Second Space has become one of the most popular features of MIUI and its successors, allowing you to create an isolated environment on your smartphone, similar to having two different phones in the same case: one for working with personal photos and correspondence, the other for installing questionable applications or games. However, over time, the need for such separation may disappear, and the background work of the second profile begins to resource the system.
Many users are faced with a situation where you need to quickly free up space or simply simplify navigation on the system. The deactivation process is not always obvious, since the developers have hidden this option in the depths of the security settings menu. In this article, we will discuss in detail, Xiaomi Redmi and Poco allow you to completely remove this profile, returning the device to the original configuration.
It's important to understand that simply switching between spaces doesn't delete data. To clean up a system, you have to complete the deletion of a profile, which is irreversible for data stored in the second space, so it's important to approach the issue responsibly, saving important information beforehand.
What is the function of the second space?
Technologically, the second space is creating an individual user on the Android operating system. Unlike a simple guest mode, this profile is completely autonomous: it has its own Wi-Fi settings, its own list of applications, its own gallery and Google accounts. MIUI has implemented this feature extremely deeply, even allowing you to assign different fingerprints to instantly log into different profiles.
There are pros and cons to using this separation. On the one hand, you get perfect data isolation. On the other hand, having a second active user takes up disk space and can consume RAM even if you're not using it right now. Some system processes continue to work in the background, providing synchronization or waiting for notifications.
If you stop using the split, the logical step is to eliminate it, which not only brings back free gigabytes, but also simplifies the structure of files, eliminating duplicate photos or documents that could accidentally get into both profiles.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting the second space will result in the total loss of all data stored inside it.Photos, contacts and applications will be erased without the possibility of recovery.
Preparation for profile removal
Before you start setting up the system, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. The main condition for successful removal is access to the main space (owner's space). If you forget the password or pattern lock from the main profile, the procedure can be complicated by the need to completely reset the device.
It is recommended to check for important files in the second profile. Often users forget that there may have been saved scans of documents or worksheets, move them to the main space or to the cloud storage, and it is also worth turning off synchronization, so that during the removal process there is no conflict with the servers of Xiaomi Cloud or Google.
Make sure your smartphone battery is at least 30%, and while the deletion process does not require much processing power, suddenly turning off the device while moving or deleting system files can cause errors in the file system.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt the deletion process, even if the smartphone seems to be getting stuck. Interrupting during the data cleanup phase can damage system files.
☑️ Checklist before removal
Step-by-step: how to disable through settings
The best and safest way to remove the second profile is to use the system's regular tools. The interface may vary slightly between MIUI and HyperOS versions, but the logic remains the same. You'll need access to the settings menu.
To start, go to the main settings menu of your Redmi or Poco. Find a section that may be called “Additional Settings” or “About Phone”, depending on the firmware version.
Find Second Space. When you enter it, you will see the profile management button. Click the menu icon (three dots or gear) in the top right corner of the screen. In the list that opens, select the option "Delete Second Space." The system will request confirmation of action and input the password to unlock the main screen.
| Action. | Where to find | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Open the settings | Main menu | Access to the system |
| Select a section | Additional / Security | Profile menu |
| Delete profile | Menu (three dots) | Erasure of data |
| Confirmation | Password entry | Complete removal |
Alternative methods through the Security App
Some versions of the shell have access to profile management in the system application Security. This is a green icon with a shield that is pre-installed on all Xiaomi devices. If you can't find the feature through standard settings, try this path.
Open the Security app and scroll down to Tools or Utilities, and it should have a Second Space icon, and you'll be taken to the Control menu, and the logic is the same: look for the Delete button or the Activation switch.
Sometimes users encounter a bug when the delete button is inactive, so try switching to the second space first, exiting it back, and then trying to delete it, which reboots the services that are responsible for the multi-user mode.
⚠️ Note: If the delete button is grey and not pressed, check if the second space is running active processes, such as downloading files or updating applications.
What to do if the menu is empty?
Password and access issues
A common problem when trying to disable the feature is a forgotten password. MIUI security requires verifying the identity of the owner of the main space before destroying the second profile data. If you can't remember the code, pattern lock or password from your Mi Account, the process will get stuck.
Access can be restored through the attached phone number or email specified when creating a profile, but if access is permanently lost, the only option is to completely reset the device to the factory settings (Hard Reset), which will delete all data from the phone, including the main space.
To do the reset, you need to turn off your smartphone and press the button combination (usually Volume Up + Power) to enter Recovery mode. You need to select Wipe Data. Remember that after that, the phone will be like new, without your photos and contacts.
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Save your password backups in Google’s password manager or write them down in a notebook to avoid problems accessing security features.
Cleaning of residual files after deletion
Once you have successfully deleted the second space, the system can leave some temporary files or cache. While Android can manage memory itself, manual verification can be helpful, especially if there is little space on the device.
Go to the Storage menu in your phone settings, see if there are any large folders with names pointing to the second profile (like SecondSpace or hidden folders with digital names at the root of internal memory) that can be safely deleted through the file manager.
It is also recommended to restart the device, which will allow the system to redistribute resources and permanently close all background processes that may have been left hanging after uninstalling the user profile.
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Rebooting the smartphone after deleting the profile is a mandatory step for the correct operation of the system and freeing up RAM.