Second Space on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Setup and Use

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

Xiaomi’s current smartphones offer a unique feature, Second Space, which allows you to create a completely isolated copy of the operating system on one device, like having two phones in one with separate apps, settings, files and even passwords, and has become especially popular among users who want to separate work and personal data, hide sensitive information or test new applications without risking their primary profile.

Technology is implemented at the level MIUI — The second space is a proprietary shell Xiaomi, and is available on most models, starting with the Redmi Note 5 and Mi 8. The second space works as an independent account with its own desktop, gallery, instant messengers and even IMEI (The two spaces can exist in parallel and switch between them takes only a few seconds.

The main advantages of the function:

• 🔒 Privacy: Hiding personal data from prying eyes (for example, when handing over a phone to colleagues or children).
• 📱 Separation of work and personal: separate accounts for WhatsApp, Telegram, mail and social networks.
• 🛡️ Security: Protection against viruses and data breaches (if one space is infected, the other remains intact).
• 🧪 Testing: Install beta versions of applications or custom firmware without risk to the main system.

However, there are limitations to the function, such as the second space taking up extra memory space (usually 2-5 GB), and some system applications (such as Google Play Services) are duplicated, which can affect performance. In addition, not all models support this option – its absence on budget smartphones Redmi or POCO It is often a surprise for users.

What Xiaomi models support second space

Second Space is not available on all Xiaomi devices, but it depends on the version. MIUI The following is a compatibility table for popular models (relevant to the smartphone). MIUI 14 and newer):

To find out exactly if your smartphone supports the feature, follow the following steps:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Scroll down and find the version. MIUI.
3. If version 12.5 or newer, check for the Second Space section in the main settings menu.

Important: on devices with a Snapdragon processor 4xx series (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Second Space is not available due to hardware limitations.

⚠️ Note: If you upgrade your smartphone to HyperOS (the new shell of Xiaomi), the path to settings for the second space may change. → Second space.

How to Enable Second Space on Xiaomi: Step-by-step Instructions

Activation of the second space takes no more than 5 minutes. Follow the instructions below to create an isolated profile:

1. Go to Settings. → Second space (or settings) → Special facilities → Second Space on Older Versions MIUI).
2. Click Create a second space and confirm the action.
3. Set a password or graphical key to log in (required! This will protect your data when you switch).
4. Wait for the setup to be completed (the smartphone will reboot).
5. After the reboot, select Second Space on the lock screen or in the user switch menu.

Once you first log in, you'll be asked to configure the second space as a new phone: select a language, connect to Wi-Fi, log in to a Google account or Mi Account, and importantly, the accounts in the first and second spaces can be different, allowing you to completely delimit data.

If the second space is not in the settings, try the following methods:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system.
• 📱 Install regional firmware (e.g. Chinese or European) where the feature may be available.
• 🔧 Use it. ADB-Enabled Enablement Command (Enabled Users Only!): Adb shell settings put global second_space_enabled 1

⚠️ Note: Forced Second Space Enablement through ADB This can cause system failures. Before executing a command, back up your data!

Configuring the second space: what can be changed

Once you create the second space, you can flexibly customize it to your needs, and here are the key parameters that are available for customization:

Appearance and interface

Each space has its own:

• 🎨 Desktop wallpaper (you can set different for the first and second profile).
• 📱 Themes and fonts (configured independently through Settings) → Display).
• 🔧 Notification panel (separate settings for fast switches).

Annexes and data

You can:

• 📱 Install different versions of the same app (e.g. two WhatsApp accounts).
• 🗃️ Hide applications from the first space (they won’t appear in the second space, and vice versa).
• 🔄 Sync individual data (such as contacts or photos) through cloud services.

3. Security and confidentiality

Options are available for data protection:

• 🔐 A separate password/fingerprint to log into each space.
• 📡 Restricting access to the network (e.g., disconnecting mobile internet in a second space).
• 🚫 Blocking application installation (useful for parental controls).

💡

To quickly switch between spaces, add the "Second Space" widget to the home screen or use a gesture: swipe down two fingers on the lock screen (works on the lock screen). MIUI 14+).

One of the key benefits is the ability to hide the existence of the second space.

1. Go to Settings. → Second space → Security settings.
2. Activate the option to Hide the icon of the second space.
3. Now, you will need to enter a password on the lock screen, holding your finger on the clock (or other widget).

How to transfer data between the first and second space

By default, the spaces are completely isolated, but Xiaomi provides tools for file sharing.

1. Through the built-in file manager

The simplest method is:

1. Open the File Manager application.
2. Go to the Second Space section (will appear after activation of the function).
3. Select files (photos, documents, videos) and click Copy or Cut.
4. Go back to the main space and paste the files into the desired folder.

2. Through cloud services

If you need to sync your data regularly, use:

• 🌥️ Google Drive: Download files from one space and download them from another.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Automatic synchronization of contacts, notes and photos (requires a separate Mi Account for each space).
• 📁 Dropbox/OneDrive: Suitable for large files (up to) 2 GB in the free version).

3. Through third-party applications

For advanced users:

• 🤖 Solid Explorer: Supports access to both spaces through the root directory (root rights required).
• 📎 Send Anywhere: Transfer files over Wi-Fi without cloud (time link generation).

System settings

SMS and call log

⚠️ Note: When transferring files through Mi Cloud, make sure that both spaces use the same account region.

Frequent problems and their solution

Despite the convenience, users often face difficulties when working with the second space, and consider the typical errors and ways to fix them:

1.The second space is not included

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Lack of storage: free up at least 3GB of primary storage.
• 📱 Outdated firmware: Update MIUI through settings → Updating the system.
• 🔧 There is no option in the settings: check the smartphone model in the compatibility table above.

2. applications in the second space are not updated

This is due to the duplication of Google Play Services.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Google Play Store and clear the cache.
3. Restart the device and check for updates.

3. It is impossible to switch between spaces

This is most often due to:

• 🔐 Wrong Password: Reset it through Settings → Screen locking.
• 🔄 System failure: Reboot your phone by holding the power button for 10 seconds.
• 📵 Disabled second space: check its status in the settings.

4. Files are not displayed after the transfer

The problem is characteristic of MIUI 13 and newer:

• Check the permissions to access folders in Settings → Privacy → Permits.
• Use an alternative file manager (for example, FX File Explorer).
• Restart the device – sometimes the file system cache is reset after the reboot.

💡

If the second space stops working after the update MIUI, Try resetting its settings: Settings → Second space → It won't delete the data, but it will return the standard parameters.

How to delete a second space without losing data

If the function is no longer needed or takes up too much space, you can turn it off, but before deleting it, be sure to save important data, as all files and applications from the second space will be erased!

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings. → Second space.
2. Select Remove the Second Space.
3. Confirm the action by entering the password.
4. Wait until the process is completed (the smartphone will restart).

To save data before deletion:

• 📁 Transfer files to the main space through Files → Second space.
• ☁️ Upload important documents to the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
• 📱 Export contacts and messages through apps (e.g. Truecaller or SMS Backup & Restore).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) After removing the second space, the partition may be reset. DCIM/Camera Before the procedure, copy the photos to your computer!

FAQ: Answers to popular questions