What the second space in Xiaomi phone gives: 7 real benefits and hidden features

Xiaomi smartphones have long stood out from the competition not only for their price-performance ratio, but also for their unique software features. One of the most talked-about features is Second Space, which allows you to create two completely isolated working environments on one device. But why would a typical user need it? It may seem that the feature is only useful for paranoids or those who lead a double life, but in practice there are much more applications.

In this article, we’ll look at 7 real-world scenarios for using second space, including some you didn’t know for sure, including security, performance, and how the feature integrates with other Xiaomi services (such as Mi Cloud or HyperOS), and how to properly configure the second space so that it doesn’t eat up excess memory, and what hidden limitations this feature has in the 2023-2026 models.

1 What is the second space in Xiaomi and how does it work

The second space is a completely isolated copy of the operating system on your smartphone, and in fact, you get two independent devices in one: with separate apps, settings, files, and even accounts, and technically, this is done through virtualization at the Android kernel level, so both spaces work in parallel without conflict.

How does this work in practice?

• 🔄 Switching in 1 second: just swipe down the notification bar and select the space icon (or use a gesture if it is configured).
• 📱 Different launchers: in each space you can set your wallpaper, theme, the location of icons.
• 🔒 Individual accounts: for example, in the first space you are logged in to Google under personal mail, and in the second – under work.
• 📡 Different networks: you can connect to one Wi-Fi network in the main space and another in the second (useful for testing) VPN corporate networks).

It's important to understand that the second space isn't just guest mode or private mode, like some other smartphones, but full-time multitasking at the OS level, where each space consumes resources independently, which means that if 10 apps are running in the main space and 5 more are running in the second space, Xiaomi will keep them all in memory (if there's enough RAM).

2.The main advantage: security and privacy

The most obvious plus of the second space is the protection of sensitive data.

• 🔐 You give a colleague a phone to show you photos, but you don’t want them to see your Telegram messages or your browser history.
• 💼 You need to install a corporate app with strict security rules, but you don’t want it to have access to personal data.
• 🛡️ You are testing suspicious software (e.g. modified software) APK), But you're afraid of infecting the main system.

In all of these cases, the second space becomes a sandbox where you can work with risky data without fearing for the underlying system.

• 🚫 No File Intersection: Apps from one space don’t see data from another (even if it’s the same WhatsApp).
• 🔗 Separate permissions: If you have banned the app from accessing the camera in the second space, it won’t affect the main space.
• 🔄 Quick Removal: You can completely reset the second space to factory settings without affecting the main one.

⚠️ Warning: The second space does not protect against physical hacking of the phone (for example, through the use of a phone). ADB If an attacker gains root access, they will be able to see both spaces. For maximum security, use encryption in Settings. → Security → Encryption.

Interesting nuance: in Xiaomi models 13/14 And then the second space supports biometric isolation, which means you can set different fingerprints to enter each space, for example, the right index finger opens the main space, and the left one opens the second space.

3. Separation of work and personal life: how it works in practice

One of the most popular uses of the second space is to separate work and personal data, especially for freelancers, remote workers, or those who travel frequently, and here's how you can organize this:

Advantages of this approach:

• 📵 No notifications about working in a private space (and vice versa).
• 📊 Separate usage statistics: c Settings → The battery can be seen how much time it took to work and how much time it took to have fun.
• 🔋 Charge savings: If you don’t use work apps on weekends, the second space can be completely “freezed” (more on this below).

On models with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) So we got a focus mode for the second space, and it lets you automatically turn off notifications from your personal space during business hours and vice versa.

💡

If you frequently switch between spaces, set up a quick gesture: Settings → Special facilities → Gestures → Fast-switching spaces, for example, you could assign a triple press on the power button.

4. Testing applications and firmware without risk

The second space is the perfect testing ground.

• 🧪 Install beta versions of applications without fear of failures in the main system.
• 📱 Testing custom firmware (for example, through TWRP) without the risk of "fixing" the phone.
• 🔧 Try different performance settings (for example, change the build.prop settings).

Example: You want to try a new version of HyperOS, but you're afraid of bugs. Instead of installing it on the main space, you're:

1. Download the firmware in.zip format.
2. Switch to second space.
3. Through Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Select a firmware file install it only in the second space.

If something goes wrong, the main system will remain intact, and if it's okay, you can move the settings or the data back.

⚠️ Attention: When testing firmware in the second space, disable automatic updates mostly! Otherwise, the system may try to update both spaces simultaneously, which will lead to conflicts. → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (cogs) → Auto-update.

Another lifehack: If you’re developing apps, the second space can be used to test different versions of Android. SDK. For example, in the main space you have Android 14, and in the second – the emulation of Android 13 (through the settings for developers).

5. How the second space affects performance and memory

Many users are afraid to turn on the second space, thinking that it will eat up all the memory and slow down the phone.

RAM consumption:

• 📈 In the background, the second space consumes ~300-500 MB of RAM (if no applications are running).
• 📊 When used actively (for example, open 5-6 applications) – up to 1-1.5 GB additionally.
• 🔄 When switching between spaces, the system temporarily consumes more memory (up to 2 GB), but then frees it up.

Storage consumption:

• 💾 The second space is occupied by the ~5-8 GB (depending on the model).
• 📁 Applications and files in the second space take up space regardless of the main space.
• 🔄 If you delete the second space, all of its data will be erased and the space will be vacant.

In practice:

• 📱 On smartphones with 6-8 GB of RAM (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro) the second space runs smoothly, if you do not load both spaces at the same time.
• 🚀 On flagships (Xiaomi) 13T Pro, 14 Ultra) from 12+ GB RAM difference in performance is almost no.
• ⚠️ On budget models (Redmi) A2, POCO M6) 4GB of RAM can be slowed down when using both spaces.

To optimize the work:

Disable Auto-Run Unnecessary Applications in Second Space

Limit background activity through Settings → Battery → Optimization

Use the “light” versions of apps (like Facebook Lite)

Clean the cache in both spaces regularly through Settings → Warehouse

Turn off synchronizing unnecessary data (for example, photos in Google Photos)

-->

If you notice that the phone began to brake, check the statistics of resource consumption in Settings. → The phone. → Status of the system → Memory usage. You can see how much RAM each space is eating.

6. Hidden functions of the second space that you didn't know about

Most users use the second space for basic tasks only, but it has hidden features that can be activated.

1. Different network settings

You can connect to one Wi-Fi network in the main space and another in the second.

• 🌐 You need to test the connection to different VPN.
• 🏢 You are working with a corporate network that blocks personal devices.
• 📡 Want to share traffic (for example, the main space via mobile Internet, and the second – via Wi-Fi).

2. Different location settings

In the second space, you can turn off GPS or specify a fictitious location (through Settings) → Additionally. → Developer mode → Fictitious location. This will be useful if:

• 📍 You don’t want apps in the main space to know your real location.
• 🎮 You need to cheat on geo-dependent games (e.g., the game, Pokémon GO).

3. Different sound settings

You can set up:

• 🔔 Different sound profiles (for example, silent mode in the main space and vibration in the second space).
• 🎵 Different alarm clock tunes or notifications.
• 🔊 Different volume levels for media and calls.

4. Hidden applications

In the second space, you can hide apps from prying eyes, even if the phone is unlocked.

1. Move to second space.
2. Install the right applications.
3. Return to the main space – these apps won’t show up in the menu or search.

5. Automatic switching on schedule

You can set up automatic time-switching on HyperOS, for example:

• 🕘 From 9:00 to 18:00 – working space.
• 🕒 From 18:00 to 9:00 – personal space.

To do this, you need to use the Automation application (included in the standard set of Xiaomi):

Automation → Personal Automation → New Automation → Time → Select Space

7. How to properly configure the second space: step-by-step instructions

Now, let's get to the point. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating and configuring a second space on Xiaomi smartphones (relevant to the new model). MIUI 14 and HyperOS):

Step 1: Incorporate the second space

1. Open the Settings.
2. Go to the Special Opportunities section (in some models – Additional).
3. Select Second Space.
4. Click Create a Second Space.
5. Set a password (required! This will protect your data if the phone falls into the wrong hands).

Step 2. Basic setting

• 🔑 Set up a separate password or fingerprint to log in.
• 📱 Select which data to copy from the main space (contacts, messages, applications).
• 🔄 Decide whether to synchronize notifications between spaces.

Step 3: Optimization

• 📵 Turn off unnecessary background processes in the second space via Settings → Battery → Optimization.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache after the initial setup to free up space.
• 🔒 Set up automatic locking of the second space after 1-2 minutes of inactivity.

Step 4: Additional chips

• 🔄 Activate a quick switch through the notification panel or gesture.
• 📊 Include usage statistics for each space separately.
• 🔋 Set up energy saving mode for the second space if it is rarely used.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F5, Redmi K60) When you first create a second space, the system can suggest that you copy all the applications from the main space. Don't agree! It will take up space and slow down. Only install the applications that you really need in the second space.

If you want to delete the second space, do it through Settings. → Special facilities → Second space → Delete. All data will be erased without recovery!

💡

The second space doesn't replace a full-fledged second phone, but it's ideal for data sharing, testing and security, and the key is to not overload both spaces at the same time to avoid brakes.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions