Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which run MIUI and HyperOS shells, have powerful functionality to share digital life. One of the most useful but not always understandable features for beginners is Second Space, which allows you to create a completely isolated profile inside the same device with your apps, photos, contacts and settings. You essentially get two smartphones in the same case, which is ideal for separating work and personal tasks or for transferring the device to children without the risk of accessing your personal data.
Many users are experiencing difficulties in the activation or transition phase between these environments. The interface may not be obvious, and the menu layout may change depending on the firmware version. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to move to the second Xiaomi space, how to configure quick access and what nuances should be considered for the system to work correctly.
Before we get started, it's worth noting that the feature isn't available on all models, although it's found in the vast majority of mid-range and flagship devices. If you want to organize your digital chaos or just hide some of the content from prying eyes, creating an additional profile is the best solution.
What is the Second Space?
The second space is a virtual, isolated environment that runs parallel to the user's primary profile, and unlike a simple guest mode, it creates a full-fledged copy of the system with its Google accounts, Mi accounts, and app installations, and you can have two versions of WhatsApp, two different sets of photos, and completely different desktop wallpapers, switching between them in seconds.
The main feature of the technology is that it's completely isolated, and applications in the second space don't see files from the main profile unless you give them permission, and it allows for a high level of privacy, for example, you can use the main profile for personal correspondence, and in the second, you can keep banking applications or work chats that are closed with an additional password or fingerprint.
System resources are allocated dynamically between profiles, but remember that second-space applications running in the background can consume RAM. Therefore, on devices with low RAM (less than 4 GB), work may be less stable when using both profiles actively at the same time.
⚠️ Note: When you delete the second space, all the data inside it (photos, contacts, installed applications) will be permanently deleted.
This feature also allows you to test new applications in a secure environment, and if you doubt the reliability of the program or want to test its behavior without risking the main system, installing a second profile would be a great option, and after checking, you can either leave the application or delete the entire profile, returning the system to cleanliness.
Activation of the function through system settings
The most standard and reliable way to activate an additional profile is through the system menu, which ensures that all the necessary services are running correctly. First, you need to get to the main settings menu of your Xiaomi or Redmi device.
Find a section that might be called “Additional Features” or “Extended Settings” depending on the version of the shell, and that’s where the option is hidden. In newer versions of HyperOS, the menu logic can be slightly changed, so look for items related to device management or special features.
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Before activating, make sure that at least 2-3 GB of internal memory is free on the device, since the system will reserve space for new profile files.
The sequence of actions is as follows:
- 📱 Open “Settings” and scroll to “Second Space».
- 🔓 Click the “Enable” button and confirm the action.
- 🔐 Set the unlock method (pattern lock, PIN-code or biometrics) specifically for a new profile.
- 🚀 Wait until the initial system setup is completed.
Once turned on, the system will prompt you to adjust the appearance of the desktop, so you can choose whether the app shortcuts from the main profile will appear in the second one, or whether you want to start with a clean slate. This is an important point for navigation, as it determines how easy it is to transfer files between environments in the future.
How to quickly switch between profiles
Once the function is activated, the user is asked how quickly and conveniently to move from one space to another. There are several proven methods, each with its own advantages, and the choice of the right one depends on your smartphone control habit.
The first and most popular way is to use a label on your desktop, and when you create a second space, you have an icon on your main profile that looks like two overlapping circles or a portrait of a person, and you can click on it instantly to take you to an alternate profile, which is the most visually useful method for those who rarely switch between modes.
The second option is to use the control panel. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification curtain. There should be a switch that allows you to change profiles. If there is one, click on the editing pencil of the panel and add the "Second Space" widget to the active elements. This provides access to switch to one tap without returning to the desktop.
The third, most advanced method is to tie the switch to your fingerprint, so you can set the system up so that unlocking your phone with a certain finger automatically opens the second space, bypassing the main profile, and not only does it quickly, but it also increases security, because an outsider, knowing your primary password, will not be able to get into the second profile without "his" finger.
⚠️ Note: When setting up your fingerprint unlock, make sure you clearly remember which finger is responsible for entering which space so as not to block access to important data.
Fingerprint settings for each space
The biometric security configuration requires careful attention, as it provides access differentiation. Unlike conventional smartphones, where a fingerprint simply unlocks a device, in Xiaomi’s system it acts as the key to a specific digital environment.
To set up, go to the security menu and select the fingerprint option, where you will see the separation between First Space and Second Space, you will need to add new fingerprints specifically for the second profile, and you will be advised to use fingers that you rarely use for the main unlock, such as pinkies or thumbs, if the main ones are index ones.
The system allows you to add up to 5 fingerprints for each profile, which gives you flexibility: you can adjust the facial input for the main profile and the fingerprint for the second, or use different fingers of the left and right hand, and this differentiation eliminates random entry into the wrong profile.
☑️ Setup of biometrics
Importantly, if you add a fingerprint that is already in use in the first space to the second, the system will ask which profile to prioritize that finger, or suggest removing it from one of the locations.
Data portability and application installation
One of the key challenges with two profiles is sharing files, and because spaces are isolated, you can't just copy a photo from the gallery of the first profile into the second one, but the developers of MIUI have a convenient import mechanism.
To transfer files (photos, videos, documents), the built-in "Move data" function is used. When you are in the second space, find the corresponding item in the settings or in the Explorer application. The system will show the files from the first profile, and you can select the ones that you need to copy. Once confirmed, the files will appear in the second profile memory.
The situation is different with apps: you can't move an installed application from one profile to another, save its data and progress, you have to re-download and install the necessary programs in the second space through Google Play or Mi GetApps, this is done for security reasons, so that malware can not automatically replicate.
Below is a table showing which data can be transferred by regular funds and which require manual intervention:
| Type of data | Automatic transfer | Manual installation required | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos and videos | Yes. | No. | Through the import function |
| Contacts | Yes. | No. | Synchronization with Mi Cloud |
| Annexes (APK) | No. | Yes. | We need to download it again. |
| Music and files | Yes. | No. | Through the Conductor |
| Wi-Fi settings | Partially. | Yes. | Passwords may not be saved. |
When you install apps in the second space, they will be marked with a special icon (usually a small portrait or double square) so that you visually distinguish them from programs in the main profile if shortcuts are displayed.
Hiding the Second Space and Removing it
There are times when you need to hide the second profile from the public eye, even visually, and in the Second Space settings, there's a "Delete Second Space" option, but it completely erases the data, and if you want to just temporarily hide the login, you can use the switch concealment feature.
To do this, in the second profile settings, find “Hide the switch on the desktop.” Once this option is activated, the transition icon will disappear from the screen, you can only log in through settings (unless they are hidden by a password) or, more effectively, exclusively through a fingerprint, which creates an “invisibility” effect for the casual user.
What happens if you forget your password?
The profile is deleted via the second space management menu, and the system will alert you that all data will be lost, and once confirmed, the process takes a few seconds, and the phone returns to the same primary profile state, and the freed disk space is immediately available for use.
⚠️ Note: Deleting the second space does not affect the main profile, but if you have shared files (such as music), make sure the copies stay in the right place as the link between the profiles will be severed.
Typical Problems and Questions
Users may encounter a number of technical difficulties when using the feature, most often problems related to notifications or energy consumption, for example, messengers in the second space may not send notifications if there is no set up autoload or limited background power consumption.
To fix this, go to the battery settings in the second profile and let the app run in the background. Also check if Do Not Disturb mode or energy savings are turned on, which can block network modules for background tasks. In some cases, re-authorization in the Mi Account within the second profile helps.
Another common problem is that you can't find the feature on older versions of Android or in stripped-down global firmware. If the "Second Space" option isn't in the settings, it's possible that your device model doesn't support this feature at the software level, or it's been removed by the manufacturer for a specific region, in which case you can consider alternatives like "Clone Apps" or third-party launchers, although they don't offer complete isolation.
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The second space is a full-fledged virtual machine inside Android, so the resource requirements are higher than those of conventional app cloning.
To sum up, the use of the second space significantly improves the comfort and safety of using Xiaomi smartphone, the correct setting of biometrics and understanding of the principles of data transfer allow you to create the perfect environment for any task.