Transfer applications to the second space on Xiaomi Redmi 9: a complete guide with nuances

Xiaomi’s second-space feature is a powerful tool for separating personal and work data, testing apps, or protecting sensitive information. Redmi 9 owners often face the question of how to properly migrate applications to an alternate profile so as not to lose data or disrupt the system? In this article, we will examine all the steps from creating a second space to the intricacies of synchronization and solving typical problems.

Many users mistakenly think that it is enough to simply copy the application through the menu, but in practice the process requires taking into account the versions of programs, access rights and even the features of the file system. MIUI. For example, transferring messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram can lead to loss of chat history if you don’t back up in advance, and some system applications (such as com.miui.gallery) do not support duplication without root rights at all.

We tested the process on Redmi 9 with firmware MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 13 to identify key differences, and it turned out that the new versions of the interface for creating a second space was simplified, but there were restrictions on porting payment applications (for example, Sberbank Online or Google Pay), which we also fixed in the instructions.

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

Second Space is an isolated environment based on MIUI, It runs parallel to the user's main profile, and it's essentially a separate account with its own personal profile:

• 📱 Installed applications (not dependent on the main space)
• 📂 Files and media library (photo, video, documents)
• 🔑 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, notifications)
• 🔒 Accounts (including Google, Mi Account and social media)

Main use cases:

• 💼 Separation of work and personal data (e.g. corporate Slack and personal data) VK space-wise).
• 🧪 Testing beta versions of applications without risk to the main profile.
• 🔐 Transferring your phone to a child or colleague with limited access to your data.
• 🛡️ Additional Virus Protection: If malware enters the second space, it won’t infect the main one.

Important: The second space on Redmi 9 does not support running two copies of the same app with different accounts (e.g. two Telegrams or two Instagrams).

Guest Mode: The guest profile is reset after exit, while the second space stores all data between sessions. In the second space, you can install apps from Google Play, whereas in guest mode this feature is often blocked.

Preparing the phone before creating a second space

Before you start migrating applications, you need to follow several critical steps, and skipping any of them can lead to failures, from data loss to complete inoperability of the second space.

1. Check the space. Second space requires a minimum of 1.5-2 GB on the system partition. Make sure Redmi 9 has enough memory:

Settings → About the phone → Storage

If less than 3GB is free, delete unnecessary files or transfer them to the computer. SD-Otherwise, the system may refuse to create a second space with the error "Not enough memory".

2. Backup: Some applications (e.g. messengers) can be deleted. Make sure to backup:

• 🔄 For WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup (save to Google Drive).
• ☁️ For Telegram: Export chats through Settings → Additionally. → Export of data.
• 📁 For photos and videos: copy folders DCIM and Pictures on PC.

3. Update MIUI. Redmi 9 with older firmware MIUI 12 The second space function may not work well. Check the version's relevance:

Settings → About the phone → System update

Step-by-step: Creating a second space

The creation process takes 5-10 minutes. Follow the instructions carefully - at the step of setting the password, many users make errors that then have to be corrected through a reset.

Step 1: Activation of the function

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Scroll down and select the Second Space.
3. Click Create a Second Space.

Step 2. Set up the password

• 🔐 Think of something different from the main PIN-Using the same password for both spaces is a gross security error.
• ⚠️ Don’t use simple combinations like 1234 or 0000, they’re easy to pick up through a reset.
• 📌 Write your password to a secure location (for example, Bitwarden password manager or a password manager). 1Password).

Step 3: Initial setting

Once the space is created, the system will propose:

• 📱 Select wallpaper and theme (you can skip by setting up later).
• ☁️ Sign in to Mi Account or Google (optional, but recommended for contact sync).
• 🔧 Set up notifications (they are duplicated from the main space by default).

Step 4: Reboot

Once you have set up, the phone will automatically restart. Don't interrupt the process, which can damage the second space data.

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If notifications from applications (for example, Viber or Gmail) disappear after creating the second space, check the sync settings in Settings. → Notifications → Notification settings for the second space.

How to Transfer Applications to Second Space

Applications can be transferred in two ways: through the built-in menu MIUI Or manually (install from scratch). Let's look at both of them with their pros and cons.

Method 1: Cloning through settings (recommended)

1. Open the Settings. → Second space.
2. Select Application Transfer.
3. Check the programs you want to duplicate (e.g. Chrome, Instagram, YouTube).
4. Click Transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not all apps support cloning (e.g. Netflix or SberBank Online can block work in a second space).
• ❌ Application data (such as saved passwords in Chrome or YouTube browsing history) is not transferred – only the application itself. APK-file.
• ❌ System applications (e.g. com.android.contacts) cannot be migrated.

Method 2: Install from scratch (for incompatible applications)

If the application is not portable through the menu, it can be installed again:

1. Go to the second space (swipe down the notification panel → user icon → select the second space).
2. Open Google Play and log in (if you haven’t done so before).
3. Find the right app and install it as usual.

Important: Some apps (like WhatsApp) require a link to a different phone number in a second space. If you need to use the same account, use the Dual Apps feature (but it only works in the main space).

Synchronization of data between spaces

One of the big problems with the second space is that it doesn't automatically synchronize data, so if you add a contact in the main space, it won't appear in the second space, and vice versa, you can solve this in a number of ways:

1. Common folders in MIUI File Manager

File manager MIUI Create a shared folder accessible from both spaces:

1. Open the files. → Internal storage.
2. Create a new folder (for example, Shared).
3. Press three points. → Settings → Shared folders.
4. Select the folder you created and enable the option Available in the second space.

The files that are copied to this folder will now be visible in both profiles.

2. Cloud services

To synchronize your contacts, notes or photos, use the clouds:

Manual export/import

For applications without cloud synchronization (e.g, SMS or Calls) use third-party utilities:

• 📩 For SMS: SMS Backup & Restore (save backup to shared folder and restore to second space).
• 📞 For call history: Call Logs Backup.

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Cloud sync is the most reliable way, but it requires a stable Internet connection, and local shared folders are convenient for files, but not protected from accidental deletion.

Typical errors and their solution

When working with the second space, Redmi 9 users often face typical problems, and we've collected the most common and ways to fix them.

1.The application does not open in the second space

⚠️ Warning: If the app is running a "Stop" or "Not responding" error after the transfer, it is likely to block the application from operating in an isolated environment:

• Try installing an older version. APK (For example, with APKMirror).
• Clear the app cache: Settings → Apps → [name] → Storage → Clear the cache.
• If it is a payment application (e.g. Tinkoff), it may not work in the second security policy space.

2. lack of memory in the second space

By default, the second space is allocated a fixed amount of memory, and if you see a notification saying "Memory is almost full":

• Remove unnecessary apps or cache (Settings) → Warehouse → Clean up).
• Transfer media files to a shared folder or to SD-map.
• If nothing helps, reset the second space to factory settings (Settings) → Second space → Remove the second space).

3.Notifications do not arrive in the second space

The problem is most often associated with energy saving settings:

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management → Select the App → Without Limitations

Also check if notifications in the app itself are disabled (for example, in Telegram this is configured in Settings). → Notifications).

4.The second space does not open after the update MIUI

⚠️ Note: After major updates (e.g., with the MIUI 12 on MIUI (13) the second space may become inaccessible:

1. Reboot the phone.
2. If the reboot didn’t help, remove the second space and create it again (the data will be lost!).
3. In extreme cases, reset settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Resetting settings), but it will remove all data from the phone.

Comparison of the second space with other functions MIUI

Many users confuse the second space with other features. MIUI, So, we're going to look at the differences between Dual Apps and Guest Mode:

When to use the second space:

• 🔒 Complete data isolation is required (e.g. to handle sensitive information).
• 🧪 Apps must be tested without risk to the main profile.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 You need to transfer the phone to another person with limited access.

When to use Dual Apps:

• 📱 You need to run two copies of the same app (for example, two Instagram accounts).
• 🔄 Requires a quick switch between profiles without complete isolation.

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The second space is a separate sandbox for applications and data, whereas Dual Apps simply duplicates the selected programs in the main space.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the second space on Redmi 9