MIUI and HyperOS smartphone owners often use Second Space to separate personal data and work files, but users have difficulty moving media or documents between these isolated environments, and the system by default hides the folder structure, creating the illusion of data inaccessibility.
Finding where Xiaomi’s second space files are stored becomes a challenge due to Android’s security policy: Regular file managers don’t display system partitions where the data is physically located, you’ll need an understanding of file system logic and, in most cases, enhanced access rights.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the Xiaomi shell storage architecture, learn the exact paths to hidden directories and methods for securely retrieving information. Physically, the second space data is located in the system section /data/data/cl.second.space/files/SecondSpace, which is closed without root permission.
Storage architecture in MIUI and HyperOS
The Android operating system is built on the principle of isolating applications and user profiles. When you activate Second Space, the system creates a new virtual user profile with a unique identifier. All files that you create in this mode are recorded in special system directories, invisible to the main profile.
The standard file manager Explorer only shows the content of the current active space, and this is done to protect privacy: if the paths were shared, any virus in the main profile could steal data from the protected space. The folder structure is strictly hierarchical and depends on the version of Android.
To understand processes, it is important to know that data is not duplicated, but only logically separated. The space occupied is summed up in the total memory of the device. When one partition is overflowed, the system can start to work unstable, so controlling the amount of data is critical.
⚠️ Attention: Direct editing of system files in the folder /data Without a backup, it can result in the loss of all second space data or a cyclical smartphone reboot.
Exact paths to hidden second space folders
To find a specific location of files, you need to go to the root directory of the device. The path to the data of the second space is static for most modern models of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO. However, without special permissions, you will see only a void or an access error message.
The main route the system takes to fold media files, photos and downloads from the Second Space is as follows:
- 📁 /data/data/cl.second.space/files/SecondSpace/DCIM — Here are stored photos and videos.
- 📁 /data/data/cl.second.space/files/SecondSpace/Download — folder for all downloads from the browser.
- 📁 /data/data/cl.second.space/files/SecondSpace/Music — audio recordings.
- 📁 /data/data/cl.second.space/files/SecondSpace/Documents — office files and documents.
The /data partition is only accessible with superuser rights (Root).If your smartphone is not rooted, you will not get there with standard file system tools. This is a fundamental security limitation of Android, which Xiaomi strictly adheres to.
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To view these folders without Root-rights, you can use debugging mode over USB and ADB commands, but this requires connecting to your computer and installing drivers.
Methods of accessing system files
There are several ways to access hidden data, and the most reliable, but the most difficult, is to get Root permissions. Once you install Magisk or a similar manager, you can use advanced file managers like Root Explorer or MiXplorer to navigate your system folders.
The second is USB debugging (ADB), which doesn't require a hack, but requires a PC, so you plug in your smartphone, you type commands into the terminal, and you access the file structure, and it's more secure because it doesn't break the integrity of the partitions.
The third option is to use the built-in portability, and the system can copy files between spaces, if you use the right algorithm, so it doesn't give you direct access to the folders, but it does the task of moving the data.
☑️ Checking availability for access
While using ADB, the command line may look difficult for a beginner, knowing the basic commands allows you to manage files efficiently. For example, the adb shell ls /data/data/cl.second.space/files/SecondSpace command will display a list of the contents of the hidden folder on a computer screen.
Comparison of data extraction methods
The choice of method depends on your goals and technical background. If you just need to move a couple of photos, the built-in tools will be more convenient.
| Method | Difficulty | Security | Necessary rights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in transfer | Low. | Tall. | No. |
| ADB (Debugging) | Medium | Tall. | No. |
| Root access | Tall. | Medium | Superuser |
| Third-party managers | Low. | Low. | Depends on the method. |
Using third-party apps from Google Play that promise access to a second space is often useless. They run in sandbox mode and have no system-level privileges. Trust only proven tools.
Transfer files between spaces
The easiest way to move a file from Second Space to First is to use the Move to Second Space (or back) feature, which is built into the settings. To do this, go to Settings → Second Space and select file management.
The system will suggest you choose the type of data: images, videos, audio or applications, and after selecting the files, they will be copied to the corresponding folders of the main profile, which ensures that the data structure is preserved and that access errors are not avoided.
If automatic portability doesn't work, you can use cloud storage. Upload a file to Second Space to the cloud (like Google Drive or Yandex.Disk), then log into your account in the main space and download the file. This is a workaround, but effective way.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring large amounts of data through the built-in function, the smartphone can get very hot. Take breaks if the body temperature exceeds comfortable values.
Access problems and their solution
A common problem is that files disappear after a MIUI update. New firmware versions can change paths or strengthen security policies. If the previously used method has ceased to function, check for updates for the system component Security.
Another challenge is when you try to open files in a certain format, and some applications in Space Two can encrypt their databases, and even if you have Root rights, you'll only see a set of characters instead of plain content.
To solve access problems, try clearing the Security app cache or restarting the device in Safe Mode, which will help eliminate the impact of third-party software conflicts.
What to do if the files are lost after resetting?
Security and backup
Understanding where files are located is important not only for access, but also for their safety. Regular backups are the only guarantee against data loss. Use the built-in Mi Backup tool to create full copies of the system.
When creating a backup, make sure that you have selected both spaces to be backed up. By default, the system can only copy the active profile. Check the settings in Advanced Settings → Copy and Restore.
Store backups on external media or in the cloud. Local storage on the same device won't protect you if your smartphone fails physically. Data hygiene is a key to peace of mind in digital space.
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Proper backup of both spaces is the only reliable way to protect against accidental loss of important files in case of system failures.