Xiaomi and Redmi’s current smartphones offer users a unique opportunity to create an isolated environment within a single device, which allows them to separate personal and work data by hiding apps, photos and contacts from prying eyes. Activating a hidden profile does not require installing third-party software, since the tool is built directly into the MIUI or HyperOS shell.
This is especially true for those who are used to storing sensitive information in one gadget: you get virtually two phones in one case: the main one for everyday use and an additional one, protected by a password or fingerprint. Switching between profiles takes seconds, making the method convenient for daily use without losing performance.
In this article, we will discuss the algorithm for enabling the function, look at the nuances of file transfer and answer questions that users have when they first set up. Importantly, new versions of HyperOS firmware can be limited or renamed, so checking the availability of the option is mandatory. Follow the instructions to properly organize the digital space of your smartphone.
What is the Second Space and Why is it Necessary?
The second space is software isolation, which creates a virtual desktop with its own settings, applications and media files, and system resources are separated so that programs in a hidden profile do not have access to the main user's data, and it is the perfect solution for separating work and leisure, or for handing the phone to children without the risk of deleting important documents.
Technically, this is done at the Android file system level. When you switch to hidden mode, the system is replacing the path to user data, so the games installed in the main profile will not be visible in the second one, and vice versa. Data security is provided by a separate set of login credentials.
The function is useful in the following scenarios:
- 🔒 Hiding private photos and correspondence from curious glances.
- 💼 Separation of working messengers and personal accounts without installing clones.
- 👶 Providing access to the device to children with a limited set of applications.
- 🧪 Testing suspicious programs in an isolated environment.
⚠️ Note: When you delete the Second Space, all data stored inside it (photos, contacts, installed applications) will be permanently lost.
It should be noted that this feature depends on the version of the operating system; in global firmware versions it may be called differently or not, while in Chinese MIUI builds it is almost always present.
Compatibility check and device preparation
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure your smartphone supports this feature. Usually, the Second Space is available on devices running MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 and early versions of HyperOS. However, in the most recent updates to global versions, developers sometimes remove this tool for optimization.
The device needs enough free memory to function properly. Since it creates a copy of system libraries and application space, it is recommended to have at least 3-5 GB of free space. Battery charge should also be above 20% so that the initialization process does not stop suddenly.
Perform a preliminary check using the following algorithm:
- 📱 Make sure you have a Mi Account installed on your device (in some regions, a mandatory requirement).
- 🔄 Update to the latest available version via the Settings menu.
- 💾 Free up storage space by removing unnecessary cache or files.
- 🔐 Set a strong password or pattern lock to lock the screen.
If you can't find a function using standard methods, you can search by settings, type the word "space" or "Second Space" in the search bar. If the system produces a result, the software module is active and ready to run. The lack of search results indicates that your model or your firmware version has cut the function out by the manufacturer.
Step-by-step: how to turn on the second space
The process of activating a hidden profile on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones is as simple as possible and takes no more than a minute. You need to go to the main settings menu of the device. Find a section that can be called “Additional Features”, “Advanced Settings” or simply “System”, depending on the version of MIUI.
Follow the exact algorithm of actions:
- Open the smartphone settings.
- Go to the Additional Features (or Special Features) section.
- Find the second space and click on it.
- Press the button Enable the second space.
- The system will suggest setting up the login method: select “Use fingerprint” or “password”.
☑️ Activation checklist
Once you select the authentication method, the phone will suggest you create a separate password or attach a separate fingerprint to enter the second profile. Separating biometrics works like this: one finger opens the main screen, the other (pre-registered) - hidden, which allows you to instantly switch between modes, just by putting different fingers on the scanner.
If you choose a password, the system will ask you to come up with a different combination from the main one. Once the settings are confirmed, a short initialization will occur, and you will be in a clean Second Space interface. The first run may take a little longer, as the system creates the necessary file structures.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t forget the password or the Second Space unlock pattern. Resetting it through your Mi Account can be harder than the primary password, and in some cases, it will result in a complete blocking of access to hidden data.
Access settings and switching methods
Once activated successfully, you'll be faced with a question of usability, you can switch between profiles in many ways, and it's important to choose the one that suits you. The standard method is through the notification curtain. Swipe from top to bottom to open the control panel, and find an icon that resembles two squares or a human silhouette. Quick switching allows you to change the context of your phone use on the fly.
