Xiaomi smartphone owners often use the “Second Space” feature to separate work and personal data, but the need for it may disappear. If you are wondering how to get out of the second space of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, then it’s time to optimize the system or just make room. The process of deactivating this mode on the shell of MIUI has its own nuances, which it is important to consider so as not to lose important files.
The challenge is that the system treats the second space as a complete, isolated user profile, so you can't just turn it off with a single button, you need a complete deletion procedure, and this will affect all the apps, photos and settings created within that profile, so before you start any manipulation, you need to clearly understand what data will be lost and what will remain in the main space.
In this article, we will discuss the algorithm for the Redmi Note 7.We will look at the standard methods of deleting through settings, how to bypass locking if you forgot the password, as well as the technical details of the file system in this process.
What is the second space and why remove it?
The second space in MIUI allows you to create virtually two independent smartphones on a single device, each space has its own desktop, Google accounts and privacy settings, which is convenient for separating work and personal life, but has the opposite side: double resource consumption.
Deleting your profile is necessary if you notice that your phone is running slower or lacking internal memory. Because the second space is backed up with a certain amount of storage, eliminating it can free up several gigabytes. In addition, some background processes in a hidden profile can consume battery power even if you are not using them.
⚠️ Attention: Deletion of the second space is irreversible, and all files, contacts and correspondence history that were inside this profile will be destroyed without the possibility of recovery through the standard shopping cart.
Often users forget that the apps installed in the second space are spaced separately from the main one. If you stop using the separation of contexts, it makes sense to remove the extra shell, which will simplify navigation and eliminate confusion with notifications that can come from different accounts at the same time.
Preparation for profile removal
Before you start deleting, you have to do a series of preparatory steps, and the most important step is backing up, and although data from the second space is not automatically transferred to the main space when you delete it, you can manually save important documents.
You'll need to access both spaces. Switch to the mode you're planning to delete and check for important files. If you have access to files, copy them to the cloud or transfer them to your main profile through Moving Files.
- 📁 Check the gallery in the second space for important photos and videos.
- 📞 Export contacts if they are only stored in hidden profile memory.
- 🔑 Make sure to remember the password to unlock the screen of the second space.
- 🔋 Charge the battery of the Redmi Note 7 smartphone to at least 50% to avoid failure.
If you plan to just log out of your profile but not delete it (for example, for temporary use), then preparation is not required. However, the MIUI system does not support sleep mode for the second space - it is either active or deleted.
☑️ Pre-deletion check
Standard method of removal through settings
The safest and most appropriate method of deactivation is to use the built-in settings menu, which ensures that the system cleans the cache correctly and frees up space, and first you need to be in the space you want to delete, or have access to it through a switch.
Open the smartphone settings menu. Find the Additional Features section (some versions of MIUI may call it Advanced Settings). Inside this menu, look for Second Space. Click on it and you'll be taken to the profile management menu.
In the upper right corner of the screen, there's usually a gear icon or a three-dot menu. Click on it to see what's available. Select the option to Delete the second space. The system will request confirmation of action and alert you to data loss.
Settings → Additional Features → Second Space → Menu (three dots) → Delete Second SpaceOnce confirmed, the cleanup process will begin, which can take anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes depending on the amount of data accumulated, and when completed, the phone will automatically switch to the main space, and the switch icon will disappear from the notification curtain.
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If the Delete option is not on the menu, try to first switch to the second space through the notification curtain and then repeat the actions inside it.
What to do if you forget your password
The situation where the user can not leave the second space due to a forgotten password or pattern lock is common.The standard path through the settings in this case is closed. However, on the Redmi Note 7 there is a way to reset access through the associated Mi Account.
If you have multiple incorrect password inputs, the second space lock screen may say “Forgot your password?” or “Forgot your pattern lock.” By clicking on it, the system will prompt you to enter the password from your Mi Account, which was active at the time of creating the profile.
If this method doesn't work, the only option left is a full reset of the smartphone's settings (Hard Reset), which will remove all data from the phone, returning it to factory state, so this method should only be used as a last resort.
⚠️ Warning: Recovery Mode (Hard Reset) reset will destroy all data, including the main space.Do this only if other methods have not worked, and you are ready to lose information.
Turn off your phone to do the reset. Press the power button and the volume button at the same time. In the menu that appears, select Wipe Data, confirm the action and wait for the reset to occur. After that, the second space will disappear along with all the settings.
Technical details of password reset
Comparison of exit and disposal methods
Different situations require different approaches, and below is a table that will help you choose the best method depending on your current conditions and access to the device.
| Method | Access to the profile is required | Data security | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Settings. | Yes. | Main space retained | Low. |
| Reset via Mi Account | No (requires account password) | Main space retained | Medium |
| Hard Reset (Recovery) | No. | Total loss of all data | Tall. |
| Cliner applications | Root is required. | Risk of system damage | Very high. |
As you can see from the table, the standard method through settings is the most preferred, it is safe and does not require special knowledge. Using third-party programs or root rights to delete system profiles on the Redmi Note 7 is not recommended, as this can disrupt the MIUI shell.
The good thing about Mi Account is that it allows you to delete a problematic profile without losing personal photos and contacts in the main section, which is a kind of “middle ground” between complete deletion and inability to access.
Transferring data before deletion
If you’re determined to get rid of the second space but are afraid of losing important files, use the built-in portability tool, which allows you to transfer photos, videos, documents and even installed applications from one profile to another.
To start the function, go to the second space settings. Find Move files. The system will suggest selecting the type of data to migrate. You can choose Photos and Videos, Documents or Applications.
The process takes place in the background. It is important not to interrupt it or turn off the screen of the Xiaomi smartphone until the operation is completed. After successful transfer, the files will appear in the corresponding folders of the main space (for example, in the gallery in the Second Space album).
- 📂 Open the settings of the second space.
- 🔄 Select the option “Move files».
- ✅ Tick the required categories of data.
- ⏳ Wait for the copying process to end.
It's worth noting that you can't move everything, for example, system application settings or bank program data may not work properly after the transfer, and in such cases, it's better to re-authorize the applications in the main profile.
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File portability is the only safe way to save data from a deleted profile without using cloud services.
Frequent mistakes and their solution
Redmi Note 7 users may experience system errors during the removal process, and if the progress bar has been frozen for more than 10 minutes, don't panic.
Often, the system simply processes a large amount of small files, but if the phone has stopped responding completely, you can force the reboot by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds, and in most cases, after switching on, the system will either complete the deletion or roll back the changes.
Another error is the message “Not enough space”: For the deletion function to work properly, the system requires temporary free space to buffer operations. If the memory is full, delete several large videos or applications manually before attempting to delete the profile.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to delete second-space system folders through root-right file managers manually, guaranteed to result in a “bootloop” smartphone.
Users also sometimes complain that the switch icon is left in the curtain after removal, a visual interface bug that usually disappears after a full reboot of the device or the feature is re-enabled and turned off in the settings.
The impact of removal on the performance of the Redmi Note 7
Once you’ve exited the second space, you may notice a positive impact on your smartphone. Redmi Note 7, equipped with a Snapdragon 660 processor, is sensitive to the number of background services running. Removing an excess profile reduces the load on RAM.
The system stops indexing files in the second profile, which saves battery power, and also frees up space in the internal drive, which is critical for the speed of Android, as the filled memory greatly slows down the writing and reading of data.
If you plan to use your phone as normal after deleting, it is also recommended to clear the cache of system services. This can be done through the Settings menu → Memory → Cleanup. This will consolidate the positive effect of the optimization.