How to transfer photos to the second space Xiaomi: all ways and life hacks

The second space feature on Xiaomi smartphones allows you to separate personal and work data, create a separate profile for children or test apps without risk to the main account. But what if you want to move photos from the main space to the second, or vice versa — without loss of quality and maintaining the structure of the folders? In this article, we will discuss all the working methods, including hidden chips. MIUI, which the manufacturer does not advertise.

The problem is that Xiaomi artificially restricts direct file sharing between spaces, which is done for data security, but you can get around the restrictions by legal means without resorting to root or third-party utilities. 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra and POCO F5 s MIUI 14/15 — and willing to share the results.

Important: the transfer procedure depends on the firmware version and the device model. MIUI (Before 12.5), the File Manager was crawling, but now it's locked, but new tools have appeared.

Why you can’t just copy a photo through a conductor

Many users try to transfer photos through a standard file manager. MIUI, But they have this error, "No access to this directory." It's not a bug, it's a feature of the architecture of the second space:

• 🔒 Data isolation: each space has its own file system with separate encryption, even the device administrator cannot access files of another profile without authorization.
• 📁 Different storage paths: photos of the main space lie in the /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/, and the second /storage/emulated/1/DCIM/ (The number varies depending on the number of spaces).
• 🚫 Lockdown MIUI: starting MIUI 13, the system prohibits moving files between spaces through a conductor to prevent accidental deletion or leakage of data.

The good news is that you can circumvent the restrictions through cloud services, third-party apps or hidden Xiaomi features, and the main thing is not to use dubious programs that require root rights: this can disrupt the second space.

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring photos from a locked device (for example, after resetting your password), first unlock both spaces.

Method 1: Transfer over Mi Cloud (official method)

Xiaomi’s most reliable and recommended way is to use Mi Cloud cloud storage, which works on all models, including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark, and it doesn't require any additional software:

1. Open the Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud is the main space.
2. Turn on sync for the Gallery and wait for the photo to be uploaded to the cloud (time depends on the Internet speed and the number of files).
3. Switch to the second space via the notification bar or lock menu.
4. Log in to the same Xiaomi account and enable gallery sync in Mi Cloud.
5. The photos will appear in the Mi folder. Cloud/Gallery in the second space, and you can copy them to the local storage.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require connection to PC or third-party applications.
• ✅ Maintains original quality and metadata (EXIF).
• ✅ It works even if the spaces are protected by different passwords.

⚠️ Note: if you have the Traffic Saving option enabled in Mi Cloud, photos may be uploaded in a reduced quality. → Settings → Quality of loading.

Method 2: Local Transfer through OTG cable

If you don’t have a stable internet connection or too many photos (e.g. 1,000)+ You can use a physical connection. You need to do that:

• 📱 Xiaomi Smartphone with Support OTG (Most models after 2018).
• 🔌 USB-cable (Type-C/Type-C or Type-C/USB-A) or OTG-adapter.
• 💾 flash drive or external SSD (formatted FAT32/exFAT).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the flash drive to the smartphone through OTG-Adapter: In the main space, copy the photos to an external drive (for example, in a folder). Xiaomi_Transfer).
2. Turn off the flash drive, switch to the second space (via the notification panel or reboot).
3. Connect the flash drive again and copy the files to the local memory of the second space (for example, in the memory of the computer). /DCIM/Camera/).

The alternative is to use a PC:

• Connect your smartphone to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
• Copy photos from the main space folder on your PC.
• Switch to the second space, connect the smartphone again and transfer the files back.

Format the flash drive in exFAT (for files) >4GB)|Check the free space on the flash drive|Create a backup photo on PC|Disable Battery Optimization for File Manager-->

Warning: When connected to a PC, some Xiaomi models (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro) can only show one space at a time.

1. Disconnect the smartphone from the PC.
2. Switch to the right space.
3. Reconnect (sometimes you need to reboot).

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If the smartphone does not see OTG-drive, check the settings: Settings → Connection and sharing → USB and enable the option "External storage".

Method 3: Using third-party applications (without root)

If the standard methods don't work, you can use specialized applications, and we tested 5 popular utilities and selected two of the most reliable ones:

1. Send Anywhere

The application allows you to transfer files between devices over a local network or over the Internet.

• 🚀 Fast transmission (up to 10 MB/s over Wi-Fi).
• 🔐 Encryption of data (AES-256).
• 📱 Works without registration.

How to transfer the photo:

1. Install Send Anywhere in both spaces.
2. In the main space, select photos and click "Send".
3. 6-digit code is generated or QR-code.
4. Switch to the second space, enter the code in the application and download files.

2. Files by Google

Google's official Sharing app, suitable for portability without the Internet:

1. Open Files by Google in the main space.
2. Select photos, click "Share" → "Public access".
3. Activate the Wi-Fi hotspot on your smartphone.
4. Switch to the second space, connect to the access point and download files through the same Files by Google.

⚠️ Note: Do not use applications like X-Plore or Solid Explorer with root mode enabled – this can cause the second space on Xiaomi to crash. MIUI 14+.

Method 4: Move over Google Photos (with nuances)

Google Photos is a handy tool, but with pitfalls when working with two Xiaomi spaces. The main problem is that the app can duplicate photos or save them in a compressed format.

• 📌 Turn off auto booting in both spaces: Google Photos → Settings → Backup and synchronization.
• 🖼️ Upload photos manually from the main space to the album "For You Only" (it does not sync automatically).
• 🔄 Switch to the second space, log in to the same Google account and download photos via the web version of photos.google.com (to avoid compression).

Important: If you use original quality in Google Photos, please note that:

• Free space is limited to 15 GB (common for Gmail, Drive and Photos).
• Photos in their original quality take up space in the cloud, even if you delete them from your device.

💡

Google Photos is easy to port, but only if you have enough space in the cloud or are willing to pay for storage expansion.

Method 5: Hidden function MIUI for advanced users

In the firmware Xiaomi on the base MIUI 13-15 has an undocumented ability to share files between spaces via recovery mode, a method that requires caution but works without the Internet and third-party apps.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select a language and go to Advanced → File Manager.
4. Both file systems will be visible in the conductor: /data/media/0 (main space) and /data/media/1 (second-space).
5. Copy the files from one folder to another (for example, from one folder to another). /0/DCIM/ into /1/DCIM/).
6. Reset the device.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It does not work on all models (only on the POCO X5 Pro and Redmi. K60 tested successfully).
• ❌ There is no graphical interface, only a text manager.
• ❌ If you do not take care of the system files.

⚠️ Note: If you see a folder in File Manager /data/media/2 or higher, which means that more than two spaces have been created on the device, and do not delete or move files from these folders to avoid disrupting the profiles.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you move photos between spaces, users often face typical problems, and here's how to solve them:

Another common problem is duplication of photos, so to avoid this:

• Before transferring, delete old copies of files from the second space.
• Use duplicate-checking apps (e.g. Files by Google) → "Cleanup" → "Duplicate").
• Do not transfer photos to the Download folder – it is often scanned automatically.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions