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

What is the second space on Xiaomi and why is it necessary?

The second space feature in Xiaomi smartphones is a unique opportunity to create an isolated copy of the MIUI operating system on one device. Basically, you get two independent accounts with different applications, settings and data that work in parallel, and this technology was a response to the growing demand of users for privacy and sharing personal / work information without having to buy a second phone.

The main scenarios of using the second space:

• 🔒 Separating work and personal data is ideal for freelancers or employees who need to keep corporate apps separate from personal ones.
• 🎭 Application testing – you can install beta versions of the software in the second space without risking the stability of the main one.
• 👥 Multiplayer mode – convenient if the phone is used by several people (for example, family members).
• 🛡️ Additional protection – if the main space is infected with a virus, the second will remain intact.

It is important to understand that the second space is not a virtual machine or a separate user in the classical sense (as on Android with multiple accounts), it is a full copy of the system with its own storage, which consumes additional resources of the device. On weak smartphones (Redmi 9A, Poco C31), the function can work with slowdowns.

What Xiaomi models support second space

Second Space is not available on all Xiaomi devices, but depends on the MIUI version and the hardware capabilities of the smartphone.

To check the support on your device:

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Scroll down to the Second Space section.
3. If there is no item, your model does not support the out-of-the-box function.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9T, Poco M3) function is hidden and requires activation through ADB Or an engineering menu, which could cause a reset!

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

If your device supports the function, activation will take no more than 5 minutes.

1. Open the settings: Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
2. Create Space: Click Create Second Space and Confirm the Action.
3. Set up a password: Set a separate PIN or graphical key for the second space (required!) to protect the data from accidental access.
4. Select data to copy: The system will suggest moving contacts, messages and applications from the main space.
5. Wait for completion: The creation process will take 2-10 minutes depending on the model.

Once you have created the second space, you can switch between the two:

• 🔄 Through the notification curtain (the icon "Two people").
• 🔑 Through the lock screen (swipe up) + space-selection).
• ⚙️ Through Settings. → Second space → Reverse.

Free up at least 5 GB of memory

Record passwords from the main account

Disable VPN (may interfere with activation)

Charge your phone at least 50 times%-->

If Second Space is not in the settings, try updating MIUI to the latest version or use an alternative activation method (described below).

The hidden possibilities of the second space: what can be configured

Many users are limited to basic setup, but Second Space offers much more features.

1. Separate Notification Management

You can set which notifications will be displayed in each space:

• 🔔 Open the Settings. → Notifications in the right space.
• 📵 Turn off unnecessary notifications for work apps in your personal space (and vice versa).
• 🔕 Use the Do Not Disturb selectively for each space.

2. Various wallpapers and themes

Each space can have a unique appearance:

• 🎨 Go to Settings. → Wallpaper and select different images.
• 🌈 Install different themes through Themes App (available only in official firmware).
• 📱 Set up different Always On Display (if supported).

3.Isolated Google and Xiaomi accounts

In the second space, you can use a separate Google account and Mi Account:

1. Switch to second space.
2. Open Settings → Accounts.
3. Add a new account (or sign in to an existing one).

This will allow you to synchronize different data in Google Drive, Mi Cloud and other services.

💡

If the second space doesn't have Google Play, check the date and time settings. Sometimes resetting to automatic mode solves the problem.

4. Limitation of background processes

To save battery power:

• ⚡ Open the Settings. → Battery and productivity.
• 🔋 Turn on Battery Optimization for Unnecessary Applications.
• ⏸️ Limit background activity in Settings → Annexes → Permits.

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (Mi Security, Google Services) cannot be disabled in the second space, which will lead to errors when switching.

How to activate second space on unofficially supported models

If your Xiaomi smartphone doesn’t support Second Space out of the box, but has sufficient specifications (from 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of ROM), you can try to turn on the function manually.

Method 1: Engineering menu (for MIUI 12-14)

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##6484##.
2. In the engineering menu, select Second Space and activate the switch.
3. Reset the device.

Method 2: ADB (for experienced users)

You will need a computer with ADB Tools installed:

adb shell settings put global second_space_enabled 1


adb reboot

After the reboot, the function should appear in the settings.

Method 3: Installation of custom firmware

Some MIUI-based firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu) have built-in support for second space, even on budget models, with the downside of losing the official warranty and the risk of “bricking” the device.

Constraints and problems of the second space: what you need to know

Despite the obvious advantages, Second Space has a number of limitations that you should be aware of in advance:

Other important nuances:

• 📱 System updates are installed simultaneously for both spaces, but may require a separate restart.
• 🔌 Charging is consumed faster if both spaces are active (background processes continue to work).
• 📡 Mobile Internet and Wi-Fi are shared – you can’t connect to different networks at the same time.
• 📸 The camera and microphone can be occupied by the same space (you have to switch).

💡

The second space does not provide 100% insulation from malware, and if the virus is given the superuser rights (root), it can penetrate both spaces.

How to delete a second space without losing data

If the function is no longer needed or takes up too much space, it can be disabled, and importantly, if you delete the second space, all the data in it will be permanently deleted (including the installed applications and files).

Step-by-step:

1. Switch to the main space (if you are in the second).
2. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space
3. Click Remove the second space.
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from the main account.
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 5 minutes).

If the deletion button is inactive:

• 🔄 Restart the device and try again.
• 🔧 Check if the developer mode is enabled (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — 7 times to tap).
• 📱 Make sure that the second space does not run critical system processes (check through Task Manager).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Poco) X3 Pro) after the second space has been removed, it may be necessary to reset to factory settings if manual activation methods have been used previously.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's second space