Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the need to separate personal and work content on a single device, and the MIUI or HyperOS “Second Space” feature allows for an isolated environment that works like a separate smartphone inside the main one, an ideal tool for those who want to hide certain data or just put order in digital chaos.
However, the standard application installation procedure does not always work as expected; users often wonder how to migrate programs that are already installed or how to properly configure duplication of them.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available methods of cloning software, learn about the nuances of working with banking applications, messengers and gaming services, and properly configure it to avoid notification conflicts and authorization problems.
What is the Second Space and Why is it Necessary?
The virtualization technology used in Xiaomi smartphones creates a completely independent file system. It's not just a folder with a password, but a full-fledged second user profile with its settings, contacts and browser history. The data isolation here is absolute: applications from the main profile do not see files in the second one, and vice versa.
The main purpose of this feature is privacy and access delimitation, you can hand over the phone to your child to play without the fear that he will accidentally delete important work documents or see personal correspondence, and it is convenient for maintaining multiple social media accounts without installing third-party clones.
⚠️ Note: Apps installed in the Second Space take up additional storage. If the main profile uses 20 GB, the cloned application will take up the same amount of memory.
System resources are also distributed among profiles: running heavy games or navigation in the second profile can affect the performance of the main one if the device’s RAM is not enough. MIUI and HyperOS effectively manage processes, but the physical limit of iron is impossible to bypass.
Preparation of the main profile before transfer
Before you start cloning or installing applications in an isolated environment, you need to make sure that the main profile is working correctly, the system must be updated to the current version, since in old MIUI builds there may be errors in synchronizing data between spaces.
For comfortable operation of two profiles with a set of popular applications (messengers, cards, banks), it is desirable to have at least 10-15 GB of free memory. This will ensure smooth operation of the system and allow you to make local backups.
- 📱 Make sure that the developer mode is activated on the device if you plan to use it. ADB polycloning.
- 🔒 Set a strong password or pattern lock to enter a Second Space other than the main one.
- ☁️ Sync important contacts and data with Xiaomi Cloud or Google in case of a crash.
It is important to understand that some system applications may not be supported for portability, and system restrictions prevent the cloning of services critical to the phone’s operation, such as Phone or Messages (in some regions), to avoid call routing conflicts.
💡
Use different wallpapers for the main and second space, which will help you instantly know what profile you are in, and not send a personal photo to the work chat.
Step-by-step instructions: creation and configuration
The second profile activation process is built deep into the system settings. To start, open the Settings menu and find the About Phone section or search the settings by typing in the "Second Space" query. In newer versions of HyperOS, the path may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same.
Once activated, the system will suggest you choose a login method, so you can use a separate password, fingerprint or pattern lock, and biometrics is the most convenient way, with one finger opening the main profile, the other one opening the second, which makes switching times faster.
Settings → Second Space → EnableOnce you’ve set up the first setup, you’ll find yourself in a clean interface that resembles a phone you just bought, where you’ll need to re-enter your Google account (or use an existing one, but this can cause contacts to sync if you don’t choose the “Do Not Sync” option), followed by installing the necessary apps through Play Market or GetApps.
☑️ Checklist for Second Space Configuration
Application portability methods: standard and alternative
The easiest way to “transfer” is through actual cloning. Unlike some other shells, Xiaomi doesn’t always have a “Move to Second Space” button for already installed programs.
However, there is a nuance with some MIUI system applications. If the application is supported, the Second Space Management menu (available from the main profile) may appear with the Add Apps button. The system itself copies the installation package (APK) and installs it in the second profile.
| Type of application | Transfer method | Data retention | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social media | Automatic cloning | No (to enter) | Tall. |
| Banking applications | Hand-mounted | No. | Medium (requires root) |
| Games | Hand-mounted | Depends on the cloud. | Tall. |
| System utilities | Unavailable | N/D | N/D |
For advanced users, there is a transfer method APK-You can download the application installer in the main profile, transfer it through the file manager to the second space (the feature is available in some versions). MIUI You can use the File Transfer menu and install it there. This bypasses the app store restrictions in regions where Google Play is not working properly.
⚠️ Attention: When manually installed APK-Make sure that the installation source is allowed in the security settings of this particular profile.
Working with notifications and switching profiles
One of the main problems users have is ignoring notifications from the second profile when the main one is active. To avoid this, you need to properly configure notifications in the Second Space Management menu. Synchronizing notifications allows you to see messages from both profiles, but hides their contents for privacy.
Switching between spaces is done through notification curtains or special widgets, and HyperOS has added a more convenient swipe in the status bar.
- 🔔 Enable the “Show notifications” option to avoid missing the call in the messenger in the second profile.
- ⚡ Configure no battery restrictions for important applications in the second profile.
- 🔒 Use a quick password to instantly log in if the biometrics don't work.
If notifications don't come, check your power saving settings. The system can kill processes in the second space if it hasn't been used for a long time. Adding the app to the exception list (Settings → Battery → Permissions → Autostart) will solve the problem.
Why do notifications disappear after reboot?
Problems with banking applications and their solution
Banks are highly suspicious of the environment they can identify as emulated or altered. While Xiaomi’s Second Space is a system feature, some security mechanisms (SafetyNet, Play Integrity) can block the work of bank customers.
A common problem is that you can't run an application or crashes constantly, in which case you can try to clear the application data in the second profile, and if that doesn't help, you may need to hide the fact that you're using the second space, which requires more in-depth intervention, for example, through Magisk (you need to unlock the bootloader).
Some users are faced with what the bank app sees «_root_» In the Second Space, this is less common because the profile is clean, but conflicts with the fundamental rights of access are possible.
💡
Banking applications in the Second Space are more stable if the main profile does not have mods, tweakers or GPS emulation apps installed.
Removal and management of the Second Space
If the second profile is no longer necessary, it can be easily deleted, all data, applications and files inside will be permanently deleted, so before deleting (required) transfer important photos and documents to the main profile or to the cloud.
The deletion process is in the same menu where the activation was performed, and the system will alert you to the consequences and ask you to enter the password from the main profile for confirmation, and then the phone will return to the state of one user.
Memory management is also critical. Regularly check how much space the second profile takes up. If you use it only for a couple of messengers, there is no point in keeping heavy games or cache cards there. Optimizing storage will prolong the life of your smartphone drive.