Second space on Xiaomi: how to turn on and configure on MIUI

The second space feature on Xiaomi smartphones allows you to create an isolated work environment with separate applications, settings and data. It is the ideal solution for those who want to share personal and work lives on one device, test applications without risk for the main profile or just experiment with MIUI settings without consequences. Unlike the standard guest mode, the second space supports app installation, account synchronization and even separate wallpapers.

Many Xiaomi users are unaware of the existence of this feature, although it is available on most devices with MIUI 8 and later, you can turn it on in a few minutes - no root rights, no complex manipulations and no data loss. However, there are nuances: for example, on some models (especially with MIUI for the global market), the option can be hidden or work with restrictions. In this article, we will discuss all the activation methods, settings and typical errors that users encounter.

If you've never used a second Xiaomi account, start with the basics: it's not like a guest mode or a private mode. The second space creates a full-fledged clone of the system with separate storage, apps, and even the ability to link another Mi Account account, and both spaces can work in parallel — switching between them takes literally a second.

It’s important to understand that the second space doesn’t replace a full-fledged multiplayer system (like Android tablets), but it does provide enough flexibility for most tasks.

• 📱 Use working messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) separately from personal.
• 🔒 Test beta applications or custom firmware without risk to the main profile.
• 🎮 Create a game profile with optimized performance settings.
• 👤 Give the device to children or colleagues without fear for their data.

But before you start setting up, check if your device supports this feature. It is available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI 8-14, but on some budget models (for example, Redmi 9A or POCO C31) it may not be. Also note that on Android One devices (for example, Mi A1/A2/A3) there is no second space - this is a limitation of pure Android.

Verification of device compatibility

Before you try to turn on the second space, make sure your smartphone supports it. The easiest way is to check for the option in the settings menu:

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Scroll down and find the Special Features or Additional section (on some firmware - For Developers).
3. Slip on the second space (English Second Space).

If there is no such item, try the following steps:

• 🔍 Search by settings: enter the phrase “second space” or “second space” in the search bar (at the top of the settings screen».
• 📲 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: sometimes the feature appears after the update. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🌍 Change the firmware region: on some global versions MIUI The feature is disabled but available on Chinese or European builds.

If the option never appears, your device does not support the second space, in which case the alternative is:

• 📱 Guest mode (limited functionality but quick switching).
• 🔄 Clone apps (like Parallel Space or Island from Google Play).
• 🖥️ Multiplayer mode (available on some Android 9 models)+).

Method 1: Enable via MIUI settings

This is the simplest and most official method of activating the second space, suitable for most devices with MIUI 8-14.

1. Open Settings → Special Features (or Additional).
2. Select the Second Space (Second Space).
3. Click Create a Second Space.
4. Set a password (required!) and it will be used to enter the second space. Remember it, otherwise access will be lost.
5. Wait for the setup to be completed (usually takes 1-2 minutes).
6. After the reboot, you will be able to switch between swipe spaces down the lock screen (or through the notification bar).

If the second space is not in the menu Special features, try an alternative way:

Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Account settings → Second space

Important! When you create a second space, the system reserves some of the device's memory (usually 1-3 GB). If there's not enough space on the phone, you may see an error. Free up at least 5 GB before setting up.

Release 5+ GB memory|Remember the password for the entrance|Shut down. VPN (may interfere with the setting)|Check the battery charge (minimum 30%)-->

Method 2: Activate via hidden menu (for power users)

On some firmware (especially Chinese or modified ones), the second space option is hidden, but it can be enabled through the engineering menu, a method that requires caution that improper actions can lead to failures.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and type in the combination: ##6484## (some models run ##64663##).
2. The MIUI Test (or MTK Engineer Mode) menu will open.
3. Find the Second Space partition and activate the switch.
4. Reset the device.

If the combination does not work, try another method:

• 📱 Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
• 🔍 Find the list of activities com.miui.secondspace.
• 🚀 Start the activity of.SecondSpaceSettingsActivity.

Warning: changing the settings in the engineering menu can cause the device to work in an unstable way. If you are not sure, use the first method.

Configure the second space after activation

Once you create the second space, you have to configure it.

• 🔑 Change password: Second space settings → Security → Password.
• 📱 Install apps: Download the programs you want through Google Play or Mi App Store (they won’t be visible in the main space).
• 🎨 Personalize: Set separate wallpapers, themes and notification sounds.
• ☁️ Sync data: Link another Mi Account or Google account.

Please note the limitations:

⚠️ Note: some system applications (such as Settings or Phone) will be shared between both spaces. SIM-cards, calls and SMS They will be available in both profiles.

To optimize the second space:

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If some apps (such as banking) don’t work in the second space, check if Google Play Protect or MIUI Optimization blocks them. Try disabling optimization in the developer settings (Settings → Additional → Developers → Disable MIUI optimization).

Switching between spaces and managing

Switching between the main and second spaces can be done in several ways:

• 🔄 Through the lock screen: swipe down the lock screen and select the desired space.
• 📱 Through the notification panel: unroll the curtain and tap the user icon (if any).
• ⚙️ Through Settings: Settings → Second space → Switch over.

If the switch icon has disappeared:

1. Check if the function is disabled in Settings → Second Space → Display settings.
2. Reset the device.
3. Reset the notification panel settings: Settings → Notifications → Additional → Reset.

The second space does not support running applications from both profiles simultaneously, so when you switch, all programs in the second space close, which is done to save resources, but it can be inconvenient if you use messengers or background services.

Removing the second space and resetting settings

If the second space is no longer needed, it can be removed.

1. Go to Settings. → Second space.
2. Select Remove the Second Space.
3. Confirm the action by entering the password.
4. Wait until the process is complete (the data from the second space will be deleted irrevocably!).

⚠️ Attention: Before removing the second space, back up your important data. → Second space → Backup or manually copy files to your computer.

If you forget the password from the second space:

• 🔐 Try to reset it through the main space: Settings → Second space → Forgot the password.
• 📱 If resetting is not possible, you will have to delete the second space and create it again (the data will be lost).
• 🔧 Some firmware helps reset via Fastboot (requires PC and cable) USB).

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Deleting the second space does not affect the main profile data, but all applications, files, and settings of the second space will be erased without recovery (unless a backup was made).

Solving common problems

When using the second space, users often encounter the following errors:

If the second space is unstable (lacks, flies), try:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 🗑️ Clear the second space cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Second space → Clear the cache.
• 📉 Disable animations: Settings → Additionally. → For developers → The scale of animation (off).

If the problem isn't solved, it may be the firmware's fault. Check for updates or consider switching to custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu), where the second space function is often more stable.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the second space on Xiaomi