A more advanced and secure method is to use fingerprints, and in the Second Space settings, you need to select the option "Add a fingerprint" and the system will ask you to attach a finger that has not yet been used to unlock the main screen, and biometric input is the fastest way to change profiles.
A password switching method is also available, and if you unlock the main screen, you enter the primary password, the phone unlocks normally. If you enter a password created specifically for the Second Space, the device will immediately open a hidden profile. The double password is a convenient feature that does not require unnecessary actions.
To control login methods, follow the Settings → Second Space → Switching between spaces. Here you can activate or deactivate a shortcut on your desktop that allows you to go into hidden mode with one touch. The app shortcut can be hidden to increase privacy if you don't want someone to guess the existence of a second profile.
Data portability and application installation
One of the main tasks in mastering a new profile is to transfer the necessary files. The second space is initially empty, and you will have to re-install applications and copy media. Fortunately, the system has a built-in tool for data migration. To use it, while in the second space, go to its settings and select Data Portability.
The system will suggest selecting the type of data to copy:
- 📷 Images and videos from the gallery.
- 📞 Contacts and call history.
- 🎵 Audio files and documents.
- 📲 Installed applications (not all programs support portability).
The copying process is done locally, without using the Internet, which guarantees high speed and security. Data isolation is maintained: even after transferring, files in the second space will only be available after appropriate authorization. Please note that some system applications may not be clonable.
To install new programs in the second space, you will need to re-sign in to your Google Play or Mi GetApps account, which is required for licensing and updates, and splitting accounts allows you to keep your Google account in the second space, for example, and your personal account in the first space, which eliminates mixing recommendations and search history.
| Parameter | Main space | Second space |
|---|---|---|
| Access to files | Full access to all system folders | Access only to the second profile folders |
| Notifications | All applications of the main profile | Only from the second profile applications |
| Battery consumption | Background processes of the main profile | Background processes of hidden profile (increases total flow) |
| Camera. | Uses basic settings and albums | Creates new photos/videos in a hidden album |
It's important to understand that running two profiles simultaneously can consume more RAM resources. If you notice that the phone is running slower, close unused applications in the background of both spaces. Memory optimization in MIUI usually handles this automatically, but monitoring will not hurt.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Despite the debugging of the feature, users may face a number of typical problems, one of the most common is the disappearance of the "Second Space" item after the system update. This often happens when you switch from MIUI 13 to HyperOS in global versions. In this case, it is not possible to turn on the feature with regular means, and the only solution is waiting for a patch or installing a Chinese version of the firmware, which requires unlocking the bootloader.
Another problem is that you can't unlock the second profile with your fingerprint, which is usually solved by re-registering your finger in the security settings, making sure that the finger is attached in the same part as when you register, and the screen is not contaminated, and the sensitivity of the scanner can affect the speed of recognition of different profiles.
Also, users often complain that notifications from the second space do not come when the main profile is active. This is the normal security behavior, but it can be changed. In the settings of the second space, find the Notifications option and allow the icon or short content to be displayed on the main profile lock screen. Synchronizing notifications requires explicit permission from the user.
⚠️ Note: If you forgot the password from the Second Space and did not link your Mi Account to restore, the only way to return access to your phone is to completely reset to the factory settings (Hard Reset), which will delete all data from the device.
In some cases, applications in the second space may not work stable or crash, due to a lack of RAM if both profiles are actively using resources, close extra tabs in the browser and heavy games in the background of the main space to free up resources for the hidden profile, the stability of work is directly dependent on free RAM.
How to remove the second space
If you no longer need a hidden profile, you can easily remove it. To do this, go to the settings of the Second Space (either inside it or through the main settings menu of the phone). In the upper right corner or in the option menu (three dots), select "Delete the second space".
The system will warn you that all data will be destroyed. Confirm the action by entering the password from the Mi Account or the main unlock password. The deletion process takes a few seconds, after which the phone will return to the state of one primary profile.
When deleted, you'll have a memory space equal to the amount of data that's occupied by the hidden profile. This can be useful if you've been using the feature temporarily for phone transfer or tests, and now you want to get back to maximum performance.