How to use the second space on Xiaomi Redmi Note: the complete guide

The second space feature on Xiaomi Redmi Note smartphones is a powerful tool for separating personal and work data, testing apps or providing additional privacy, essentially creating a second independent user profile with separate settings, applications and files, but on one device, such as keeping working messengers and documents in one space, and personal photos and social networks in another without risking confusing or accidentally removing important ones.

Unlike standard guest mode, the second space on the Redmi Note (Note 8/9/10/11/12 series) supports full multitasking: both profiles can work simultaneously, and switching between them takes seconds. However, many users are faced with questions: how to set up this space correctly, what are the limitations, and how to avoid typical errors? In this guide, we will analyze all the nuances from activation to performance optimization.

What is the second space and why is it necessary?

Second Space is a proprietary MIUI feature that creates an isolated environment with its own desktop, settings, and data, and it works at the system level, not like a regular cloner app (like Parallel Space), so it doesn't require root rights or affect performance as much.

Main use cases:

• 🔒 Separation of work and personal life: work accounts, documents and correspondence in one space, personal data in another.
• 🛡️ Privacy: you can hide confidential applications (banks, instant messengers) from prying eyes without resorting to passwords.
• 🧪 Testing: Install beta versions of apps or experiment with settings without risk to the main profile.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family use: Give a child or relative access to a smartphone with limited functionality.

It’s important to understand that the second space isn’t a full-fledged virtual machine — it uses the same system resources as the main profile.This means that heavy gaming or background processes in one space can slow down the other. However, for most tasks (messengers, browsers, office applications), the Redmi Note’s performance is sufficient.

⚠️ Warning: The second space does not automatically encrypt data, and if the smartphone is stolen, the attacker will be able to access both profiles if not installed. PIN-code.

How to Enable Second Space on Xiaomi Redmi Note

Activation of the function takes less than a minute, but before you start, make sure that:

• 📱 It's on the device. MIUI 12 or later (older versions may have different interfaces).
• 🔋 At least 30% battery charge – the process of creating space requires resources.
• 📶 A stable Internet connection (required to synchronize accounts).

Instructions for inclusion:

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space
2. Click Create a second space and confirm the action.
3. Set a password (PIN or pattern lock) for a new profile. This is mandatory - without a password, you can not create space.
4. Wait for the setup to be completed (usually takes 1-3 minutes).
5. After the device is restarted, the second space will be accessible via the notification panel or gesture (depending on the model).

On Redmi Note 10 Pro and later, you can choose the amount of memory for the second space (1 to 8 GB). If you plan to install many applications, allocate at least 4 GB. On older devices (for example, Note 8), memory is distributed automatically.

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If after creating the second space, the smartphone began to slow down, try to reduce the amount of dedicated memory in the settings or turn off background synchronization in one of the profiles.

How to Switch Between Spaces

Switching between the main and second spaces is done in several ways:

The Redmi Note 8 and Note 9 may not have any gesture controls, in which case use the notification panel or lock screen. If the second space icon is missing from the curtain, return it via Settings → Notification Panel → Edit icons.

⚠️ Attention: When switching between spaces, all background processes in the current profile are suspended. For example, if you listen to music in the main space and switch to the second, playback will stop.

Configuring and optimizing the second space

Once you've created the second space, you have to adjust it to your own needs.

1. Account synchronization

By default, there are no Google or Mi Accounts linked in the second space, and to use Play Market, Gmail or cloud services, add accounts manually:

1. Switch to second space.
2. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
3. Click Add Account and select the service you want.

2. Application management

Applications installed in the main space are not automatically duplicated, and to transfer them:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Cloning apps.
• 🔄 Select the programs you want to clone (such as WhatsApp, Telegram).
• ⚙️ For some applications (e.g. banking) cloning may be blocked for security reasons.

3. Resource constraints

To avoid the second space eating up too much RAM:

• 🔋 Turn off auto-update apps in Play Market for second profile.
• ⚡ In battery settings (Settings) → Battery → Optimization) Select Energy Saving Mode for Background Processes.
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.

Limitations and typical problems

Despite the convenience, the second space has a number of limitations that you should be aware of in advance:

Compatibility with applications

Not all programs work correctly in the second space.

• 🚫 Banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) can block entry by detecting a “suspicious” environment.
• 🚫 Anticheat games (PUBG, Genshin Impact: Often gets a startup error.
• 🚫 Some messengers (for example, Viber) require re-authorization with each switch.

Productivity

On devices with 4GB of RAM (like the Redmi Note 8), simultaneous operation of two spaces can cause lags.

• 🔄 Close unused applications manually.
• 📉 Reduce system animation in Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• 🔋 Use the Performance Mode (Settings) → Battery → Performance mode).

3. Warehouse

The second space takes up space on the internal drive. For example, if you allocated 4 GB, then the same amount will not be available for the main profile. On the Redmi Note with 64 GB of storage, this can be a problem. Check the free space through Settings → Storage.

Security: How to Protect Data in the Second Space

The second space does not encrypt data by itself, so to protect sensitive information, follow these guidelines:

1. Set a complex password

Use a combination of numbers and letters at least 8 characters long, and avoid simple graphic keys (such as "L" or "Z") that are easy to pick up.

2.Tune the biometrics.

On models with fingerprint scanner (Redmi Note 10 and later), add a fingerprint for the second space:

1. Switch to second space.
2. Open Settings → Screen Lock → Fingerprint.
3. Add a new print (you can use the same finger as in the main space).

3. Turn off notifications on the lock screen

To prevent the contents of messages from the second space from being displayed on the locked screen:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications → On the lock screen.
2. Choose Not to Show Notice Content.

4. Data encryption

For additional protection, enable device encryption:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Encryption and credentials.
2. Select Encrypt your phone (you will need a password and 30-60 minutes of time).

⚠️ Once encrypted, resetting the settings to factory will delete all data, including the second space.

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The second space does not replace full encryption. For maximum security, use the combination of complex password + biometrics + device encryption.

How to remove the second space

If the function is no longer needed or takes up too much space, it can be deleted, and all the data inside the second space will be erased without any recovery.

Instructions for removal:

1. Switch to the main space.
2. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space
3. Click Remove the second space.
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from the main profile.
5. Wait until the process is completed (usually takes 1-2 minutes).

After removal:

• 📱 The memory occupied by the second space will be freed.
• 🔄 The switch icon will disappear from the notification panel.
• 🔒 All applications and files from the second profile will be deleted.

⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from the second space, you can only reset it by completely deleting the profile.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions