Second desktop on Xiaomi: how to create and configure correctly

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to separate work and personal apps, hide sensitive data from prying eyes or simply order the chaos of hundreds of icons. The second desktop (aka "second screen" or "profile") solves these problems, allowing you to create an isolated space with separate applications, wallpapers and settings. MIUI This feature is hidden deep in the menu or not in some versions?

In this article, we will analyze all available methods - from standard tools. MIUI 12/13/14 to workarounds for devices where the function is disabled by the manufacturer.You will learn how to create a second desktop on the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, Xiaomi 12/13/14 And other models, and how to avoid the typical setup errors, and we'll focus on security issues, whether to trust third-party launchers, and what to do if the second table disappears after the update.

What is a second desktop on Xiaomi and why you need it?

Second desk in the MIUI — It's a virtual space with a unique set of apps, widgets and wallpapers that runs parallel to the main one, often confused with guest mode or private space, but these are different functions:

• 📱 The second table is a full copy of the main screen with the possibility of customization (for work, hobbies, testing applications).
• 👤 Guest mode – temporary profile with limited rights (for friends or children).
• 🔒 Private Space – encrypted area for hidden files and applications (requires a password).

The main scenarios of using the second table:

• 💼 Separation of work and personal life: on one screen - Slack, Trello and corporate mail, on the other - social networks and games.
• 🎮 Application testing: install beta versions of the software on the second table without risking the main one.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Sharing: Create a separate screen for your child with kids apps and restrictions.
• 🛡️ Privacy: Hide personal messengers or financial applications from outsiders.

It is important to understand that the second table does not isolate data at the system level – it is not a single user, like in Windows or macOS. All applications still work under your Mi Account account, and files remain accessible through the file manager.

Official method: inclusion of the second table in MIUI

If your Xiaomi smartphone is working on MIUI 12 and newer, the second desktop feature can be available by default. Check it out like this:

1. Open the Settings. → Desktop.
2. Find the Second Desktop (or the Additional Screen in some firmware).
3. Activate the switch and follow the system prompts.

In the models with MIUI 14 (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) path may differ:

Settings → Applications → Additional settings → Second desktop

Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About the phone)

Update the firmware to the latest version

Backup of data (Settings → System → Backup)

Charge your phone at least 50 times%-->

If the item is not on the menu, then your model does not support the function at the firmware level, in which case one of the alternative methods will help (see the next section).

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO X3 Pro with global firmware, the second table option may be blocked by regional restrictions. Try changing the region to India or China (but consider the risks of losing warranty!).

Alternative methods: if the standard method does not work

If you're in your version MIUI There is no built-in function of the second table, use one of these solutions:

1. Third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher)

Launchers allow you to create multiple desktops with different settings, but don't isolate data -- it's just a visual separation.

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Hold your finger to the free space on the screen. → Settings Nova.
3. Go to the desks. → Number of desktops and set a value of 2 or more.
4. Set up each table separately: wallpaper, icons, widgets.

Advantages:

• 🎨 Flexible configuration of appearance (themes, gestures, animations).
• 📲 Support for gestures and hotkeys to switch between tables.

Disadvantages:

• 🚫 No data isolation – apps are visible in the main menu.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption (launcher runs overhead) MIUI).

2. Applications for insulation (Island, Shelter)

For full application isolation, use tools based on Android Work Profile:

1. Install Island (rights required) ADB) Or Shelter (works without root).
2. Create a working profile in the application.
3. Move the desired applications to an isolated space.
4. Set up separate notifications, wallpapers and file access.

Shelter is easier to set up, but has limitations:

• ✅ No, he doesn't. ADB root.
• ❌ Not all applications support work in an isolated profile.
• ⚠️ Some functions (such as the camera) may not work.

3.Duplicate Apps (Dual Apps) mode

If you need two copies of the same app (like two WhatsApp apps), use the built-in Dual Apps feature:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Duplicate applications.
2. Select applications for duplication (messengers, social networks).
3. On the main screen will appear two icons for the main and duplicate account.

