Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC — It's a budget smartphone with amazingly flexible capabilities, one of which is a second workspace feature, which allows you to create an isolated copy of the system with separate applications, settings and even a password. The perfect solution for separating work and personal data, testing programs, or hiding sensitive information.
However, many users have problems when trying to activate this feature: a gray button, creation errors, or space suddenly disappears after an update. 9C NFC, including hidden settings MIUI, avoiding common errors and restoring access after failures. V12.0.1.0.QCFMIXM and newer versions where the logic of the function has changed.
Before you start, check: your smartphone should have at least 8 Free memory (second space takes up) ~4-6 GB, and version MIUI — Support the function (on some custom firmware it is disabled). If you previously tried to create a second space and you got an error, first perform cache cleaning in Recovery - this solves the problem. 60% problem.
What is a second space and why is it needed in Xiaomi? 9C NFC
The second workspace function (Second Space) MIUI — It's a virtual copy of an Android system running parallel to the main one:
- 📱 A separate desktop with a unique set of applications and widgets
- 🔒 Your password/pattern lock (may differ from your primary key)
- 📁 Isolated storage (files, photos, contacts do not overlap)
- 🛠️ Independent settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, sound, etc.)
On the Redmi. 9C NFC This feature is particularly useful because of the limited resources of the device:
- 💼 Separate work and personal data without buying a second phone
- 🕵️♂️ Hide confidential applications (banks, instant messengers) from prying eyes
- 🧪 Test beta versions of programs without risk to the main system
- 🎮 Create a game profile with optimized settings for gaming
It's important to understand that the second space is not the same as guest mode, and the guest has limited rights and can't install apps, whereas Second Space is a full copy of Android with root access (if it's unlocked in the main space). It slows down the smartphone. 10-15% and eat up the extra memory.
Preparing a smartphone before creating a second space
Before activating Second Space on Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC You have to do some critical things, and neglecting them leads to errors like, "We failed to create a second space," or, "We didn't have enough memory".
Make sure you're free. ≥8GB of memory|Turn off the power saving mode|Update MIUI last-minute|Remove unnecessary apps and cache|Backup of important data-->
First, check the version. MIUI. On firmware older V12.0.1.0.QCFMIXM The function may not work smoothly. To find out your version, go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If your version is outdated, update it through Settings. → Updating the system.
Second, free up the memory. Second space requires a minimum. 4 GB, but for stable work it is better to have 6-8 GB of free space. Check the occupied space in Settings → Delete the vault:
- 🗑️ Application cache (via Settings) → Annexes → Clear the cache)
- 📸 Unnecessary photos/videos (especially in downloads and videos) DCIM)
- 🎵 Music and podcasts that can be streamed
- 📦 Unused. APK-Files (check the Download folder)
⚠️ Note: If you use the card as an internal storage (Adoptable Storage), a second space will not be created. format the card as a portable device or remove it before setting up.
Three, turn off optimization. Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Power saving mode and deactivate it. Also add Settings and Security to auto-start exceptions (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start).
Fourth, back up. While creating a second space doesn't have to delete the data, crashes happen. Use Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup or third-party tools like Swift Backup (requires root).
Step-by-step: how to turn on the second space
Now, let's get to the main thing, Second Space activation. 9C NFC There are two ways to do this: through the settings. MIUI The first one is simpler, but sometimes it doesn't work because of firmware bugs. The second one is more reliable, but it needs to be rebooted.
Method 1: Through settings MIUI (basic)
This method works for most versions. MIUI, including 12.0.1 and 12.5. Follow the instructions carefully:
- Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
- Scroll down and select Special Opportunities.
- Slip on the Second Space (some firmwares call it Double Space).
- Click Create a second space (the button can be gray if there is not enough memory).
- Enter the name of the space (for example, “Work”) and set a password (may differ from the main one).
- Confirm the creation and wait for the reboot (takes a loan) 2-5 minute).
If the Create Second Space button is inactive, check:
- 🔋 Battery charge ≥30% (at low charge, the function is blocked)
- 📱 Is there enough memory (free up more) 1-2 GB)
- 🔄 Are there any active system updates (wait until completion)
What to do if the "Create" button is grey?
Method 2: Using Recovery Mode (Alternative Method)
If the first method didn't work, use the recovery mode. MIUI, but it requires caution:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
- In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset. → Advanced Wipe.
- Mark only Cache (don't touch Data or System!).
- Confirm the swipe cleaning and wait for completion.
- Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → System.
- After restarting, repeat Method 1 – the button should be active.
⚠️ Warning: Don't choose Wipe Data in Recovery - it will delete all data from your phone!Cache only cleans up is safe and helps solve 90% of problems with creating a second space.
Configure the second space after the creation
After the successful activation of Second Space, you will have to set it up first, and the system will prompt you to select a language, connect to Wi-Fi and log into your Xiaomi account (optional).
1. Set a unique password. Even if you used the same password as in the main space, change it through Settings. → Lock screen → Password. This will protect the data if someone gets access to the main space.
2. Set up your desktop. Remove unnecessary widgets and add frequently used apps. For example, in the workspace you can only leave Telegram, Gmail and Calendar, and in the personal space - social networks and instant messengers.
3. Turn off sync (if not needed). Go to Settings → Accounts and sync and deactivate automatic synchronization of contacts, photos and notes, which will prevent random mixing of data between spaces.
4. Optimize performance. Second space can slow down, so:
- 🔄 Turn off animation: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times to enable Developer Mode, then to Settings → Additionally. → For developers, install Windows animation = 0.5x)
- 📵 Limit background activity: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select "All applications"
- 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly: use the built-in security utility → Cleanup
💡
To quickly switch between spaces, add the Second Space widget to your desktop. To do this, hold your finger in the free space of the screen. → Widgets → Find Second Space and drag it.
Typical errors and their solutions
Even after the second space was successfully created, Redmi users 9C NFC They're the most common mistakes and the concrete ways to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| We failed to create a second space. | Insufficient memory or cache failure | Clear the cache through Recovery (see Method 2) or release it ≥8GB |
| The "Create" button is grey. | Active energy saving mode or system update | Turn off the power saving and wait for the updates to complete. |
| The second space disappeared after the update. | Resetting settings when upgrading MIUI | Create again through Settings → Special facilities |
| Error of mounting at the entrance | Damage to the file system | Run Wipe Cache in Recovery or Reset Space |
| No applications installed | Lack of memory in the second space | Clear the cache or increase the dedicated memory in the Second Space settings |
The "space is damaged" error is particularly noteworthy, and it occurs when:
- 🔋 The phone turned off while switching between spaces
- 📱 There was a failure during the update. MIUI
- 🛠️ System files have been changed (for example, through Magisk)
To restore access:
- Reboot your phone to Recovery (Loudness up) + Nutrition).
- Choose Advanced → Fix Second Space (if no option, select Wipe Cache).
- Reboot. If the error persists, reset the second space through Settings. → Second space → Remove and recreate.
💡
If the second space stops working after the update MIUI, First, try to roll back to the previous firmware version via Fastboot, which restores functionality without losing data in 70% of cases.
How to delete a second space without losing data
If Second Space is no longer needed or takes up too much space, it can be removed, but here's the caveat: standard deletion through settings erases all data from the second space. To save important information, follow this instruction:
1. Copy files from the second space:
- Connect your phone to your PC through USB (Enable File Transfer).
- Go to this computer. → Second space → Internal storage.
- Copy the right folders (DCIM, Download, Documents on PC.
2. Export contacts and SMS:
- In the second space, open the contact. → Settings → Imports/exports.
- Select Export to your device (save the.vcf file).
- For SMS use the app SMS Backup & Restore.
3. Remove the space:
- Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
- Slip Remove the second space.
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
⚠️ Note: If you used the same Google account in both spaces, the main space may be blocked after Second Space is deleted due to suspicion of unauthorized access. To avoid this, log out of your Google account in the second space before deleting (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Delete the account).
Hidden opportunities of second space on Xiaomi 9C NFC
Few people know, but Second Space is on Redmi. 9C NFC It has hidden features that can be activated through developer settings or third-party utilities:
1. Change of allocated memory
The default second space is ~4 GB, but this value can be increased to 8 GB (maximum for the maximum of 9C NFC). For that:
- Activate Developer Mode (7 taps according to MIUI version).
- Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Find the second space size (if not, use it). ADB).
- Set a value of 8192 (8GB) and restart the phone.
2. Cloning of applications between spaces
To move the application from the main space to the second (or vice versa) without re-installation:
- Download App Cloner from Google Play.
- Select the application you want to clone.
- In the cloning settings, specify Install in the second space.
- Confirm and wait for completion.
3. Disabling notifications from the second space
If the notifications from Second Space are distracting, you can hide them:
- Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar.
- Select Notification Management.
- Find the Second Space section and turn off the impressions.
4.Use of the second testing space
Redmi 9C NFC It's popular with developers for being able to test applications in an isolated environment, to enable debugging mode. USB second-space:
- Activate Developer Mode (as described above).
- Enable USB Debugging and USB Installation.
- Connect your phone to your PC and use the adb install to install APK.
💡
If you have unlocked the bootloader on Redmi 9C NFC, You can only install Magisk in the second space, so you can use root applications without risking the underlying system.