Second space on Xiaomi Redmi: how to enable, configure and use

The second space feature on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a unique opportunity to create an isolated work environment with separate applications, files and settings. You essentially get a dual phone in one device: one space for work, another for personal affairs. The technology is implemented at the MIUI firmware level and does not require super-user rights (root), which makes it accessible even for beginners.

But how to activate this feature correctly without typical errors? In this article, we provide a step-by-step instruction with illustrations, a nuance analysis for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14), and answers to frequent questions: can you delete the second space, how to transfer data between them, and what to do if the system “does not see” the option in the settings.

⚠️ Important: Second space takes up to 5-10 GB of device memory. Before activating, check the free space in the Settings section. → Memory.

What is the second space and why is it necessary?

Second Space is a virtual sandbox in MIUI firmware that creates a copy of the Android environment with separate ones:

• 📱 Applications (you can duplicate messengers, social networks, banking programs)
• 📁 Files (photos, documents, downloads do not overlap with the main space)
• 🔒 Settings (wallpaper, sounds, accounts) Google/Mi)
• 🔑 Passwords and data (for example, different accounts on WhatsApp or Telegram)

Main use cases:

• 💼 Separation of work and personal life – in one space, corporate mail and Slack, in another – Instagram and games.
• 🔐 Increased security – if the phone is stolen, the attacker will not gain access to personal data in the second space.
• 🧪 Application testing – you can install beta versions of the software without risking the main system.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Use – Give your child access to only a limited set of apps.

⚠️ Warning: The second space is not a full-fledged multiplayer system (like on Samsung or Google Pixel tablets) and does not support simultaneous two-user login – switching requires a reboot or manual activation.

Requirements and Compatibility: Which Redmi Functions

The second space feature is not available on all Xiaomi Redmi models, but here are the key conditions:

To check the compatibility of your device:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. See the version of MIUI (e.g. 14.0.5).
3. If the version is below 12.0, update the firmware through Settings → System Update.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9T For global market, the function can be disabled by the manufacturer, in which case it will help to change the firmware region to China or India (requires unlocking the bootloader).

Step-by-step: how to turn on the second space

The activation process takes 5-10 minutes. Follow the instructions:

1. Open Settings: Go to Settings → Special Features (on MIUI 14) or Settings → Privacy (on MIUI 12/13).
2. Find the option: Scroll down and select Second Space). ⚠️ Note: If there is no item, check the version MIUI Or use a method with a hidden menu.

After the reboot:

• 🔄 To switch between spaces, pull down the notification panel → click on the user's avatar → Choose the space.
• 🔒 To delete the second space, go back to its settings and select Delete (the data will be erased!).

💡 Tip: If after creating the second space missing icons applications, go to Settings → Annexes → Resetting application settings.

Configuring the second space: what can be changed

The second space is a full-fledged copy of Android, but with limitations.

1. Annexes.

• 📲 Duplication: Install the same apps as in the main space (e.g. two WhatsApps with different accounts).
• 🚫 Some system utilities (such as Mi Cloud) will be shared across both spaces.
• 🔄 Data portability: Use Settings → Second space → Data transfer (not working on all models).

2. Security.

• 🔐 Separate Password: Set another pattern lock or PIN second-space.
• 👤 Hiding notifications: In notification settings, you can turn off the display of messages from the second space on the lock screen.
• 📡 Network Limitation: Turn off mobile data or Wi-Fi for individual applications in the second space.

Appearance 3.

• 🎨 Wallpaper and themes: Set up unique wallpaper for each space through Settings → Wallpaper.
• 🔊 Sounds: Set different call and notification tunes.
• 📱 Gestures: Set up individual navigation gestures (like swipe up for home screen).

⚠️ Note: Some settings (e.g. Developer Mode or Special Features) will be shared between the two spaces.

💡

To quickly distinguish between spaces, set different wallpapers on the lock screen, for example, red for the worker, blue for the personal.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

When using the second space, users encounter common errors, and here's how to fix them:

1. No "Second Space" option is visible in the settings

Causes and solutions:

• 📱 Outdated firmware: Update MIUI before version 12 or later.
• 🌍 Regional Restrictions: Change the firmware region to China via Settings → Additionally. → Region.
• 🔧 Hidden menu: Enter the search by settings ##6484## (not working on all models).

2. applications are not installed in the second space

What to do:

• 📥 Check Memory: Free up space (minimum 1GB for app installation).
• 🔄 Reboot the device: Sometimes a simple reboot helps.
• 🛠 Clear the cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → Google Play Store → Clear the cache.

3.The second space brakes or lays

Optimization:

• 🧹 Remove unnecessary applications: The less software, the faster the space works.
• 🔋 Turn off animation: Enable Developer Mode and reduce animation to 0.5x.
• 📵 Limit background activity: In battery settings, turn off auto-start for unnecessary apps.

💡 Tip: If the second space has become unstable, try resetting it (without deleting it): Settings → Second space → Reset.

💡

If the second space is not enabled after the MIUI update, reset (without data loss) via Recovery Mode.

How to transfer data between spaces

By default, the spaces are isolated, but there are ways to share files:

Method 1: Through a File Manager

1. Open File Managers in the main space.
2. Select files, click Share → Send to the second space.
3. Switch to the second space and accept the files in the notifications.

Method 2: Using the Cloud

• 📁 Upload files to Mi Cloud or Google Drive from the first space.
• 🔄 Switch to the second and download files from there.
• ⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as WhatsApp) do not allow you to transfer backups between spaces.

Method 3: Through OTG or computer

Connect a USB flash drive or computer and copy the files manually, and the second space will be displayed as a separate device.

💡 Tip: To transfer contacts, export them to the.vcf file in the first space and then import them in the second space.

Security: How to Protect Data in the Second Space

The second space is safe in itself, but there are nuances:

Password and lockdown

• 🔐 Set different passwords for each space.
• 👆 Use a complex shaped pattern lock (not simple lines).
• 🔄 Turn on autolock after 30 seconds of inactivity.

2.Surveillance protection

• 📡 Turn off automatic sync with Mi Cloud for sensitive data.
• 🔍 Check the permissions of the applications in the second space (especially access to contacts and location).
• 🛡 Install antivirus software (such as Avast or Bitdefender) in both spaces.

3.What to do when stealing your phone

If the phone is stolen:

1. Remotely lock your device via Find Device (only if sync with Mi Account is enabled).
2. Delete data via Settings → Mi Account → Remote management (if the phone is connected to the Internet).
3. ⚠️ Note: Deleting data erases both spaces!

💡 Tip: For maximum security, use device encryption (Settings) → Security → Encryption. This will protect data even when you physically access your phone.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions