Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 owners often use the “Second Space” feature to separate personal and work data or to create an isolated environment for testing applications. However, there comes a point when this additional profile is no longer necessary and needs to be eliminated. The uninstallation process may seem unobvious, especially given the features of the MIUI shell, where the settings of the second profile are hidden from the user’s eyes, located in the main space.
Before we take any drastic action, we need to understand that completely removing the second space will lead to the permanent loss of all the data stored inside it, including photos, contacts, installed applications and correspondence in messengers that were tied to this isolated profile, and if the second space contains important information, it must be transferred or copied beforehand, since it will be impossible to restore the deleted profile using standard means.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm for correct removal of additional space on the Redmi Note 8. We will consider not only standard methods through system settings, but also ways to solve common problems, such as the disappearance of the delete menu item or errors when switching between profiles.
Preparation for deletion and backup of data
The most critical step before starting the procedure is to assess the importance of the content of the second profile. Android system based on MIUI isolates the file systems of the main and additional spaces, so direct access to files from the outside is closed, you need to manually transfer all important documents, media files and contacts to the main space or to the cloud storage.
The best way to transfer files is to use the built-in file manager or the Data Move feature if it is available in your firmware version. Pay attention to download folders and documents, as this is often where forgotten files are left after working with applications. Ignoring this step will result in you losing access to unique data without the ability to restore it.
⚠️ Warning: Deleting the second space is an irreversible operation. Once validated, all applications will be deleted, and accounts linked only to the second profile will require re-authorization on other devices.
It’s also worth checking if the second space uses the specific system settings you want to save. Although system settings (brightness, sound) are usually synchronized or reset, some network access settings may differ. Make sure that Wi-Fi passwords, if they were entered only in the second profile, are saved to your Google account or recorded separately.
☑️ Preparation for profile removal
Standard method of removal through system settings
The most correct and safe method for uninstalling a second profile on the Redmi Note 8 is deep in the system settings. The path to this option may vary depending on the version of MIUI, but the general logic remains the same. You will need access to the main space, since the management of additional profiles is from there.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll to About Phone or System Apps. In some versions of the shell, the necessary item is placed in a separate Second Space menu, which can be found through a search by settings. Type the phrase “Second Space” into the search bar to quickly navigate to the desired control menu.
Once you log into the management menu, you will see the current status of the second space and a button to delete it. The system may request proof of your identity by asking for a pattern lock, password or fingerprint set for the main profile, a security measure to prevent accidental deletion of data.
| Action. | Location on the menu | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Search function | Settings → Search for “Second Space» | Transition to the control menu |
| Entrance to management | Menu "Second Space" → Three dots (menu) | Opening of additional options |
| Initiation of removal | Select "Delete the Second Space" | Starting the data cleanup process |
| Confirmation | Password/key-drawing input | Complete deletion of profile |
It is important not to interrupt the deletion process until it is complete. The screen may display a progress bar or a message about the data cleanup.Stop power or restart the device at this point can lead to software errors, although the data of the second profile is likely to be damaged or partially deleted.
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If you can’t find the delete point, try switching to the second space, finding the switching settings there, and selecting the exit or deletion option from inside the profile itself.
Remove via switching and exit menu
There's an alternative method that can be useful if the standard settings menu isn't working properly, so you can try to initiate deletion directly from the profile switching interface, and you need to go to the second space to make sure that the data isn't there, and then exit.
If you're in the second space, look for the Settings app or a special profile switching shortcut on your desktop, which is usually an icon that resembles two smartphones or a person, and you click on it, and you'll be taken to the menu where you can select a return to the first (main) space.
In some versions of MIUI, when you try to exit, the system suggests not just switching, but completely removing the current profile. If this option is not explicitly available, try pinching the switch icon or finding a button with a tripod in the exit menu, which may hide the function "Delete current space".
- 📱 Open the profile switching menu in the second space.
- 🔍 Look for a three-dot button or a gear settings in the corner of the screen.
- 🗑️ Select the option “Delete the second space” or similar in meaning.
- ✅ Confirm the action by entering the password from the main profile, if necessary.
This is convenient because you're in the remote environment and you can make a last visual check to see if there's anything important left, but the interface can vary across different versions of the firmware, and sometimes it's hidden or removed by developers for security reasons.
What to do if the removal button is inactive?
Solving problems with the removal menu disappearing
Redmi Note 8 users sometimes find themselves in a situation where the menu item to remove the second space is simply missing, which can be caused by a software failure, a feature of a particular version of MIUI or a conflict of system processes, in which case you should not panic, since there are workarounds to the solution.
One of the common reasons is that applications in the second space are active, which block changes in the configuration of the system. Try to force all applications in the second profile before trying to delete. It is also worth checking for system updates, as new security patches often fix similar interface bugs.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete second-space system files through third-party root file managers.This may cause damage to the bootloader or cyclical device reboot.
If standard methods don't work, you can try resetting the second space settings if you have one, and it won't delete the profile completely, but it will return it to its original state, and then the deletion procedure can be made available, and in extreme cases, it will help to completely reset the device to factory settings, but it will remove all data from the main space.
Sometimes it helps to clear the cache of the Security or System Services app, which is responsible for delineating access rights. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find system services and try to clear their data. This action is safe for personal files, but will reset some system preferences.
Using the Settings Search Bar to Access
The MIUI shell has a powerful built-in search engine that often lets you find hidden features faster than manual menu search.If you can't find the delete button in standard sections, use search.This is especially true for the Redmi Note 8, where the menu structure may have changed with updates.
Open Settings and at the top of the screen click on the magnifying glass or input field, type in "Second Space" or "Delete Profile." The system will give you a list of relevant items, you're interested in the control section, not just the switch.
Search results can display the item “Delete Second Space” as a separate action, clicking on it immediately triggers the deletion wizard, bypassing unnecessary clicks on the menu, which is the fastest way to access the desired feature, if you know the exact name.
- 🔍 Click on the search icon at the top of the settings screen.
- ⌨️ Enter the text “Second space».
- 📂 Select the profile management point from the issue.
- 🚀 Click on the delete button if it appears in the search context.
Search can also suggest alternative feature names that are used in your localized firmware version, such as in some regions, this feature is called “Dual Space” or “Dual Space,” and experiment with queries if direct search fails.
Consequences of deletion and cleaning of residual files
After the second space is successfully removed, the system frees up its space on the internal drive, but sometimes there may be tails in the form of empty folders or records in the registry of media files, and the gallery may display empty albums that previously belonged to the second profile for a while.
To clean it completely, it is recommended to restart the smartphone, which will allow the Android system to recalculate the index of media files and update the information about the free space. If you notice that the memory is not released as expected, check the folder. /Android/data Residual files of remote applications.
It's also worth checking the installed application list. Some programs installed in only the second space may share components with the main profile. Make sure that there are no duplicate applications in the main space that can be safely removed.
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After removing the second space, be sure to reboot the device to properly free up disk space and update the system indexes.
In some cases, users notice that after deleting the profile, duplicates of the entries remain in the contact list if the sync was set up incorrectly.Check the contacts and combine duplicates using Xiaomi's standard phonebook sorting tools.