Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often use the “Second Space” feature to separate personal and work data or to create an isolated environment for games. However, over time, the need for a dual system disappears, and the user is faced with the task of completely removing this partition. The uninstallation process is not always obvious, since the MIUI system and the new HyperOS hide this option in the depth of the menu to avoid accidental loss of information.
Incorrect deletion can result in the loss of important files, photos or contacts that are stored exclusively in the second profile. Unlike simple logging out, it requires the complete erasure of the partition with all data. Deletion of the second space irreversibly destroys all files inside it without the possibility of recovery through the standard basket, which is why it is important to follow the algorithm of actions and pre-check the contents of the hidden partition.
In this guide, we will cover all the nuances of the procedure, from standard methods through settings to solving problems when the delete button is inactive, you will learn how to correctly transfer data if necessary, and how to completely clear the device’s memory of unnecessary system files left after deleting the virtual profile.
Preparing for deletion and data retention
Before we start eliminating Second Space, it's critical to audit the files that are there. Many users forget that the applications installed in the second profile often have their own caches, logins and saved game progresses. If you just delete the space, all that data will be lost forever. So the first step is to look at the content thoroughly.
If you have important photos, documents or contacts in the second space, you need to transfer them to the main space or to the cloud. The system provides built-in tools for transferring, but they do not work for all file types automatically. For example, contacts can be synchronized through your Mi Account or Google account by selecting the appropriate profile for sync.
Use the file manager to move files manually. Copy the folders you want from the internal memory of the Second Space into the main memory or onto the main memory. SD-Make sure the copies are actually opened in the main profile before you continue.This will take time, but save you from losing valuable information.
- 📸 Back up the gallery through the cloud or transfer files through the cloud USB-computer-mount.
- 📱 Check messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) in the second space for important correspondence and export them.
- 🎮 Keep progress in games by linking accounts to social networks or gaming services.
⚠️ Warning: Once the Second Space is confirmed, the system will not issue a second data safety alert, the process will start automatically and cannot be interrupted.
☑️ Pre-deletion check
Standard method of removal through settings
The basic and most secure method of uninstallation is built into the MIUI shell interface. It is available on the manufacturer's devices and does not require superuser rights or a PC connection. To get to the desired menu, you need to have an active Second Space; if it is turned off, the delete option will not be available.
Go to your smartphone settings and find the section that handles the extras. Depending on the firmware version, the path may be slightly different. This is usually "Second Space" or "Special Features" in the English version, and it shows the current status of the function and the switch to activate it.
Inside the menu, you'll see a delete button, often marked with a basket icon or the text "Delete second space," and the system will ask you to enter an unlock password or a pattern lock that is used to log into the second profile, a security measure that prevents an attacker from deleting data when they access the phone.
Once you enter the password, you start the cleaning process, which can take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on the amount of data you have accumulated, and at that time, it is better not to touch the device or try to run heavy applications so as not to overload the processor.
Removal through the Security App
An alternative path to managing profiles is through the system’s Security app, which is convenient because it often works faster and more accessible if the standard settings menu is changed or hidden in your firmware version.
Open the app and scroll down to the toolbox. You need to find the Second Space icon. If it's not on the app's home screen, click on the settings icon or Add in the top right corner to display the desired feature on the Quick Access Panel.
Once you log into the space management menu, the system will offer several options. Select the deletion option. The interface may suggest switching to the second profile first to check the data, but if you have already saved everything, you can immediately initiate the deletion.
This method is especially useful if the standard path through Settings -> Additional doesn't work or the menu item is missing. The deletion mechanism remains the same: full formatting of the dedicated memory partition.
| Access method | Location of the menu | Requirements | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Settings. | Settings → Additional → Second Space | Active profile | Low. |
| Through Security | Security Annex → Second space | Active profile | Low. |
| Searching for settings | Search for the settings for the word "Second" | Working search | Medium |
| ADB Teams | Computer + debugging by USB | PC, cable, skills | Tall. |
What to do if the removal button is inactive
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the deletion function is blocked or the button does not respond to pressing, this can be caused by a system failure, lack of free memory for temporary operations or a conflict of processes.
First, try rebooting your smartphone. A simple reboot often resets the system's suspended services that block access to the second profile file system. Once you turn on your phone again, try going through the delete path. If that doesn't work, check for free space in the main space.
Some system functions, including deleting profiles, may require a disk buffer zone. If the memory is full, free up at least 1-2 GB. Also make sure that the phone does not run heavy games or background downloads that can block access to system resources.
In rare cases, temporary shutdown of the function, if the system allows it, and re-activation helps, this overwrites the profile configuration files and can eliminate an error that prevents deletion, however, if you do not need the data in the second space and you cannot delete it, you may need to reset the settings of the entire phone.
Why is the system blocking the deletion?
Using ADB for forced removal
For advanced users who are not helped by standard methods, there is a way to uninstall the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and having drivers installed, and allows you to interact with the system at a deeper level.
To start, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the build number (MIUI version) several times. After the message “You became a developer”, go to “Additional” → “For developers” and turn on “Debugging on USB”.
Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line or terminal in the folder with ADB. Enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesYou'll see a debugging permission request on your phone screen, you'll need to confirm it, and then you can try to delete the user profile through shell commands, even though there's no standard simple command to do that, and often you need to use specialized scripts or delete specific configuration system files, which is risky. A safer option is to clean up the data from the application responsible for the second spaces via ADB:
adb shell pm clear com.android.secondspaceOnce you have completed the command, try reverting to the Second Space settings, which often resets the error state and allows you to delete the profile in a regular way. Be careful: improper use of ADB commands can lead to unstable system operation.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-A mistake in the syntax of a command can lead to the deletion of the wrong data or the system malfunctioning.
💡
If you use ADB, always keep your phone connected to the charger while performing operations to avoid a sudden power outage.
Frequent problems and their solution
The removal process can cause specific errors that are common to different firmware versions, such as when the Second Space icon is removed, it may remain on the menu even though the space itself has been erased, a visual bug that can be treated by restarting or clearing the launcher cache.
Another common problem is the "hang" in the removal phase (the process goes on indefinitely). If the progress bar does not move for more than 10-15 minutes, most likely, the process will freeze. In this case, you will have to perform a forced reboot (press the power and volume button). After turning on, check if the space has gone away. If not, try the method with clearing data through ADB or reset the phone settings.
Users also sometimes complain that the Second Space icon in the main menu is missing after being deleted and they can't recreate it, so you have to go back to the settings and activate the function, and if the icon is missing from Settings, check if it's hidden in the Tools or System Apps folder.
💡
Most deletion problems are solved by simply restarting the device or freeing up space in internal memory before the procedure begins.