How to Move Files to Second Space on Xiaomi Smartphones: A Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi’s second-space feature is one of the most useful innovations in MIUI, which allows you to split your device into two independent zones with different data, applications and settings. It’s the perfect solution for those who want to combine work and personal life on one gadget, test beta programs or just keep confidential files separate from the main ones. However, many users have difficulty trying to transfer files between these spaces – the system is not always intuitive, and some actions require additional manipulation.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to transfer files, from standard MIUI tools to complex cases, how to avoid common errors, what file formats are supported, and what to do if the second space suddenly stops showing, and we’ll also go into detail on hidden settings that will help optimize split data.

If you're just starting out with this feature, start with the first section, where we'll explain the basics, and you can go straight to advanced methods or the error solution section.

What is the second space on Xiaomi and why is it necessary?

Second Space is a virtual environment in MIUI that runs parallel to the main system, but has its own:

• 📁 Files and folders (galleries, documents, downloads)
• 📱 Installed applications (you can duplicate or install different applications)
• ⚙️ Settings (wallpaper, sounds, accounts)
• 🔒 Account data (e.g. different social media profiles)

The main advantage is complete isolation, applications from one space don't see the data from another, and files don't overlap by default.

• 👔 Separation of work and personal data (e.g. corporate mail in one space, personal photos in another).
• 🛡️ Testing beta versions of applications without risk to the main system.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Sharing a device by multiple people (such as parents and a child).
• 🔐 Storing confidential information (passwords, scans of documents) separately from everyday files.

It is important to understand that the second space is not a separate user account (as in Windows), but a full copy of the system with its own storage, so transferring files between spaces requires special actions.

Preparing for File Transfer: What You Need to Know

Before you start the transfer, check out a few key points:

1. Available space on the device. The second space takes up additional resources — at least 1-2 GB for system files + space for your data. If less than 10% of the free space on the smartphone, the transfer can end in error.

2. MIUI Version. The second space feature is available starting with MIUI 8, but only works stably with MIUI 12+. Older versions (e.g. MIUI 10–11) may experience file display bugs. Update system in Settings → About Phone → Update MIUI.

3. File types: Not all data can be freely transferred:

• ✅ Allowed: Photos, videos, documents (.pdf,.docx), music, APK-file.
• ⚠️ Restrictions: System files (.sys,.dll), some database formats (.db).
• ❌ Prohibited: files from folders /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/ (file).

4. Access rights. Some files (e.g. screenshots or call records) may require permission to access the storage. Check settings in Settings → Applications → Permissions → Storage.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi.eu or custom firmware, the second space function may not work properly, in which case it is recommended to use alternative transfer methods (see the section "Backways").

Standard method: transfer via "Files"

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI file manager, which supports transfer between spaces without additional applications.

Step 1. Open Files.

On the home screen, find the Files app (folder icon) and launch it. If it's not available, install it via Google Play or GetApps.

Step 2. Switch to the second space.

In the upper left corner, click on the profile icon (or three horizontal lines) and select Second Space.

Step 3. Select the files to transfer.

Go to the folder with the desired files (for example, Downloads or DCIM), click and hold the file to highlight. For multiple files, use multiple choice mode.

Step 4. Press "Transfer."

In the lower menu, you will see a button to Transfer (or Copy if you want to leave the original) and select it and specify the target folder in the second space (e.g. /Second Space/Downloads/).

Step 5, confirm the action.

The system will show a space-to-space transfer warning, OK, and the files will be copied to save the original metadata (dates of creation, titles).

💡

If the "Transfer" button is inactive, try first to copy files to the clipboard (Copy), then switch to the second space and paste (Insert) into the desired folder.

⚠️ Note: If you are porting.apk files, you will have to reinstall them in the second space – simple copying does not save application data (cache, settings). → Annexes → Install from the file.

Bypass: if the standard method does not work

Sometimes, file transfers are not possible due to system errors or firmware limitations, and one of the alternative methods will help:

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

1. Upload files from the main space to the cloud (Mi Cloud or Google Drive).
2. Switch to the second space and download the files back.

Plus:

MIUI

Minus:

2. via cable (USB-OTG or PC).

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer via USB (in File Transfer mode).
2. Copy files from the main space folder (e.g. Internal Storage/Download/) to your PC.
3. Switch to the second space, connect again and transfer the files back.

Plus:

Minus:

3. Through third-party file managers.

Some applications (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Manager) allow you to access both spaces simultaneously.

1. Install the manager from Google Play in both spaces.
2. In the manager settings, enable the option to Show hidden folders.
3. Go to /storage/emulated/0/ (main space) and /storage/emulated/1/ (second space), then copy the files between them.

4. via ADB (for advanced users).

If you have experience with ADB, you can use commands to copy:

adb shell


su




cp -r /storage/emulated/0/Download/* /storage/emulated/1/Download/

Attention:

USB-debugging

💡

Partition file managers (such as Solid Explorer) often bypass the limitations of MIUI, but they may need to disable battery optimization in application settings to work.

Typical errors and their solutions

When transferring files, users often face the following problems:

1. No access or file locked error Reason: MIUI restricts access to some system folders or files with non-standard extensions.

• Try renaming the file (e.g. document.sys → document.txt).
• Use cloud sharing (see the “Backways” section).

2. Files have been moved but are not displayed in the second space. Cause: File Manager cache has not been updated.

• Reset the device.
• Clear the Files app cache in Settings → Apps → Application Management → Files → Clear the cache.

3. There's not enough space to transfer. Reason: Second space has a hard limit (usually 50% of total memory).

• Delete unnecessary files in the second space through Settings → Storage.
• Change the size of the second space (reset required): Go to Settings → Second space → Settings. Choose Change the size and increase the limit (not available on all models).

4.The second space disappeared after the MIUI update. Cause: Reset or firmware error.

• Check for second space in Settings → Special Opportunities → Second space.
• If it has disappeared, restore it from the backup (if it was created).
• In the extreme case, create a new space – the data of the old one will be lost.

⚠️ Note: If you are using the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro MIUI 13, there may be a bug showing files after the transfer. MIUI 14+ Or use a third-party file manager.

Features for different Xiaomi models

The second space feature works on most Xiaomi devices, but there are nuances for specific lines:

Flagships (Xiaomi 13/14, Mix 4)

Mid-segment (Redmi Note 12, POCO F5)

Budget models (Redmi A2, POCO C55)