Second Space on Xiaomi: How to Include, Configure and Use

Second space on Xiaomi smartphones is a unique feature MIUI (And now HyperOS, which allows you to create a completely isolated copy of the system with separate applications, settings, and even account data, and in fact, you get a dual phone on one device: one for work, another for personal use, or vice versa. But how do you activate it so you don't have to make mistakes? And how does the second space differ from guest mode or multi-accounting?

This feature is particularly in demand among users who want to separate work and personal data, test apps in an isolated environment, or simply experiment with settings without risking the main profile. However, not all Xiaomi models support this option – its availability depends on the version. MIUI/HyperOS In this article, we'll go through all the nuances, from compatibility testing to solving typical space-transition problems.

What is the second space and why is it necessary?

Second Space is not just a separate user profile, but a full copy of the operating system with its own:

• 📱 Desktop (icons, wallpaper, widgets)
• 🔑 Application data (save in games, chat history)
• 📂 Files (photos, documents, downloads)
• 🔄 System settings (sound, network, notifications)

The main difference from the guest mode or multi-account (Multi-account) MIUI) — complete data isolation: applications in the second space do not have access to files or settings of the main profile:

• 💼 Separation of work and personal life (for example, WhatsApp for colleagues and Telegram for friends in different spaces).
• 🛡️ Testing dubious applications without risk to the underlying system.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Sharing devices with loved ones (each has their own space).

⚠️ Warning: Second space takes up extra space in the device’s memory (2 to 5GB depending on the model) on smartphones with 64GB of storage, this can lead to space shortages.

It's important to understand that the second space doesn't replace backup, and if you delete it, all the data inside will be lost, and it's not available on devices with unlocked bootloaders or custom firmware, in which case the system blocks it for security reasons.

What Xiaomi devices support second space

Second Space is not available on all Xiaomi smartphones, and support for it depends on three factors:

1. Version. MIUI/HyperOS: function appeared in MIUI 8 and saved in HyperOS, but in some regional firmware may be disabled.
2. Model of the device: budget devices (Redmi A series, POCO C) often deprived of this option.
3. Firmware region: in global (Global) and Chinese (China) versions MIUI set of functions may differ.

To find out if your device supports the second space, follow the following steps:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Check the version. MIUI If it's older than 12.0, upgrade your system.
3. Try to find the second space in Settings → Special features or settings → Accounts.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14), the path to settings for the second space may be different: → Annexes → Second space.

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

The process of activating the second space takes no more than 5 minutes, but requires careful attention.

1. Preparation of the device: 🔋 Battery charge of at least 50%. 📶 Stable Wi-Fi connection (data download required). 🔒 Make sure there is no important unsaved data on the device (in case of a crash).

Activation of the second space

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Second space (or settings) → Accounts. → Second Space for HyperOS).
2. Click Create a Second Space.
3. Confirm the action by entering the screen lock password (if installed).
4. Wait for the setup to be completed (the device will reboot).
5. First setting: After rebooting, select Second Space on the lock screen. Go through the initial setting (as when you first turn on your smartphone). Set a separate password or pattern lock for the second space.

Battery charge >50%|Freely. ≥3 GB of memory|Wi-Fi connection|Screen password set|Backup copy of the main space-->

If the second space did not appear on the lock screen after the reboot, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the device manually.
• 🔍 Check for the option Switch space in the notification curtain.
• 🛠️ Reset the curtain settings: Settings → Notifications → Control panel → Drop it.

On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) Google Play may be lost after the second space is created, due to restrictions on Google Mobile Services (GMS) in isolated environments:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google Play Market → Permissions → Enable All

How to Switch Between Spaces

The transition between the main and second spaces is done in several ways.

• 🔐 Through the lock screen: Unlock the device. Swipe down the lock screen to open the space selection panel. Click on the desired space icon (main or second).
• 📱 Through the notification curtain: Swipe down from the top edge of the screen. Find the tiles to switch space (may need to add it manually). Tap the tiles and confirm the switch.

Through settings

1. Open the Settings. → Second space.
2. Press Switch.

If the space switching tiles are not in the curtain, add it:

1. Unwrap the notification curtain and click on the icon ⚙️ (Edit).
2. Find the second space in the list of inactive.
3. Drag her to the active area.

⚠️ Note: When you switch spaces, all open applications will be closed. Continuous processes (for example, downloading files) will be interrupted.

On devices with HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14 Pro), the switching interface may be different: instead of tile in the curtain, a swipe gesture is used on the lock screen left / right. If this gesture does not work, check the gesture settings in Settings → Lock screen → Gestures.

💡

To quickly distinguish spaces, set different wallpapers on the lock screen for each of them, which will help to avoid confusion when switching.

Configuring the second space: what can be changed

The second space is not just a copy of the main profile, but a completely independent system.

• 📲 Install applications: Apps installed in the main space are not automatically duplicated. To transfer the application, download it again from Google Play or Mi App Store. Some system applications (for example, Camera or Phone) are available by default.
• 🔒 Set up security: Set up a separate password, PIN Or a pattern lock. Set up fingerprint unlock (if supported) and enable critical application protection (e.g. banking).
• 📶 Network management: Wi-Fi, mobile data and Bluetooth are set up independently, you can connect to another Wi-Fi network or use another Wi-Fi network. SIM-card (if the device is two-symbol).

Limitations of the second space:

• ❌ You cannot use the main Mi Account (you need to create a new account or log in to another account).
• ❌ Some system functions (e.g. Developer Mode) require separate activation.
• ❌ System updates are installed simultaneously for both spaces.

To optimize the second space:

1. Turn off auto-update apps in Google Play (saves space).
2. Limit background activity of unnecessary apps in Settings → Battery.
3. Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.

💡

The second space does not support Mi Cloud synchronization with the main profile, all data (contacts, notes, photos) must be transferred manually.

Typical problems and their solutions

When using the second space, users often encounter errors.

If the second space stopped starting after the system update, try:

1. Remove the second space through Settings → Second space → Delete.
2. Reset the device.
3. Create the second space again.

⚠️ Note: When you delete the second space, all the data inside it (photos, messages, application settings) will be deleted without recovery.

HyperOS devices may experience a "Can't activate second space" error due to new security restrictions.

Settings → Memory → Cleaning → Deep Cleaning → Select “Second Space”

How to delete a second space without losing data

If you don't need the second space anymore, it can be deleted, but all the data inside will be erased, so that you can keep important information.

1. Save files: Connect the device to your PC and copy files from the folder /sdcard/SecondSpace/. Or use Mi File Manager to transfer data to an external drive.

Export application data

• For WhatsApp/Telegram: Backup your chats to the cloud.
• For games: Use your Google Play Games or Mi Account account to sync.
• Remove the space: Go to Settings → Second space. Select Delete second space. Confirm the action by entering the password.

⚠️ Note: Removing second-space system folders without root permissions can cause crashes. If you're not sure, use standard deletion through settings.

On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5) After the second space is removed, a ghost icon may remain in the notification curtain to remove it:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → System Applications → Find “SecondSpace” → Clear the Data

Alternatives to the second space on Xiaomi

If your device doesn’t support Second Space, or the feature seems redundant, consider alternative ways to share data:

• 👥 Multiaccount MIUI: Allows you to add multiple users (like on Android tablets), but with less isolation. Suitable for sharing a device with loved ones. → Accounts. → Multiaccount.
• 🔐 Guest mode: Temporary profile with no access to personal data activated via Settings → System system → Guest mode, the guest's data is erased after the exit.
• 📱 Cloning applications: Programs like Parallel Space or 2Accounts They create an isolated environment for duplicating applications.
• 🔄 For corporate users: Separating work and personal data through Google Workspace or Microsoft Intune.

If you only need to duplicate messengers (like two WhatsApps), it’s easier to use the built-in app cloning feature in the app. MIUI:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Cloning of applications.
2. Select the messenger from the list.
3. Enable cloning and set up notifications for the second account.

💡

For maximum data isolation, the second space remains the best choice, but if you need simplicity, a multi-account or app cloning will do just as well.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's second space