Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, which run on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, offer a unique privacy feature known as Second Space, which allows you to create a completely isolated environment inside a single physical device that looks and works like a separate phone, and you get two desktops, two sets of apps and two separate galleries, access to which is protected by different passwords or fingerprints.
This feature is needed by many tech owners who want to clearly separate their work and personal lives without buying a second gadget, for example, you can hide personal photos and correspondence from colleagues simply by changing your finger on the scanner, or give your child access only to learning games by blocking the rest of the system. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to activate this mode, how to quickly switch between spaces and what nuances should be considered when using.
It is important to understand that the Second Space is not just a hidden folder, but a full user profile with its own settings for your Google account and Mi Account. Switching between them is instantaneous and does not require rebooting the device, which makes the process as convenient as possible for daily use. Next, we will look at the step-by-step algorithm for activating and configuring this feature.
Activation of the space division function
To start using isolation mode, you first need to activate it in your smartphone’s system settings. The startup process is quite simple, but requires care, as the system will ask you to set separate security settings for the new environment.Look for the settings menu in the Special Opportunities section (or Additional settings in older versions of the firmware) where the desired switch is hidden.
Once you enter the menu, select Second Space and click Enable, and the system will alert you that different fingerprints or graphic keys will be used to log in, which is critical: biometric identification will be the key to instantly transition from one world to another without needing to manipulate passwords.
☑️ Preparation for profiling
In the initial setup, you will be asked to create an unlock password, and it is recommended that you use a different combination from the one on the main screen to avoid accidentally entering the wrong profile, and the system may suggest moving some data from the first space, but it is better to abandon this for now and set up a clean profile to understand the logic of its operation.
⚠️ Note: When creating Second Space, make sure you remember the password you set. Reset it through your main account without losing all the data in the second profile is often impossible due to encryption.
Methods of switching between profiles
The fastest and most convenient way to switch Second Space to Xiaomi is to use a customized fingerprint. If you assigned a specific finger (like your left thumb) to enter the second profile, simply putting that finger on the scanner on a locked screen will instantly open the desired environment. The main thumb will open the main profile, and the second one will open the hidden one.
If biometrics are not possible or you prefer manual input, you can switch through the notification curtain. In the top menu of quick settings (where to swipe from top to bottom) there is a special icon that resembles two rectangles or a user icon, clicking on it will suggest you choose which profile you want to go to, requiring password confirmation or Facebook ID.
- 🖐️ Fingerprint: Apply the designated finger to the scanner on the screen turned off.
- 🔔 Notification curtain: Use the switch widget in the center of the control panel.
- ⚙️ Settings: Go to Settings → Second space → Switch over.
There is also the option of setting up a sidebar or floating window for quick access, however standard methods remain the most stable.Remember that with an active second profile, notifications will not come from it while you are in the main space, so periodic switching is necessary to check messages.
Setting up security and access passwords
Security of divided environments is the number one priority for MIUI. The system allows you to flexibly configure authorization methods so that access to sensitive data is as secure as possible. PIN-It's a common set of data for the main space, and a completely different set of data for the secondary space.
Special attention should be paid to setting up Application Protection within each profile, and even in the second space, you can additionally protect individual applications (for example, banking or messengers) with the second password layer, which creates a doll effect, where you need one code to access the phone, a second one to enter the second space, and a third one to open a particular application.
| Type of protection | Main space | Second space | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| pattern lock | Main (9 points) | Alternative | Use different patterns. |
| Fingerprint. | Finger 1 (for example, right thumb) | Finger 2 (for example, left thumb) | The fastest method |
| Face ID | Included. | Disabled or separately | Less reliable for separation |
⚠️ Attention: Face function ID On some models, Xiaomi may not support the separation of profiles by face, so the main method of entering the second space is better to count your finger or password.
The security settings also have the option to “Hide Second Space” enabled, which will remove the switch icon from the curtain and allow you to log in exclusively through a special fingerprint or unique password, making the presence of a hidden profile invisible to a stranger when you look at the menu.
Data portability and application installation
Once you've figured out how to switch between spaces, it's a matter of filling a new profile with content. Xiaomi provides a built-in data migration tool that allows you to copy contacts, photos, music, and even installed apps from the main profile to the second, eliminating the need to re-download heavy programs.
To transfer data, go to the Second Space settings and select Data Transfer. Here you will see a list of compatible applications. However, it is worth considering that not all programs support cloning. Social networks and instant messengers are usually copied without problems, saving the history of correspondence if it is stored locally.
What happens to memory when cloning?
If the automatic port didn’t work, or you want to install the latest versions of programs just from the second space, open the built-in GetApps store or Google Play. You’ll have to re-sign in to your Google account because the profiles are separated.This is a great way to have two different YouTube or Play Market accounts on the same device without using third-party clones.
- 📸 Gallery: Photos can be transferred manually or automatically when creating a profile.
- 📞 Contacts: synchronized separately, you can choose from the import SIM cloud.
- 📂 Files: Access to files of the first space from the second is closed without special permissions.
Features of the notifications and calls
One of the main features of the profile separation is communication isolation, so when you're in the main space, phone calls and SMS that arrive at a number tied to the second profile will not be displayed, and the simulation of the second space works as if the phone is off or in "Do Not Disturb" mode for this profile.
To avoid missing an important call, you need to switch to the second space periodically, but MIUI allows you to set up forwarding or displaying missed ones. In the Second Space settings, there is an Incoming Calls option where you can allow notifications of calls to be displayed even when you are in the first profile, but you still have to take the conversation after the switch.
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Set the vibration for the second profile different from the main one, so that you can feel in your pocket to understand in what space the notification came in if the phone is unlocked.
Messengers also work independently.Push notifications from WhatsApp or Telegram in the second space will only come when that profile is active.It's the perfect solution for those who want to disconnect completely from work chats on weekends, just without switching to the corresponding fingerprint.
Removal and management of the second profile
If the hidden partition is no longer necessary, it can be easily deleted, and in the Second Space settings, select the deletion option, and the system will warn that all data, applications and files inside the profile will be permanently destroyed, leaving the main profile completely intact.
Before deleting, it is strongly recommended to back up important data: use cloud services or transfer files to the main space through the export function, if it is available in your firmware version. the deletion process takes a few seconds and returns the system freed disk space.
⚠️ Warning: Second Space cannot be removed, and if you forget to transfer important documents or photos, it will be impossible to restore them with standard means.
It also includes the ability to temporarily disable the function without deleting the data, so you can just log out of the profile and not use it for a while, but if the phone has encryption enabled, you can't re-enter without a password, so don't forget the key data to access.
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Deleting the second profile frees up memory and only removes hidden space data without affecting the main phone.