Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their functionality, but often hide powerful tools deep in the system settings. The 9T, one of the flagships of the past, has received a MIUI shell that offers a unique opportunity to create a full-fledged second account within the same operating system. It is not just a guest mode, but an isolated environment with its applications, contacts and files. Device owners often look for a way to activate this feature to share work and personal data without buying a second phone.
However, not everyone can find a standard switch in the menu, since in some versions of firmware, especially global ones, this option can be hidden or replaced with a simplified analog. The second space allows you to run two instances of a single application, for example, instant messengers, which is critical for many users. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the activation methods, from standard settings to using special tools, so that your Xiaomi 9T reaches its full potential.
Before we make any changes, we need to understand that creating a new profile requires a certain amount of free memory and CPU resources. The function creates an actual copy of system libraries to isolate data, which can affect the autonomy of the device when you actively use both profiles. We will look at the nuances of security and how to properly configure access so that your personal data remains under reliable protection from prying eyes.
What is the Second Space and Why is it Necessary?
The concept behind Second Space is to create a virtual copy of a smartphone, where when you switch between the main profile and the second, the device actually changes the user, and all the apps, photos, contacts and browser history in the second profile are completely separate from the main one, and it's the perfect solution for those who want to use the same phone for both work and leisure, without mixing notifications and files.
Using this feature on Xiaomi 9T has a number of undeniable benefits: first, privacy: you can hide certain apps and photos behind a separate password or fingerprint. Second, it's convenience: you don't have to log out of one Google account or social media to log in to another. The system manages these processes by providing instant access to the desired dataset.
It's worth noting that data isolation works at the file system level. Applications installed in the second space don't see files from the first, and vice versa. It also improves security: if you download a suspicious file in the second profile, the main profile is likely to be unaffected.
⚠️ Attention: Activation of the second space creates additional strain on RAM. On models with 6 GB of RAM or less, it is recommended to close the background applications in an unused profile to maintain system performance.
For many Xiaomi users, having two independent environments becomes a crucial factor when choosing a smartphone, which allows you to effectively manage your digital balance, leaving work notifications in the second profile and not touching them on weekends when the main profile is active.
Preparing the device for profiling
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure your device is ready to work with new profiles. First of all, check the version of the MIUI operating system. The second space feature was introduced in earlier versions of the shell, but in new updates, its algorithm or availability may have changed. Go to Settings → About the phone and make sure that you have an up-to-date stable version of the software.
The second important aspect is the availability of space: since the system will duplicate the files necessary for the application to work, at least 2-3 GB of free space should be reserved on the internal drive, and if the memory is full, the profiling process can result in an error or work extremely unstable.
It is also recommended to back up important data. Although the process of creating a second space is usually safe for the main system, any manipulation of system partitions carries minimal risks.
☑️ Readiness Check by Xiaomi 9T
While it is not always necessary to create a local second space, synchronizing profiles and recovering data in the event of a crash is only possible when you log in.
How to activate the second space on Xiaomi 9T
There are several methods to enable this feature, depending on the firmware version installed on your Xiaomi 9T. In global versions (Global ROM) the path may differ from the Chinese versions (CN ROM).
The first and most obvious way is through the standard settings menu, type "Second Space" in the settings search. If the feature is available in your version of the software, the system will suggest that you go to the appropriate item. If the search did not work, try manually following the Settings → Advanced Settings → Second Space. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be called simply "Spaces" or be under "Special Features".
If the standard path doesn't work, your version of the shell might be using a simplified interface, so try to find the Security app, which often hides additional optimization tools, including space management, click on the three-dot menu, or swipe to the side to find hidden features.
It’s important to understand that in the most recent versions of MIUI 12 and MIUI 13, the company could have redesigned this functionality by replacing it with “Second Account Mode” in the application settings, which is less functional because it clones only individual applications, not the entire system, but for many tasks it is enough.
Use of the Second Space app for older versions of MIUI
If the built-in tools fail to activate the function, specialized launcher applications or system modules come to the rescue. APK-Xiaomi system application files extracted from Chinese firmware.
To install a third-party system component, you will need to allow installation from unknown sources. APK-Second Space file from the trusted repository. Once installed, launch the application. It will try to integrate into the system and create the necessary shortcut in the settings or on the desktop.
However, this method has its limitations: on newer versions of Android that Xiaomi 9T gets, older system applications may not work properly due to changes in access rights and file structure, and if the application crashes when it launches, it is incompatible with your firmware version.
⚠️ Attention: Installation of system APK-Files from unverified sources can lead to unstable system operation or the appearance of banner ads. Use only files from trusted developer forums, such as 4PDA or XDA.
The alternative is to use clone apps like Parallel Space or App Cloner, which don't create a full-fledged second space, but instead solve the problem of running two accounts in the same app, which is less secure from a privacy perspective, but more stable on modern versions of Android.
Set up and manage the created profile
Once the function is successfully activated, you will have a new space configuration interface, and the system will suggest you choose how to switch between profiles, usually through a special shortcut on your desktop or through the notification panel, and you can set up a quick transition to a double tap or a predetermined pin.
An important step is to set up security, so for the second space, you can set a separate pattern lock, password, or attach another finger to unlock, which means that by putting a certain finger on the fingerprint scanner, the smartphone will be unlocked immediately in the second space, bypassing the main screen.
You can also select which apps to migrate from, and the system will offer a list of installed programs, and then you can transfer them to the second space and you can configure them independently, so for example, you put a working Telegram in the main profile, and a personal one in the second.
| Parameter | Main space | Second space |
|---|---|---|
| Access to files | Complete. | Isolated. |
| Notifications | From the main applications | From cloned applications |
| Battery | General expenditure | General expenditure |
| Contacts | Synchronization 1 | Synchronization 2 |
Memory management is also done separately, and you can remove applications from the second profile at any time, freeing up space, but system profile files occupy a constant volume that cannot be cleaned without completely removing the second space.
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To quickly transfer files between spaces, use the File Transfer feature in the second space management menu so that you don’t copy data through the cloud or cable.
Possible problems and solutions
During operation, users of Xiaomi 9T can face a number of typical problems. One of the most common is the disappearance of the profile switching shortcut. If this happens, check the settings for displaying system icons or try to restart the device. Often a simple system reboot restores the system services.
Another problem is that some applications cannot be installed in the second space, because some programs (especially banking or enhanced security) have a virtual environment that blocks startup, leaving only the main profile for such applications to be used.
There may also be increased battery consumption, as the background processes of the second space continue to work even if you are in the main profile, power consumption increases, and it is recommended to adjust the background activity restrictions for applications in the second profile through the battery menu.
What to do if the switching opportunity is lost?
In rare cases, there is a conflict with the permissions to access the camera or microphone. If the applications in the second space are not working with the hardware, check the permissions in the privacy settings. Make sure that the second profile is granted all the necessary permissions.
How to delete the second space and clean the data
If the second profile is no longer necessary, it can be easily removed, and this action will completely erase all data, applications and files inside the second space, but will not affect your main profile.
The deletion process can take some time, because the system needs to safely destroy the encrypted data, so don't interrupt the process, or turn off the phone until the message of successful completion appears, and then free up the disk space that was occupied by a copy of the system.
Before deleting, make sure you have saved all important files from the second profile. Once confirmed, it will be impossible to restore data by any means. If you have used synchronization with Mi Cloud, check the cloud for backups.
⚠️ Warning: Deleting the second space irreversibly deletes all local files inside it. Move important documents and photos to your main profile or external drive in advance.
Once cleaned, the system will return to standard single profile mode, which can have a positive impact on the performance of the device, as the background processes consuming resources disappear.
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Removing the second space is a radical but effective way to return the device to its original performance and free up gigabytes of memory.
Comparison with guest mode and app cloning
Many users confuse Second Space with guest mode or conventional app cloning. Guest mode is a temporary restricted profile that doesn't store data after exit. It's suitable to give a phone to a friend, but not for permanent separation of work and personal life.
App cloning (app cloning in settings) allows you to run a second instance of a particular messenger, which is easier and faster than creating an entire space, but less functional. The clone does not have its own gallery, its own system settings or a separate Google Play account.
The second space is heavy artillery. It creates a complete environment. If you just need two WhatsApps, you'll have to stop cloning. If you want two different galleries, two different sets of settings and complete isolation, choose the second space.