⚠️ Note: Duplicate apps take up extra memory and may conflict with the main versions. For example, notifications from a duplicate Telegram will arrive with a delay.

Step-by-step setting up the second desktop

Let’s look at the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14:

1. Activation of the function: Go to Settings → Desktop → Second desktop and switch on the switch. The system will prompt you to create a password to switch between tables (optional, but recommended).
2. Customization of appearance: Press your finger in the free screen space → Select a different wallpaper for each table to visually distinguish them. MIUI 14 You can also customize individual icon styles and transition animations.
3. Adding apps: Open the app menu (swipe up) and drag the desired icons to the second table. Alternative: click Edit → Select applications → Add to second screen.
4. Switch between tables: Use the swipe gesture left/right on the home screen or click on the house icon in the dock panel (if enabled in the settings).

💡

To quickly switch between tables, set up a double-touch gesture in Settings → Additional settings → Gestures, like double-tapping on the back of a phone.

For models without official support (e.g, POCO M4 Pro) use this workaround:

1. Install Nova Launcher and create 2 desktops.
2. In Nova settings, enable Hiding App Icons for the second table.
3. Use the Tasker app to automatically switch wallpaper when changing your desk (requires you to set up automatic rules).

Typical problems and their solutions

Even after successful setup, the second table can malfunction.

On devices with MIUI 13 and older, the second desktop may conflict with the Super Wallpapers function. If after activation of the second table, the wallpaper begins to twitch or slow down, turn off Super Wallpaper in Settings. → Wallpaper. → Super wallpaper.

If the second table stopped working after resetting, try:

1. Delete the launcher data (Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Delete the data).
2. Restart the phone to Safe Mode (click the power button) → Restart in Safe Mode and check if the table appears.
3. Update MIUI to the latest version via Settings → About Phone → System Update.

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO X3 NFC) The second desktop can automatically shut down after connecting to Mi Account from another region. To avoid this, link the device to an account in India or China before setting up the table.

Security: How to Protect Data on Table Two

Second desk in the MIUI It does not provide complete isolation, so to protect sensitive data, follow these guidelines:

• 🔐 Set a password or fingerprint to switch between tables (Settings) → Lockdown and protection → Blocking the second desktop).
• 📱 Use Island or Shelter to isolate critical applications (banks, instant messengers).
• 🔍 Check application permissions regularly on the second table (Settings) → Confidentiality → Permits).
• 🔄 Turn off data sync for duplicate apps (for example, WhatsApp on the second table should not save backups to Google Drive).

For complete anonymity:

• Use it. VPN (For example, ProtonVPN only on the second table.
• Turn off the Advertising MIUI In Settings → Memory. → Advertising services.
• Set up Background Activity Limitation for Applications on the Main Desktop (Settings) → Battery → Limitation of background activity).

💡

Never store passwords from banking applications in a password manager MIUI, If you use a second table, use Bitwarden or KeePassDX with separate storage for each profile.

If you use the second table for work, set up:

• 📧 Separate Google Account for Work Applications.
• 📁 Encrypting folders with documents through Mi File Manager (Select folder) → More. → Encrypt).
• 🛡️ Two-factor authentication for all enterprise services.

Comparison with similar features on other brands

The second desktop function is implemented differently by different manufacturers. MIUI rival:

Main advantage MIUI — Flexibility of customization of appearance (wallpaper, icons, widgets) However, the security solution Xiaomi loses Samsung Secure Folder or Huawei PrivateSpace, where data is encrypted at the system level.

If you need complete isolation, consider:

• 📱 Island (based on Android Work Profile) – the best balance between convenience and security.
• 🔒 Shelter – easier to set up, but with limitations.
• 🛡️ Parallel Space (for duplicate applications, but high battery consumption).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the second desktop on Xiaomi