Second space on Xiaomi: how to enable and configure the function

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones offer a unique second workspace feature that allows you to create an isolated environment with separate applications, settings and data. This solution is ideal for those who want to share personal and work lives on one device, test applications without risk to the main system or provide limited access to the phone to third parties.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what the second space on Xiaomi is, what tasks it is intended for, and most importantly, we will provide step-by-step instructions for inclusion, taking into account the features of different versions. MIUI. You will also learn which models support this feature, how to switch between spaces and what to do if the option suddenly disappears after the update.

What is the second space on Xiaomi and why is it necessary?

Second Space is a Xiaomi proprietary development that creates a completely isolated copy of the operating system on a smartphone, essentially like two phones in one: each has its own space:

• 📱 Applications (you can install different sets)
• 🔒 Accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks)
• 📁 Files and media (photos, videos, documents do not overlap)
• ⚙️ Settings (wallpaper, sounds, network settings)
• 🔋 Notifications (do not interfere with each other)

Main use cases:

• 💼 Separation of work and personal life: in one space - corporate mail and instant messengers, in another - social networks and games.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Access: You can give your child a phone with a limited set of apps without risking your data.
• 🧪 Software testing: installing beta versions of applications or customization without threatening the main system.
• 🔐 Increased safety: If one space gets infected, the other will remain clean.

It’s important to understand that the second space is not the same as a guest mode or a multiplayer account on Android. Here, both spaces have the same rights, and switch between them instantly without rebooting, while device resources (processor, RAM) are divided dynamically between them, which can affect performance on weak models.

What Xiaomi models support second space

Second Space is not available on all Xiaomi devices, and support for it depends on two factors:

1. Version. MIUI: function appeared in MIUI 8 and is retained in all subsequent versions (including: MIUI 14 and HyperOS).
2. Hardware platform: requires a sufficiently powerful processor (at least Snapdragon) 6xx or similar to MediaTek) and at least 3 GB of RAM.

Below is a compatibility table for popular models:

⚠️ Warning: On devices with 2GB of RAM (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO C31) It is either missing or very unstable, and it can be disabled in regional firmware (e.g. Europe or India). If you don't have "Second Space" on your menu, try changing the firmware region through Settings. → Additionally. → Region.

To find out exactly if your device supports the feature, check:

1. The MIUI version in Settings → About the phone.
2. Availability of the item Second space in Settings → Special features or settings → Accounts.

Step-by-step: how to turn on the second space

The process of activating the second space takes no more than 5 minutes, but requires careful attention.

1. Open Settings: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Second space. Some firmware may have different paths: Settings → Special opportunities → Second space.
2. Click "Create a Second Space": The system will prompt you to enter a password to protect the second space. This is a mandatory step - you can't create space without a password. Come up with a reliable code (at least 6 characters).
3. Select the type of space: You will be offered two options: 🔄 Cloning current data – copying all applications and settings from the main space (takes up more space). 🆕 Create an empty space – a clean system with no applications (recommended for testing).

Wait for the setup to be completed

It can take 1 to 10 minutes depending on the amount of data, and the phone can restart.

Set up notifications

After creating the space, the system will ask if you want to receive notifications from the second space in general.

Now, the notification bar will have an icon for switching between spaces (two circles) and click on it to go to the second space.

Make sure the password is remembered or recorded|Check for the switch icon in the curtain|Install the necessary applications in the second space|Set up account synchronization (if necessary)-->

⚠️ If after creating the second space, the phone began to brake, try it:

• Limit the background activity of applications in Settings → Battery → Optimization.
• Remove unnecessary applications from the second space (they duplicate the main ones).
• Turn off automatic data synchronization in both spaces.

How to Switch Between Spaces and Manage Them

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

• 📲 Through the notification panel: swipe down from the top edge of the screen and click on the icon with two circles (if not, add manually in the panel settings).
• 🔑 Through the lock screen: swipe left/right on the unlock screen (on some models).
• ⚙️ Through Settings: Settings → Second space → Switch over.

To manage spaces, use the Settings menu → Second space where options are available:

An important nuance: when you delete the second space, all data (photos, messages, application settings) will be irretrievably lost. → Second space → Backup (if available).

If you forget the password from the second space, you can only reset it by completely removing the space with loss of data.

1. Go to Settings. → Second space.
2. Select "Remove space."
3. Confirm the action (you will need to enter a password from the main Mi Account).

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To quickly distinguish spaces, install different wallpapers on the home screen for each of them, which will help avoid confusion when switching.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

When using the second space, users often encounter common errors, and consider the most common ones and how to fix them:

1. The second space is not included or missing in the settings

Possible causes and solutions:

• 📱 Unsupported model: check the list of compatible devices above. If your model is not available, the feature is not available.
• 🔄 Outdated firmware: Update MIUI Up to the latest version in Settings → Updating the system.
• 🌍 Regional Restrictions: Change the firmware region to "China" or "Global" in Settings → Additionally. → Region.
• ⚙️ Disabled in Developer Settings: Enable Developer Mode (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times and check the Second Space setting.

2.The phone brakes after creating a second space

This is normal on devices with 4GB of RAM or less.

• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary applications from the second space (they duplicate the main ones).
• 🔋 Turn off background activity: Settings → Battery → Optimization → Select applications.
• 📉 Limit animation: Enable developer mode and install window animation = 0.5x.

3.Notifications from the second space do not arrive

Check the settings:

1. Open the Settings. → Second space → Notifications.
2. Enable the option to "Show notifications from the second space".
3. For individual apps (such as Telegram or WhatsApp), check permissions in Settings. → Annexes → Management of notifications.

4.It is not possible to install the application in the second space

Possible causes:

• 📥 Lack of storage: the second space takes up to 5-10 GB on the disk.
• 🌐 Google Play restrictions: Some apps (like banking) can block installation in non-main space. APK manually.
• 🔒 Security Policy: Installation on some firmware APK In the second space, no permission. Enable the option "Unknown Sources" in the security settings.

If the problem is not solved, try removing and re-create the second space, which helps 90% of the time.

The security of the second space: myths and reality

Many users mistakenly believe that the second space on Xiaomi provides complete anonymity or protection from surveillance.

✅ What the second space really protects:

• 🔐 Application Data: Passwords, correspondence and files from one space are not available in another.
• 📂 File system: photos, documents and downloads are isolated.
• 📱 Device from strangers: You can give a phone to another person by restricting their access to a second space.

❌ What the second space does not provide:

• 🕵️ Anonymity on the web: IP-address, IMEI and other device identifiers remain the same. VPN Tor.
• 🛡️ Virus protection: if you install an infected application in the second space, it can damage the system (although the main space data will remain safe).
• 🔍 Hiding from system applications: Some utility programs (such as Mi Cloud) can see both spaces.

⚠️ Note: If you use a second space to store sensitive data (such as work documents or correspondence), remember to do so:

• When unlocking the bootloader or obtaining root rights, the isolation between the spaces may be broken.
• Backups created through Mi Cloud can contain data from both spaces (check your sync settings).
• When reset to factory settings, both spaces will be removed without the possibility of recovery.

For maximum safety:

1. Use different passwords for the main and second spaces.
2. Do not install suspicious applications in the second space.
3. Update regularly MIUI — New versions fix isolation vulnerabilities.

Alternatives to the second space on Xiaomi

If your device doesn’t support Second Space or you don’t like the feature, consider alternative ways to share data:

1. Guest mode (Multi-User)

Available on all Android 5.0 devices+. It allows you to create a separate profile with limited rights:

1. Open the settings → System → Users.
2. Click on "Add User" or "Guest".
3. Set limits (for example, banning calls or installing apps).

➕ Pros: Works on all devices, does not require much space.

➖ Cons: No complete isolation (shared files and some settings).

2.Cloning applications (Parallel Apps)

V MIUI There is a built-in function Double applications (Settings) → Annexes → Dual apps: It allows you to create a second account for messengers and social networks (for example, two WhatsApp or Telegram).

➕ Pros: Does not take up much space, just in the setup.

➖ Cons: only works with supported applications, there is no complete system isolation.

3. Containers (Shelter, Island)

Applications like Shelter or Island (require root) create isolated sandboxes for selected applications, suitable for advanced users.

➕ Pros: flexible setting, high degree of isolation.

➖ Cons: difficult to configure, requires root rights.

4. Virtual Machines (UserLand, VMOS)

They allow you to run a full-fledged virtual Android system inside the main one, suitable for software testing.

➕ Pros: complete isolation, support for different versions of Android.

➖ Cons: high resource consumption, complexity of setting.

Comparative table of alternatives:

If you just need to split messengers, you can use dual apps, you can use a second space to fully separate work and personal life, and you can use virtual machines to test unstable software.

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The second space is the most balanced solution for most Xiaomi users, as it does not require root rights, provides a high degree of isolation and is easy to customize.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the second space on Xiaomi