Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 9C have enough performance to serve not only for work but also for personal leisure. However, it is often necessary to separate the two worlds, keeping the confidentiality of work correspondence and hiding personal photos from colleagues. Owners of budget models sometimes mistakenly believe that the feature of splitting profiles is available only in flagships, but this is not the case.
The MIUI shell features a complete, isolated environment right out of the box. The second space on Xiaomi 9C works as a separate smartphone inside your device with its own passwords, apps and gallery. This solution is ideal for those who want to use one device for different purposes without buying a second device.
In this article, we will take a closer look at how to activate, configure and optimize an additional profile, learn how to quickly switch between modes, what are the limitations of the budget processor Helio G35 when working with dual profiles, and how to ensure the maximum security of your data.
What is the second space and why is it necessary?
Essentially, this function creates a virtual copy of the operating system. When you activate this mode, the system generates a new user profile that is completely isolated from the main one. Applications installed in the main space do not see the data in the second profile, and vice versa. This provides a high level of privacy.
For Redmi 9C owners, this is especially true given that the model is often used as the first smartphone for children or as a work device on a budget.You can install games or social networks in the second profile, restrict access to them or simply hide them from prying eyes without permanently removing them.
It is important to understand the difference between a second space and a simple application hiding. Hidden applications still consume the resources of the main profile and can be found in deep search. An isolated profile requires a separate login (password or fingerprint), which makes access to data impossible without authorization.
Preparing a smartphone before creating a profile
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that the device is ready to work with an additional profile. Although the Xiaomi Redmi 9C has 3 or 4 GB of RAM, creating a second environment will require additional resources.
It is recommended to free up at least 1-2 GB of internal memory. If the drive is full, the creation process can take a long time or end in error. It is also worth checking for system updates in the Settings menu → About Phone → MIUI version.
- 🔋 Charge the device to at least 40% to avoid shutting down at a critical time.
- 💾 Free up storage space by removing unnecessary videos or messenger cache.
- 🔒 Set a strong screen unlock password if it hasn’t already been set.
☑️ Readiness Check by Xiaomi 9C
Don't ignore the password requirement. PIN-The system will not allow the activation of the security function because the second space relies on this data to delimit access.
Step-by-step instructions for activating the function
The on-boarding process is simple and standardized for all MIUI-based devices. You don't need superuser rights or third-party launchers.
Open the Security app (green icon with shield) or go to Settings → Second Space. In the menu that opens, click “Enable Second Space” and the system will alert you that a new environment will be created.
⚠️ Warning: Once enabled, the system can automatically create a desktop switching shortcut. Do not delete it if you plan to use both profiles frequently.
You can then set up the login method, use the same fingerprint as the main profile, but with different taps (for example, thumb for the main, index for the second), or set a separate password, which allows you to instantly go to the desired mode when unlocked.
What if the second space item is not on the menu?
Access settings and switching methods
The most convenient way to control is to use biometrics. The Redmi 9C has a fingerprint scanner on the back that works fast enough. Set up different fingers for different spaces so that the switching happens instantly.
If you prefer passwords, the system will offer to create a unique one. PIN-And remember that, because it can be difficult to restore access without a Mi Account attached, you can also set up a sidebar to quickly transition.
| Parameter | Main space | Second space |
|---|---|---|
| Access to files | Complete. | Isolated. |
| Notifications | All applications | Only selected |
| Password. | Primary pattern lock | Separate PIN or fingerprint |
| Screen label | There is (by default) | Can't hide. |
It is important to set up notifications correctly. By default, the system can duplicate notifications from the second profile messengers to the main one. To keep privacy, go to the settings of the second space and turn off the display of the notification content on the locked screen.
Data portability and application installation
Once you have a blank profile, you have to move the data, and MIUI offers a convenient import tool, so you can copy contacts, photos, even installed apps from the main profile to the second one.
When you migrate apps, the system actually creates a copy of them, which means you can be logged into two different Instagram or WhatsApp accounts at the same time, but remember that this takes up twice as much disk space.
- 📁 Photo and video: Moved through a built-in conductor or gallery marked "Move to second space».
- 📞 Contacts: Imported automatically when the phone book is first launched in the second profile.
- 📲 Apps: Copy through the application management menu, but game data may not be saved.
💡
When carrying heavy games (such as PUBG or Genshin Impact), it is better to install them in the second space again via Google Play.
Pay attention to the amount of memory occupied. If the main profile cache messengers takes 5 GB, then after copying to the second profile, the free space will decrease by another 5 GB.
Features of work on the processor Helio G35
The Xiaomi Redmi 9C is based on the MediaTek Helio G35 processor, which is energy efficient but not the most powerful chipset, and working two profiles simultaneously can put a strain on RAM, especially in models with 3GB of RAM.
The system can aggressively unload background apps in the second space to free up resources for an active profile. This is normal for this price tag. You shouldn't expect the video in the second profile to keep going while you're working on the main job.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install heavy navigation or games in the second space if the main tasks are also running resource-intensive. MIUI.
For comfortable work, it is recommended to disable auto-update applications in the second profile or configure it only over Wi-Fi. Background activity of many Google services in two profiles can simultaneously consume battery power faster.
💡
On the Xiaomi 9C with 3GB of storage, use the second space mainly for static data (photos, documents) or lightweight applications, avoiding the simultaneous operation of heavy tasks in both profiles.
Profile removal and management
If the second profile is no longer necessary, it can be easily deleted, and all the data inside it will be irrevocably erased, so back up important files in advance, while remaining intact.
To delete, go to Settings → Second Space and select “Delete Second Space” and the system will ask you to confirm the action by entering a password, and then free up the occupied disk space.
You can also temporarily turn off the feature without deleting the data, which is convenient if you want to hand the phone over to a child or colleague, but you want to save your settings for later use. Just use the "Switch off" button in the control menu.