Today’s Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have become so powerful that they often replace two devices at once, personal correspondence is intertwined with work chats, and family photos are intertwined with confidential documents, and it is for these situations that MiUI engineers have developed a unique feature called Second Space, which is not just a guest mode, but a complete isolated environment with its applications, accounts and files.
Enabling this option allows you to create a digital barrier between different areas of life without having to buy a second phone or constantly log out of accounts. You get essentially two smartphones in the same case, each with its own set of passwords and settings. However, the process of activation and fine-tuning has its own nuances, which we will discuss in this article.
Before we get to the specific steps, it's worth noting that the availability of this feature depends on the firmware version and the region for which the smartphone is released. In the global versions of MIUI and HyperOS, this option may be called differently or hidden, but the algorithm of actions remains similar. Let's discuss how to activate this mode and make it as convenient as possible to use it.
What is the second space and why is it necessary?
The second space is basically a virtual copy of your smartphone running parallel to the main system, and the data isolation is system-level: apps installed in the second space don't see the data from the first space, and vice versa, and it's the perfect tool for anyone who wants to separate work from leisure or hide personal files from prying eyes.
There are several benefits to using this feature: First, it's privacy, you can set a password or fingerprint specifically to log into the second space, and second, it's an organization, and all work notifications will only come when you're on your work profile, without distracting you on the weekend.
- 🔒 Security: Completely concealing files, photos and correspondence from the main user.
- 📱 Splitting: The ability to use two accounts in one app (like two WhatsApp) without cloning.
- ⚙️ Flexibility: Different interface settings, themes, and system settings for each profile.
It's important to understand that the second space takes up extra storage space because some system resources are duplicated, but for modern models with 64GB memory, this rarely becomes a problem.
Preparing the smartphone before activation
Before you start creating a new profile, you need to make sure your device is ready for it. Although the feature is built into the system, it requires a certain amount of free memory to deploy the basic components, and it is recommended to free up at least 1-2 GB of free space.
It’s also worth checking the relevance of the MIUI version. Old builds may have bugs that cause the second space to work unstable. Go to Settings → About the phone and check for updates. If the system suggests upgrading, do it.
⚠️ Warning: Before activating, make sure that the battery is at least 30% battery power.The process of creating space may take time, and a sudden power outage may cause errors in the file system.
Another important point is the Mi Account link, and while the second space may work without it, having an account will make it easier to recover data and synchronize some settings, and if you plan to use Family Service for remote management, having an account is a must.
☑️ Pre-launch checks
Step-by-step: how to turn on the second space
The activation process in the MIUI shell is standardized, but the path to it may vary slightly depending on the version of the interface. Most often the option you search for is in the additional settings section. Open the settings menu and scroll down to Additional Features (or Advanced Settings).
In the list that opens, look for Second Space, and the system will warn you that you need to create a separate profile to run the function. Press Enable Second Space, and then start the preparation process, which can take anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes.
Some versions of the firmware may have a different path, so if you don't find a point in the additional features, search by settings, type the word "space" or "second" into the search bar, and the system will specify the desired partition.
Path to the menu: Settings → Additional features → Second space → EnableOnce turned on, the phone will suggest you set the login method, you can use the same password as the main screen, or you can set a new one, and you can also set the fingerprint login setting: assign a specific finger to enter the second space immediately, bypassing the main profile lock screen.
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Use different fingerprints for quick switching: for example, the right thumb for the main space and the left thumb for the second.
Access settings and entry methods
One of the key features of the second space is that it has a flexible security system, so you can set up the switch between profiles so that no one knows there's a hidden partition, and then you can select Switch between spaces in the second space setting.
There are three basic methods available here: through the notification bar, through a special password and through a fingerprint. The most convenient and inconspicuous way is to use a fingerprint. By assigning a specific finger to log into the second profile, you can unlock the smartphone immediately in hidden mode, even if it was blocked.
The password method works like this: when you lock the screen, you enter a special digital code or a pattern lock other than the main one, and the phone unlocks immediately in the second space, which is convenient if you hand the phone to someone to call, but do not want to show your personal data.
| Entry method | Speed of access | Level of secrecy | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notification panel | Medium | Low. | For personal use |
| Special. password/key | Tall. | High-pitched | For maximum protection |
| Fingerprint. | Instant. | Medium. | For frequent switching |
Remember, resetting your settings to the factory will remove data from both spaces, so critical passwords are best stored in a secure location or synced with the Mi Cloud.
What happens if you forget the password from the second space?
Data portability and application installation
Once you activate the second space, you're in the clean system. There are no contacts, no photos or apps installed. To avoid wasting time manually configuring, use the built-in portability tools. In the second space settings, find Data Transfer.
This feature allows you to copy contacts, photos, videos and music from your main profile, and it happens locally, without using the Internet, which allows you to quickly choose file categories and confirm the operation.
The situation is more interesting with apps. You can install any apps from GetApps or Google Play again. However, if you need to migrate an already installed application with all the data (for example, a game cache or a correspondence history in a messenger that does not support cloud redundancy), use the Import application function.
- 📂 Photos and videos are copied to the corresponding galleries of the second space.
- 📞 Contacts: synced automatically but remain editable independently.
- 📱 Applications: Only the installation file is copied, the data inside may not be saved without a backup.
Importantly, some banking applications may require re-binding the device or re-authorizing, as for them, the smartphone in the second space will look like a new device.
⚠️ Note: When you delete an application in the second space, the copy of the application in the main profile remains intact.
Hiding Second Space and Controlling Visibility
There are times when you don't just need to password-protect the second space, but you need to completely hide the fact that it exists. MIUI has a function to hide the second space from the main profile settings. To do this, activate the Hide the second space switch in the second space control menu.
When this feature is active, the Second Space icon disappears from the settings menu and desktop, and you can't find it through search either, and the only way to get there is to use a pre-configured quick access method (password or fingerprint) on the lock screen.
To return visibility, you need to enter a special password or attach a finger to the lock screen, go to the second space and there in the settings turn off the cover-up, which creates an additional layer of protection from curious glances.
However, it is worth remembering that hiding is not encryption. When you analyze the file system in depth or connect to a PC in debugging mode, the presence of partitions can be detected by a technically savvy user.
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Hiding the second space makes it invisible in the interface, but logging in with a special password or fingerprint remains the only way to access it.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Despite the stability of the work, users can face various errors, and one of the common problems is the inability to turn on the function due to a lack of memory or conflicting system processes, in which case, try to clear the cache of the system application "Security" or restart the device.
Another common situation is that notifications are not working correctly, messages from the second space may not come if the smartphone is in power saving mode, you need to manually configure autostart and work in the background for important applications in the second profile.
If you experience a cyclical reboot after creating space, it is possible that the file is corrupted, in which case it will help to log into Safe Mode and delete the second space through settings, if the system allows, or a full reset.
And users sometimes complain about fast battery discharge, which is normal, because the background is now in two environments, and you can optimize your consumption by turning off the synchronization of unnecessary services in the second profile.