How to Install Second Space on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide with Nuances

Xiaomi’s current MIUI or HyperOS smartphones offer a unique feature – a second space that allows you to create a completely isolated work environment with separate apps, settings and even account data – a feature that is especially sought after by users who want to share personal and work lives on one device, provide additional privacy or test apps without risking their primary profile.

Unlike standard guest mode, the second space on Xiaomi works as a full-fledged copy of the system with the ability to install any applications, separate notifications and even its own unlock password. The function can be hidden depending on the region of the firmware, version MIUI/HyperOS In this article, we will discuss all the official and alternative ways to activate the second space, including solutions for devices where the option is disabled by default.

What is the second space and why is it necessary?

Second Space is an isolated user environment that runs parallel to the main profile, essentially two independent accounts on the same smartphone, each with its own:

• 📱 Installed applications (you can duplicate messengers, social networks, games)
• 🔐 Accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks)
• 📂 Files and media (photos, videos, documents do not overlap)
• 🔔 Notifications (only coming to active space)
• 🔒 Security settings (separate) PIN, graphical)

Main use cases:

• 💼 Separation of work and personal life – work messengers and mail in one space, personal in another.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Smartphone – Parents and Children Use One Device Without Access to Other People’s Data.
• 🛡️ Application testing – installing dubious software in a second space without risking the main.
• 🌍 Travel – a separate profile with local SIM-maps and applications for another country.

⚠️ Note: The second space is not a full virtualization (as in Samsung Knox or Huawei PrivateSpace), it uses shared system resources, so performance can be reduced when you actively use both profiles at the same time.

Requirements for the installation of a second space

Before setting up, make sure your device meets the following conditions:

Important: On some devices (especially those with firmware in China), the second space function may be disabled by default, in which case you will need to activate it via Settings → Special Features → Second Space or use workarounds (described below).

Official method: Including through settings

If your device supports the function, you can activate the second space in 5 minutes:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Special Opportunities section (on some firmwares - Additional).
3. Select the Second Space (Second Space).
4. Click Create a second space and follow the instructions on the screen.
5. Set a separate password (PIN, pattern lock, or fingerprint) for the new profile.
6. Wait for the setup to be completed (the device will reboot).

After the reboot, you can switch between spaces:

• Through the notification panel (the icon of two men).
• Through the lock screen (up/down swipe on some models).
• Settings → Second Space → Switch.

Backup data | Check free space (minimum 2 GB) | Remember password from the main account | Disable VPN (may interfere with activation) | Connect to Wi-Fi (to download components)

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⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices, the path to settings may be different: → Accounts and synchronization → Second space. If you don't have an option, upgrade to the latest version of the firmware.

Alternative methods for devices without official support

If the settings do not include Second Space, try one of these methods:

1. Through Developer Modes

On some firmware, the function is hidden and requires activation through the Developer Options:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the Second Space option (may be called Multiplayer Mode) and turn it on.
4. Restart the device and check for the feature in the main settings.

2. Through ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

If the previous method didn’t work, you can try to enable the function through ADB:

adb shell settings put global second_space_enabled 1


adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.SecondSpaceSettings

After you execute the commands, restart your smartphone. If the feature appears, create a second space through the settings.

3. Installation via TWRP (for custom firmware)

On devices with unlocked bootloader and TWRP, you can activate the second space through the editing of the build.prop file:

1. Make a backup of the current firmware in TWRP.
2. Open build.prop in the /system section.
3. Add a line: ro.miui.has_second_space=1.
4. Save the changes and reboot.

⚠️ Note: Editing system files without experience can lead to a device blink. Use this method only if you understand the risks and have a backup.

Configuring and optimizing the second space

Once the second space is created, it needs to be properly configured to avoid performance issues and conflicts:

1. Application management

By default, the second space is empty, so you need to re-install all the applications.

• 📲 Install only the necessary applications (avoid duplication of heavy games).
• 🔄 Use the settings. → Annexes → Cloning apps for instant messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly in the second space through Settings → Warehouse.

2. Data synchronization

The second space is not synced to the main one, but you can manually transfer files:

• 📁 Through Explorer: Select files → Copy → switch to another space → Insert.
• ☁️ Through cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive), logging into each space separately.
• 🔌 Through OTG-cable or computer (plug your phone and copy files manually).

3. Optimization of productivity

Two spaces consume more resources. To avoid the brakes:

• 🔋 Turn off background activity of unnecessary apps in Settings → Battery → Optimization.
• 📉 Limit the number of spaces that work simultaneously (do not leave both profiles active unnecessarily).
• 🔄 Reboot the device regularly (once every 2-3 days).

💡

If the second space is slowing down, try disabling the interface animation: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times), then to For Developers → Animation Scale and set the Off value.

Solving common problems

When using the second space, users often encounter common errors, and here's how to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the second space settings:

1. Go to Settings. → Second space.
2. Select Remove the Second Space (Data will be deleted!).
3. Recreate it.

💡

Before removing the second space, make sure to back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. Recover deleted files will not be possible!

Comparison with similar features on other brands

The second space feature on Xiaomi is not unique — there are analogues from other manufacturers.

The main advantage of the solution from Xiaomi is complete isolation without any restrictions on functionality, but if you want maximum security (for example, for corporate data), it is better to consider Samsung Knox or Huawei PrivateSpace.

Frequently asked questions