Second Space on Xiaomi Redmi: A Complete Guide to Setup and Use

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones offer a unique feature – a second space that allows you to create a separate profile with your own apps, settings and data – which is ideal for separating work and personal data, testing applications without risking the main profile or providing limited access to the device to other users.

Unlike standard guest mode, Redmi’s second space works as a full-fledged replica of the system with separate storage, accounts, and even the ability to install different versions of applications. However, many users do not know how to set up this feature correctly or face errors when using it, and in this guide we will analyze all the nuances from creating a second space to solving typical problems.

What is the second space and why is it necessary?

The second space feature in Xiaomi Redmi is an isolated environment that runs parallel to the main profile, essentially two independent smartphones in the same device, with separate ones:

• 📱 Desktops and interface settings
• 🔑 Accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks)
• 📂 Files and media library (photo, video, documents)
• 📱 Installed applications (you can duplicate or install different versions)
• 🔒 Passwords and biometrics (fingerprint only works in active space)

Main use cases:

• 💼 Separation of work and personal life – for example, in one space only corporate mail and instant messengers, in another – social networks and games.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family access – you can give a child or relative a smartphone with disabilities without risking your data.
• 🧪 Application testing – it is convenient to check beta versions of software or experiment with settings without consequences for the main profile.
• 🔒 Increased privacy – for example, for travel or situations where you need to hide some data.

It’s important to understand that the second space is not full virtualization — it uses the same hardware resources as the main profile, but with isolated data, which means that the performance of the device can decrease slightly with active use of both spaces.

Xiaomi Redmi models support the second space

The second space feature is not available on all Xiaomi devices. It depends on the shell version. MIUI And the hardware of the smartphone, and below is the compatibility table for popular models:

To check the support on your device:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Scroll down to the MIUI version.
3. If version 12.5 or newer, the feature is most likely available.
4. For confidence, enter the search for settings the request “second space”.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Redmi 10), the function is hidden in the developer menu. To activate it, you need to press the Version 7 times. MIUI in the phone settings, then go to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and enable the option Second Space.

Step-by-step: how to create a second space

The process of setting up the second space takes no more than 5 minutes.

1. Open the settings and go to the Special Features section (on some models – Privacy).
2. Select the second space (Second Space).
3. Click Create a second space and confirm the action.
4. Set a password or pattern lock for a new profile (required!) This could be the same password as the main space, or another.
5. Wait until the process is complete (usually takes 1-2 minutes) and the device will restart.

After the reboot:

• 🔄 On the lock screen will appear the space switch (user icon in the upper right corner).
• 📱 The second space will be empty – no apps and data (except for pre-installed services Xiaomi).
• 🔧 You can configure it as a new smartphone: add accounts, install wallpaper, download apps.

Installation of necessary applications|

Set up notifications for important messengers|

Synchronize contacts (if necessary)|

Check access to mobile data and Wi-Fi-->

If after creating the second space you don’t see the switch on the lock screen, check:

• 🔒 In the lock screen settings → Additional settings are included if the space switch is enabled.
• 🔄 It may be necessary to update MIUI last-minute.

How to Switch Between Spaces and Manage Them

Managing the second space is intuitive, but there are a few nuances worth knowing about.

Switching methods

• 🔒 From the lock screen: swipe up the user icon in the upper right corner and select the desired space.
• 📱 From the notification bar: Swipe down from the top edge of the screen and click on the user icon next to the settings.
• ⚙️ Through Settings: Settings → Special facilities → Second space → Reverse.

Additional settings

Settings menu → Second space available options:

• 🔄 Synchronizing notifications – allows you to receive alerts from both spaces simultaneously.
• 📶 Mobile data separation – you can limit traffic to the second space.
• 🔒 Switch blocking – protection against accidental transition (requires password entry).
• 🗑️ Removing the second space – a complete reset of the second profile.

Note that apps from the main space are not automatically duplicated, but must be re-installed in each profile, but some system services (e.g. Google Play Services) remain shared.

💡

If you need to quickly copy a file from one space to another, use cloud storage (such as Mi Cloud or Google Drive). Local transfer through Explorer is impossible due to data isolation.

Restrictions on use

⚠️ Note: Some functions only work in active space: 📸 Camera: Photos are saved only in the current profile. 📞 Calls and SMS: The story is only available in the space where the challenge was made. 🔋 Charging: Battery level notifications are shown regardless of the active profile.

Synchronization of data between spaces

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

1. Through cloud services

The most reliable method is to use Mi Cloud, Google Drive or Dropbox:

1. In the first space, upload files to the cloud.
2. Switch to the second space and log in to the same account.
3. Download the files back to the device.

2. Through external drives

You can use a microSD card or OTG-flash-drive:

• 📁 Connect the drive in the first space and copy files to it.
• 🔄 Switch to the second space (the drive will remain connected).
• 📂 Copy files from the drive into the second space.

3. Through special annexes

Some file managers (e.g. Solid Explorer) FX File Explorer) supports access to root folders, but this requires root rights, which voids the warranty and can disrupt system stability.

Typical problems and their solutions

When using the second space, users often encounter errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

1. Second space is not created.

Causes and solutions:

• 📱 Insufficient memory: free up at least 2-3 GB on internal storage.
• 🔄 Outdated. MIUI: Update the firmware through Settings → Updating the system.
• 🔧 No option in settings: check the device model – it may not be supported.

2. applications are not installed in the second space

If Google Play has an error when installing:

• 🔒 Make sure that you add a Google account in the second space.
• 📥 Check your internet connection – sometimes mobile data doesn’t sync between spaces.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache of Google Play Services in the application settings.

3. Notifications are not working.

If notifications from the second space are not displayed:

1. Go to Settings. → Second space → Synchronization of notifications.
2. Turn on the option and select the applications for which you need to duplicate alerts.
3. Reset the device.

4.The smartphone brakes when using both spaces

This is normal, because both profiles consume resources.

• 🔋 Close the background applications in an inactive space.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🔄 Turn off notification synchronization if you don’t need it.

⚠️ Note: If after creating the second space, the device began to overheat or discharge in 2-3 hours, check the active processes through Settings → Battery → Battery use. There may be a resource-intensive application from another profile running in the background.

How to delete a second space without losing data

If the function is no longer needed, it can be disabled, but it is important to save the data correctly before deleting:

Step 1: Data retention

• 📁 Copy important files (photos, documents) to the cloud or to an external drive.
• 📋 Export contacts through Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports.
• 🔖 Save your browser bookmarks (if you use Mi Browser or Chrome).

Step 2: Removal of space

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
2. Select Remove the Second Space.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After removal:

• 🗑️ All data from the second space will be permanently deleted.
• 🔄 The device will return to standard operating mode.
• 📱 The space switch on the lock screen will disappear.

💡

Before removing the second space, make sure to check if important accounts (such as WhatsApp or banking apps) are linked to it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the second space on Xiaomi Redmi