Xiaomi’s current MIUI and HyperOS smartphones offer users a unique opportunity to have a second space, not just a folder or a hidden mode, but a fully-fledged, isolated environment that runs parallel to the main profile. Many users are wondering how to move the app to a second space to separate work from personal tasks or hide sensitive data from prying eyes.
Unlike simple app cloning, which duplicates a particular messenger or social network, the second space creates a virtually new operating system inside your phone. The data here is completely isolated: the gallery, contacts, call history and installed programs in the second profile do not overlap with the main one. It is a powerful privacy tool that is built into the firmware and does not require the installation of third-party software.
The setup process may seem complicated only at first glance, but in practice it only takes a few minutes.You don’t need to be an Android expert to figure it out.In this article, we’ll go through all the steps of creating an additional profile, portability techniques, and customization subtleties that will help you make the most of your Xiaomi system.
What is the second space and why is it necessary?
The second space is a separate user profile on the Android operating system, implemented in shells from Xiaomi. Technically, it's like creating a new user on a computer: you have a primary account with all the data and a second one, clean or customized for specific tasks. The key feature is that you can switch between them instantly by simply swiping your finger on the lock screen or through settings.
The main purpose of this feature is to delineate the contexts of smartphone use, for example, you can install in the second space work messengers, banking applications and corporate mail, leaving the main profile for entertainment. MIUI allows you to hide the very presence of the second space, protecting it with an additional password or fingerprint other than the main one.
It is important to understand the difference between this feature and the Guest mode. The guest usually does not have the right to install new apps or change system settings, whereas the second space gives full administrator rights. You can download games, set up notifications and use different Google or Mi Account accounts at the same time.
- 🔒 Complete data isolation: files and photos from the main profile are not visible in the second.
- 📱 Duplicate applications: the ability to run two different accounts on the same social network independently.
- ⚡ Quick switching: access to hidden profile through special fingerprint.
- 🛡️ Hiding icons: the ability to remove the switching label from the desktop for more secrecy.
Preparation for the creation of an additional profile
Before you start porting apps, you need to make sure your device is ready to create a new environment.The second space feature is built into most modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, however, on some global versions of firmware it can be hidden or require activation through special menus. Check for system updates in the Settings → About Phone section, as new versions of HyperOS may have changed the algorithms of work.
The second space takes up disk space, because it actually creates a copy of the system libraries for a new profile. If you have a lot of heavy games and applications installed, make sure that the internal drive has free gigabytes. Free space is critical for stable operation, otherwise the system may work slowly or even refuse to create a profile.
☑️ Checking the device's readiness
You also need to think about how to unlock, and the system will suggest setting up a separate password or attaching a different fingerprint to enter the second space, and it's not just a security formality, it's the basic switching mechanism, and if you're using a scanner in the power button or under the screen, setting different fingers for different profiles will make it as convenient as possible to use the function.
⚠️ Note: When creating a second space, the system may request permission to access the main profile contacts and media. If you plan to have complete isolation, these permissions can be limited later in the settings, but access will initially be required for initial synchronization if you want to.
Step-by-step: how to create and configure a second space
The process of activating the second space in Xiaomi devices is standardized, but the path to it can vary slightly depending on the version of the interface. In the classic MIUI, you need to go to the Settings menu, scroll down to Second Space and press the activation button. In newer versions of HyperOS, this item is sometimes hidden deeper, for example, in the section Additional settings or Special features.
Once you click "Enable Second Space," you start the preparation process, and the smartphone creates the directories and configuration files that you need, and it can take anywhere from 30 seconds to a couple of minutes depending on your drive speed, and don't interrupt or turn off the screen until the system has completed initialization.
Once you've created it, you'll be in a clean profile, no longer your old apps, just the basics, a welcome window will appear on the screen, suggesting you set up your fingerprint for quick access, and setting up your biometrics is the most important step, because it's the fingerprint that will be the key to instantly transition between worlds.
The activation path (standard):
Settings → Second Space → EnableIf you don't find a menu item, try searching by settings, type "Second Space" or "Second Space" into the search box, and the system will open the menu itself, even if it's hidden in the back of the structure.
What to do if the function is not on the menu?
Methods of transferring applications to the second space
There are two main ways to populate your new profile with the right software: the first and easiest way to install it again, and when you're in the second space, you open Google Play Market or GetApps and download the right apps on the new device, which ensures that the cache is clean and that there are no setting conflicts, but takes time to install and log in to each service.
The second method is to use the built-in port function. In the second space settings (usually in the three-dot menu or gear menu), there is an option "Add apps" or "Data port" and the system will offer a list of programs already installed in the main profile. MIUI copy APK-Data cloning does not work for all applications: some banks and secure programs may require re-authorization.
It is important to note that you can only transfer system applications or those downloaded from official stores. APK-files installed bypassing the store may not appear in the list available for transfer, in which case you will have to download the installation file again inside the second space.
| Type of application | Transfer method | Data retention | nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social media (VK, Telegram) | Automatic. | Partial (entry required) | You can use different accounts. |
| Banking applications | Hand-mounted | No (requires reset) | They may swear at root rights or emulators |
| Games | Automatic. | Account login required | It takes up a lot of space in both profiles. |
| System utilities | Automatic. | Complete. | Settings are independent |
When transferring heavy games, keep in mind that the cache files (OBB data files) will also be copied, which means that if the game weighs 5 GB, then in the second space it will take another 5 GB. Duplication of files takes place completely, they are not “shared” between profiles to save space.
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Use the Add Apps feature immediately after you create a profile until you install anything extra, which allows you to copy the entire package of the desired software from the main profile in one click, saving time on manual download.
Access management and data security
Security in the second space is implemented through a strict separation of access rights. The applications running in this profile do not see the main profile files unless you explicitly gave permission to do so. However, there are nuances to working with Android permissions. For example, access to a microphone or camera is requested separately for each space.
You should pay special attention to notifications. By default, when you are in the main profile, notifications from the second space are not displayed so as not to give it away. But you can configure "Important Notifications" to see calls or messages from the hidden profile without switching to it. This is done through the settings of the second space in the Notifications section.
Hiding the switch icon is an important feature for those who want to mask the presence of a second profile as much as possible, so you can turn off the display of the “Second Space” shortcut on the desktop and in the notification curtain, and then the only way to get there is to use a pre-configured fingerprint on the lock screen or enter a special password.
- 👆 Use different fingerprints to switch instantly without entering passwords.
- 🔇 Turn off notifications for the second space in the main profile to avoid attracting attention.
- 🚫 Disable geolocation for second space if you only use it for local tasks.
- 🔐 Install a complex graphical key other than the main one to improve security.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting the second space will completely destroy all the data inside it.Photos, documents and game progress saved only in the second profile will be lost irrevocably.Be sure to back up important files before deleting it.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Despite the stability of the function, users may face a number of problems, one of which is the failure of applications to work in the second space. Some banks and corporate security clients (MDM) can determine whether there is a second profile or root rights (if they are mainly) and block the launch, in which case only removing the application from the second space or using alternative cloning methods helps.
Another problem is increased battery consumption. Since the second space can be used in the background processes (mail synchronization, messengers), the power consumption is added. If you rarely use the second profile, it makes sense to completely close the applications in it or turn off synchronization. Battery optimization in the MIUI settings also helps to limit background activity.
Sometimes there is a bug when after updating the firmware, the second space stops opening or the switch icon disappears. In this case, try clearing the Settings app cache or resetting the second space settings (without removing it completely if possible). If the problem persists, you may need to completely reset the device, but this is a last resort.
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The second space is not just a folder, but a separate layer of the operating system, and its stability depends on the firmware version, so always keep your smartphone software updated to avoid conflicts.
Also worth mentioning is the problem of notifications, which can sometimes be delayed or not coming at all if the system aggressively kills the processes in the second profile to save energy, and this is solved by adding important applications to the list of energy saving exceptions (no restrictions) within the second space itself.