How to turn off the first space in Xiaomi: a complete guide with a photo

The first workspace in Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones is often a source of confusion for users, mistakenly thinking of it as a “main” or “system” desk that you can’t touch, but it’s actually the same user space as the second one, and can not only be hidden, but also completely removed – if you know the right settings.

The problem is that the manufacturer doesn’t make this option obvious: there is no “Delete First Space” button in the standard MIUI settings, but there are at least 5 working ways – from official (through hidden menus) to alternative (using ADB or third-party launchers), in this article, we will discuss each method in detail, taking into account the features of different firmware versions and models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.).

Before you start, check the MIUI version in the settings (About Phone → MIUI Version). Some methods only work on MIUI 14+, and older versions (e.g. MIUI 12.5) will require workarounds. Also note that disabling the first space does not delete application data – they will remain in the device’s memory, but will not be available for quick access.

What is Xiaomi’s first space and why you should turn it off

The first space in MIUI is the main desktop, which is created automatically when you first turn on your smartphone. Unlike the second space (which you can add manually), the first one is:

• 🔹 Contains system widgets (weather, clock, Google search)
• 🔹 By default includes the Tools folder with preinstalled utilities
• 🔹 There is no explicit delete button in the interface.
• 🔹 Can duplicate application icons from the second space

Reasons for disconnection:

1. Confusion between spaces – users accidentally install apps in the first space and search for them in the second.
2. Saving RAM – each space consumes up to 100-150 MB of RAM.
3. Clean interface – many prefer a single space with a minimalist design.
4. Privacy – In the first space, traces of use (for example, browser history) may remain.

Important: the first space is not “systemic” in the literal sense; it can be turned off without risking the smartphone, but some features (such as quick settings in the curtain) can temporarily reset.

Method 1: Disconnect via "Second Space Settings" (official method)

It’s the easiest way to run MIUI 12.5-14 without having to use ADB or third-party tools, and is suitable for most models, including the Redmi Note 11, POCO F4, Xiaomi 12 Lite.

Instructions:

1. Open the second space (swipe your finger down the screen and tap on the user's avatar in the upper right corner).
2. Go to Settings. → Second work table.
3. Click on "Manage spaces."
4. Select “First Space” and tap on “Disable.”
5. Confirm the action with a password / fingerprint (if requested).

After that, the first space will disappear from the list when switching, and all its data will remain in the device’s memory (they can be restored later).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 13 for POCO) If you turn off the first space, you may lose access to system widgets (weather, calendar) and have to re-install them through Settings. → Screen. → Widgets.

Method 2: Use of the ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If the official method doesn’t work (for example, on custom firmware or older versions of MIUI), you can turn off the first space via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the smartphone to a PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on the developer mode on your smartphone: Settings → About the phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times)
2. Activate debugging over USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
5. Execute the command to disable the first space: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.secondspace

Once the smartphone is rebooted, the first space will be hidden. To return it back, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.secondspace

Method 3: Installation of a third-party launcher (without root rights)

If you don't really want to turn off the first space, but you just don't want to see it, you can use an alternative launcher, which doesn't physically remove the space, but makes it inaccessible in everyday use.

The best launchers for this task:

• 📱 Nova Launcher – supports desktop hiding, flexible gesture settings.
• 🎨 Lawnchair is an open source lightweight launcher optimized for Xiaomi.
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – Minimalist design, no advertising.
• 🔧 POCO Launcher (official) – if you don’t have one POCO, It can be installed manually.

How to hide the first space through Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Hold your finger on the main screen. → «Settings».
3. Go to the desks. → Number of desks.
4. Set a value of “1” (if you have one space) or set up gestures to switch.
5. In the Applications and Widgets → Hidden Applications section, add all the programs from the first space.

💡

If after installing the launcher, the icons of system applications (for example, “Phone” or “Messages”) disappeared, return them through the Launcher Settings → Hidden Applications and uncheck the boxes.

Method 4: Reset the launcher settings (if space is duplicated)

Sometimes the first space is not deleted, but duplicated — for example, after updating MIUI or resetting, in which case the launcher reset to factory settings will help.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the “Luncher” (or “MIUI Launcher”) and tap on it.
3. Select "Storage» → «Clear the data».
4. Confirm action. The smartphone will automatically restart.

After the reboot:

• 🔄 The first space will be reset to the factory view (but not removed!).
• 📱 All icons and widgets of the second space will remain in place.
• ⚙️ Launcher settings (icon size, fonts) will reset.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14 resetting the launcher may cause folders to be lost on the desktop. Before the procedure, take screenshots of the location of the icons or use the backup function in Settings → System and device → Backup.

Method 5: Manual editing of system files (root only)

This is only suitable for SuperSU or Magisk embroidered devices, and it allows you to completely remove the first space from the system, not just hide it. Risk: if you do something wrong, you can disrupt MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Install a file manager with root access (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /data/system/users/0/
3. Find the secondspace.xml file and open it in the text editor.
4. Delete the parameter line primary_space_enabled="True" or "false.
5. Save the file, restart the device.

Alternatively (via Termux):

su


cd /data/system/users/0/




rm secondspace.xml




reboot

💡

Editing system files without a backup can lead to a cyclical reboot of the smartphone. Before making changes, create a backup via TWRP or MIUI Backup.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you turn off the first space, you're going to see some common errors.

If after manipulating the spaces, the smartphone began to slow down or overheat, follow the following steps:

1. Reset the device.
2. Clean the cache in Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
3. Check the active processes in Settings → Battery → Battery use.
4. If the problem persists, return the first space and reach out to Xiaomi for support.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions