How to Move Apps to Xiaomi’s Second Space: A Complete Guide

Xiaomi’s second-space feature allows you to create an isolated work environment with separate apps, settings and data, useful for separating personal and work information, testing programs or hiding sensitive data, but many users are faced with the problem of how to properly migrate applications between the main and second spaces to avoid data loss and conflict.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to transfer applications – from standard tools. MIUI Up to workarounds for applications that do not officially support duplication. You will learn which applications cannot be ported without data loss (for example, banking or device-based), how to synchronize notifications and why some programs may not work in a second space. MIUI 14/15 model Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO.

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

Second Space is a virtual isolated environment on Xiaomi smartphones that runs parallel to the main system.

• 📱 A separate desktop with its own icons and widgets
• 🔒 Isolated application data (does not overlap with the main space)
• 📶 Your network settings (Wi-Fi, mobile data)
• 🔑 Unique accounts (you can use different Google or Mi Accounts)

Main use cases:

• 💼 Separation of work and personal life – for example, work messengers in the second space, and personal ones – mainly.
• 🔍 Testing applications without risk to the core system.
• 👤 Hiding confidential data from outsiders (access with a separate password).
• 🎮 Using multiple accounts on games or social networks (for example, two Telegram or WhatsApp).

It's important to understand that the second space is not just an application folder, but a full-fledged virtual machine with its own processes.

• Applications in the second space do not see data from the main space (and vice versa).
• They consume additional resources (RAM, processor, memory).
• Certain functions (e.g, NFC or IR-blaster) may be limited.

What applications can be moved to the second space

Not all applications support portability or duplication, but here are the main categories:

Annexes that cannot be moved:

• 🏦 Banking and payment services blocked for security reasons.
• 🔐 Annexes linked to IMEI (For example, some corporate messengers).
• 📱 System Services (Google Play Services, Mi Cloud).
• 🎵 Music streaming services with DRM-Protection (for example, Apple Music).

⚠️ Note: Moving two-factor authentication applications (e.g. Google Authenticator) to a second space will result in loss of access to code in the main space!

Preparing a smartphone before transferring applications

Before you move applications, follow the following steps:

Enable the second space in Settings → Special facilities → Second space

Update MIUI to the latest version (minimum MIUI 12 required)

Clear the cache in Settings → Applications → Application Management

Backup your important data via Mi Cloud or locally

Check the space available (requires a minimum of 2-3 GB for duplicate applications)-->

Device requirements:

• 📱 Models: All smartphones Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO on MIUI 12 and newer (except Redmi Go and Android Go devices).
• 🖥️ Processor: Only devices with 64-bit chips (e.g. Snapdragon) 6xx/7xx/8xx Or MediaTek Helio).
• 💾 Memory: Minimum 1GB of free space to create a second space + placement.

If the second space is not yet configured, activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
2. Click “Create a Second Space” and follow the instructions.
3. Set a password (other than the main one) for additional security.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 or later, when creating a second space, 4-8 GB of memory is automatically reserved for its needs. If there is not enough free space, the system will prompt you to clear the cache or delete unnecessary files.

How to transfer applications to the second space

There are three main methods of porting applications. Let's look at each one in detail.

Method 1: Standard duplication through settings MIUI

The easiest way is to use the built-in function. MIUI:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Duplicate applications.
2. Select the apps you want to migrate (like WhatsApp or Telegram).
3. Click "Duplicate" and confirm the action.
4. Switch to the second space (swipe down the notification panel) → Icon "Second Space»**).
5. Run a duplicate application and perform authorization.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not all applications are available for duplication (list depends on version) MIUI).
• ❌ Data from the main space is not transferred (you will have to reconfigure it).
• ❌ Some apps (such as Instagram) may require re-verification of your account.

Method 2: Manual installation APK second-space

If the application does not appear in the list for duplication, you can install it manually:

1. Download. APK-Application file from a trusted source (e.g., APKMirror).
2. Switch to second space.
3. Open the files. → Download and start installation APK.
4. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ You can install any application, even if it does not support duplication.
• ✅ Suitable for testing beta versions or modified versions APK.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK Google Play Protect may violate Google Play Protect's security policy. Some applications (e.g. banking) may block an account if an unofficial installation is detected.

Method 3: Cloning through third-party applications

For advanced users, there is a possibility of cloning applications with data storage.

• 🔄 Island (requires root or ADB)

Instructions for Island (with root):

1. Install Island from Google Play or F-Droid.
2. Provide root access or execute a command via ADB: adb shell pm install-create -r -t -i com.oasisfeng.island
3. Move the necessary applications to the "Island"** (second space).
4. The data will be copied from the main space.

💡

If you use Parallel Space, disable autosynchronization in your app settings, which will prevent conflicts between copies of the same account.

Mistakes in transferring applications and how to fix them

When you move applications to a second space, you can have errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

Additional problems and solutions:

• 🔄 App not updated: Updates from Google Play may be blocked.Install update manually via APK.
• 🔒 Account lock: Some services (such as WhatsApp) can block an account when you switch between spaces frequently.

Synchronization of data between spaces

By default, the data between the main and second spaces is not synchronized, but there are ways to share files and settings.

Synchronization methods:

• 📁 Shared folders: Files in Download folders, DCIM Documents are available in both spaces.
• ☁️ Cloud Services: Use Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Dropbox to transfer files.
• 🔗 Symbolic links (for advanced): With the help of ADB You can create links to files between spaces: adb shell ln -s /data/data/com.example.app/primary /data/data/com.example.app/secondary

Synchronization limitations:

• ❌ Application settings are not portable (for example, Telegram themes or saved games).
• ❌ Local databases (such as WhatsApp messaging history) are isolated.
• ❌ Notifications from one space are not displayed in another (unless forwarding is configured).

You can use applications like SyncMe or FolderSync to automate data exchange, but they require additional permissions.

💡

If you need to transfer large files (such as videos or backups), use a physical microSD card.

Optimizing the Second Space: Tips and Tricks

To ensure that the second space is stable and does not brake the main system, follow these recommendations:

• 🧹 Clean the cache regularly: Go to Settings → Annexes → Second space → Clear the cache.
• 🔋 Limit background activity: In Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization Disable Unnecessary Applications.
• 📶 Set up networks separately: In the second space, you can use a different Wi-Fi or VPN.
• 🛡️ Disable unnecessary notifications: To avoid duplication of alerts from both spaces.

How to reduce memory consumption:

• Use lightweight versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite instead of Facebook).
• Turn off auto-update apps in Google Play for the second space.
• Move your media files (photos, videos) to a microSD or cloud.

If the second space starts to slow down, check:

• 📊 Use of RAM: In Settings → The phone. → Status of the system.
• 🗑️ Free space: Minimum 1GB should remain free.
• 🔄 Application conflicts: Some programs (such as antiviruses) may block the second space.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's second space