The MIUI and HyperOS Second Space feature has been a lifeline for many people who want to separate their work and personal lives, but over time, it may become unnecessary and the system resources it consumes become a burden on the device, and if you notice that the phone is starting to run slower, or just want to make room, you need to know how to properly deactivate this mode.
The deletion process is not always obvious, as Xiaomi developers have hidden this option in the depths of the menu to protect against random actions. Mishandling can lead to the loss of important data stored in an isolated profile. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of disconnection, explain the difference between a temporary stop and a complete deletion, and also consider the nuances of working with data in different versions of the firmware.
Before you make any changes, it's important to understand that the second space is not just a folder, but a full-fledged copy of the operating system with its own settings and accounts, so the approach to eliminating it requires care, and we will help you avoid common mistakes and save the necessary information if you decide to move files before cleaning.
Analysis of the need for disposal and preparation
Before you start the process of uninstalling a virtual profile, it is worth weighing the pros and cons. Many users forget that important documents, photos or even authorized banking applications can remain in the hidden profile. MIUI and HyperOS isolate data so effectively that once the profile is deleted, access to it will be lost forever without the possibility of recovery by standard means.
The main reason to remove the second space on Xiaomi is performance optimization: the background processes of the dual system consume RAM and battery power, even if you do not use them, and also frees up a significant amount of internal memory, which can be critical for installing heavy games or saving high-resolution video.
⚠️ Note: If you have used the Hide Second Space feature with a password or fingerprint, make sure to remember the primary unlock password. Without it, logging into the removal settings can be blocked by the security system.
It's also worth checking if the second profile is linked to important services like Google or Mi Account. Sometimes users create backup accounts there to test apps or games. Deactivation will lead to an exit from all services in that profile. If you plan to just temporarily hide the interface, it's better to use the switch rather than completely delete it.
Instructions for removal through system settings
The safest and most appropriate way to get rid of an over-profile is to use a regular settings menu, which ensures that system files are deleted correctly and the registry is cleaned. First, you need to go to the main settings menu of your smartphone, and find a section that is usually called “About Second Space” or “Second Space” depending on the shell version.
Next, the action algorithm requires care, and you need to find the delete button, which is often hidden in the option menu or marked by the cart icon, and the system will warn you several times about the consequences, requiring confirmation, so that the user does not accidentally erase the data.
☑️ Checklist before removal
Once confirmed, the cleanup process will begin, which can take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the amount of data accumulated, at which time it is not recommended to interrupt the process or switch between spaces, the system will complete the operation itself and restart the main profile interface.
In some versions of the firmware, the path may be slightly different, for example, in older versions of MIUI 12, you had to switch to the second space first, find the settings there, and select removal. In newer versions of HyperOS, management is often centralized in the main profile through the security menu or special features.
Removal through the Security App
An alternative and often faster path to managing virtual profiles is through the System Security app, a green icon with a shield that is the optimization control center on Xiaomi devices. Inside this app is a powerful toolkit hidden from the eyes of the average user in the standard settings menu.
Opening the app, scroll down to the Second Space section or search for it in-app. Here you will see a brief summary of how much space the profile takes up, when it was last used, and how many apps are installed. By clicking on the appropriate button, you will be taken to the control menu where the option of full removal is available.
⚠️ Note: Using the Security app to remove requires device administrator rights you already have, but the system may request confirmation via a pattern lock or primary profile biometrics.
The advantage of this method is that it often works more stable than the standard settings menu if there are software errors in the system, and you can start cleaning up garbage immediately after removal to delete residual files that may have been saved after uninstallation of the profile.
If the delete button is inactive or not, it may mean that parental or guest mode restrictions are enabled, in which case you first need to remove these restrictions in the Digital Well-being section or similar menu depending on the firmware region (Chinese or global version).
What to do if the removal button is grey?
Transfer data before cleaning the profile
The most critical step is to save information, and removing the second space on Xiaomi irreversibly erases all the data inside it without the ability to recover through the cart, so if there are important contacts, photos or documents, they must be moved to the main profile in advance.
To transfer files, use the built-in import/export function. When in the second space, go to the settings of this function and select "Move data to the first space." The system will prompt you to select file types: images, music, documents or applications. After choosing, copying will begin, which will take time proportional to the amount of data.
The alternative is to use cloud storage, where you can upload files to Google Drive, Yandex.Disk or Mi Cloud from the second profile, and then download them mostly, which is especially useful for large video files that can be copied for a long time through the internal clipboard of the system.
| Type of data | Transfer method | Risks of loss | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos and videos | Built-in Imports or the Cloud | Low. | Use Wi-Fi for speed |
| Contacts | Synchronization of Google/Mi | Minimum | Check the synchronization. |
| Annexes | Re-installation | High (data) | Save logins and passwords |
| APK files | File manager | Medium. | Copy to the Download folder |
Remember to send messages in messengers. The history of correspondence in WhatsApp or Telegram in the second space will not be automatically transferred along with the application. You need to back up the chats inside the applications themselves and restore it after installing in the main profile.
Solving problems and errors in removal
Often, users are faced with a situation where the system gives an error when trying to delete or the process is stuck on a certain percentage, most often due to a lack of free memory for temporary operations or conflict of system processes, in such cases, do not panic and try to turn off the phone.
The first thing you need to do is restart the device in safe mode or just perform a normal restart, which will clear the RAM and complete the hanging processes. If persists is a problem, try to make room in the main profile by removing the cache of heavy applications or unnecessary videos.
💡
If deletion is stalled, try to shut down the internet for the duration of the process, and sometimes background data synchronization blocks the completion of the deletion operation.
Another common problem is blocking by antivirus or system monitoring. Some "optimizers" may perceive mass file deletion as a threat. temporarily disable third-party antiviruses if they are installed, and try again.
In the rare cases where software deletion is not possible due to critical firmware errors, it may be necessary to reset the settings to factory settings. However, this is an extreme measure, since it will delete all data from the phone, not just from the second space.
⚠️ Warning: Hard Reset completely cleans the phone. Make sure you back up all important data from your main profile before doing this.
What is different from disabling removal
Disabling (or hiding) means that the profile remains on the phone, takes up space in memory, but does not appear in the switch menu and does not consume the CPU resources in active mode, Deleting is the complete elimination of the profile and all its data.
The concealment feature is convenient if you plan to return to using a second space in the future, for example, for seasonal work or a temporary project, in which case you do not have to reconfigure applications and enter passwords. You simply hide the interface, freeing up RAM, but leaving the files in place.
Complete deletion is necessary if you never plan to use partition again, or if you need to urgently free up gigabytes of internal memory.
💡
The choice between hiding and deleting depends on your plans: hide for a temporary pause, delete for final failure and clear the memory.
With new versions of HyperOS, the logic has become more flexible: the system itself can suggest removing unused space if it hasn’t started for more than 30 days, part of a smart optimization system that helps keep the device running at a high level without user intervention.