How to Move Files to Xiaomi’s Second Space: A Complete Guide to Errors and Solutions

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI They offer a unique feature, a second space that allows you to create an isolated environment with separate applications, files and settings, and it is the perfect solution for separating work and personal data, testing applications or providing additional privacy. However, many users have difficulty moving files between the main and second spaces, and unlike standard copying, there are nuances: system limitations, file structure features. MIUI Possible errors in the transmission of large amounts of data.

In this article, we will discuss all the official and alternative ways to move files to the second space of Xiaomi, including hidden features. MIUI 14, bypassing restrictions on certain file types, as well as solving typical problems - from the "Insufficient Rights" error to the disappearance of files after a reboot.+ Xiaomi 13 Ultra, where the second space can occupy up to 50% of the total storage capacity.

What is Xiaomi’s Second Space and Why You Need It?

Dual Apps Space is a virtualized environment. MIUI, It's running parallel to the main system:

• 📁 Separate storage (files are not visible from the main space without special actions)
• 🔒 Isolated accounts (you can use another Google account, Mi Account, etc.)
• 📱 Clone apps (e.g. two Telegram or WhatsApp with different numbers)
• 🔄 Independent settings (wallpaper, sounds, fonts and even version) MIUI differ)

Main use cases:

• 💼 Separation of work and personal life (for example, corporate messengers in the second space)
• 🛡️ Increased security (keeping confidential files separate from the main files)
• 🧪 Application testing (checking beta versions without risk to the main system)
• 🎮 Game accounts (different profiles in games like Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail)

It is important to understand that the second space is not just a folder, but a full-fledged virtual machine with its own. /data So standard copying methods (e.g., through Explorer) work differently here. On new Xiaomi models (e.g., newer ones, 14 Series) is implemented at the kernel level, which makes it difficult to access files from the outside.

Preparing for File Transfer: What You Need to Know

Before transferring files, follow the mandatory steps:

Check the vacant space in the second space

Disable Battery Optimization for File Manager

Make sure that files are not protected DRM (For example, downloaded from Netflix)

Create a backup copy of important data

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Pay attention to the types of files that can be transferred:

Dynamically divided memory models (e.g, POCO F5 Pro, the second space can automatically expand at the expense of the main space, but this requires a reboot. 4K), Check the settings in advance in the settings → Memory. → Second space → Memory management.

⚠️ Note: Do not port files with the.nomedia extension - they may become invisible in the gallery of the second space. Also avoid files with the #% & * characters in the name, as this causes errors when copying.

Official method: transfer through the conductor MIUI

The easiest method is to use the File Manager.

1. Open the Explorer in the main space.
2. Select the files you want to transfer (long press). → checkmark).
3. Press More. → Move to → Second space.
4. Confirm the action (a second space password may be required).

Features of the method:

• 🔄 Transfers take up to 30% longer than normal copying (due to encryption).
• 📂 The files will appear in the folder. /storage/emulated/0/SecondarySpace/ second-space.
• 🔒 Some formats (such as.zip with a password) may not be portable.

If the option is to move to → Second space is missing:

• 🔧 Update Explorer via Google Play (minimum version: 1.22.5).
• 🔄 Restart the device (on some models, the function appears only after the reboot).
• 📱 Check if the second space is included in the Settings → Special facilities → Second space.

💡

If the transfer is frozen during the Preparation stage, try to divide the files into parts of 500 MB. MIUI.

Alternative methods of file transfer

If the standard method does not work, use one of these methods:

1. via cloud storage (Mi Cloud, Google Drive)

Suitable for files up to 10 GB:

1. Upload files to Mi Cloud or Google Drive from the main space.
2. Log in to the same account in the second space.
3. Download the files back to Downloads or another folder.

2. On the local area network (FTP Mi Drop)

For large files (up to 50 GB):

• 🌐 Install Mi Drop or FX File Explorer (with support) FTP).
• 📡 Run the main space. FTP-server FX File Explorer: Network → FTP-server).
• 📱 In the second space, connect to the address. ftp://[IP-address]:2221 (login/password – as on the device).

3. Through OTG memory-card

If your Xiaomi has a microSD slot:

1. Copy files to a memory card in the main space.
2. Remove and paste the card back (this will reset the mounting).
3. The second space will make the files available in /storage/[SD-CARD-ID]/.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models 12T Pro and newer memory cards are formatted as internal storage by default, in which case the files will only be visible in the space where they were copied originally. To get around this, format the card as portable storage in Settings → Memory.

Solving Common Mistakes When Transferring Files

Even with the right actions, there can be mistakes.

If the files are transferred but not displayed in the gallery of the second space:

• 🔍 Check the folder. /storage/emulated/0/SecondarySpace/DCIM/ manually through the conductor.
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes MediaScanner doesn’t update the database right away.
• 📁 Create an empty.nomedia file in the file folder, then delete it – this will force the scan to run.

💡

In the models with MIUI 14 and newer files larger than 4 GB are only transferred via FTP Or cloud. Built-in Explorer doesn't support them because of the limitations of the core.

Transfer applications and data to the second space

Unlike files, applications are ported differently.

1. Cloning through “Duplicate applications”

It works for messengers and social networks:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Duplicate applications.
2. Select an app (like WhatsApp) and enable duplication.
3. The second space will receive a separate copy with clean data.

Manual installation APK + transfer

For the remaining applications:

• 📱 Install. APK Extractor in the main space and export APK fitting.
• 📁 Move it. APK to the second space (through a conductor or cloud).
• 🔧 Install. APK In the second space, copy the data from /data/data/[package]/ (root).

To transfer game saves (e.g., Genshin Impact):

• 🎮 Use the built-in export/import function in the game settings.
• 🔗 Link your account to Google Play Games or Mi Account in both spaces.
• ⚠️ Do not copy the folder com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact manually – this will lead to a ban of the account!

⚠️ Note: Transferring data from banking applications (e.g., SberBank Online) to a second space may block access to your account due to cloning protection. MIUI.

Optimizing the second space after file transfer

After transferring files, it is recommended to:

• 🧹 Clear the cache: Settings → Memory. → Cleanup → Second space.
• 🔄 Reboot the device to stabilize the file system.
• 📊 Check the occupied seat: Settings → Memory. → Analysis of the vault.
• 🔒 Set up automatic cleaning: Settings → Special facilities → Second space → Auto-cleaning.

In the models with UFS 3.1 (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Pro) you can speed up access to files in the second space:

1. Open Developer Settings (click 7 times on Version) MIUI).
2. Enable Forced Use UFS (if the option is available).
3. Reset the device.

If the second space is slowed down after transferring a large number of files:

• 🛠️ Perform defragmentation through the Explorer (Storage) → Optimize).
• 🔋 Check the load on the processor in Settings → Battery → Use of CPUs.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary files from the folder /storage/emulated/0/SecondarySpace/.trash/ (second-space basket).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's second space