Xiaomi’s Second Space: How to Create, Configure and Manage

Modern smartphones Xiaomi on the basis MIUI The new feature offers a unique feature, a second space that allows you to divide the device into two independent work environments. It's perfect for people who want to separate personal data from workers, test apps without risking the core system, or just experiment with settings, but how to properly activate and configure this feature so that it works smoothly and smoothly?

In this article, we will analyze all the nuances of creating a second space on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO — From basic steps to advanced settings, you'll learn which models support this feature, how to avoid typical setup errors, and what to do if the second Suddenly space stops working. MIUI 14 and MIUI 15, as well as the specifics of working on Android devices 13/14.

It's important to understand that the second space is not just a separate user profile, but a fully isolated environment with its own apps, settings and data, which means that you can install different wallpapers, themes, even different versions of the same apps in each space, but there are limitations: for example, some system features (such as Google Play Services) remain common to both spaces.

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

The second space feature (or Dual Apps in some firmware) is a proprietary development of Xiaomi that allows you to create two completely isolated work environments on one device.

• 📱 Own applications (you can duplicate messengers, social networks, games)
• 🔒 Individual accounts (including Mi Account, Google, social media)
• 🎨 Unique interface settings (themes, wallpaper, sounds)
• 📂 Isolated storage (files from one space are not visible in another)

Main use cases:

• 💼 Separation of work and personal life – for example, in one space workmail and Slack, in another – personal messengers and games.
• 🔍 Application testing – you can install the beta version of the program in the second space without risking the stability of the main one.
• 🛡️ Increased safety – if one space is infected with a virus, the second will remain clean.
• 🎮 Multi-account games – for example, two Genshin Impact accounts or Honkai: Star Rail accounts on the same device.

However, there are nuances: the second space takes up additional memory (usually 1-3 GB depending on the number of installed applications), and some functions (for example, the second space takes up additional memory, NFC or IR-The blaster may not work properly when switching between spaces quickly, and it is also worth remembering that some banking applications (such as SberBank or Tinkoff) may block the second space due to security policies.

What Xiaomi models support second space

The second space feature is available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO, steerable MIUI 12 and newer. But there are important limitations:

To find out if your device supports the second space, check:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. If the version MIUI 12 or later – the function must be available.
3. On older devices (such as the Redmi 8 or Mi 9 Lite), the feature may not be available due to hardware limitations.

⚠️ Note: On some global firmware devices (e.g. European market), the second space function may be disabled by default, in which case it can be activated via Settings. → Additionally. → Special facilities → Second space.

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

The process of creating a second space takes no more than 5 minutes, but requires attention to detail.

1. Open Settings: Go to Settings → Second space. If no item, search by settings (lap icon in upper right corner).
2. Start Creating: Click Create Second Space and Confirm the Action.
3. Choose the Unlocking Method: 🔐 Password/pattern lock (recommended for security) 👆 Fingerprint (available on sensor devices)

Wait until it's finished:

1-3 minutes

Set up the space:

Important: When you first run the second space, the system will prompt you to copy some applications from the main one.

• 📲 Select manually - tick the desired applications (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 🚫 Skip – then the space will be empty and you can install apps later via Google Play.

Free up at least 2 GB of memory|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Remember the password to unlock|Shut down. VPN (It may interfere with synchronization)-->

If you don’t see it in the switch menu after creating the second space, try:

1. Swipe down the notification curtain and find the Second Space icon (usually next to Mode on the plane).
2. If there is no icon, go to Settings. → Notification panel → Order of icons and add it manually.

How to manage the second space: switching, deleting, backup

Once you've created the second space, you need to learn how to manage it.

Switching between spaces

There are three ways:

1. Through the notification curtain: Swipe down and tap the Second Space icon.
2. Through Lock screen: Some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro) will have a choice of space when unlocked.
3. Through Settings: Go to Settings → Second space → Switch over.

Removal of the second space

If the function is no longer needed, it can be removed:

1. Go to Settings. → Second space.
2. Select Remove the Second Space.
3. Confirm the action (all data will be permanently deleted).

⚠️ Note: Deleting the second space does not affect the main one, but all applications installed in the second space and their data will be erased. If you need to save data (for example, correspondence in Telegram), first make a backup through Settings. → System system → Backup.

Backup and restoration

MIUI It allows you to back up the second space, but with limitations:

• 🔄 You can only save applications and their data (not system settings).
• 🚫 No copying is supported on Google Drive – only local storage or Mi Cloud.
• ⏳ Recovery takes longer than creating a new space.

To create a backup:

1. Switch to second space.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup.
3. Select data to save (such as WhatsApp, Galery) and click Create a copy.

💡

If you switch between spaces often, add the Second Space widget to the home screen. → Widgets → Find the second space and drag it.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

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

If the second space is getting stuck when loading:

1. Wait 5-10 minutes – sometimes the system initializes the data for a long time.
2. If it doesn’t help, restart your phone with a long press of the power button.
3. In extreme cases, remove the space through Settings. → Second space → Remove and recreate.

Another common problem is that some applications cannot be installed in the second space, because some programs (such as banking or high security requirements) block installation in isolated environments.

• 🔄 Use the main space for such applications.
• 🛠️ Install the application through ADB (requires unlocking the loader).

The hidden possibilities of the second space: what can MIUI 15

In the latest versions MIUI 14/15 The second space feature has several hidden features that many users are unaware of:

• 🔒 Separate Safe Folder: In the second space, you can create your own Safe Folder with a separate password, which is convenient if you store sensitive documents in both spaces.
• 🎮 Optimization for gamers: On devices with Game Turbo (e.g., Game Turbo, POCO F5 Black Shark – In the second space, you can configure individual performance profiles for games.
• 📡 Different network settings: You can connect each space to different Wi-Fi networks or VPN. For example, in the main space – home Wi-Fi, and in the second – working VPN.
• 🔊 Different audio profiles: Set up individual notification sounds, volume and even equalizer for each space.

To activate these functions:

1. Switch to second space.
2. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → More
3. Activate the options you need (e.g. Separate Networks or Separate Safe Folder).

Nana MIUI 15 also has the ability to quickly switch between spaces through gesture:

1. Go to Settings. → Gestures → Fast-switching of spaces.
2. Select a gesture (for example, swipe on the lock screen left / right).
3. Save the settings.

⚠️ Note: On some devices with AMOLED-With screens (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra) fast switching gestures can trigger image artifacts, in which case disable the feature or use the switching through the notification curtain.

The security of the second space: myths and reality

Many users mistakenly believe that the second space on Xiaomi provides complete data isolation, as on a separate device.

What protects the second space:

• 🔐 File isolation: Applications from one space do not have access to files from another (e.g. Gallery in the main space will not see a photo from the second space).
• 🛡️ Different accounts: You can use different Google accounts, Mi Account, Facebook, etc.
• 🚫 Protection against Accidental Deletion: Deletion of an application in one space does not affect another.

Security restrictions:

• 🕵️ Common System Services: Some processes (e.g. Google Play Services or Mi Cloud) work for both spaces.
• 🔗 Common IP-Address: Both spaces use a single network connection, so IP It is impossible to distinguish which space is active.
• 📱 Vulnerabilities MIUI: If an attacker gains physical access to the phone, they can switch between spaces (unless a password is set).

To improve safety:

• 🔑 Set different passwords for each space (don’t use the same space) PIN-code).
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI — New versions close vulnerabilities related to space isolation.
• 🚫 Do not install root rights or custom firmware – this breaks the isolation between spaces.

If you want maximum security, consider alternatives:

• 📱 Two physical devices are the most reliable, but expensive option.
• 🔒 Containers like Shelter or Island – these apps create isolated environments based on Android Work Profile and can be safer than a second space. MIUI.

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Second space MIUI Suitable for day-to-day data sharing, but not a substitute for specialized solutions to protect sensitive information (e.g. Shelter or GrapheneOS).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions