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

The second space feature on Xiaomi smartphones is a unique solution for those who want to share personal and work data on the same device, essentially two independent accounts with separate apps, settings and even wallpaper, but on the same phone, especially for users who do not want to carry two smartphones or install virtualization programs like Parallel Space.

You can turn on the second space on most Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO steerable MIUI 12 and newer. There are nuances, though: some budget devices (like Redmi). 9A or POCO C31) It's also important to understand that the second space is not a full-fledged virtual machine, it uses the same system resources, but with isolated data.

In this article, we’ll look at not only basic activation steps, but also hidden settings, possible errors (like missing a menu option) and ways to optimize the two spaces, and if you’ve never used this feature, be prepared to slow down a little when you first start a second account.

What is the second space and why is it necessary?

Second Space (Second Space) is the built-in space. MIUI It's a feature that creates an isolated environment with separate desktops, apps and settings, and it's basically like two phones in one, but without having to buy a second device or use third-party launchers.

Main advantages:

• 🔒 Separation of personal and work data, for example, you can install WhatsApp and Telegram in both spaces with different accounts.
• 🛡️ Additional security: If you give a phone to a child or a colleague, they won't see your personal files in the first space.
• 📱 Application testing: You can install beta in the second space without risking the stability of the main space.
• 🔄 Quick switch. No need to log out or use guest modes - just swipe down the notification panel.

However, there are limitations:

• ⚠️ It takes up extra memory. Each space stores its own caches and application data.
• ⚠️ Not all models support. On some devices, the feature is hidden or missing (for example, on Xiaomi Mi). A3 pure Android).
• ⚠️ There is no notification synchronization. If you receive a message in the second space, it will not appear in the first (and vice versa).

What Xiaomi models support second space

Second Space is available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, steerable MIUI 12/13/14. However, there are exceptions:

If your model is not listed in the table, check for the function as follows:

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Scroll down and find the Second Space section.
3. If there is no item, try updating. MIUI before the latest version or use alternative methods (we will discuss them below).

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) the function may be hidden due to regional restrictions, in which case the change of the firmware region to India or Global via the Internet will help. MIUI Downloader.

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

Activation of the second space takes no more than 5 minutes.

1. Open Settings: Go to Settings → Special facilities → Second space. If there's no point, try the path: Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Second Space (on some versions) MIUI 14).
2. Click "Create a Second Space": The system will prompt you to enter a password for the second account (required!). PIN, graphical key.
3. Settings: Select which data will be copied from the main space (contacts, messages, applications). We recommend leaving only Contacts, so as not to duplicate unnecessary files.
4. Wait for creation: The process can take 1-3 minutes. The phone will reboot.
5. Switch between spaces: After setting up, an icon will appear in the notification bar 🔄 — Swipe it to switch over.

Free up 2-3 GB of memory|Remember the password for the second account|Shut down. VPN (may interfere with synchronization)|Check the battery charge (minimum 30%)-->

If there is no second space after the reboot, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (at low charge, the system can block the creation of a battery).
• 📱 Version MIUI (Update through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🔒 Root rights or custom firmware (they may conflict with the function).

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If the error “Insufficient Memory” appears when creating the second space, try clearing the cache of system applications through Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Filter (three dots) → Show system-based → Clear the cache for everyone.

How to set up a second space: life hacks and hidden functions

Once the second space is activated, you can customize it to your needs, and here are some useful settings:

1. Individual wallpapers and themes

Each space can have its own appearance:

1. Switch to the second space (swipe by icon) 🔄 notification-bar).
2. Open the Settings. → Wallpaper and select a different background.
3. B Settings → The topic can be set another theme of design.

2. Separate accounts in applications

Many messengers and social networks support several accounts:

• 📱 WhatsApp/Telegram: Install the app in both spaces and log in under different numbers.
• 📧 Gmail/Outlook: Add workmail to the second space and leave your personal in the first.
• 🎮 Games: In the second space, you can log in under another Google Play or Mi Account account.

3. Restriction of access to files

To prevent files from being visible in one space:

1. Open the files. → Settings → Access to folders.
2. Turn off the option to show files from other spaces.
3. For additional security, set a password to folders through MIUI File Manager.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Mi Cloud, make sure that backups for each space are created separately. Otherwise, when you restore data, they may mix. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup.

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

When you're working with the second space, you're going to have a problem with the most common ones.

1. Second space is not created.

If you click on Create a second space, nothing happens:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 📱 Check if third-party launchers are installed (e.g. Nova Launcher or Nova Launcher) POCO Launcher – they can block the function.
• 🔧 Reset settings through Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset all settings (data will not be deleted).

2. applications in the second space are not updated

If Google Play or Mi App Store doesn’t update the app:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Google Play Store and clear the cache.
3. Restart your phone and check your internet connection (VPN may block updates).

3. Low productivity

If the phone starts to brake after the second space is created:

• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary apps from the second space through Settings → Annexes.
• 🔋 Turn off background activity for applications in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
• 📉 Download the system animation: activate Developer Mode (7 taps according to Version) MIUI About the phone) and install the animation window = 0.5x.

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If the second space stops working after the update MIUI, Try to revert to the previous version of the firmware through MIUI bootloader or wait for a patch from Xiaomi (usually patches come out in 1-2 weeks).

How to delete a second space without losing data

If you don't need it anymore, you can turn it off. It's important to do it right so you don't lose data.

1. Save important files: Move photos, documents, and contacts from the second space to the main one through Files → Move it.
2. Open the settings: Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
3. Click "Delete the second space": The system will prompt you to confirm the action. If you forgot the password, reset it through Forgot the password? PIN from the main account).
4. Wait for completion: The phone will restart and all data from the second space will be deleted.

⚠️ Warning: After the second space is deleted, it will not be possible to restore its data! If you used Mi Cloud for backup, check that the backup is created separately for each space.

If you want to temporarily disable the second space (for example, to save memory), but do not delete it completely:

• Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.
• Find the Second Space process and set it to Limit Background Activity.
• This will reduce the load on the system, but the space will remain available.

Alternatives to the second space on Xiaomi

If your model doesn’t support Second Space or the feature isn’t running smoothly, consider alternatives:

1. Parallel Space (or analogues)

Virtualization applications such as:

• 📱 Parallel Space is the most popular solution with support for multiple accounts.
• 🛡️ 2Accounts — Easy alternative with minimal resource consumption.
• 🔒 Island – to isolate working applications (requires root rights).

Cons: They can slow down on weak devices and do not always reliably protect data.

Guest mode

V MIUI There is a built-in Guest Mode:

1. Open the Settings. → System system → Guest mode.
2. Activate the feature and set limits (such as blocking calls or access to the gallery).

Plus: no extra memory. Minus: no full application isolation.

3.Two Google accounts

If you only need a separate post and calendar:

1. Add a second Google account to Settings → Accounts and synchronization.
2. In apps (such as Gmail or Google Drive), select the profile you want.

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If you want to separate your work and personal data, the best thing to do is to have a built-in second space, and a guest mode is enough for temporary access (for example, for a child).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions