Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face the mysterious First Space, which is not a virus or a system bug, but a useful feature of the MIUI or HyperOS shell designed to separate data, but if you activate it accidentally or it is no longer relevant, it must be deleted correctly so as not to damage personal files.
The deactivation process depends on what you mean by deletion: a complete reset of all the data of the second profile or simply exit it. Wrong actions can lead to the loss of photos, contacts and messages stored in a hidden profile. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of managing this separation.
It should be noted that standard system means to completely remove the concept of the First space, as it is the basic profile of the owner. You can only delete the Second space (guest mode) or reset the First to the factory settings. Understanding this difference is critical before you start any manipulation of the file system of your gadget.
What is the First and Second Space in MIUI?
The space sharing feature is creating a virtual copy of the operating system inside your smartphone. The first space is your main profile, where all your personal data, your Google and Mi accounts, and your main apps are stored, and it's the environment you enter immediately after you unlock the screen in the standard way.
The second space works as an isolated container, and the apps that are installed there are not visible in the first profile, the photo galleries are separated, and the notifications can come with different sounds, and it's the perfect tool to separate work and personal life, or to transfer the phone to children without fear of the confidentiality of basic information, while the system resources are spent sparingly, since many processes are only partially duplicated.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting the Second Space will result in a complete cleanup of all data inside it. APK-The files will be irretrievably lost.
Many users confuse this feature with Guest mode or App Clone mode. Unlike a clone that creates a copy of only one particular app (like WhatsApp), the Second Space clones the entire interface and Android environment. This is a deeper level of isolation that requires separate authorization and customization.
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Use different wallpapers for First and Second Space to visually understand your current profile, which will help you avoid accidentally sending personal photos to a work chat.
Preparation for the removal or reset of space
Before you start taking radical steps to clean or switch profiles, you need to do some preparatory work. Backup is the first and most important step. Even if you plan to remove only Second Space, check if there are any important documents or screenshots left there by mistake.
It’s also worth checking for system updates, and older versions of MIUI may have bugs that prevent you from switching between profiles correctly, and make sure you have at least 30-40% battery power so that the process doesn’t stop at a critical stage.
- 📱 Backup your important data to the Mi Cloud or your computer.
- 🔋 Charge the device to at least 40% before starting operations.
- 📶 Check for a stable internet connection for synchronization.
- 🔒 Remember or write down the password/pattern lock to the Second Space if you plan to simply log out.
☑️ Checklist before removal
If you forget the password from the Second Space, the procedure becomes more complicated, in which case the standard deletion through the settings may require confirmation of the password. If the password is lost, the only option is often a complete reset of the device, which will affect the First Space too.
How to remove Second Space through Settings
The safest and most effective way to get rid of the extra profile is to use the built-in tools of the system, which ensures that all temporary files are deleted correctly and the main system is not damaged, and the process takes only a few minutes.
First, you need to be in the First Space (main profile), and you can switch between them through the Security app or through the desktop widget if you have added it. After you log in to the main profile, go to the settings menu.
Find a section that might be called Second Space or Special Features, depending on your firmware version and interface language. New versions of HyperOS may have slightly different paths, but the logic remains the same: looking for additional profile management.
| Action. | The path to the menu (MIUI 12-14) | Path to the menu (HyperOS) |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to settings | Settings → Second Space | Settings → Additional functions |
| Management | Menu button (three dots) on the top right | The "Second Space" tab |
| Removal | Select “Delete the Second Space” | Select “Delete the Second Space” |
| Confirmation | Entering the unlock password | Entering the unlock password |
Once you select the deletion point, the system will request confirmation, and it will again alert you that all data in the second profile will be destroyed. If you agree, enter the lock password of the First Space screen to authorize the action.
Removal through the Security App
In Xiaomi shells, the Security app is the central hub for system management, and this is where the Second Space fast switches are often hidden, which is convenient if you don't want to go deep into the settings menu.
Open the app with the name "Security" and the green shield icon. At the top of the screen or in the "Tools" section, find the "Second Space" icon. If you're in the First Space, the system will prompt you to log in to or control the Second Space.
Click on the gear icon or menu (usually in the upper right corner) to open the feature settings. There will be an option to switch between profiles or delete them. The interface may vary depending on the regional version of the firmware (Global, China, EEA).
If the standard path doesn't work, try searching by settings. Type "Second Space" or "Second Space" in the settings search bar. The system will tell you what menu item you want, which is especially true for confusing menus of new versions of Android.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete Second Space system files through root file managers.This can disrupt the integrity of the user database and result in a cyclical smartphone reboot.
What to do if you forget the password from the second space
The situation where a user creates a Second Space, sets a complex password and safely forgets it is common. Unfortunately, Xiaomi's security policy does not provide for a simple password reset only for the second profile without losing data.
If you can't remember a combination, a pattern lock, or a fingerprint, the only regular way to get your phone back (if it's locked at the entrance to Second Space) is to reset the device to factory settings, which will delete all data from the phone, including First Space.
There is a myth that logging in through a Mi Account allows you to restore access. This only works if the Find Device and Sync function were active, and you remember the password from your Mi Account. Otherwise, Anti-theft protection will not allow you to use the phone even after you have flashed it without an account.
Can I recover data without a password?
To avoid such situations in the future, use biometrics (fingerprint or face) for quick access, but always keep a backup digital code in mind. Write it down in a secure location or save it in a password manager accessible from the outside.
Distinguishing space from a Clone of applications
Often users are looking for a way to remove the first space, confusing it with the function of “Cloning applications” (Dual Apps), these are fundamentally different technologies: cloning creates a copy of a particular application (for example, a second Telegram), but does not create a separate desktop.
The application clone is removed much easier: just go to the settings, find the "Cloning of applications" section and switch the switcher opposite the desired program to the "Off" position, while the data inside the clone (correspondence, media) will also be deleted.
- 📂 Second Space: Separate System, Separate Gallery, Separate Set of All Applications.
- 📱 Application Clone: A copy of only one specific application within the main system.
- 🔒 Protection: Second space requires a separate entrance, the clone opens immediately after entering the main profile.
If your goal was simply to hide certain apps or create a second social media account, you probably didn't need a Second Space, but rather a cloning feature or a restricted Full Screen Apps mode.
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Removing the Second Space frees up space in memory and unloads RAM, as the second profile's background processes cease to consume processor resources.