How to completely disable the second space on Xiaomi Redmi 7: 5 working ways

Xiaomi Redmi 7 with dual Apps often raises questions among users: how to remove it correctly without disrupting the system? This option, useful for separating work and personal data, can become a burden if it takes up excess memory or interferes with updates. Unlike the new Redmi models, where the MIUI interface offers flexible settings, the Redmi 7 (2019) process has nuances – especially if the space was created through Settings → Special features.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to disable the second space, from standard methods through the MIUI menu to forced deletion through ADB and reset settings. Particular attention will be paid to the hidden dependencies of the function from the version of MIUI (10-12) and the possible consequences for user data. If you encounter an error “It is impossible to delete space” or after the disconnection there are “ghost” folders, here you will find solutions.

What is the second space on Xiaomi and why to turn it off

The second space feature (sometimes called Dual Apps or Second Space) in MIUI allows you to create an isolated copy of the system with separate settings, applications and data. On Redmi 7, it is implemented at the firmware level and can take up to 3-5 GB of internal memory.

• 📉 Memory Lack: The second space duplicates system files, which is critical for devices with a computer. 32/64 GB of storage.
• 🔄 Conflicts in the update: MIUI Can block installation of new firmware versions if two spaces are found.
• 🛑 Errors: Some applications (e.g. banking) refuse to run in the second space due to security restrictions.
• 🔍 Manage complexity: users get confused between primary and secondary space, losing data.

It's important to understand that the second space on Redmi 7 is not just a file folder, but a full-fledged virtual environment. Deleting it does not amount to clearing the cache. If you used the function to separate work and personal data, make sure to transfer important files to the main space or to an external medium before you turn off.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 10 for Redmi 7, after disabling the second space, there may be dead links in the app menu. → Annexes → Delete the data.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

The safest method is to use built-in tools MIUI. It is suitable if the second space was created through the system menu (not through third-party utilities). MIUI 10–12:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Special Opportunities section → Second space.
3. Click on Remove the second space (or Disable if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action by entering the screen lock password (if installed).
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 5-10 minutes).

If the Remove button is inactive or absent, it means:

• 🔹 The second space is password protected (you need to enter it in the Security menu). → Second space).
• 🔹 The function is blocked by the administrator of the device (relevant for corporate phones).
• 🔹 The firmware is modified (for example, custom installed) MIUI third-party).

Backup data from the second space|Remember the screen lock password|Check the free space on the device (needs to be used) ≥1GB)|Disable Xiaomi account sync in second space-->

⚠️ Note: Once the second space is deleted through settings, all data in it (photos, messages, accounts) will be permanently erased and can only be restored from a backup if it was created in advance.

Method 2: Forced Deletion through Recovery Mode

If the standard method doesn't work, you can use Recovery Mode, which works even on locked devices, but you need to be careful:

1. Turn off Redmi 7.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the MI logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English by default).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Second Space (or similar).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

On some versions of MIUI, the Wipe Second Space option may not be available.

• 🔧 Try Wipe Cache first, then try again.
• 🔧 If it doesn’t work, you will have to use it. ADB (4).

Using the settings |Use Recovery Mode |Use ADB|IS resetting to factory settings |IS NOT deleting, I'm afraid to break the phone-->

Method 3: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the second space is not removed by any other means, it's a radical solution that will bring Redmi 7 back out of the box, but also erase all the data in the main space.

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 70%.
• 🔑 Make sure to remember the password from your Xiaomi account (required after resetting).

Resetting instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select to erase all data (including internal memory).
3. Enter the screen lock password and confirm.
4. Wait until the phone is finished (it will reboot several times).

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 7s MIUI 10 after reset, you may need to re-assign Xiaomi account through SMS-If you forget your account password, don't reset, the device may be locked!

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If the second space reappears after the reset, it's a sign that the feature has been activated at the firmware level, in which case only flashing through the Fastboot or MI Flash Tool will help.

Method 4: Remove via ADB (for advanced users)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method is suitable if the standard methods didn’t work and you don’t want to reset, you’ll need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and USB debugging enabled on your phone.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode on Redmi 7: Go to Settings → About Phone. Press 7 times on MIUI Version. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging.
2. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (original!).
3. Open the Command Prompt (CMD) on your computer and type: adb devices If the device appears in the list, run: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.secondspace
4. Reboot Redmi 7.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell am broadcast -a com.miui.secondspace.DELETE_SECOND_SPACE

Possible errors and solutions:

• 🚫 device unauthorized: The phone will be asked for debugging permission - confirm it.
• 🚫 Command Not Found: Make sure you ADB The path is fixed and the path is fixed in the environment.
• 🚫 Failure [DELETE_FAILED_DEVICE_POLICY_MANAGER]: The second space is protected by the device policy (you need to reset the settings).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you delete the second space on Redmi 7, users face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

1.The Remove button is inactive

Causes and solutions:

• 🔐 The second space is password protected: go into it, enter the password, then try to delete again.
• 📱 Device in Guest Mode: Switch to the main user in the lock menu.
• 🛠 The firmware is modified: if you installed custom software, the function may be blocked. Try returning stock firmware via Fastboot.

2 After the deletion, the files of the second space remained

If there are still “ghost” files in the app menu or gallery:

• 🗃 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Clean and perform a deep cleaning.
• 🔍 Use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager) and manually delete folders with secondspace names or miui_second root-catalog.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the system cleans the residual data after a reboot.

3. "It is impossible to remove space" error

This message appears if:

• 📲 The second space is currently in use (close all applications in it).
• 🔧 There was a system error (reboot or reset via Recovery will help).
• 🛡 Application Protection is activated (turn it off in Settings) → Annexes → Application protection).

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If none of these methods worked, check out the MIUI version: on some MIUI 10.3-10.4 builds for Redmi 7, the second space function is hard-stitched into the firmware. The only way out is to upgrade to MIUI 12+ or reflash through Fastboot.

How to avoid creating a second space

After successfully removing the second space, many users face a spontaneous recovery after a MIUI update or reset.

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and deactivate the option Auto boot.
• 📵 Do not use the app cloning function: MIUI There's a separate option called Dual Apps that can conflict with the second space. → Annexes → Dual Apps and Disable.
• 🔧 Check firmware before installation: Some custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu or LineageOS) can automatically activate the second space.
• 🛡 Set up backup: Create a backup of the main space through Settings → Additionally. → Backup so that data is not lost when reset.

If you use data separation frequently, consider alternatives to the second space:

• 📁 User profiles: in Android 9+ (Redmi 7 can be used to create multiple users through Settings → System system → Multiplayer mode.
• 🔐 Container applications like Island or Shelter that isolate data without creating a full second space.
• ☁ Cloud Services: Store your work and personal files in different Google Drive or Mi Cloud accounts.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions