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

Creating a second workspace on Xiaomi smartphones is an official feature MIUI, It allows you to share your personal and work data on the same device, and you actually get two independent profiles with different apps, settings, and even passwords, but without having to buy a second phone. This is especially relevant for those who want to separate work chats from personal ones, hide sensitive data from children, or simply experiment with settings without risking the main profile.

In this article, we will analyze not only the basic steps to activate the second space, but also the hidden settings. MIUI 14/15, You can flexibly manage memory, sync and security for both profiles, and you can learn how to move apps between spaces, set up notifications, and even use different wallpapers for each profile. And also – how to avoid the typical mistakes, which can cause the second space to work unstable.

What is the second space on Xiaomi and why is it necessary?

Second Space is an isolated environment in the MIUI, It works in parallel with the main profile:

• 📱 A separate desktop with its own icons and widgets
• 🔐 Unique security settings (password, fingerprint, Face) ID)
• 📁 Isolated storage (photos, files, messages do not overlap)
• 🔔 Independent notifications (you can turn them off for one of the spaces)

The main difference from guest mode or multiplayer profile on Android is complete data isolation, for example, if you install WhatsApp in both spaces, it will be two different accounts with different chat rooms, and both profiles can receive notifications and work in the background at the same time.

Who needs it?

• 💼 Work and personal life: keep corporate email and instant messengers separate from personal.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parental Control: Give your child a phone with limited apps.
• 🔍 Testing: Try new settings or apps without risking your main profile.
• 🛡️ Security: Keeping confidential data in an isolated space.

⚠️ Warning: The second space doesn't encrypt data -- it's not a replacement for specialized apps like Signal or ProtonMail. If the phone gets stolen, an attacker can access both profiles if they learn the password.

Requirements and Limitations: Which Xiaomi Phones Support the Feature

Second Space is available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones running MIUI 8 and later.

Before setting up, check:

• 📲 Version MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If the version is older than 8.0, update the system.
• 🔋 Free space: Second space requires a minimum of 1.5–2 GB on internal storage.
• 🔒 Screen lock: no screen lock PIN-Code, pattern lock or fingerprint function not available.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro) after upgrading to MIUI 14 Second Space may disappear from the menu. In this case, try resetting the settings via Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Reset the settings.

Step-by-step: how to enable the second space on Xiaomi

Activation of the second space takes no more than 5 minutes.

1. Open Settings and go to Second Space (on some models, path: Settings) → Special facilities → Second Space).
2. Click Create a second space and confirm the action with a password or fingerprint.
3. Choose the unlock method for the second profile (may differ from the main one). PIN-code to avoid confusing spaces.
4. Wait until the setup is complete (it will take 1-3 minutes).

After the reboot:

• 🔄 To switch between spaces, pull down the notification bar and click on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
• 📱 On some models (Xiaomi 13, Mix 4) a switching gesture works: swipe two fingers on the lock screen left / right.

If the Second Space button is not in the settings:

1. Check the firmware region: the feature can be hidden in the global or European version MIUI. Try switching to Chinese firmware (risky!).
2. Activate via hidden menu: enter the Phone code ##6484## (does not work on all models).
3. Update MIUI to the latest version via Settings → System Update.

💡

If notifications are missing after creating the second space, check the synchronization settings in Settings → Notifications → Notification settings for Second Space. Often they're disabled by default.

Configuring the second space: applications, memory and security

Once you've created the second profile, you need to set it up correctly.

1. Application management

By default, the second space is empty, and you need to re-install all the applications, so you can save time.

• 📲 Cloning apps from your main profile: go to Settings → Second Space → Clone apps and select the right ones (e.g. Telegram, WhatsApp).
• 🔄 Sync your data through Mi Cloud (but remember that this will bring together contacts and notes!).
• 🚫 Limit background work for unnecessary apps: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.

2.Memory and productivity

The second space consumes the resources of the phone.

• 📉 Limit the number of applications in the second space (optimally, up to 20).
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly: Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• ⚡ Turn off auto-update for second profile: Play Market → Settings → Auto-update.

3. Security

To protect the data:

• 🔐 Set different passwords for each space.
• 📱 Turn off notifications on the lock screen for the second profile: Settings → Lock screen → Notifications.
• 🛡️ Use the Security app to scan for viruses in both spaces.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

When using the second space, users encounter common errors, and here's how to fix them:

1.The second space is not included

Causes and solutions:

• 🌍 Regional restrictions: switch to Chinese firmware (risky for warranty!).

2. Applications do not work in the second space

This is most often the case with banking applications or games.

• 📲 Update the app in both spaces.
• 🔄 Clear the cache: Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Clear the cache.
• 🛠️ Turn off battery optimization for a problem app.
• 🔒 Check Permissions: Some applications (like SberBank) block work in isolated environments.

3. Battery discharges quickly

The second space can increase battery consumption by 10 to 20 percent to reduce consumption.

• ⚡ Turn off background work for unnecessary applications.
• 🔄 Reduce the synchronization frequency (e.g. for mail).
• 📴 Use the energy saving mode for the second profile.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (like WhatsApp or Viber) can duplicate notifications in both spaces, even if you haven't cloned them.

Hidden chips: what can be done with the second space

In addition to basic data separation, the second space on Xiaomi supports several non-obvious features that are not mentioned in the official instructions:

1. Various wallpaper and themes

You can customize a unique look for each profile:

• 🎨 Wallpaper: Go to Settings → Wallpaper in each space and select different images.
• 🌈 Themes: Download different themes from the Mi Theme Store (for example, dark for work and light for personal use).

2. Quick gesture switching

On new models (Xiaomi) 13/14, Mix Fold 3) quilt:

• 👆 Swipe two fingers up the lock screen to open the space switching menu.
• 🔄 Double pressing the power button (configured in Settings) → Buttons and gestures).

3. Isolated SIM-map

If there's two on the phone SIM-maps, each can be linked to a separate space:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Select Second Space Settings.
3. Assign one. SIM for the main profile, the other for the second.

4. Automatic switching on schedule

Using MacroDroid or Tasker, you can configure automatic space switching:

• 🕘 Time: for example, from 9:00 to 18:00 – work space, the rest of the time – personal space.
• 📍 By location: switch profile when connecting to a working Wi-Fi.

💡

The second space on Xiaomi is not just a second profile, but a fully-fledged, isolated environment with its own settings, applications and data, and can be used not only to separate work and personal life, but also to test apps, parental controls, or even as a sandbox for experimenting with settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions