Second space on Xiaomi Redmi 9C: instructions

Smartphones series Redmi has long established itself as an affordable device with a wide range of functionality, but in the latest versions of the shell MIUI and HyperOS users often face a lack of familiar features. Xiaomi Redmi 9C is no exception, and the issue of organizing personal space here is especially acute for those who are used to separating work and personal data. the function “Second space” allows you to create an isolated environment, in fact turning the phone into two different devices with different sets of applications and files.

In this article, we will discuss how to activate this mode on your device, even if the standard button in the settings is hidden by the manufacturer, you will learn about the nuances of working with profiles, methods of circumventing restrictions and ways to quickly switch between modes without losing data.

Before you start setting up, it’s important to understand that the second space is not just a folder, but a fully-fledged, isolated system with its own permissions and access to memory, which is ideal for transferring your phone to children, hiding sensitive information, or splitting work chats and personal contacts in one package.

What is the second space and why is it necessary?

The feature, known as Second Space, is an Android-level virtualization technology that creates a new user profile when activated, which is completely separate from the main one, meaning that the applications installed in the second space are not visible in the first, and the gallery and files are separated by a secure partition.

Using this feature on Redmi 9C has several significant benefits that go beyond simple file organization, first of all, privacy. You can set the second space to a special fingerprint or pin code. For an outsider who knows your primary unlock password, the contents of the second profile will remain hidden.

It's also a great tool for digital hygiene, and many users are installing social media and instant messengers in the second space to be able to completely disconnect from work or socializing at a certain time, and you just switch to the main profile, and all the notifications from the working world stop bothering you without distracting you from your vacation.

• 🔒 Complete data isolation: photos and documents from one profile are not visible in another without special access.
• 📱 Duplicate apps: the ability to run two WhatsApp or Telegram accounts at the same time without using clones.
• 👶 Parental Control: Creating a Safe Environment for a Child with a Limited Play and Video.
• 🎭 Anonymity: the ability to hide the fact of using certain applications from those who have physical access to the phone.

It is worth noting that creating a second profile affects the performance of the device. Since the Xiaomi Redmi 9C belongs to the budget segment, simultaneous operation of two sets of background processes can consume more RAM. However, when used correctly, this effect is minimal and does not interfere with comfortable operation.

Checking the presence of the function in the MIUI settings

The first step before any manipulation should be to check whether there is a regular activation capability. In different versions of the firmware installed on the Redmi 9C, the menu layout may differ. The standard path involves going to the main settings section of the system.

You have to open Settings and scroll down to Additional Features, and that's where the classic MIUIs have the Second Space switch, and if you see this, you're lucky it'll take a couple of seconds to activate.

⚠️ Note: If the Additional Features menu doesn't have a "Second Space" option, it doesn't mean your phone doesn't support this feature. Often, the manufacturer hides it in newer versions of the shell for specific regions.

In some cases, the menu may be called differently or moved. Try searching by settings. Type "Second Space" or "Second Space" into the search box. If the system responds and shows the appropriate item, proceed to activate it. The lack of search response indicates that the feature is software blocked in your version of the software.

Also worth checking is the Android and MIUI version. Redmi 9C often has global firmware where some Chinese features are cut out. In such cases, the standard Customization path → Additional features may not work and alternative activation methods will be required, which will be discussed below.

• 🔍 Use Settings Search to Quickly Access Hidden Menus.
• 📲 Check for the “Second Space” app shortcut in the Tools folder».
• ⚙️ Make sure you have the latest version installed. MIUI for your region.

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If you don't find a standard menu, don't rush to reset your settings. Try changing your phone region to "India" or "China" in the "Additional Settings" menu - this sometimes returns hidden features.

Alternative activation methods on Redmi 9C

If the standard path is blocked, alternative methods come to the rescue, and one of the most powerful ways for the Xiaomi Redmi 9C is to use a special code or shortcut that compels the system component responsible for the profiles to run, a method that does not require root rights.

Try to find the Tools folder in the app menu, and sometimes it hides the "Second Space" label inside it, even if it's not in the settings, and if it's not, you can try to create it through the desktop display settings, or you can search all the apps by typing in the function name.

Another method is to use the Security app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones, which often duplicates system functions inside the app. Open Security, scroll down and find Hide Files or similar names. Sometimes activating file hiding automatically pulls up components of the second space.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers or themes, system paths may change. Return the standard theme and launcher if you can't find the necessary menu items.

The most technically advanced but effective way is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to activate hidden components, which would require a computer and a cable, and it would wake up hidden services that are formally present in the firmware code but do not have an entry point in the interface.

adb shell pm enable --user 0 com.miui.secondspace

Executing this command in the ADB console will force the second space component to be activated, and then the corresponding item should appear in the settings or in the search for applications. Be careful when typing commands: one error can lead to unstable operation of the system.

• 💻 Method ADB Requires connection to the PC and installing Xiaomi drivers.
• 📂 Check the Tools folder on your desktop – the shortcut may just be hidden.
• 🔄 Changing the region of the phone will sometimes unlock hidden features MIUI.

Step-by-step instructions for creating a profile

Once you have managed to find the login, the setup process begins, and the system will prompt you to create a new profile that will be empty at first, you will have to agree to the terms of use and wait for the system to be ready.

The first thing the system will ask you to set the login method, you can use the same password as the main screen, or you can set a new one. For maximum convenience and security, you should set the fingerprint login. You should select a separate finger (for example, a pinky) to enter the second space, this will allow you to instantly switch between profiles just by putting your finger on the scanner.

Then there's the application selection phase, and the system will suggest moving some apps from the main profile to the second one, so you can choose messengers, browsers, or games, and you don't have to move everything at once, you can do that at any time through the settings of the second space.

⚠️ Note: When you migrate applications, your data (correspondence, logins) may not be automatically copied. Be prepared to re-sign in to your accounts within the new space.

Once you've set up, you'll see a clean desktop, and you can start filling it with content, and everything you download or install now will be isolated from the main user, and to switch between spaces, use a notification curtain or a special shortcut, if it's created.

If the second profile does not have internet, check the network settings inside that profile, not the main one.

Data management and file transfer

One of the biggest challenges for new users is sharing files between two isolated worlds. Because the profiles are separated, you won't see files from the main profile in the gallery of the second, and vice versa.

To move photos, videos or documents, you need to go to the settings of the second space, usually the path is: Settings → Second space → Move files. Here you will see two tabs: "From Second Space" and "To Second Space."

This mechanism works as a buffer zone: you pick up files in one profile, confirm the movement, and they are copied to another profile's storage, and the process can take time depending on the amount of data, especially if you move heavy video files or multiple photos.

You can also use cloud services like Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or Yandex.Disk. By uploading a file to the cloud from one profile, you can download it to another, logging in to the same account, which is often faster and more convenient than the built-in navigation tool.

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Use cloud storage to quickly sync documents between spaces, as the built-in moving tool only works with media files and contacts.

Frequent problems and ways to solve them

Despite its usefulness, the second space feature on the Xiaomi Redmi 9C can be unstable. Users often complain that the profile spontaneously disappears or stops letting in, this can be due to a lack of RAM or errors in the work of the MIUI optimizer.

If you can't log in to the second space, try rebooting the device. Often this solves the problem of suspended services. Also check if the system has updated - after major MIUI updates, the second space settings can be reset, requiring reauthorization or fingerprint settings.

Another common problem is that there is no sound or microphone in the second profile applications, and this is solved by checking the permissions. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management (already inside the second space) and make sure that the desired application has access to the microphone and speakers.

• 🔋 Battery problem: second space can drain your phone faster.Switch off background activity of unnecessary apps.
• 📉 Memory Lack: If your phone starts to slow down, delete the extra files from both profiles.
• 🚫 Login Lock: If you forget your password, you can only reset it by completely removing the second space.

⚠️ Warning: Deleting the second space will result in the total loss of all data stored inside it.

In some cases, cleaning the Settings and Security app cache helps, and you can do this through the application management menu, but beware: it can reset other system settings.

Security and Removal of Second Space

Security is particularly important when it comes to data hiding, and while the second space is securely isolated, it is not an absolute protection from professionals, but for household use (protection from children or curious friends), this level of security is more than enough.

It's important to understand that deleting the second space is an irreversible process. If you decide to opt out of this feature, the system will prompt you to delete the profile, before it warns you again that all data will be destroyed, and make sure you've moved everything you need.

To delete, go to Settings → Second Space and click on the basket icon or three-dot menu. Select “Delete Second Space.” The process will take a few minutes, after which the phone will return to the state of one primary profile.

If you want to temporarily disable the feature but not delete the data, newer versions of MIUI may not have that option — only delete. So if the data is important, it's better to just not use the second profile for a while than risk losing it when you delete it.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions