How to Include Second Space on Xiaomi Redmi 8: A Complete Guide with Nuances

The Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, still in use today for its reliability and functionality, and among its hidden features is a second space (Second Space), which allows you to create an isolated copy of the system with separate applications, files and settings, this feature is ideal for separating work and personal data, testing applications without risk to the main system, or even protecting confidential information.

However, the inclusion of a second space on the Redmi 8 has its own peculiarities: not all versions are different. MIUI This is an option that supports this out of the box, and the wrong actions can lead to failures, and in this guide, we will discuss official and alternative activation methods, explain the limitations of the function, and provide recommendations for optimizing the operation of both spaces. We will pay special attention to the nuances for Redmi 8 with global and Chinese firmware, as well as models with unlocked bootloader.

What is the second space and why is it needed on Redmi 8?

Second Space is an isolated environment within a single device that works like a separate smartphone.

• 📱 Desktop with a unique set of applications;
• 🔑 Password or pattern lock (other than the main key);
• 📁 File storage (photos, documents, downloads do not overlap);
• 🔄 System settings (Wi-Fi, sound, notifications) are set up independently).

On Redmi 8, this feature is useful for:

• 💼 Separation of work and personal data (for example, corporate mail and instant messengers in one space, social networks in another);
• 🛡️ Testing unfamiliar applications without risk to the core system;
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Providing limited access to children or colleagues;
• 🔍 Hiding confidential information (second space can be passwordd and hidden icon).

It's important to understand that the second space is not the same as the guest mode. Unlike the guest profile, it creates a full-fledged copy of the system with the ability to install any applications and change settings. However, both spaces share the same hardware resources: the processor, RAM and part of internal storage, which means that performance can decrease if you run resource-intensive tasks in both environments simultaneously.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 8s MIUI 12.5 and later the second space can be disabled by default in some regional versions of the firmware. If the option is not in the settings, manual activation will be required through the ADB or region-change system.

Compatibility Check: Does your Redmi 8 support a second space?

Before you try to turn on the feature, make sure your device supports it. On Redmi 8, it depends on:

• 📲 Versions MIUI (Global, Chinese, European);
• 🔓 bootloader status (unblocked or not);
• 📡 Firmware region (for example, in India, the function may be disabled).

To check the compatibility:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → version of MIUI.
2. If version is below 11.0, update the system through Settings → Update of the PO.
3. Check for the Second Space item in Settings → Special features or settings → Confidentiality.

If you have a version MIUI does not support the function, but you want to activate it, go to the section about manually enabling ADB. Also note that Redmi 8 with unlocked bootloader can install custom firmware (for example, Xiaomi.eu), where the second space is stable.

The official way to include the second space

If your Redmi 8 supports the function, you can activate it through standard settings.

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Scroll down and select Second Space (on some versions) MIUI This is called a double space or a second space).
3. Click Create a second space and confirm the action.
4. Set a password or pattern lock for a new space (it may differ from the main one).
5. Wait for the setup to be completed (the device will reboot).

After the reboot, you'll see a space switch icon in the notification bar or lock screen to switch:

• Swipe down the notification bar and click on the Space Avatar.
• Or on the lock screen, swipe up and select the desired space.

In the new space, you'll have a clean system with no apps (except the ones that are standard from Xiaomi), all data -- files, contacts, messages -- will be isolated, SD-card SIM-map) can be accessed in both spaces if permitted in the settings.

⚠️ Note: When creating a second space on Redmi 8 with a small amount of memory (32 GB), the system can automatically limit its size to 8-12 GB. To avoid space shortage, transfer media files to the media file before activation. SD-map.

Remove unnecessary applications|Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse|Make a backup copy of the data|Charge your phone to 50% or higher|Connect to Wi-Fi (to download updates)-->

Alternative methods: inclusion through ADB and the developer settings

If the settings do not have the option Second Space, it can be activated manually through the ADB-commands or hidden menus. This method works on most versions. MIUI, It requires unlocked developer rights.

Step 1: Enable debugging over USB

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version until you become a developer.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate Debugging via USB and confirm the resolution.

Step 2: Connect your phone to your PC and do it. ADB-team

Download Google’s Platform Tools, connect Redmi 8 to your computer and type in the command line:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.secondspace


adb shell am start -n com.miui.secondspace/.SecondSpaceMainActivity

After you have completed the commands, restart the device. The second space option should appear in the settings. If not, try changing the region to China:

1. Install the Mi Region Changer app (root or unlocked bootloader rights required).
2. Select China region and reboot your phone.
3. Repeat the search for the option in the settings.

On some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu), the second space is activated via a hidden menu.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code: ##6484###.
3. In the menu that appears, select Second Space and activate the function.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-commands and hidden menus on Redmi 8 with a locked bootloader can lead to soft-brick (cyclic reboot). TWRP.

Configuring the second space: applications, files and security

Once you create the second space, you need to optimize it for your own purposes.

1. Application management

• 📱 By default, the second space is empty. Install the desired apps through Google Play or Mi App Store.
• 🔄 To clone an application from the main space, use the dual applications function in Settings. → Annexes.
• ⚙️ To save space, turn off auto-update apps in Google Play → Settings.

2. File separation

• 📁 Files from the main space are not visible in the second, and vice versa:
• 🚫 Avoid storing large files (video, games) in both spaces at the same time – this will quickly exhaust memory.

3. Security and confidentiality

• 🔒 Set different passwords for each space.
• 📵 Disable notifications from the second space mostly (and vice versa) via Settings → Notifications.
• 👁️ Hide the icon of switching spaces can be in Settings → Lock screen → Space signs.

Redmi 8 with firmware MIUI 12.5 and later the second space automatically limits the background activity of applications if the free memory is less than 2 GB. This can lead to sudden closure of programs. To avoid this, regularly clean the cache in both spaces through Settings. → Warehouse.

💡

If the second space does not have mobile Internet, check the settings. APN. Sometimes they're reset when you create a new environment. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN) and adjust the parameters manually.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

When using the second space on Redmi 8, users experience typical errors.

1. The second space is not created (the error "Inadequate memory")

• 🗑️ Free up at least 10 GB of internal memory (remove cache, unnecessary apps, transfer files to the storage space) SD-map).
• 🔄 Try to create a space with a smaller volume (select Minimum size in the settings).
• 📱 If the error persists, update the firmware to the latest version. MIUI.

2.Apps in second space fly out

• 🔄 Reboot the device – this often solves problems with background processes.
• 🛠️ Clear the app's cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 📥 If you have a problem with Google Play, delete Google service updates in the app settings.

3. Switching between spaces does not work

• 🔑 Make sure that the passwords for both spaces are entered correctly.
• 📱 Restart your phone – sometimes the switching panel disappears after prolonged use.
• 🔧 If the icon is gone forever, activate it again in Settings. → Lock screen.

4 The second space takes up too much space.

• 📊 Check the memory allocation in Settings → Warehouse → Second space.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary apps and clear the cache.
• 🔄 If the space has grown to 15+ GB, recreate it with a minimum size.

If none of these methods worked, reset the second space to factory settings (without losing data in the main space):

1. Go to Settings. → Second space → Management.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

💡

Before resetting the second space, export your important data (contacts, photos) to the cloud or to the cloud. SD-Once they're dropped, they can't be recovered!

How to remove second space from Redmi 8

If the function is no longer needed or takes up too much space, you can turn it off, and note that all data in the second space will be deleted without recovery.

Method 1: Through settings

1. Open the Settings. → Second space.
2. Select Remove the Second Space.
3. Confirm the action by entering the password.
4. Wait until the process is completed (the phone will restart).

Method 2: Through ADB (if the option is hidden)

Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:

adb shell pm disable com.miui.secondspace


adb shell pm clear com.miui.secondspace

Method 3: Recovery Reset (extreme case)

If the second space is frozen and not removed through settings:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery.
3. Select Wipe & Reset → Erase Second Space.
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 13+ After removing the second space, a hidden partition of 1-2 GB may remain. To free up space, perform a full reset via Recovery (lose all data).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the second space on Redmi 8