How to Set Up Second Space on Xiaomi: A Detailed Guide to Secrets

Why you need a second space on Xiaomi and how it works

The second space feature in Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi models and the second space feature) POCO) It allows you to create a completely isolated copy of the system with separate applications, settings and even account data, and it's not just a guest mode, but a full-fledged virtual environment that runs parallel to the main one. For example, you can keep work applications and documents in the main space, and in the second you can keep personal social networks, games or test accounts.

Technically, the second space is implemented through the containerization mechanism in the firmware MIUI. It uses a separate user. ID And it's Android, which allows you to isolate data between spaces, and the two spaces share the same core and hardware, so you don't have to suffer from performance. MIUI 8 and newer (including) MIUI 14/15 HyperOS).

Advantages of the second space:

• 🔒 Privacy: Distinguishing personal and work data without having to buy a second phone.
• 🧪 Testing: Safely installing beta versions of apps or experimenting with settings.
• 🎮 Games: a separate space for gamer accounts (e.g. Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail).
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Access: Transferring a Phone to a Child with Disabilities.

But there are limitations, and for example, the second space doesn't support the individual spaces. SIM-cards, calls and SMS You can also access both spaces simultaneously, and some system applications (like Settings or Phone) cannot be removed in either space.

Device requirements: Check compatibility

Before you set up the second space, make sure your device supports this feature.It's available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and other smartphones. POCO, but there are nuances:

1. Version. MIUI: function appeared in MIUI 8 and works in all subsequent versions, including MIUI 14/15 HyperOS based. You can check the version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

2. Device models: all flagships (Xiaomi) 13/14, Mix series and most mid-budget models (Redmi Note) 12, POCO X5) Except for some ultra-budget devices (e.g. Redmi). A1 or POCO C50), where the option may not be available.

3. Memory: The second space takes up between 1.5GB and 3GB of internal storage (depending on the number of apps installed).

If your model is not listed in the table, check for the function yourself:

1. Open the Settings.
2. Go to the Special Features section (or additionally in older versions) MIUI).
3. Look for Second Space or Double Apps.

⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware devices (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the second space function may be disabled or not work correctly. MIUI.

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

The process of setting up the second space takes no more than 5 minutes. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid errors:

1. Open the settings: go to Settings → Special facilities → Second space. Some devices may have different paths: Settings → System and device → Additionally. → Second space.

2. Click "Create": the system will tell you to choose the method of creation.

• 📱 Create from scratch – clean space without applications.
• 🔄 Cloning the current one – copies all applications and settings from the main space (takes more memory).

3. Set a password (optional): if you want to protect the second space, set PIN-code or pattern lock. This is not necessary, but is recommended for security.

4. Wait until it's finished: the creation process will take anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The device can reboot.

Once you create a second space, you will see an icon in the notification bar to quickly switch between the two, and you can set up automatic schedule switching (e.g., use the main space during work hours and use the second space in the evening).

Check the version. MIUI (less than 8)

Free up at least 2 GB of memory

Battery charge > 30%

Turn it off. VPN (may interfere with the creation)

Make a backup copy of important data-->

⚠️ Note: If the “Insufficient Memory” error appears when creating the second space, try clearing the cache of system applications through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Clear the cache. Also help to delete unnecessary files through the built-in cleaner.

Configure the second space: applications, accounts, security

Once you've created the second space, you have to adjust it to your own needs.

Installation of annexes:

In the second space, the default will be system-only applications, to add new ones:

• 📥 Go to the Play Market of the second space and install the desired applications.
• 🔄 If you cloned the main space, remove unnecessary apps to save space.
• 🔒 Some applications (such as banking) may require re-authorization.

Account settings:

In the second space, you can use separate Google accounts, Mi Accounts and social media accounts, for example:

• 📧 Add another Gmail account to Settings → Accounts.
• 🎮 Register a new game account with Genshin Impact or Honkai.
• 📱 Link a different phone number for WhatsApp or Telegram.

Security and privacy:

• 🔐 Set a separate password or pattern lock for the second space.
• 📵 Turn off notifications for sensitive apps in the main space.
• 🔄 Set up automatic cache cleanup when you exit the second space.

For convenience, you can configure a quick switch between spaces:

1. Deploy the notification panel.
2. Find the icon Second Space (usually in the form of two squares).
3. Click on it to switch, and you can also hold the icon for additional settings.

💡

If you need to temporarily hide a second space (for example, when transferring a phone to a colleague), go to Settings. → Second space → Hide the space. It disappears from the notification panel, but the data will be saved.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

When using the second space, users often encounter common errors, and here's how to solve them:

1. Second space is not created.

• 📱 Reason: insufficient memory or outdated version MIUI.
• 🔧 Solution: Free up space (delete unnecessary files) or update firmware through Settings → Updating the system.

2. applications in the second space are not updated

• 📱 Cause: Cache conflict between spaces.
• 🔧 Solution: Clear Play Market cache in both spaces or reboot your device.

3. Notifications are duplicated in both spaces

• 📱 Reason: Some system applications (e.g. Messages) synchronize notifications.
• 🔧 Solution: Turn off notifications for unnecessary apps in one of the spaces via Settings → Notifications.

4.The second space slows down the phone

• 📱 Reason: Two instances of resource-intensive applications (e.g. games) are running simultaneously).
• 🔧 Solution: Close background processes in the main space or limit the number of applications in the second space.

If none of the solutions worked, try resetting the second space to factory settings (without losing data in the main space). → Second space → Remove the space and create it again.

Hidden opportunities of the second space: life hacks for advanced

The second space on Xiaomi has a few hidden features that few people know about.

1. Various wallpaper and themes

You can set different wallpapers, icons and themes for each space.

• 🎨 Go to Settings. → Registration in the second space.
• 📱 Choose a different theme from the Mi Theme Store.
• 🔄 Changes will not affect the main space.

2. Separate network settings

In the second space, another space can be used. VPN, DNS Or even connect to another Wi-Fi network, which is useful if you need to:

• 🌍 Test geolocation services (e.g. Netflix or YouTube in different regions).
• 🔒 Use a worker VPN only in the main space.
• 📡 Connect to different Wi-Fi networks (for example, home and work).

3. Automatic switching on schedule

Set up automatic switching between spaces over time:

1. Open the Settings. → Second space → Schedule.
2. Specify the days and hours when the second space should be activated.
3. For example, you can configure the switch to the workspace from 9:00 to 18:00.

4. Cloning of applications between spaces

If you forgot to install the app in the second space, you don't have to download it again. You can clone it from the main space.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Double Apps.
2. Select the desired application and click Clone.
3. The app will appear in the second space with data saved (if supported).

💡

The second space on Xiaomi can be used as a full-fledged sandbox for testing beta versions of Android or custom firmware. MIUI Android 14-based in the second space while the main one runs on Android 13.

How to delete a second space without losing data

If the second space is no longer needed, it can be removed without affecting the main one.

Step 1: Save important data

Before deleting, copy the files (photos, documents) from the second space to the main or to the cloud:

• 📁 Use Mi Cloud or Google Drive to backup.
• 📱 Transfer files through the Explorer → Second space → Folders.

Step 2. Remove the space.

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
2. Press Remove Space.
3. Confirm the action by entering the password (if it was set).

Step 3: Clear the residual files

After removing the space, it is recommended to clean the cache:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Choose a Deep Cleanup and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ Note: If you used the second space to work with banking applications or cryptocurrency wallets, be sure to deactivate the associated devices in the security settings of these services before deleting.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about Xiaomi's second space