How to completely remove the second space on Xiaomi Redmi 4: 3 working methods

Xiaomi Redmi 4 owners often encounter a mysterious “second space” — a duplicate account or partition of memory that takes up precious gigabytes and interferes with the normal operation of the smartphone — a feature originally conceived as a tool for separating personal and work data (Dual Apps or Second Space in MIUI), often activated accidentally or remains after experiments with firmware, resulting in the user seeing two identical sets of applications on the menu, doubled files or even blocking access to the main storage.

Complicating the problem, standard removal methods (via Settings → Applications) often don’t work: either the system doesn’t show the option to delete, or after a reboot, the space reappears. In this article, we’ll discuss three proven methods to remove the second space on Redmi 4, from simple actions in the interface to radical measures like reset to factory settings, and you’ll learn why this feature even appears and how to prevent it from being turned on again.

What is a second space on Xiaomi and why does it appear?

Second Space was introduced into MIUI as a data sharing tool, so imagine you have two smartphones in one, one for personal files, one for work, and technically, this is done by creating an isolated user profile with your own:

• 📱 Applications (duplicate system and user installed)
• 📁 Files (photos, videos, documents are stored separately)
• 🔑 Settings (wallpaper, sounds, accounts)
• 🔒 Passwords and authorization data

On Xiaomi Redmi 4, this feature could be activated for several reasons:

• 🤔 Accidental Incorporation: In Older Versions MIUI 8/9 The option was in a non-obvious place (Settings) → Advanced settings → Second space, and users turned it on, thinking it was something else.
• 🔄 Error after update: when switching from MIUI 8 on MIUI 9/10 Sometimes a duplicate profile is created.
• 🛠️ Incorrect firmware: if the smartphone was flashed through Fastboot or TWRP There may be some “junk” left over from the previous system.
• 👤 Other user actions: If children or colleagues used the phone, they could create a second space for games or tests.

The main problem is that the second space takes up 2 to 8 GB of storage, even if you don’t use it, and standard cleaning methods (via Settings → Storage) do not see it, and trying to remove applications from a duplicate profile leads to errors.

Method 1: Remove via MIUI settings (if available)

The easiest way is to try to disable the second space through a standard interface, and this method works if:

• ✅ The feature was enabled through settings, rather than appearing after the crash.
• ✅ You have access to the main space (you can enter it).
• ✅ Version. MIUI No older than 11 (the path may be different in new versions).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Advanced Settings section (in) MIUI 10+ This may be called Special Opportunities).
3. Find the item Second Space (or Second Space in English firmware).
4. Slip it and select Remove the second space.
5. Confirm the action by entering the password (if it was set).
6. Reboot your smartphone.

If there is no Second Space on the menu, try an alternative path:

1. Press the Power button and select Reboot.
2. When the Xiaomi logo appears, press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
3. From the recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Delete Second Space (if you have one).

⚠️ Note: If you delete the system and you don't remember the password, don't try to find it! After 5 failed attempts, the device may lock for 24 hours).

Method 2: Delete via MIUI Account (if space is linked to an account)

Sometimes the second space is not created as a local profile, but as part of the Mi Account ecosystem, the Xiaomi cloud ecosystem, in which case it can't be removed by standard means, but can be unplugged through the web interface.

• 🔗 You see the message This space is synced with Mi Account.
• 📱 When you try to delete the system redirects you to the authorization page.
• 🔄 After resetting, the space appears again.

Step-by-step:

1. Open account.xiaomi.com on your computer or other phone and log in with the same account as Redmi 4.
2. Go to the Devices section.
3. Find your Xiaomi Redmi 4 (can be displayed as santoni, the code name of the model).
4. Slip on the device and select Delete the device (or Sign out).
5. Confirm the action via SMS or email.
6. Return to your smartphone, go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account and exit.
7. Reset the device.

Then the second space should disappear. If not, try re-entering Mi Account and synchronizing the data, and sometimes the system forgets the duplicate profile after reconnecting.

Method 3: Radical removal via Fastboot (if nothing works)

If the first two methods fail, the most reliable, but also the most risky, method is a full reset via Fastboot mode, which will delete all data on the phone, including the main and second space, and return the smartphone to the factory settings.

• 🔧 You are ready to lose all files (photos, contacts, messages).
• 🔌 You have access to a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed.
• 📥 You downloaded the official firmware for Redmi 4 (model santoni).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 4 (select the version of MIUI that was originally on the phone).
2. Unpack the firmware archive in a folder on your computer (e.g., C:\MIUI\).
3. Install ADB and Fastboot tools (or use the Mi Flash Tool).
4. Turn off Redmi 4 and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a picture of a rabbit in a hat will appear).
5. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
6. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and execute commands: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of your device) fastboot oem edl (this will put the phone in EDL mode, necessary for firmware).
7. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware, specify the COM port and press Flash.
8. Wait for the process to be completed (10-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

💡

If the phone is stuck on the Xiaomi logo after firmware, press Volume Up + Power for 10 seconds to force it to restart. If that doesn't help, repeat the firmware with another version of MIUI (for example, an older one).

⚠️ Note: Firmware through Fastboot resets IMEI To avoid network problems, download the firmware only from the official Xiaomi website and choose the version for your model (Santoni for Redmi 4).

Method 4: Manual removal via TWRP (for advanced users)

If you have custom TWRP recovery installed, you can try removing the second space manually without having to reset completely, which requires root rights and is only suitable for advanced users.

Instructions:

1. Boot to TWRP (Put Volume Up + Power on).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Open the /data/system/users/ folder.
4. Delete the folder number 10 (or 999 if you have one) – this is the second space.
5. Go back to the main TWRP menu and select Wipe → Advanced Wipe.
6. Mark Dalvik/ART Cache and Cache, then swipe for cleaning.
7. Reset the device.

If the phone doesn’t boot or there are errors, go back to TWRP and do a full reset (Wipe → Format Data).

💡

Removing the second space through TWRP is the riskiest method. An error when you delete system files can lead to a "brick" device, use it only if you are confident in your actions and have backed up through Nandroid Backup.

How to Prevent the Second Space from Reappearing

To prevent the problem from returning, follow these recommendations:

• 🔍 Check the Settings section regularly → Extended settings for the presence of the second space.
• 🔄 Before the update MIUI ocTA or Recovery make a backup copy of the data.
• 🚫 Do not install unofficial firmware or patches unless you are sure of their security.
• 👤 If you are transferring your phone to another person, reset to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).
• 🔐 Use a password for Mi Account and do not share it with others.

If you buy Xiaomi Redmi 4 handheld, be sure to check for a second space.

1. Ask the seller to access the phone settings.
2. Check the Settings → Applications section – if there are duplicated system programs (two Gallery, two Phone), then the second space is active.
3. Make sure that there are no other MI Accounts in Settings →

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you delete the second space, users often face some problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions