Xiaomi’s modern smartphones offer powerful tools for people who are used to sharing personal and work lives in the same device, and the Second Space feature allows you to create a virtually independent copy of the operating system inside your gadget, not just a folder with apps, but a fully isolated environment with its own settings, accounts and files.
Imagine you have two different phones in your hands, but you have the same device physically. Switching between the main profile and the secondary one is instantaneous, often with a single touch or fingerprint. MIUI implemented this feature long before it became the standard in Android, and it is currently one of the most reliable ways to hide data from prying eyes.
In this article, we will discuss the process of activating, configuring and using this feature safely, how to transfer files between profiles without losing data and what limitations this technology has in modern versions of the shell.
What is the second space and why is it necessary?
At its core, this feature is an extended version of guest mode, but with much broader rights. If the guest profile is usually limited to running a pair of apps and does not save data after you leave, then Second Space works as a full-fledged user of the system. You can install any apps from Google Play or GetApps, log into your second Google account and set up notifications regardless of your main profile.
The main purpose of this is privacy and workflow, and when you switch to an additional profile, all notifications, calls and messages from the main space are completely hidden, and the person who picks up the phone will only see the apps you installed in the second profile.
⚠️ Warning: Second space takes up extra space in the device's memory. If you have a model with 64GB of internal memory, it can fill up twice as fast.
It’s also the perfect tool for parents who want to give their child a phone, but are afraid that they’ll accidentally delete important system files or stumble upon unwanted content, so by creating a separate profile, you control the set of apps and access to the Internet.
📊 What is your main purpose in creating a second space?
Work and personal matters
Hide photos and files from children
Application testing
It's interesting to try.
Preparing a smartphone for creating a profile
Before you start setting up, make sure your device is ready to work with two active environments.The function requires certain resources, so on very old models or with critically filled memory, the process may not work properly.
Check the operating system version. Although the feature is available on most devices, the latest updates to HyperOS and MIUI 14 have changed the memory algorithms, recommending that you have at least 3 to 5 GB of free internal memory for stable operation.
It is also important to understand that some system applications may not work properly when cloning, for example, bank applications with enhanced security may require re-authorization or even block startup in a second space if root rights or a modified environment are detected.
Step-by-step: how to turn on the second space
The MIUI activation process is standardized, but the path to the menu may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. Let's take this path carefully so that nothing is missed.
First, open the standard Settings app on your smartphone. Scroll down to the Additional Settings (or Advanced Settings) section, which may be referred to as Special Options in some versions of the interface.
In the menu that opens, find the item Second Space. Click on it and the system will prompt you to familiarize yourself with the features of the function. Click Enable Second Space or Add Second Space.
What to do if the item is not on the menu?
If you don't find this item, it may be hidden in the search. Click on the magnifier at the top of the settings and type "Second Space." If the search didn't work, your model or firmware region may not officially support this feature.> Once confirmed, the environment will be created, which can take anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes, and the system will copy the files and create an isolated folder structure, and in the process, it is not recommended to run heavy games or other resource-intensive tasks. When the process is complete, you'll be asked to configure the login settings, and you'll be able to set a separate pattern lock, PIN-You can use a code or a fingerprint to switch quickly, and that's a key security issue, and you can set up access and switching methods, and the most convenient way to use it is to quickly switch profiles. Xiaomi offers several options, and the choice depends on your habits and smartphone model. If your phone is equipped with a fingerprint scanner, you can assign different fingers to different spaces. For example, the thumb of the right hand opens the main profile, and the thumb of the left hand opens the second. This is implemented at the level of security drivers and works very quickly. For devices without a scanner or for those who prefer software methods, a special shortcut is available. It can appear on the lock screen or in the notification curtain. To activate it, go to the settings of the second space and select Switch through. Switching method Security Where to find Fingerprint High Settings -> Passwords and security Shortcut on lock screen Average Second Space Settings Combination of buttons Low Not recommended Fingerprint Instant Access Biometric Security Menu Label Requires unlocking Password In curtain or on loxkrin Password Long Password Entering Do not forget that if you forget password from the second space, restore access to data inside it will be almost impossible for the second device to be installed, then the problem of the application is transferred to the first placement. If you missed this point, go to Settings -> Additional settings -> Second space and find the Data Import (or Move Data) button, you will be asked to select the type of content: contacts, images, audio, videos, documents and installed applications. SMS-Messages are not automatically transferred between spaces for privacy reasons, and applications can be installed separately in each profile. This allows you to have two copies of the same messenger (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) with different phone numbers, which is often the main goal of users. ⚠️ Note: When transferring large volumes of photos or videos, make sure that the device has enough free space. Files are not copied, but duplicated, occupying double the volume. Deleting the second space and recovering data may eventually require removing the second profile, which may involve selling a phone, switching to a new model, or simply changing your gadget usage habits. To delete the space, go to the function settings and select Delete the second space. The system will warn you that all data inside (photos, contacts, apps) will be permanently deleted. If you want to save the data, export first. The second space management menu has a data export function that allows you to transfer files back to the main profile before deleting them. 💡Deleting the second space completely erases all the data inside it. Be sure to back up important files before doing this. After confirming the deletion, the system will clear the memory partitions allocated to the second profile and return the freed space to the general use. The process usually takes several seconds. Possible problems and their solution Despite the stability of the function, users may face a number of difficulties. Most often they are associated with a lack of memory or application version conflicts. If the second space is not created, check whether the Full Cleanup mode or third-party antiviruses that block the creation of system processes. Also the problem may be in a crowded cache of the system. Sometimes users complain that after updating the firmware function is lost or is incorrect. In such cases, reset helps to reset on the second network, or in the case of the full reset. Check the power saving settings. In the second space, applications can be restricted in background activity to save charge. Go to the battery settings and allow auto-start for the desired applications. Can you hide the fact that there is a second space? You can't completely hide the settings icon, but you can set a password to the phone's settings menu so that an outsider can't see the "Second Space" item on the list. Does the second space take up if it's empty? Yes, the minimum system partition is created immediately. However, the main amount of memory is used only when the applications are installed and the files are saved by the user. Will Google Pay work in the second space again? How to quickly switch between passwordless spaces? Use the fingerprint switching function. Assign different fingers for the main and second profiles in the security settings, and the phone will know where to let you.