The MIUI and HyperOS Second Space feature was designed as a convenient tool to separate personal and work information, but in practice, many users are finding that it is starting to take up a significant amount of internal memory, reduce overall device performance and increase battery consumption, a problem that is especially acute in models with limited storage capacity, where every gigabyte counts.
If you have stopped using the splitting of profiles or just want to free up the system resources, you need to perform the procedure for completely removing this component. It is important to understand that simply switching between profiles does not solve the problem of lack of space, since the hidden profile data continues to be stored in memory. In this guide, we will discuss in detail how to properly disable 2 space on Xiaomi, while saving important data and not disrupting the main system.
The deactivation process may vary depending on the version of the firmware installed and your smartphone model.Some users may experience a lack of standard removal buttons, which requires alternative reset methods.We will look at all possible scenarios so that you can safely return the device to standard single profile mode.
What is the Second Space and Why is it Necessary?
The second space is a software-insulated environment that creates a virtual second operating system on your smartphone with its own apps, files and settings, not just a folder or a hidden mode, but a full-fledged additional user account running parallel to the main one, technically implemented through Android Multi-user mechanisms adapted by Xiaomi engineers for the convenience of the mass user.
The main purpose of this feature was to ensure privacy and separate usage contexts, for example, you can install games or social networks in the main profile, and in the second you can keep work applications that are closed to you with an additional password or fingerprint, which allows you to hide personal photos or correspondence from colleagues if they pick up the phone.
However, this architecture has a downside: two parallel environments require double the CPU and RAM resources for background services, and system updates and application cache are duplicated, which can lead to a situation where the occupied space in the second profile does not appear in the standard storage analyzer, creating the illusion of “missing” gigabytes.
- 🔒 Complete data isolation: applications in the second profile do not see the main files.
- 📱 Different Application Sets: The ability to have two copies of WhatsApp or Telegram with different numbers.
- ⚙️ Separate system settings: wallpaper, calls and interface parameters for each profile.
Preparation for profile removal
Before you start the shutdown procedure, it is critical to assess the consequences of this action, because removing the Second Space will lead to the irretrievable loss of all the data stored inside it, including photos, contacts, correspondence history in messengers and installed applications, if important information is stored there, it must be stored beforehand.
It is recommended to manually transfer all valuable files from a hidden profile to the main or external media. To do this, switch to the Second Space, copy the desired media files and documents, then go to the main profile and paste them into a shared folder or cloud storage. Ignoring this step will make it impossible to recover data after deletion even with specialized software.
☑️ Checklist before removal
It is also worth making sure that the device has sufficient battery power. Although the removal process is not energy intensive, suddenly turning off the smartphone while the system services are working to clean the memory partitions can lead to software failures. 30-40%.
Standard way to disable through settings
The safest and most appropriate deactivation method is built into the MIUI shell interface. First, you need to log in to the profile you plan to delete. If you are in the main space, the system will not allow you to delete the second one, since you cannot delete yourself while in the current active environment.
After switching, open the settings menu and find the section for additional functions. The path may vary slightly depending on the OS version, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the control point for Second Space and initiate the deletion process. The system will request confirmation, warning of data loss.
Settings → Second Space → Remove Second SpaceOnce you press the delete button, the device can restart to complete the memory partition cleanup process, which is a routine behavior that takes 30 seconds to a few minutes depending on the amount of data you have accumulated, and don't interrupt the process and wait for the main interface to load fully.
⚠️ Note: If the Remove button is inactive or missing, check if the removal protection or parental control feature is enabled, which can block changes to system profiles.
Alternative methods of deactivation
In some cases, the standard menu may not respond or work incorrectly due to software errors. If you can not delete the profile through the settings, you can try searching by settings. Type the phrase “Second space” or “Second space” into the search bar, which often allows you to immediately go to the desired control sub-menu, bypassing difficult navigation paths.
Another method is to use the Apps feature in your settings: Find the Second Space in the system application list, click on it and select Stop or Delete Data, which will force the processes associated with the profile to close, and can unlock the ability to delete it through the main menu.
If the interface is blocked or unresponsive, you can try resetting the shell application itself, which is responsible for the profiles, but be careful: aggressive resetting of system components can affect the main profile, so this method should be used only by experienced users who understand the risks.
- 🔍 Using Global Search in the Settings Menu for Quick Access.
- 🛑 Forced stop of services through the menu "Applications».
- 🔄 Resetting the interface settings (requires caution).
Memory problems after removal
Often users are faced with a situation where after the formal shutdown of the Second space, the free space in memory does not increase, this is due to the fact that system debris and residual files can linger in the cache or take up space in hidden partitions, in which cases manual cleaning is required.
The first thing to do is to use the built-in Security or Cleanup app. Run a deep scan that will find the residual files left over from the remote profile. It is also recommended to clear the cache of the gallery and file manager, as they could index media files from the remote space.
| Action. | Expected output | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Standard removal | Complete cleanup of profile data | Low. |
| Clearing the cache | Release of temporary files | Minimum |
| Reset to factory | Complete deletion of all data | High (loss of everything) |
| Flip-flashing | Clean system without garbage | Medium (requires skills) |
If space is not vacated, it is possible that the files were moved to the gallery cart or cloud sync services. Check the folder "Recently deleted" in the main profile gallery - photos may have been accessed when you try to transfer them or automatically sync them before deleting.
Resetting settings as a radical solution
In cases where standard methods do not help, or the system is unstable due to errors in the profiles, the only way out is to completely reset the device to the factory settings (Hard Reset), this method is guaranteed to remove the Second space along with all its traces, returning the phone to the state “out of the box”.