How to go to the second desktop on Xiaomi: all the ways and secrets

What is a second desktop on Xiaomi and why you need it?

The second desktop feature in Xiaomi smartphones (and other brands running MIUI) is not just cosmetic screen splitting, but a full-fledged space-organization tool. Imagine having two independent sets of apps, widgets and even wallpapers that you can switch between in one gesture, like having two phones in one case.

Main use cases:

• 🔒 Separation of personal and work: one table has messengers and social networks, and the other one has corporate mail and documents.
• 🎮 Game mode: separate table with running games and utilities for monitoring FPS, light-notice.
• 👶 Children's Mode: A limited set of apps for children with separate security settings.
• 🔄 Application testing: It is convenient to check beta versions of software without touching the main desktop.

It’s important to understand that the second table is not just an app folder, but a fully isolated environment with its own notification settings, brightness, and even Google accounts, both of which work on the same physical device without losing performance.

What Xiaomi models support the second desktop

The feature is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones running MIUI 9 and later.

⚠️ Note: On Android One devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A2/A3) The second table function is not available due to the limitations of the stock firmware, and it can also be disabled on corporate devices with policies. MDM.

To check the support on your model:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Scroll down to the MIUI version.
3. If version is newer than 9.0, the function should be available.

Method 1: Standard activation via MIUI settings

This is the most reliable method, working on 90% of Xiaomi devices, and the instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15:

1. Go to Settings → Desktop (or Settings → Screen on some models)
2. Select the Second Desktop option (could be called Double Screen or Parallel Space)
3. Activate the switch in the upper right corner
4. Click Create a second table and confirm the action

Once activated, you'll get a hint about how to switch.

• 👆 Double swipe up the lock screen
• 🔄 Swipe gesture left/right on the home screen (configurable)
• 🔘 The button in the notification panel (if enabled in the settings)

Check the space (needs at least 1.5 GB)

Close all background applications

Connect the charger (recommended)

Backup of important data-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A/9C) After creating the second table, the ability to use Google Pay may be lost due to changes in the security of the device.

Method 2: Activate via Parallel Space (for older versions of MIUI)

If your settings do not include “Second Desktop” but MIUI is older than 9.0, try this method:

1. Download the official Parallel Space app from Google Play (LBE Tech)
2. Launch the application and provide all the permissions requested
3. In the main menu, select Add Apps and mark the desired
4. Click Create Space and wait for the process to be completed.

Differences from the standard second table:

• ✅ It even works on MIUI 8 and Android 6.0
• ✅ Supports cloning of messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)
• ❌ Higher battery consumption (up to 15% per hour)
• ❌ No synchronization with Xiaomi system settings

💡

If Parallel Space does not start, check the security settings for the "Overlapping Other Applications" resolution and turn off battery optimization for this application.

How to set up a second desktop: wallpaper, applications, notifications

Once you've created the second table, you need to personalize it. Here are the key settings:

1. Change of wallpaper

The wallpaper on the second table is set independently:

1. Switch to the second table by gesture or through the notification panel
2. Press and hold the empty space on the screen.
3. Select Wallpaper and install a new image

On MIUI 15, the Dynamic Wallpaper feature appeared, which synchronizes with the time of day on both tables.

2. Application management

To add/remove applications:

• 📱 Open the application menu (swipe up)
• 🔍 Find the right app and hold its icon.
• 📌 Drag it to the screen or to the folder
• 🗑️ To delete – hold the icon and select Remove

⚠️ Note: System applications (Settings, Phone, Messages) are automatically duplicated on both tables and cannot be deleted, and some banking applications on the second table are not working due to security restrictions.

3. Set up notifications

Notifications can be set separately for each table:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications
2. Select the settings of the second table
3. Activate or deactivate notifications for each application

There is a bug on POCO F4/F5: notifications from the second table can be duplicated on the main. Solved by disabling synchronization in Settings → Special features.

Problems with the second desktop and their solutions

Despite the convenience, users often face problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

If the second table stopped working after the MIUI update, try resetting it:

1. Go to Settings → Desktop → Second Desktop
2. Select Reset Settings
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone

Hidden opportunities of the second desktop

Few people know, but the second desktop on Xiaomi has hidden features that can be activated:

1. Guest mode. On the second table, you can turn on restricted access: adb shell settings put global guest_mode_enabled 1 After that, when switching will be requested PIN-code.
2. Isolated accounts. On MIUI 14+, you can link different Google accounts to each table: Switch to table two Open Settings → Accounts Click Add Account and select Google
3. Quick switch. POCO F3/4 You can set the switch to double-press the power button: adb shell settings put secure double_tap_power_gesture 2

Another useful feature is synchronizing the clipboard between the tables.

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Exchange buffer
2. Activate the option of synchronization between tables

Copyed text on one table will be available on another.

💡

On devices with MIUI 15, it is possible to create up to 3 desktops at the same time, but you need to activate the developer mode and use the adb shell pm enable com.miui.secondspace/.triplespace.TripleSpaceActivity command.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's second desktop