How to make a second space on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Owning a modern Xiaomi smartphone often involves using the device for different areas of life at the same time. Personal correspondence, work chats, banking applications and entertainment content are all stored in one gadget, which creates chaos and reduces privacy. The built-in MIUI feature allows you to solve this problem elegantly, creating an isolated environment within the same operating system.

Creating a second space isn't just about cloning apps, it's about splitting the file system, and you get essentially two independent phones in one case, each with its own set of passwords, Google accounts, and interface settings, and it's perfect for those who want to separate work from leisure or hide certain data from prying eyes without installing third-party software.

Unlike simple app hiding, this method provides a higher level of security. Even if someone unlocks your main screen, they won’t be able to access the second profile without knowing a separate pin code or fingerprint. Next, we’ll go into detail about how this useful feature is activated, customized, and used on MIUI-enabled devices.

What is the second space and why is it necessary?

Second Space is based on the principle of virtualization of user profiles, which has long been used in desktop operating systems. In the context of Xiaomi smartphones, this allows you to create a separate desktop that looks and functions like a new device. Here you can set duplicate social networks, which is especially important for owners of two SIM cards, but do not support a full clone of applications through standard settings.

The main purpose of this feature is privacy and digital space organization. Imagine if you have to give your phone to a colleague to watch a photo or a child to play. If you transfer your device in the main mode, you risk showing the extra. By activating your guest profile, you control which files and programs will be available to another user.

It's important to understand the difference between App Cloning and Second Space: Cloning shortcuts a second account within the same environment using shared permissions and often shared cache files. The second space is a completely isolated sandbox. Applications here are re-installed, take up additional memory space, and operate independently of the main profile.

⚠️ Note: Creating a second profile requires additional RAM resources. 2-3 GB RAM activation of this feature can lead to more frequent closure of background applications in the main mode.

Preparing a smartphone for creating a profile

Before you start setting up, make sure your Xiaomi or Redmi device supports this feature.Although it is present in most versions of MIUI starting with version 8, the path to the menu may differ in some global firmware or very old models.

While the process of creating a second space is usually safe for the main system, any manipulation of system partitions carries minimal risks, and make sure that the battery charge is at least 30% so that the device does not turn off at the critical time of initializing a new profile.

Also, you should decide on the method of protection in advance. The system will offer you to set a separate password or attach a fingerprint. If you plan to use biometrics, make sure that the finger to unlock the second space has already been added to the basic security settings Settings → Passwords and security.

Step-by-step: how to activate the function

The process of running the second space is intuitive and takes no more than a minute, all the necessary tools are in the standard settings menu of the system. Follow the algorithm to create an isolated environment without errors.

To start, open the main menu and find the Settings section. In the settings list, select Second Space. In some shell versions, it can be hidden in the Advanced Settings submenu or Special Features, if you can't find it right away, search by settings by typing in "Second Space."

After you go to the menu, the system will prompt you to click the Enable Second Space button, then you will get acquainted with the features of the function. By pressing "Next", you will start the creation process. The system will ask you to specify the unlock method: you can use the same fingerprint as the main screen (at different times of pressing), or you can set up a separate pin code.

⚠️ Attention: When setting up your fingerprint unlock, be careful. If you set the unlock with a second space on the same finger, but with a longer press, make sure you remember this feature so you don't open the wrong profile.

Once you've set up, you'll see a clean desktop, resembling a phone you just bought, and to get back, you'll lock the screen and unlock it with your primary fingerprint or password, or use a special label in the notification curtain if it's on.

Access settings and switching between profiles

Controlling two spaces is addictive. You can switch between them in many ways. The fastest is through a lock screen. If you set up different fingerprints for each profile, you put your "Worker" finger on your work profile, and your "Personal" finger will open up your personal data.

If the biometrics are not used or configured the same way, the switch is made through the notification curtain, a panel is stitched from top to bottom where the icon is, allowing you to instantly switch to another mode, and you can also use a floating button if it is added to the quick access settings.

For user convenience, Xiaomi has provided the option to customize notifications, so you can choose whether notifications will come from the second space to the main mode, which is useful if you use the second profile for rare tasks and do not want to be constantly distracted by calls or messages from there.

Data portability and application installation

Once you create a new profile, you have to fill it with content, because the file systems are separated, you can't just copy a photo from the main mode gallery, and you have a data port function in the second space settings.

To transfer files, you need to go to the second profile settings, select Data Transfer and mark the necessary photos, videos or documents, the system will create a temporary folder that is accessible from the main mode, where the files will be copied, and after the transfer is completed, the folder will automatically be deleted for security purposes.

Apps are installed independently. You have to re-download WhatsApp, Telegram or games from Google Play or GetApps. This ensures that the cache and application data do not overlap. Banking applications may require re-association of the device, as for them the second profile will look like a new phone.

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Use Quick Launch to open apps in the second space without switching profiles completely, saving time if you need to respond quickly to a message.

Removal and management of the second space

If the second profile is no longer necessary, it can be easily removed, and this action will completely clear all the data, applications and settings created inside this space, but will not affect the main mode of operation of the smartphone.

To delete, go to Settings → Second Space. In the upper right corner, click on the menu icon (three dots or gear) and select Remove the second space. The system will request a confirmation and password from the main profile to authorize the action.

It is important to note that removing the second space frees up the memory it occupies. If you have used heavy games or uploaded a lot of videos to the second profile, after deleting you may notice a significant increase in free memory on the device.

⚠️ Note: Before deleting your profile, be sure to transfer important photos and documents to the main space or to a cloud server. After confirming the deletion, it will be impossible to restore data even through specialized software.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The second space on Xiaomi is a powerful digital life sharing tool that works at the system level, providing better data isolation than simple app clones.