Xiaomi’s Second Space: A Complete Guide to Use

Xiaomi’s current smartphones offer a unique feature – a second space that allows you to create a fully isolated copy of the operating system on a single device – ideal for those who want to share personal and work data, provide additional security or simply experiment with settings without risk to the main system.

The second space feature is available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO steerable MIUI 12 and above, it's based on virtualization technology, which ensures that data is completely isolated between spaces, and in this article, we'll go into detail on how to activate, configure and effectively use the second space, and look at its key advantages and possible limitations.

It’s important to understand that the second space is not just a separate user profile, but a fully independent system with its own apps, settings and data, which means you can install different wallpapers, themes, even different versions of the same apps in each space, and this feature will be especially useful for those who want to separate work contacts from personal ones or test beta versions of programs without risking the main system.

Before you start setting up, make sure your device meets the minimum requirements.The second space feature is available on smartphones with a high-end device. 6 GB RAM and higher (on some models with 4 GB RAM can work with limitations. It will also require enough free space on the internal drive - at least 5-10 GB, since the second space creates a separate virtual environment.

What is the second space and why is it necessary?

The second space on Xiaomi is virtualization technology, which allows you to run two independent copies of Android on the same device.

• 📱 Applications and data (you can install different versions of the same application)
• 📞 Contacts, messages and call log
• 🖼️ Wallpaper, themes and personal settings
• 🔒 Google, Mi Account and other services
• 📁 Files and media library (photos, videos, documents)

The main advantage is that data is completely isolated between spaces, which means that even if one space is infected or blocked, the other will remain intact.

• 💼 Separation of work and personal data (for example, for employees of companies with strict security rules)
• 🔍 Testing new applications or beta versions of software without risk to the main system
• 🛡️ Additional protection of confidential information (for example, for financial transactions)
• 🎮 Using multiple accounts in games or social networks at the same time

However, there are limitations to the function, such as the second space does not support Root access and some system modifications, and it is worth considering that you can only use one space at a time - switching between them requires a reboot or use a special gesture (depending on the device model).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (especially with 4GB of RAM), the second space may run slower than the main one due to limited resources.

Device requirements and preparation

Before activating the second space, make sure your smartphone meets the following requirements:

If your device meets the minimum requirements, follow the following preparatory steps:

Clean the cache in Settings → Storage → Cleanup

Update MIUI Up to the latest version in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system

Backup important data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset

Charge the battery to at least 50% (recommended 100%)

Check the vacant storage space (should be at least 5GB)-->

Pay special attention to backup. Although the second space is isolated, it redistributes disk space, which in rare cases can lead to data loss, use cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) or local copying on your PC.

Also note that once the second space is activated, some system functions may work differently, such as fingerprint and facial recognition shared by both spaces, while notifications and widgets are separate, meaning you have to reconfigure notifications in each space.

Redmi Note 11/12/13

POCO X3/X4/X5

Xiaomi 12/13/14

Redmi K50/K60

Another model-->

Step-by-step instructions for activating the second space

Activation of the second space takes no more 5-10 Just follow this instruction:

1. Open the settings on your smartphone.
2. Go to the Special Features section (on some firmwares the path may be different: Settings) → The phone. → Advanced settings → Second space).
3. Select Second Space (or Dual Apps on global firmware).
4. Click Create a second space and confirm the action.
5. Enter the name for the second space (e.g., “Work” or “Test”) and set a password (required, even if there is no password in the main space).
6. Wait for the process to be completed (the device will restart automatically).

When you restart, you'll see a new lock screen with a choice of space, and the default is to activate the main space.

• 🔄 Use the swipe down gesture with two fingers on the lock screen (on some models)
• 🔑 Enter the second space password when you request it.
• 📱 Or go to Settings. → Second space → Change the space

The first run of the second space can take a few minutes, and the system will configure the virtual environment, and then you will get a clean copy. MIUI All settings, including wallpaper, themes and accounts, will have to configuring again.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (especially global ones), the second space feature may be called Dual Apps or Second Space. If you don't find this section in the settings, try searching by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).

Configuring and optimizing the second space

Once the second space is activated, you need to customize it to your needs, and here are the key steps to optimize:

Installation of applications

The second default space has no custom applications, and you can install them in two ways:

Download directly from Google Play or Mi App Store

- Cloning applications from the main space through Settings → Second space → Cloning apps

2. Data synchronization

Although spaces are isolated, some data can be synchronized:

Contacts and calendars via Google Account or Mi Account

Files via cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive)

Notes and tasks through cross-platform applications (e.g. Microsoft To Do)

3. Optimization of productivity

To make the second space work quickly:

- Limit the number of background processes in Settings → Battery and productivity → Memory management

- Disable auto-update apps in Google Play

Use the “light” versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite)

💡

If the second space is running slowly, try turning off animations in Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to activate the developer mode) → Developer settings → Animation Scale (select "Without animation").

4. Security.

For data protection in the second space:

Set a complex password (at least 8 characters with numbers and special characters)

- Activate device encryption in Settings → Additionally. → Encryption

Set up a Smart Lock to automatically unlock in secure places (such as at home or work)

Switching between spaces and managing

Space management in Xiaomi is intuitive, but has a few nuances.

• 🔄 Swipe gesture: Swipe two fingers down on the lock screen (not working on all models)
• 🔑 Password: When unlocking the device, select the desired space and enter its password.
• ⚙️ Through Settings: Settings → Second space → Change the space
• 📱 Quick menu: Some firmware available in the notification bar

Important points in switching:

Notifications don't sync between spaces, and if you receive a message in the main space, it won't show up in the second.

- Calls and SMS Both are available, but the call log and the messages are separate.

Background processes of the main space are suspended when the second space is activated (and vice versa).

For convenience, you can customize different wallpapers or themes for each space, which will help to visually distinguish them, and it is also useful to use different application icons (for example, in the main space - standard, and in the second - round).

Removing the Second Space and Solving Problems

If the second space is no longer needed or takes up too much space, it can be removed.

1. Go to Settings. → Second space
2. Select to delete the second space
3. Confirm the action and enter the password (if installed)
4. Wait for the process to be completed (the device will restart)

All the data in the second space will be permanently deleted, and if you want to save the information, transfer it to the main space or to an external medium.

Common problems and their solutions:

⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the second space function may not work properly or at all.

Comparison with other data sharing solutions

Xiaomi’s second space isn’t the only way to separate personal and work data, but let’s look at the alternatives and their features.

• 🔄 Android Multiplayer Mode: Standard Android feature, but with limited features (no complete isolation, general system settings)
• 📱 Cloning applications (e.g. Parallel Space, 2Accounts): Allows you to duplicate individual applications, but do not create a full-fledged second system
• 🖥️ Virtual machines (e.g. UserLAnd): Complete isolation, but high system load and complexity of setup
• 🔒 Security containers (e.g. Shelter, Island): Use Android Work Profile technology to isolate applications

The advantages of the second space Xiaomi over the alternatives:

• 🔹 Complete isolation at the system level (not just applications)
• 🔹 There is no need to install third-party programs
• 🔹 Optimized for Xiaomi hardware (less bugs and lags)
• 🔹 Support for all system functions (including biometrics and NFC)

However, the solution has drawbacks:

- Takes up a significant place on the internal drive

Requires a reboot or special gesture to switch

Not all Xiaomi models support this feature.

💡

Xiaomi’s second space is the best solution for those who need complete data isolation without installing third-party applications, which surpasses standard Android multiplayer mode in terms of security, but is inferior to specialized containers (for example, Shelter) in the flexibility of settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's second space