The MIUI Second Space feature is a unique tool for separating personal and work information on a single device. Smartphone owners like the Xiaomi Redmi 9 often use this option to create an isolated environment, but the need for it may disappear over time.
Removing this feature is not always smooth, especially if the additional profile is still active applications or system processes. Android based on MIUI blocks complete removal while the programs are running inside. So it is important to understand not only the sequence of actions, but also the technical nuances of working with partitions of memory of the device.
In this article, we will take a look at all the steps of cleaning, from standard methods through the settings menu to forced reset. You will learn how to prepare the gadget for the procedure, what data will be affected and what to do if the delete button is inactive.
Preparation for deletion and backup of data
Before any manipulation of system partitions, you need to make sure that important information is safe. The second space is often used to store confidential photos, documents or correspondence that should not be lost. The deletion process is irreversible for data inside the isolated profile, so ignoring this step can lead to unpleasant consequences.
There are several ways to transfer files. The easiest way is to use a built-in Explorer with space-to-space navigation, and you can use cloud services like Google Drive or Mi Cloud to upload the necessary archives, and if you plan to drop the feature altogether, make sure that all application passwords inside the profile are saved or restored.
⚠️ Warning: Deleting the second space will completely clean up all the data stored inside it, including installed apps, photos, music and contacts.
It is also recommended to check the list of installed programs. Some applications, especially banking or corporate, may have special access rights. Before deleting the profile, it is better to log out of all accounts inside it to avoid blocking security on third-party servers. This is especially true for devices with activated two-factor authentication.
☑️ Preparation for profile removal
Standard Removal Method through MIUI Settings
The main and most secure way to deaktivirovat is in the system menu. Unlock your Xiaomi Redmi 9 and go to the main settings menu to access it. The interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same for all devices in the Redmi line.
Find a section called About Second Space or Additional Settings. In newer versions of the shell, the path often looks like Settings → Special Options → Second Space. This is where the key control switches are located. You'll need to select the delete option, which is usually located in the upper right corner of the screen or in the lower menu.
Once you click on the delete button, the system will request confirmation of your actions, which is a MIUI security mechanism that prevents accidental data loss, and you will be asked to enter the unlock password or the pattern lock that is used to log into the main profile, without this step, the procedure will not continue.
- 📱 Open the smartphone settings menu through the gear icon.
- 🔍 Find the second space in the list of special features.
- 🗑️ Click on the basket icon or the Remove Second Space button.
- 🔐 Enter the screen lock password to confirm the operation.
It's important to note that when you delete it, you can do a short file check, which is normal, and it takes a few seconds to a minute, and don't try to reboot your device or force the settings menu to close, because it can disrupt the integrity of the file system.
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If you forget the password from the second space, you can't delete it by the standard method, which would require a complete reset of the phone's settings to factory state, which would delete all the data from the device.
What to do if the delete button is inactive or hidden
Xiaomi Redmi 9 users sometimes face a situation where the deletion function is not available, most often due to the fact that active processes are running inside the second profile, the Android system does not delete user data while they are used by running applications, this is the standard behavior of the operating system, aimed at preventing errors.
To solve the problem, you need to go to the second space and close all the programs that are running. It's not enough to just fold them, you need to stop running completely. Then go back to the main profile and try to activate the delete button again. If that doesn't work, check if it does not start the process of downloading files or synchronizing.
Another reason for blocking may be an active guest session or using the Parental Controls feature, which is associated with the second space, in some cases you need to turn off data transfer between profiles, go to the transmission settings and select the stop option, then try again to delete.
| Reason for blocking | Symptoms. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Launched annexes | Remove button is gray or unresponsive | Close all applications in the second space |
| Active file transfer | A notification of the occupation of the resource appears | Wait for the end or interrupt the transfer |
| MIUI system error | The settings menu freezes when you try to enter | Restart the device and try again |
| Lack of memory | System error report | Clear the main profile cache |
If none of these methods work, try to force the device to restart by holding the power button. Immediately after turning on, without opening any unnecessary programs, go to the settings and try to delete the profile, sometimes bypassing temporary software locks.
Why is the system blocking the deletion?
Using a fast switch to control
For quick access to profile management, MIUI has a special shortcut on the lock screen or notification curtain, which is convenient if you switch between modes often. However, for deleting the profile, the shortcut functionality is limited, and it serves rather as an addition to the main settings menu.
To take advantage of this method, swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the control center.Look for the profile icon (usually looks like two overlapping rectangles or a user avatar). Long tapping on this icon can open the Quick Access menu, where the option to switch to delete settings is sometimes available.
Note that different versions of Redmi 9 may have different widget behaviors. In some cases, you can only enter the second space through a quick switch, but not delete it. If there is no direct delete button, the system will redirect you to the full settings menu described in the previous section.
- 👆 Swipe down to open the notification curtain.
- 🔄 Find the space switch icon.
- ⚙️ Press and hold the icon to call the menu.
- ➡️ Select to go to the full profile settings.
Using a quick switch saves time, but it takes habit. If you rarely use the second space, it makes sense to turn off the switching shortcut itself so as not to clutter the interface.
Forced reset via Recovery Mode
In situations where MIUI software bugs don't allow you to delete a profile using standard methods, the radical but effective option is to reset through recovery mode, which requires a complete reboot of the device and enter a special diagnostic mode, and is useful if the system freezes or the settings interface does not respond.
To enter Recovery Mode on Xiaomi Redmi 9, you need to turn off the device. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release them. You will see a multi-point menu controlled by the volume buttons and the power button selects.
Select Wipe Data or Clear User Data. Note: this step will remove all data from your phone, including the main space. This action equates to returning the device to factory state. Use this method only if other methods have been exhausted or if you are ready to completely clean the smartphone.
⚠️ Warning: Recovery Mode resets completely all the contents of internal memory. Make sure you back up important photos and documents to your computer or cloud before doing this.
Once confirmed (usually you need to select Confirm), the cleaning process will begin, which will take a few minutes, and when completed, the device will prompt you to reboot, and when it is first turned on, it will look like a new one just bought in the store, without the second space and any user data.
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Using Recovery Mode is a last resort, and it is guaranteed to remove the second space, but at the cost of losing all the data on the device, so it requires a mandatory backup.
Possible problems and their solution after removal
After successful deletion of the profile, users may experience residual phenomena, such as empty albums in the gallery, and hidden folders in the file manager. This is normal, since the system marks the space as free, but does not always immediately update the index of media files.
Sometimes there is an increased battery consumption during the first hours after deleting, this is due to the fact that the background services of Android re-index the file system and check the integrity of the data. If the situation does not normalize after a day, you should check the system updates in the About Phone section.
You can also ask the question of returning the remote space, and you can do this at any time by re-activating the function in the settings, but all the data will be new — it is technically impossible to restore the contents of the remote profile without a backup.
- 🔄 Reboot your phone to update file indexes.
- 📉 Keep an eye on battery consumption during the first day.
- 🛡️ Check the antivirus for residual files.
- 📲 Make sure the main space is stable.
If you plan to sell or give up your phone, removing the second space is not enough. Attackers can use data recovery methods. In such cases, after deleting the profile, it is recommended to fill the device's memory with useless files (for example, videos) before they fail, and then delete them again, which will make it difficult to restore old information.