Modern Redmi and Xiaomi smartphones have powerful features, one of which is creating an isolated user profile known as Second Space, which is ideal for separating work and personal files, as well as ensuring data privacy from prying eyes.
The migration process is not always intuitive, as Android defaults to isolate these environments from each other for security.Transferring information requires certain sequences of actions in the settings menu. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for copying applications, photos and documents without loss of quality or violation of the integrity of the system.
Understanding the logic of how MIUI or HyperOS filesystems work will allow you to manage content efficiently. Direct access to second-space folders from the main profile is closed without the use of special tools or built-in import functions. We will look at the regular system tools that do not require the installation of third-party software and guarantee the stable operation of the device.
Preparation for data transfer and compatibility check
Before you start any manipulation of system partitions, you need to make sure that your device supports this feature. The second space is available on most modern Redmi Note models and the flagship Mi series, running the MIUI 12, 13, 14 and the latest HyperOS shells. Check for free space in memory, as creating a copy of applications and media will take a significant amount of disk space.
It is recommended to back up important data in the Mi Cloud cloud or on your computer beforehand.Although standard methods are safe, human error or accidental failure during the process can lead to unforeseen results. 40-50%, so that the device does not turn off at a critical moment.
☑️ Preparation for data cloning
It’s also worth updating your system software to the latest available version. In new firmware, the algorithms for transferring data between profiles are often optimized, synchronization errors are fixed, and compatibility with heavy applications is improved. Go to Settings → About your phone and check for updates.
Use of the built-in import tool in the second space
The most reliable and formal way to transfer data is to use the built-in functionality of the system itself. When you first open the Second Space, the system often suggests importing the data itself, and if that moment is missed, you can manually activate the function through the profile settings menu.
To do this, switch to the Second Space and go to the settings section. Find the data importer. Here you will be asked to select the types of files you want to copy: applications, images, audio files or contacts. The system will automatically scan the main profile and offer a list of available content for transfer.
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When importing applications, the system only copies the label and basic data, and social media and banking authorizations will have to be re-authorized for security reasons.
It is important to note that the process can take time depending on the amount of information being transferred. During copying, it is not recommended to switch between profiles or run heavy games. After the procedure is completed, all selected elements will appear in the second profile as new, independent instances.
Manual copying of applications and their data
Not all applications support automatic data transfer through the system import tool, which requires manual installation or application cloning, and some system services and banking applications may require separate authorization even after successful copying.
To manually add programs, go to the GetApps store or Google Play inside the second space and download the necessary utilities again. This ensures that the version of the application is compatible with the current runtime. If the application is already installed in the main profile, the system can suggest simply activating its clone.
- 📱 Open the second space settings and select “Add Apps».
- 📂 The system will show a list of programs available for cloning from the main profile.
- 🔄 Click on the switch next to the desired application to activate it in the second space.
It is worth considering that data inside applications (cache, saved passwords, correspondence history in messengers) are not always transferred automatically. For messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram, it is better to use built-in backup and recovery functions inside the applications themselves, creating a backup in the main profile and restoring it in the second.
Why are some apps not cloned?
Transfer of photos, videos and documents
Media files take up the lion's share of the smartphone's memory, and their transfer requires special attention. The gallery in the second space is empty by default. To access photos and videos from the main profile, you need to use the "Move files" function or a similar tool in the settings of the second space.
The algorithm is simple: in the second space management menu, select the file import option, you will be asked to select specific albums, videos or documents, after confirming the selection, the files will be physically copied to memory, allocated to the second profile, while the originals in the main profile remain intact.
| Type of data | Transfer method | Preservation of the original | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos and videos | Import through settings | Yes. | Copyed in the album "Second Space" |
| Contacts | Synchronization of Mi Account | Yes. | Requires login to the account |
| Documents | File manager | Depends on the action. | You can copy or move it. |
| Annexes | Cloning | Yes. | The data inside may not be transferred |
It's convenient to use a built-in file manager for documents. In some versions of the firmware, when you switch between spaces, files can be hidden. Use the Hide Files feature in the main profile gallery to move sensitive content to the second space without full copying.
Synchronization of contacts and calendar
Calendar contacts and events are the ones that should be relevant all the time, and the easiest way to ensure that they are in the second space is to use cloud sync via your Mi Account or Google account, and by logging into the same account on both profiles, you automatically access your address book.
However, if your goal is complete isolation and you don’t want the contacts from the second space to be mixed with the main ones, use the export/import function. In the main profile, export the contacts to a.vcf file, save it to the device’s memory, and then import the file from the second space.
For a calendar, it's the same: Subscription to the same calendars (e.g., production or personal calendars) will allow you to see events in both profiles, and if calendars are supposed to be different, just create events in the corresponding profile, not including synchronization for specific calendars in the second space.
Solution: problems with file access and visibility
Users often experience a situation where files are not displayed in the gallery or applications do not see downloaded documents, which is due to the peculiarities of the Android access rights system. Each space has its own isolated sandbox, and applications from one profile are not allowed to read the data of another without special permission.
⚠️ Note: If you use a file manager to manually copy folders, make sure you copy them to the internal folder of the second space, not to the shared folder. SD-The card is not formatted as an internal memory.
A common problem is not having notifications sound or not being able to open a file of a specific format. Check the permission settings for a specific application in the second space. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, select the desired application and make sure it is given permissions to access files and media.
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Files moved to the second space take up double the amount of memory, as they are created by a physical copy, not a shortcut.
Also, remember the clone limit: some heavy games or specialty applications may not run in the second space due to a lack of RAM or limitations of the developer's license, in which case the system will issue a warning.
Delete data and exit from the second space
If you don't need a second space, or you've decided to clear the backup, the system provides flexible management tools, so you can delete individual applications or files without affecting the entire profile, just use the standard deletion within the second space.
To completely remove the second space, along with all the transferred data, go to the profile switching settings. Select the option “Delete the second space.” The system will warn you that all data, including photos, applications and contacts within this profile, will be irretrievably lost.
- 🗑️ Go to the settings of the second space.
- 🔍 Find the item “Delete the second space».
- ✅ Confirm the action by entering a password or pattern lock.
Once deleted, a significant amount of memory that duplicate files used to occupy will be freed up, while the main profile will remain completely intact, all your personal data will be stored in it, a convenient way to temporarily create an isolated environment for testing applications or storing temporary information.