user to Xiaomi: profile creation, guest mode and family access

Xiaomi’s current smartphones, powered by MIUI, HyperOS or Android shells, are powerful computing centers that are often used by a single person, but also by family members. A situation where one Xiaomi phone is used by multiple people requires a competent organization of space to keep personal data, photos and correspondence confidential. Many users mistakenly believe that the functionality of multiplayer profiles in Android on the Chinese brand’s devices is limited or completely absent, but this is not quite true.

Indeed, in recent firmware versions, the manufacturer has somewhat limited access to classic profile switching, shifting the focus to guest mode and family access through cloud services. However, understanding how to add a user to Xiaomi remains a relevant skill for protecting privacy. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of sharing access, from standard Android settings to specific security features MIUI.

Before you get into the technical steps, it’s important to realize that adding a new user isn’t just about creating a new icon on the screen; it’s about creating an isolated environment with your Google accounts, apps, and system settings. Properly configuring these settings will allow you to safely transfer your device to your children or colleagues without risking losing important data or becoming a victim of accidental deletion of files.

Types of profiles and access modes in MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers multiple levels of rights delineation, and it’s important not to confuse them.The classic multiplayer mode familiar from pure Android allows for full-fledged independent profiles, but in newer versions of MIUI, this feature is often hidden or removed by developers for the sake of optimization.

The first and most popular option is guest mode, which is designed for temporary use by an outsider, in which the guest does not have access to your contacts, gallery or installed applications, and all data created during a session is usually deleted after it is completed, which is ideal if you need to call someone or look at information urgently on the Internet.

The second option is to use Second Space, which is not technically a separate user in the classical sense, but rather a virtual clone of the system, but functionally solves the same problem of data separation. However, if you want a system profile with a separate login to Google Play, you should pay attention to the hidden settings or alternative methods, which will be discussed below.

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Use Guest Mode for short-term phone transfer, and Second Space for permanent separation of work and personal life on the same device.

It is worth noting that the availability of specific features depends on the version of Android and the regional version of the firmware. Global versions of MIUI often have reduced functionality compared to Chinese builds, which is the result of different privacy policies and licensing restrictions in different countries.

Preparing the device for setting up a new profile

Before you try to add a new user or activate guest mode, make sure your Xiaomi device is ready for these changes. System resources must be optimized and access rights checked. This is especially important for owners of low-end models of the Redmi or Poco series, where a lack of RAM can lead to unstable operation when switching between profiles.

First of all, check for system updates. Often, user management features appear or disappear after a security update. → About the phone and click on the version MIUI/HyperOS, To check the relevance of the software, also make sure that the device is on PIN-code or pattern lock, as creating new profiles without protecting the main account is impossible.

While creating a profile rarely results in loss of information, any manipulation of system settings carries minimal risk. Use the built-in Mi Cloud app or third-party services to save important contacts and photos. Also, if you plan to use a second profile for your child, prepare their Google account in advance.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models with less than 4GB of RAM, activating additional profiles can lead to a significant slowdown in the interface and background processes.

Also check screen time and parental controls if they have already been activated. Conflicting restrictions can block the ability to create a new account or make it impossible to sign in without resetting all settings.

Instructions: how to turn on guest mode on Xiaomi

The fastest and safest way to give a phone to another person is to activate the guest mode. Unlike a full-fledged second user, this mode does not require complex configuration and works as a temporary isolated environment. To turn it on, lower the notification curtain down and find the icon of the person's silhouette (usually in the upper right corner of the Quick Settings panel).

If the icon is not available quickly, it can be found through settings. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Guest mode (the path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI). Once activated, the system will switch to a clean interface, where there will be no apps, contacts and browser history.

To exit guest mode and return to your main profile, you need to lower the notification curtain again and press the exit button or user icon. The system will request confirmation, warning that all data created in the guest session (photo, downloads, history) will be deleted, which ensures that after returning the phone you do not have to clean it of garbage.

It is important to understand the limitations of this mode: a guest will not be able to install apps from Google Play without logging in to an account, and some system features may be blocked.However, for calls, using a navigator or watching YouTube, this is the most optimal solution, not requiring the creation of a separate user in deep settings.

Creating a full-fledged second user through system settings

For those who need a full separation, such as to differentiate between work and personal tasks with different sets of applications, find the classic “Users” feature. On Xiaomi devices, this functionality is often hidden. To access it, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Users. If there is no “Users” option, try searching by settings by entering the word “User”.

In the menu that opens, click Add User. The system will create a new profile that will require an initial setup similar to the one you went through when you first turned on your phone, you will need to select a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and most importantly, log into a new Google account, which will allow you to sync contacts and apps separately from your main profile.

Switching between created profiles is done through the notification curtain or in the Users menu.Please note that notifications from second-user apps may not arrive while you are in the main profile, as Android suspends background activity of inactive users to save resources.

Using the Second Space as an Alternative

Because classic user profiles on Xiaomi often run unstable or are not available, the best analogue is Second Space, which creates a virtually complete copy of the system inside your phone. In fact, you have two phones in the same case, switching between them is instantaneous and protected by a separate password or fingerprint.

To activate, go to Settings → Second Space → Enable. The system will suggest creating a password or attaching a fingerprint other than the main one. For example, if you unlock your phone with your right thumb, you get to the main profile, and if you point your left finger, the second space opens. It's incredibly convenient and secure.

Inside the Second Space, you'll have your desktop, your widgets, and most importantly, the ability to install the same apps again, and you can log into a second Instagram account, Telegram, or banking app, and they'll work in parallel with the main ones, and the data between the spaces doesn't mix, providing a high level of privacy.

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Xiaomi’s second space is the most stable and functional replacement for classic user profiles, available on 99% of the brand’s devices.

And you have to consider that Second Space takes up extra space on the drive, because the cache and the application data are duplicated. If you have a 64GB model, you should keep an eye on the space, but for models with 128GB or more, it's almost imperceptible.

Set up parental controls and Google Family Group

If your goal is to control a child’s smartphone use, creating a separate user can be redundant, and it’s much more efficient to use Google Family Link and built-in screen time limits, which allows you, as an administrator, to remotely control what apps your child can install and how much time they can play.

To set up, download the Family Link app to your phone and create a Google account for your child. Then, on Xiaomi, log in to that account (you can either guest or just add a second user), the system will suggest setting the device as a child, then you can see usage statistics, block the device remotely and filter the content.

MIUI’s built-in tools also allow you to restrict access to specific applications. In Settings → Screen time, you can set limits for social networks and games. This is more flexible than creating an individual user, since it allows your child to use your main set of applications (for example, YouTube or educational programs) under your control.

⚠️ Note: When using Family Link, make sure that the child’s device has an exact time and date, otherwise the restriction sync may not work properly and the child will access the device at the prohibited time.

The combination of the Second Personal Data Sharing Space and Family Link for children’s control gives the most complete picture of the security and usability of a Xiaomi smartphone in the family circle.

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