Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the need to separate personal and work information from each other on the same device, and Second Space allows them to create a completely isolated environment with their apps, accounts and files without affecting the main system, an ideal tool for those who want to hide sensitive data from prying eyes or simply share work and personal tasks without buying a second phone.
However, the activation process and, more importantly, the quick switch between spaces can raise questions for beginners. In some versions of the MIUI or HyperOS shell, the interface may differ, and the transition label is sometimes overlooked.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways to enter the second space, from standard methods through settings to hidden gestures, how to set up quick access so that the switch takes a fraction of a second, and what to do if the standard methods stop working after the system update.
Standard input through system settings
The most obvious and reliable way to activate or move to an alternate space is to use system settings, which is guaranteed to work on all Xiaomi devices, regardless of the firmware version, and you need to get into the main settings menu of your smartphone first.
Scroll down to the About Phone section or look for Second Space in modern versions of MIUI, the path often looks like: Settings → Second Space. If you haven’t created a profile, the system will suggest running a customization wizard that takes less than a minute.
If the second space is already created, but you are in the main profile, the interface will offer you a “Switch” button. It is important to understand that the first time you log in, the system may request unlocking the main screen or entering a special password if it was set for an isolated environment.
- 📱 Open “Settings” and find the “Second Space” section».
- 🔄 Click the “Switch” button to log into an isolated profile.
- 🔐 Enter a password or scan your fingerprint if authorization is required.
- ⚙️ Check notification settings to avoid missing important messages from another profile.
⚠️ Note: When you log in through the settings, you always find yourself on the second space desktop. Make sure you don't leave open documents with sensitive information in the main profile before switching.
Using the settings menu is the most stable option when other methods fail, but it can seem too long for daily use, requiring a few touches of the screen, which is why faster alternatives are worth considering.
Use of shortcut and widget on the desktop
For those who need to switch between profiles frequently, Xiaomi developers have provided special shortcuts. After creating a second space on the desktop of the main profile, an icon that resembles a portrait of a person or an icon with the number “2” should appear.
Sometimes it happens that the user accidentally deletes this shortcut or it simply does not appear due to a launcher failure, in which case you need to add a widget manually, to do this, you need to pinch the empty space on the desktop and select "Widgets" or "Add widgets".
In the list of available widgets, find the Tools category or immediately look for Second Space. Drag the widget to the free area of the screen. Now you enter the hidden profile with one touch. The effectiveness of this method is that the widget can be displayed on any screen, even the main one, providing instant access.
☑️ Checking the Quick Access settings
It’s worth noting that in some third-party themes, the second space icon may look out-of-the-box or be poorly discernible. If you can’t find a shortcut, try temporarily changing the theme to standard Classic or Default through the Themes app.
| Entry method | Speed of access | Convenience | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Settings. | Low. | High. | Minimum |
| Label on the table | Tall. | Average. | Can be removed accidentally |
| Fingerprint. | Instant. | Maximum. | Need a tuned finger. |
| Unlock password | Medium | High. | You can forget the combination. |
Entering through fingerprint and password
One of the most convenient features of the Xiaomi ecosystem is that it can attach a specific fingerprint to the entrance to the second space, so that you can not just unlock the phone, but also get to the right profile right away.
To configure this feature, go to Settings → Second Space. In the upper right corner of the screen, there is often a three-dot menu or a gear settings. Select "Fingerprint" or "Add unlock data." The system will ask you to attach a finger that will be used exclusively to enter the second space.
Once you've set up the screen, when the smartphone screen is off, just put your registered finger on the scanner. If you put your finger on the main profile, the phone unlocks normally. If the second profile finger opens up, you get an isolated environment, and that creates the illusion of a magical switch.
What to do if the print is not read?
An alternative to biometrics is to enter a numerical password or a pattern lock, and if you lock the screen, entering the combination for the second space will also automatically switch the system, which is useful if your gloved hands or fingerprint sensor are damaged.
Problems with the display of the label and their solution
Users often experience a situation where the shortcut to the second space disappears from the desktop, even though the feature itself is active.This can be caused by a HyperOS shell update or a third-party launcher conflict. In such cases, standard login through settings remains the only option until the visual bug is fixed.
One reason for the icon to go missing is to clear the system cache or reset the desktop settings, and the label can be hidden if Do Not Disturb mode is enabled in the second-space settings, or if the limit of open applications in the background is exhausted.
To solve the problem, try rebooting the device. If that doesn't work, check if the shortcut is hidden in the folders. Sometimes users unknowingly remove it into shared folders with utilities. If the shortcut is physically removed, you can return it by adding a widget, as described above, or resetting shortcuts in the second space menu.
- 🔍 Check the Tools folder on your desktop – the shortcut could have gone there.
- 🗑️ Clear the cache of the Security and Settings app».
- 📲 Make sure you use the standard System Launcher.
- ⚡ Perform a full smartphone reboot to update system processes.
⚠️ Note: If you use a third-party launcher (such as Nova Launcher or Lawnchair), the second space shortcut may not appear at all.
💡
Take a screenshot of the settings of the second space immediately after you create it, and if the shortcuts go missing, you'll at least remember what password or fingerprint you set to log in.
Switching to HyperOS and MIUI
With the release of the new HyperOS shell, Xiaomi has slightly changed the logic of system functions, including the second space, with new versions focusing on smoothness and integration with other services, and users can more flexible manage notifications and permissions when switching.
In the settings menu of the second space, the option "Show notifications from the second space to the first" has been added, which allows you to stay up to date on important events without entering a hidden profile all the time, but to fully work with applications there, you still need to log in.
MIUI 14 and more newer versions improve the stability of widgets. If you have fresh firmware installed but the shortcut doesn't work, try removing the Second Space updates from the GetApps or Google Play app store and then updating it again, which often solves compatibility issues.
The key difference between the new versions is a more stringent power policy, which can kill second-space processes to save battery life, which can take a little longer to log in when you first start up after rebooting, a normal behavior designed to optimize resources.
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In newer versions of MIUI and HyperOS, the shortcut can be simply called “2” or have a modified icon. Carefully examine all elements on the desktop if a standard icon is not found.
Data portability and application management
Once you successfully log into the second space, you have to fill it with content, you can import applications from your main profile, you can create a copy of the application that works independently, you can be logged into one account in the main space and another in the second.
To transfer files (photos, videos, documents), the built-in import mechanism is used. When in the second space, go to the settings of the function and select "Import Files." The system will prompt you to select data from the main profile. This is the only secure way to transfer data between isolated environments.
Deleting apps in the second space doesn't affect the main profile. You can delete Instagram or Telegram from a hidden profile and they stay on the home screen. This gives you tremendous flexibility in managing the digital space.
But it's worth remembering the space that's taken up, because the applications are duplicated, they take up extra memory. If you have a 64GB model, installing heavy games in both spaces can quickly lead to space shortages.