How to Make Two Spaces on a Xiaomi Phone: A Complete Picture Guide

Have you ever wanted to split your Xiaomi smartphone into two separate zones: one for corporate messaging and email, and the other for personal social media, games and photos? MIUI It allows you to create a full-fledged duplicate of the system with separate applications, settings and even a password. It's not just a folder with icons, but a real isolated environment, as if you had a second phone in the same device.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to activate the second space - from the standard method in settings to hidden chips for older Redmi models and the newest. POCO. You will learn how to synchronize notifications between spaces, transfer files, and avoid common errors (such as when apps disappear after an update), and compare Second Space to alternatives like Parallel Space and explain why Xiaomi’s native solution is more reliable.

Important: Not all models have the feature. If your phone doesn't have it, check it out. MIUI — It may need an update. POCO F3, Redmi Note 10 Pro and the newer instruction is 100% suitable, and for older devices (for example, Redmi 5) you will have to use workarounds.

What is the Second Space and Why is it Necessary?

The Second Space function is built into the MIUI You can create an isolated copy of your Android system, and you basically have two independent profiles on the same device:

• 🔐 Different passwords – you can lock each space separately (for example, PIN for work, pattern lock for personal).
• 📱 Duplicate applications - each space has its own WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and other programs.
• 📁 Isolated files – photos, documents, and downloads do not overlap between spaces.
• 🔔 Notifications – You can configure messages from the second space to avoid distractions.

Unlike cloned apps (like Parallel Space or Island): Xiaomi’s native solution doesn’t “tighten” the second layer on top of Android, but creates a full-fledged second user profile at the system level.

• ⚡ Faster – no lags, as in third-party applications.
• 🛡️ Safer – data is not transferred to third parties.
• 🔄 Easier to switch – swipe on the Home button or through the notification panel.

Who's gonna use it?

• 👔 Employees who use the same phone for work and personal matters.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents who want to give their child access to a phone but limit it to a separate space.
• 🎮 Gamers who want to keep games and social networks in different “sandboxes».
• 🔍 Those who test apps or settings without risking the main profile.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi 9T) The function may be called Dual Apps. It's not the same thing! Duplicate only copies individual programs (like two WhatsApps), and Second Space** creates a full-fledged second profile.

Compatibility Check: Does your Xiaomi support a second space?

Not all Xiaomi phones have this feature, here's how to check for it:

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Scroll down and find the Second Space section** (or Second Space in English).
3. If there is no item, check the version. MIUI In Settings → The phone.

The function is available on most devices with MIUI 8 and newer, but there are exceptions:

If your model is not in the table, try to manually find the function in the settings. Sometimes it is hidden: for example, on some of the features. POCO You need to activate Developer Mode** first (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — tap 7 times).

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

If your phone supports the function, follow this instruction. The entire process will take no more than 5 minutes.

1. Open the settings: Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
2. Activate the function: Click Create a second space and confirm the action.
3. Set up a password: Set a separate one PIN, a pattern lock or fingerprint for a second profile (you can leave without a password, but it is not secure).
4. Select apps: The system will prompt you to copy the main programs (for example, WhatsApp, Chrome). Tick the desired ones or skip this step, you can add them later.
5. Wait for creation: The phone will reboot and in 1-2 minutes the second space will be ready.

You can now switch between spaces.

• 🔄 Swipe up the Home button** (on the lock screen or in the app menu).
• 📱 Through the notification panel, the icon “Second Space” will appear»**.
• 🔒 When unlocking – select the desired profile in the lock menu.

Important: When you first run the second space, it will be empty — no wallpaper, widgets, or apps (except basic ones) — you need to set it up just like you set up your phone after you bought it.

Install the required applications|Set up wallpaper and theme|Sync accounts (Google, Mi)|Disable unnecessary notifications|Check permissions for applications-->

⚠️ Note: If some applications (e.g. Banking Apps) are missing after creating the second space, check their compatibility with the new system. MIUI. Some banking programs are blocking sandbox operations because of security policies.Solution: install them only in the main space.

How to transfer files and applications between spaces

By default, the spaces are completely isolated: files, photos and documents from one profile are not visible in another.

Method 1: Through "Files» (MIUI File Manager)

1. Open the File Manager application**.
2. Go to the Second Space section (will appear after activation of the function).
3. Select the files you want to copy and click Share → Keep it in the main space (or vice versa).

Method 2: Through cloud services

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

• 📁 Upload files to the cloud from one space.
• 🔄 Switch to another space and download them from there.

Method 3: Through USB-cable (for PC)

Connect your phone to your computer:

1. In the main space, enable File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. Copy the necessary files on the PC.
3. Switch to the second space, reconnect the phone and transfer the files back.

Limitations:

• 🚫 You can’t drag files between spaces directly. MIUI File Manager – only through copying.
• 🔒 Some system files (such as those from the Android folder) are not copied.
• 📱 Applications cannot simply be moved – they must be re-installed in every space.

💡

If you want to share a photo quickly between spaces, send it to yourself in Telegram Saved Messages – this is faster than copying it through Files.

Problem Solving: What to Do When the Second Space Doesn't Work

Sometimes, after you create a second space, you get errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them.

If the second space is completely gone after the update MIUI, try:

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Check if the function is hidden in the settings (sometimes it moves to Settings) → Confidentiality).
3. Reset the settings to factory (pre-reverse!).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO X2) After resetting, the second space may disappear without recovery. All data from it will be lost.

Alternatives to the second space: what to use if there is no function

If your Xiaomi doesn’t support Second Space, there are a few alternatives:

1. Parallel Space (or analogues)

Parallel Space creates a virtual sandbox for duplication of programs.

• ✅ It works on any phone.
• ✅ Any application can be cloned.

Cons:

• ❌ Brakes on weak devices.
• ❌ Shows ads in the free version.
• ❌ Less secure – data passes through the developer’s servers.

2. Guest Mode (Guest Mode)

V MIUI There is a "Guest" function** (Settings) → System system → Additionally. → Guest mode. It creates a temporary profile with limited access, suitable for one-time use, but not for permanent operation.

3.Two Google accounts

If you only need to separate your email and some apps, add a second Google account in the settings.

• 📧 Use two emails in Gmail.
• 📅 Separate calendars and contacts.
• 🎮 Play games from different accounts.

4. Firmware with support for second space

For older models (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1) You can install custom firmware (for example, MIUI EU Or Pixel Experience, where there's a feature, but that requires unlocking the bootloader and risks voiding the warranty.

💡

If you only need to duplicate messengers (for example, two WhatsApp), use the built-in “Duplicate Apps”** (Settings) feature. → Annexes → Duplicate applications: It is lighter and does not require a second space.

Security Tips: How to Protect Data in the Second Space

The second space is convenient, but it requires caution.

• 🔒 Set different passwords for each space. Don't use the same space. PIN!
• 📵 Turn off notifications for sensitive applications (banks, instant messengers) in the second space if it is used for unsafe purposes (for example, software testing).
• 🚫 Don't store passwords from the main space in the second (and vice versa). Use a password manager like Bitwarden.
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI — In older versions, there were vulnerabilities that allowed to bypass the isolation of spaces.

If you use the second workspace, set up Remote Management** (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Remote control: This will block or erase data in case of phone theft.

What NOT to do:

• 🚫 Save screenshots of bank data in the second space if it is not password protected.
• 🚫 Signing into the same WhatsApp or Telegram account in both spaces will lead to a ban.
• 🚫 Use a second space to bypass bans in games (e.g, PUBG Genshin Impact – This violates the rules of the service.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions