How to Create a Second Space on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide with Nuances

Modern Xiaomi smartphones on the basis MIUI They offer a unique feature, the ability to create a second space, which is not just an additional account, but a full-fledged isolated environment with separate applications, settings and data. This solution is ideal for those who want to separate work and personal data, test apps without risk to the main system or provide a smartphone to relatives with limited access.

Unlike standard guest mode in Android, the second space on Xiaomi works as an independent copy of the system: it has its own launcher, security settings and even cloud storage. Both spaces can exist in parallel and only take a few seconds to switch between them, and it's important to understand that this feature is not available on all models, it depends on the version. MIUI and the hardware capabilities of the device.

In this article, we will discuss how to activate the second space, what limitations it has, and how to use it correctly to avoid data loss or conflict between environments. MIUI 14/15, Flexible management of resources between spaces.

What is the second space and why is it necessary?

Second Space is a proprietary development of Xiaomi, which first appeared in the company. MIUI 8 and has evolved a lot since then, and it's basically a virtual sandbox where you can actually do it:

• 🔒 Separating personal and work data is ideal for freelancers or employees using the same smartphone for work and leisure.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Provide access to relatives without the risk that they will change your settings or see confidential information.
• 🧪 Testing applications in an isolated environment without fear of infecting the main system with viruses.
• 🔄 Use two accounts of the same messenger (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram) at the same time.

Unlike the Android guest mode, the second space on Xiaomi saves all data after a reboot and allows you to install apps from Google Play or Google Play. MI Both spaces can work in parallel: you can receive notifications from both environments at the same time (unless you have disabled this feature in the settings).

Important: The second space is not a full-fledged virtualization (as in Samsung Knox or Parallels Desktop), it uses common system resources, so when you use both spaces actively, you can experience increased battery consumption and slower performance on weak devices.

Requirements and restrictions: what Xiaomi has the second space

Second Space is not available on all Xiaomi devices, and it depends on three factors:

1. Version. MIUI — function appeared in MIUI 8 and is retained in all subsequent versions (including MIUI 14/15), It may be hidden in some regional locations.
2. Smartphone model – on budget devices (for example, Redmi) 9A POCO C31) function is often absent due to memory limitations.
3. Firmware region - in Chinese versions MIUI (For example, for Xiaomi 13 Ultra, the function may be called differently).

Below is a table of compatibility for popular models (relevant to the MIUI 14/15):

If your model is not listed in the table, check for the function yourself:

1. Open the Settings.
2. Go to the Special Features section (or in older versions).
3. Find the second space (or second space).

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A3 Android One is missing because of Google's limitations on modifying the system, and you can't create a second space if you have debugging mode on your smartphone. USB — It can cause disruption.

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

The process of creating a second space takes no more than 5 minutes, but requires compliance with several rules:

1. The battery charge should be at least 30% (at low charge, the system will block the creation).
2. Free space on the device - at least 3 GB (the second space takes up) ~1.5-2 GB out of the box").
3. Lack of root rights – if the smartphone is rooted, the feature may not work smoothly.

Now let's move on to the instructions:

1. Open Settings and go to Special Features (on some models, the path may differ: Settings → System and Device → Additional).
2. Select Second Space (or Second Space in global firmware). If not, search by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).
3. Click Create a second space and confirm the action. The system will prompt you to set a password or a graphical key to log in - this is a mandatory step (without a password, you can not create space).
4. Wait until the process is complete (it can take 1-3 minutes) and the device will reboot and you will be in a new space with factory settings.

Once you have created the second space, you can switch between the two:

• Through the notification panel (swipe down) → user icon → space-selection).
• Through the lock screen (swipe left / right on the password entry screen).
• Through the Second Space settings (Switching Spaces section).

The second space: what can and can not be done

Once you've created the second space, you have to adjust it to your own needs.

✅ What can be customized:

• 📱 Install individual applications – they won’t be visible in the main space (and vice versa).
• 🔐 Set a unique password – it may differ from the password of the main space.
• 📶 Set up separate accounts (such as a different Google account or Mi-account).
• 📂 Limit access to files – by default, the spaces do not see each other’s files, but this can be changed in settings.

❌ Limitations:

• 🚫 You cannot use the same system applications (e.g. Calls or Messages) in both spaces at the same time.
• 🚫 Certain functions MIUI They only work in the main space (e.g. Game Turbo or Smart Assistant).
• 🚫 Memory restriction: The second space cannot occupy more than 50% of the total storage space.

Pay special attention to setting up the notification separation:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications → Second Space.
2. Select which notifications should be duplicated in both spaces (they are separated by default).
3. If necessary, disable notifications from the second space mostly – this is useful if you use it to test apps.

If you are planning to use a second space to work, we recommend:

• 📌 Install Microsoft Outlook or Gmail in the second space only.
• 📌 Set up VPN task-wise.
• 📌 Disable Mi Cloud sync in the second space if sensitive data is stored there.

⚠️ Note: If you delete the second space through Settings → Second space → Delete it, it's completely erased, and you can only back up the second space through the backup. MIUI Backup, but it can be restored only in a new space, not in the main one.

💡

To quickly distinguish spaces, set different wallpapers on the desktop in each of them. → Wallpaper and select a unique image for the second space.

How to Separate Files and Applications Between Spaces

By default, the second space on Xiaomi is completely isolated from the main one: it can’t see your photos, documents or installed apps.

📁 File separation

To allow access to certain files in a second space:

1. Open Files (File Manager application)
2. Select the folder you want to share (such as Download or Download). DCIM).
3. Press. ⋮ → Access settings → Allow the second space.

Now, files from this folder will be available in both spaces, and note that changes made in one space will be reflected in the other.

📱 Separation of annexes

There are two ways to use the same app in both spaces:

1. Cloning through MIUI: Some apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) can be duplicated using the dual app function (Settings). → Annexes → But this will create two separate copies in the same space, rather than tearing them apart.
2. Install each space separately: Go to Google Play or MI App Store in the second space and install the app again.

For some system applications (such as Calls or Camera) there are specific rules:

• 📞 Calls: The second space can receive calls, but the call log will be shared by both spaces.
• 📸 Camera: Photos taken in the second space are saved by default to its local folder DCIM.
• 📧 Communications: SMS and MMS They come in both spaces, but the answers come from where you are.

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

When you use the second space, you often have typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

🔄 Second space is not being created.

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Low battery charge – connect the charger and try again.
• 📱 Insufficient memory – free up at least 3GB (delete unnecessary files or transfer them to your home) SD-map).
• 🔧 There is no item in the settings - check the version MIUI (Update through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🛠️ Rooted Device – Disable Magisk or other modifications before creating space.

🔒 Can't get into the second space.

If you have forgotten your password or the system does not accept it:

1. Restart the device – sometimes it resets temporary authentication errors.
2. Try to enter your password in English (even if you set it in Russian).
3. If nothing helps, delete the second space through Settings. → Second space → Remove and recreate it.

📵 Applications in the second space are not updated

This problem is related to the limitations of Google Play in isolated environments.

• 🔄 Restart the device and check the internet connection.
• 📥 Remove and install the app again in the second space.
• 🛠️ Update Google Play Services manually (download) APK with APKMirror and install in the second space).

⚡ Fast battery discharge

If after creating the second space, the smartphone began to discharge faster:

• 🔋 Turn off background sync for unnecessary applications in the second space (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• 📵 Limit notifications from the second space mostly (Settings) → Notifications → Second space).
• ❄️ Freeze unused system applications in the second space with the help of ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 1 com.miui.package.name

⚠️ Note: If after creating the second space, the smartphone began to overheat or slow down, check the processor boot in Settings → Battery → Battery usage: If one of the spaces consumes more than 70% of the resources, remove it and recreate it, reducing the number of installed applications.

Hidden Opportunities: How to Make the Most of Second Space

Xiaomi’s Second Space feature has a few hidden features that few people know about, and here are the most useful ones:

🔑 Hidden entrance through gestures

You can set up quick switching between spaces without entering a password:

1. Go to Settings. → Second space → Quick switching.
2. Activate the switch gesture option.
3. Set a swipe combination (for example, double swipe up from the lock screen).

You can now switch between spaces in 1 second without entering a password.

📊 Separation of traffic

If you have limited internet, you can limit traffic to the second space:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data.
2. Select the Constraint for the second space.
3. Set a limit (e.g. 500MB per month).

This is useful if the second space uses background updates (e.g. for Telegram or YouTube).

🔍 Incognito mode for the second space

To prevent the second space from appearing in the notification panel:

1. Go to Settings. → Second space → Display settings.
2. Turn off the option to Show in the notification panel.
3. Now switch between spaces can only be through the lock screen or settings.

🔄 Synchronization of sample data

By default, the spaces are completely isolated, but some data can be synchronized:

• 📞 Contacts: Enable the option General Contacts in the second space settings.
• 📅 Calendar: Use Google Calendar with one account in both spaces.
• 📎 Clipboard: Include Common Clipboard in Settings → Additionally. → buffer.

💡

The second space on Xiaomi is not full virtualization, but an isolated user profile, which uses the same system resources, so it is not suitable for running resource-intensive applications (such as games) in both spaces at the same time.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions