Second Space in Xiaomi Smartphones: A Complete Guide to Setup and Use

Have you ever wondered how to share personal and work data on one smartphone without buying a second device? The second space at Xiaomi is a unique feature that allows you to create a full-fledged second account on your phone with separate apps, settings and even wallpaper. In fact, you get a dual smartphone in one case: one space for work, another for personal use.

The technology was first introduced in MIUI 8 and has since become the hallmark of Xiaomi’s branded shell. However, many users are still unaware of its existence or afraid to experiment for fear of failure. In this article, we will examine all the nuances of the second space, from the principle of operation to hidden features that are not written about even in the official instructions, you will learn which models support the feature, how to set it up correctly and what pitfalls may occur along the way.

What is the second space and why is it necessary?

Second Space is an isolated environment inside your smartphone that runs parallel to the main system, so imagine you have two independent phones, each with its own:

• 📱 Applications (you can duplicate messengers, social networks, banking programs)
• 📁 Files and media (photos, videos, documents do not overlap)
• ⚙️ Settings (wallpaper, sounds, screen brightness)
• 🔒 Accounts (different Google accounts, Mi accounts, social networks)

The main difference from guest mode or multiplayer profile in Android is complete isolation. Even system processes do not overlap: if in the main space a virus does not appear in the second.

• 💼 Separation of work and personal data (for example, WhatsApp for colleagues and Telegram for friends)
• 🔐 Security enhancements (if the phone is stolen, the thief will not have access to personal data)
• 🎮 Testing applications without risk to the core system
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family use (you can give your child a phone with limited second space)

It’s important to understand that the second space is not just a folder with files, but a full copy of Android, which consumes additional resources. On weak smartphones, this can affect performance, but on flagships (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the difference is almost invisible.

What Xiaomi models support second space

Second Space is not available on all Xiaomi devices, and here are the key compatibility criteria:

To find out exactly if your device supports the feature, check:

1. MIUI version (must be at least MIUI 8, but for stable operation MIUI 12+ is recommended).
2. The presence of the item Second space in the Settings menu → Special features or Settings → Accounts.
3. Firmware region (in some global versions, the function is disabled - flashing on EU ROM or China ROM is required).

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If the settings do not include the “Second Space” option, try searching for the “second space” option, sometimes the function is hidden under the English name.

How to Enable and Configure Second Space: Step-by-step Instruction

The second space is activated in less than 5 minutes.

1. Open the settings and go to the Special Options section (on some models, the path may differ: Settings → Accounts → Second Space).
2. Select "Second Space" and click Create.
3. Give a password (required! This will protect your data from accidental access). The minimum length is 4 characters, but we recommend using at least 8.
4. Select the type of space: Normal - a full copy of the main system, Guest - with limited rights (suitable for children or temporary users).

Wait for the setup to be completed

Done!

After creating the second space, you will have to set it up first:

• 📲 Install the required applications (they are not automatically copied!).
• 🔄 Set up sync (for example, for Google Account or Mi Cloud).
• 🎨 Personalize the interface (wallpaper, themes, sounds).
• 🔒 Set up access differentiation (for example, prevent installation of applications from unknown sources).

Note that some system applications (such as Settings or Phone) will be shared between the two spaces, but their data (calls, messages) will not. Also, the second default space has not enabled Notifications and Auto Launch applications – they need to be configured manually.

How to Switch Between Spaces and Manage Them

Switching between the main and second spaces is done through the lock screen, and here are all the ways available:

• 🔑 Password: When unlocking your phone, select space and enter its password.
• 👆 Gesture: on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) You can configure swipe switching on the lock screen.
• 📱 Through the notification panel: add the Second Space widget to the curtain (click Edit) → Add → Second space).

To manage the second space, go back to its settings (Settings → Second Space).

• 🔄 Resetting space (deletes all data but saves space itself).
• 🗑️ Removing space (completely erases it with data).
• 🔒 Change your password (it is recommended to do once in a while). 3-6 months).
• 📊 Use statistics (shows how much memory is used up).

The important thing is that apps in the second space update independently, so if you upgrade WhatsApp in the main space, you'll have to update it separately in the second space, and that's also true for system updates, you'll need to install them in both spaces.

The hidden possibilities of the second space: what not everyone can do

Few people know, but the second space in Xiaomi hides a few advanced features that are not described in the official documentation.

• 🔄 Cloning applications between spaces: If you need to move an application from the main space to a second (for example, Viber with chat history), use the Backup function in Mi Cloud. Create a backup in the main space, then restore it in the second one.
• 📡 Different networks Wi-Fi/Mobile Internet: In the second space, you can connect to another Wi-Fi network or use another Wi-Fi network SIM-card (if the phone is two-symbol) This is convenient if you have, for example, a work and personal SIM.
• 🎮 Game mode only in the second space: activate Game mode (Settings) → Special facilities → Game mode) only in the second space, so as not to be distracted by notifications from the main.
• 🔒 Hiding the second space from outsiders: in the settings, you can turn off the display of the second space on the lock screen. To enter, you need to enter ##6666## in the dialer, then select the space.

Another little-known feature is different versions of Android in spaces, for example, if your Xiaomi 12S Ultra runs MIUI 14 (Android 13) in the main space, in the second you can install MIUI 13 (Android 12) via Fastboot, which is useful for testing application compatibility or if the new version of MIUI is unstable.

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The second space can be used as a sandbox for testing MIUI betas or custom firmware without risk to the main system.

For power users, there's another life hack: splitting up storage. By default, both spaces share the same memory, but with ADB, you can allocate a fixed amount for the second space. For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro with 256 GB, you can allocate 64 GB for the second space, and leave the rest to the main one.

adb shell sm set-virtual-disk true


adb shell sm partition disk:128GB

⚠️ Attention: misuse of these commands can lead to data loss!

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Despite the convenience, the second space sometimes behaves unpredictably.-5 problems and ways of solving them:

1. Second space is not created (button is inactive) Reasons: insufficient memory (needs at least 2 GB of free space); outdated version of MIUI (update to MIUI 12+); Regional restrictions (try changing region to India or China in settings); Solution: free up memory, update firmware or install EU ROM.
2. Apps in the second space are not updated This is normal behavior - updates should be installed separately in each space. If the application is not updated, check: Internet presence in the second space. Google Play settings (sometimes you need to re-enter your account).
3. Phone brakes after creating second space Second space consumes additional resources. If lags are critical: Remove unnecessary apps from second space. Turn off animations in Settings → About phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then in Advanced settings → Windows animation select No animations). Reset the second space to factory settings.

Another common complaint is that the second space disappears after the MIUI update, which occurs when:

• The update was interrupted.
• Unofficial firmware installed.
• A bug has worked in the new version of MIUI (often in the first builds after the release).

Solution: go back to the previous version of MIUI or wait for the patch, and the second space data will not be affected, it will be stored in the device memory.

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If the second space gets jammed after the upgrade, try restarting your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → “Reboot Safe Mode”). Often this helps restore performance.

The security of the second space: myths and reality

Many users think the second space is completely safe, but it's not quite so. Let's figure out what's true and what's a myth:

For maximum safety, follow these guidelines:

• 🔐 Use different passwords for the main and second spaces.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky) in both spaces.
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware in new versions MIUI close down vulnerabilities.
• 📱 Do not install modified firmware (e.g. Custom) ROM), If you are not sure of their safety.

⚠️ Note: if you use a second space for storing sensitive data (for example, work documents or banking applications), never leave your phone unattended in an unlocked state. ADB Fastboot can be accessed in both sections.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions