How to completely remove the second space on Xiaomi Redmi 8: 5 working ways

Xiaomi’s second-space feature (including Redmi 8) was originally intended as a convenient tool to separate work and personal data. However, over time, many users find that extra space takes up precious memory, slows down the system or simply becomes unnecessary. Deleting it is not as obvious as it might seem: standard MIUI settings often hide the deletion option, and if you do not act correctly, you can lose data or block access to the main profile.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to remove second space on Redmi 8, from official methods via the MIUI menu to manual commands via ADB and even radical reset, and focus on the hidden nuances of Redmi 8 firmware (codenamed olive), which distinguish it from other Xiaomi models. If you’ve already tried to remove space and got an error like “Not managed to remove space” or “Operation not supported” – here you will find solutions.

Before you start, make sure you have:

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 50% (when reset or firmware, the risk of discharge is critical).
• 📱 Backup of data from both spaces (second space will be deleted permanently!).
• 🔑 Access to the Mi Account linked to the device (required to unlock after reset).

1. Remove the second space through the standard MIUI settings

The most obvious and safe way to do this is to use the built-in MIUI tools, but on Redmi 8, this option can be hidden or blocked depending on the firmware version.

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Second Space
2. Slap the icon. ⚙️ (gear) in upper right corner.
3. Select "Delete the second space".
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from the main account.

If you don't have a Delete option, your version of MIUI is hiding it, which is typical for firmware older than MIUI 12 or for devices with an unlocked bootloader, so move on to the following methods.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI For Redmi 8, after removing the second space, access to Google Play Services in the main profile may be lost. → Annexes → Application management → Google Play Services → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Backup data from both spaces|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)|Ensure the stability of the Internet connection (for synchronization)|Disable the lock screen password (simplify the process)-->

2. Removal through Recovery Mode

If the standard method didn’t work, try removing the second space through the Recovery Mode, which is suitable for Redmi 8 with any version of MIUI, but requires caution:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if required), then go to Wipe & Reset.
4. Tap "Delete Second Space" (or similar item in Chinese: ).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

Once removed, the device will automatically boot into the main space, and if the Delete Second Space item is missing, your Recovery doesn't support this feature (typical for custom firmware), then move to the ADB method.

3. Manual removal via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, you'll need to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your smartphone to your PC and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC and confirm debugging permission.
3. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell


pm list users

You'll see a list of users (spaces). The second space usually has an ID of 10 or 11. To delete it, do:

pm remove-user [ID_ of the second space

For example, if the ID of the second space 10, the command will:

pm remove-user 10

Once done, restart your smartphone. If the command returns the “Operation not allowed” error, your firmware will block the deletion, in which case only a full reset will help (see the next section).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI For Redmi 8, the pm remove-user command can remove the main space instead of the second (ID The second space is always above 0).

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If after removing the second space through ADB, the smartphone began to brake, clear the system cache: go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup → Cache of the system and tap “Clean”.

4. Full reset (Hard Reset) as a radical solution

If no methods have worked, you will have to reset completely to factory settings, which will delete all data (including the second space), so use this method only as a last resort.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select "Erase all data" and confirm.
4. After the reboot, set your smartphone as new – there will be no second space.

If your smartphone is not turned on or locked, reset via Recovery:

1. Press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
2. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

After a reset, Redmi 8 may require you to enter the Mi Account data associated with the device. If you do not remember the password, restore it through account.xiaomi.com.

5. Features of removal on firmware with unlocked loader

If you previously unlocked a bootloader on Redmi 8, the process of removing the second space may be different, because the unlocked bootloader allows you to install custom firmware, which often modify the logic of multiple spaces.

What to consider:

• 🔓 On custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS or PixelExperience), the second space may be called “Secondary User” and removed via Settings. → System system → Users.
• 🛠️ If the firmware is based on MIUI, But with modifications, try to remove the space through ADB root-right:

su


pm remove-user 10

If you use firmware with Magisk, you can try the MultiUser Mod module, which adds advanced settings to manage spaces, but this method requires experience with root rights.

⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware for Redmi 8, removing the second space may cause Google services to crash. GMS, Install Open GApps for your Android version.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you delete the second space on Redmi 8, users often face typical problems.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📱 Firmware version: Update MIUI Up to the latest stable version via Settings → Updating the system.
• 🔒 bootloader status: if it is unlocked, some features MIUI They may not work properly.
• 🛠️ System Integrity: Run verification through Settings → Special facilities → Diagnostics → System verification.

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On Redmi 8 with firmware older than MIUI 12, removing the second space often requires a combination of methods: first try through settings, then ADB, and at a pinch, reset via Recovery.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing second space