How to disable the second space on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Many users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones initially activate the “Second Space” function to separate work and personal data, but over time, it is no longer necessary. The process of deactivating this option in the MIUI or HyperOS shell is often difficult, since the delete button can be hidden or inactive without performing certain preliminary actions. The standard path through the settings is not always obvious, especially after system updates that change the interface logic.

If you are faced with a situation where the switch simply returns you to the main space instead of deleting the profile, then the system requires a complete cleanup of the secondary account data. Deleting the second space irreversibly erases all the applications, photos and files inside it, so it is important to transfer the necessary information in advance. In this guide, we will discuss all the nuances of the procedure, including solving common errors when the Delete button remains gray or disappears.

Xiaomi has implemented this precaution to ensure users don’t accidentally lose important data with one careless click. Understanding how the shell security mechanism works will help you quickly free up space in the device’s memory and simplify the system structure.

Why You May Need to Delete Your Profile

The main reason smartphone owners choose to remove the second space is to optimize the device’s performance: Having two simultaneous profiles consumes additional CPU and RAM resources, which can slow down background processes in the main mode, and some applications, especially banking and corporate, can malfunction or be blocked when a cloned environment is detected.

Another aspect is the trivial lack of space. Although files are stored in shared memory, the system data of two profiles are added up to a significant amount. MIUI reserves space for cache, updates and temporary files for each space separately. If you stop using the separation of work and home, then combining all data into one profile is a logical step to improve the performance of the gadget.

Users also often forget the passwords or graphics keys they set to log into the second profile, in which case deletion becomes the only way to regain control of all smartphone functions without the need for a complex reset via Recovery. It is important to understand that uninstallation of this mode is a regular procedure that does not require superuser rights or flashing the device.

Preparation of data before deactivation

Before you start to actively act on the settings menu, it is critical to save all the necessary information. Since the deletion process involves a complete cleanup, any photos, contacts and documents left in the second space will be lost forever. The system does not provide a function of “merging” profiles, so manual copying of files is a must.

It is recommended to use a built-in file manager or cloud services to transfer data. You can send files to your messenger, upload them to Google Drive, or simply move them to the main memory folder if the file manager allows you to see both spaces.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting the second space through the settings does not affect the files in the main profile, but irrevocably destroys everything that is stored in the second profile.

Once the data is saved, you need to make sure that the system does not run processes using the second profile. Close all applications that may work in the background, and wait for all synchronizations to be completed, this will help avoid deleting errors when the system reports that “space is occupied” or “is used by another application.”

Standard way to disable through settings

The easiest and most secure method of deaktivirovat' (disable) is available through the standard Android settings menu. To do this, open Settings and find the Second Space section (or Special features → Second space in the new versions of HyperOS). Here you will need to switch to the second profile if you are mainly in order for the system to allow you to manage its parameters.

Once you've entered the second space interface, open the settings again and find the delete point. Depending on the shell version, the path may look like Settings. → Second space → Delete the second space. The system will request confirmation of action and possibly enter a password to unlock the screen or PIN-code set for this profile.

If the delete button is active, just click on it and confirm your intentions in the dialog box that appears. The process will take a few seconds, after which the phone will automatically reboot or return to the main profile without any extra partition. Some versions of MIUI require you to first delete all applications installed in the second space before the full uninstall profile button becomes available.

Solving the problem with the inactive removal button

Often, users are faced with a situation where the switch is in the “Off” position, but the profile does not disappear, or the delete button is blocked. This is due to the fact that the system services associated with the second profile are running in the background, in which case you need to go to Settings → Applications → All applications and find the Second Space system application or Second Space.

Go to the properties of this system component and select Clear Data and Clear Cache. This action will reset temporary files that may block the deletion process. After cleaning, go back to the space management menu and try to activate the deletion function again. If that doesn't work, try forcefully stopping the process in the same application menu.

There is also a nuance with device administrator rights: some enterprise applications or antiviruses installed in the second space can block its removal for security purposes. Check the list of device administrators in the Security → Device administrators section and disable the permissions for suspicious programs if they are present in the second profile.

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If standard methods don’t work, try removing the second profile through Recovery Mode by selecting Wipe Data, but this will remove all data from the phone completely, including the main profile. Use only as a last resort!

Removal via Engineering Menu and ADB (for Advanced)

For users who are not afraid to work with the command line, there is a more radical method of debugging through debugging. USB. This method allows you to delete the profile even in cases where the graphical interface MIUI It's not working properly. You'll need a computer, a cable. USB and installed drivers ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

First, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version seven times. Then, in the Advanced Settings menu, turn on Debugging over USB. Connect your smartphone to your PC and enter the following command in the command line to check the connection:

adb devices

Once you have confirmed your connection on your phone screen, use the command to remove the second space. Note that the syntax may vary depending on the Android version, but the basic command to manage users looks like this:

adb shell pm remove-user 10

In this command, the number 10 denotes the ID of the second user (second space). If the ID is different, it can be recognized through the command adb shell pm list users. This method requires caution, since the mistaken removal of the main user (0) will lead to the system failure.

Comparison of removal methods

The choice of removal method depends on your technical background and current smartphone situation. Below is a table to help determine the best method for your case, each of them has its own advantages and risks that should be considered before starting the procedure.

As you can see from the table, the standard method through settings is the safest and preferred method for most users. ADB is only justified in cases of serious system failure. Complete reset should be considered as a last resort when other methods are exhausted.

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The safest way is to use the standard settings menu, and the ADB and reset methods are only used for critical system errors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)