How to know if there is a second space on your Xiaomi phone: check and activate

Xiaomi smartphone owners with MIUI firmware often face the question of how to determine if the device is activated second space (Second Space)? This feature allows you to create an isolated copy of the system with separate applications, files and settings – the ideal solution for separating work and personal life. However, not all users know how to check for it, especially if the previous owner of the phone has already set up hidden space.

In this article, we'll look at 5 reliable ways to detect second space, from standard MIUI settings to hidden commands for the engineering menu, how to distinguish active space from disabled space, which Xiaomi models support the function, and what to do if the system does not show the second profile, and a unique method of checking through ADB, which works even on locked devices.

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

Second Space first appeared in MIUI 8 and has since become a standard tool for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones.

• 📱 Accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks)
• 📁 Files and media (photos, videos, documents do not overlap)
• 🔧 Settings (wallpaper, sounds, screen brightness)
• 🔒 Applications (you can install different versions of the same software)

Main use cases:

• 💼 Work and personal life: one space for corporate data, another for personal data.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family access: children can be given a phone with limited space.
• 🛡️ Security: Hiding confidential data from outsiders.
• 🧪 Testing: Testing applications in an isolated environment.

It is important to understand that the second space is not the same as guest mode or private mode in the browser, it is a full-fledged second OS that takes up additional space in the device’s memory (usually 2-5 GB depending on the model).

Method 1: Checking through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to search for the option in the settings menu. It works on all devices with MIUI 12-14, including the Xiaomi 11/12/13 series, Redmi Note 10/11/12 and POCO F/X.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Scroll down and select Special Features (on some models – Additional).
3. Slip on the second space (Second Space).

If the option is active, you will see one of three states:

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A1/A2 with pure Android) the second space function is missing due to firmware limitations, and it can also be disabled in regional versions. MIUI Europe (MIUI EU).

Method 2: Search through the notification panel

If the second space is already configured, it can be quickly found through the notification curtain, which works even if the option is hidden in the settings:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Fully open the curtain (swipe down again).
3. Find the icon Two People (👥) Or the words Space. 1/2.
4. Slip the icon to switch between spaces.

If the icon is not available, try adding it manually:

1. Click on the pencil (Edit) in the upper right corner of the curtain.
2. Find the second space in the list and drag it to the active area.
3. Save the changes.

What if the icon doesn't show? It could mean:

• 🔴 The second space is not created (you need to activate through settings).
• 🔴 Space is hidden (try method 3 or 4).
• 🔴 The firmware is modified (for example, customized) MIUI Second Space).

💡

If you see a second space icon but can't switch, try restarting your phone, and sometimes the system blocks the switch because of a lack of RAM.

Method 3: Check through the engineering menu (code ##4636##)

The Android Hidden Engineering Menu contains information about all active user profiles, including the second space.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636## (without pressing the call button).
3. Select the phone information (or Usage statistics) section.
4. Scroll down to the Users block.

In this section, you will see a list of all uploaded user profiles.

• User 0 is the main space (owner).
• User 10 is the second space (if any).
• User 99 - Guest mode (if activated)

If you have User 10 on the list with the Running tag, the second space is active, and if it's not, the space is either not created or disabled.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global Stable) The engineering menu can be blocked. In this case, use Method 4c ADB.

Method 4: Checking through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods fail, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) will help you pinpoint the presence of a second space, which requires a computer, but gives 100% results even on locked devices.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB phone-on.

Steps:

1. Download and install ADB Tools.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging (a request will appear on the smartphone screen).
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
4. Enter the command: adb shell pm list users

The result will look like this:

UserInfo{0:Owner:13} running


UserInfo{10:Second Space:30} running

If the output has a string with UserInfo{10:..., then the second space exists. If it is not, the space is not created.

Additional useful commands:

• Adb shell am switch-user 10 – switch to the second space (if it is active).
• adb shell pm remove-user 10 – delete the second space (all data will be erased!).

⚠️ Note: Removal of the second space through ADB If the space was created by the previous owner of the phone, it will be impossible to restore access to his files.

💡

ADB is the only way to test a second space on Xiaomi with a broken screen or a broken touchscreen. Just plug the phone into a PC and execute commands.

Method 5: Indirect Signs of Second Space

If none of the above methods worked, look for indirect signs that could indicate hidden space:

• 📉 Lack of memory: the second space takes 2-5 GB, so if the free space suddenly decreased without installing applications – it is suspicious.
• 🔄 Double notifications: Some apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram) may duplicate notifications from a second space.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: parallel operation of two profiles increases the load on the processor.
• 📱 Unusual icons: duplicate applications may appear in the launcher (for example, two Google Play or two Gallery).

Also check the Application Manager:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Show All Apps.
3. Scroll down the list – if there are duplicates of system applications (like two Mi Browser), this is a sign of second space.

If you find indirect signs but can’t find the space itself, try resetting (see next section) this can “show” a hidden profile.

What to do if the second space is hidden or blocked

Sometimes, a second space on Xiaomi can be hidden by the previous owner or blocked due to a system failure.

1. Reset the settings of the second space

If space exists but does not open:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
2. Select Space Management.
3. Reset the space (all data will be deleted!).

2.Removal via Recovery

If the phone is not loading or the space is blocked:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Select Wipe & Reset → Erase Second Space (the name may vary).

3.Testing through TWRP (for advanced)

If the phone has custom TWRP recovery installed:

1. Download to TWRP.
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Check the /data/user/10 folder – if it exists, there is space.

⚠️ Note: Remove the second space through Recovery or TWRP It can cause loss of data in the main profile if the file system is damaged.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the second space on Xiaomi