How to completely disable the second space on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: 4 working ways

Why Xiaomi needs a second space and why they want to remove it

Xiaomi’s second-space feature (including the Redmi 8 Pro) was originally positioned as a tool to separate personal and work data, essentially two independent user profiles with their own apps, settings, and even passwords. However, in practice, many owners find that the feature is automatically activated after MIUI updates or when the device is first turned on, occupying precious memory and creating confusion in the interface.

On the Redmi 8 Pro (model M1908C3JG), the second space is implemented at the MIUI 11/12 firmware level, and its deactivation is not always intuitive.

• 📱 Lack of memory – each space reserves up to 2-4 GB for system files.
• 🔄 Accidental switching between profiles when blocking the screen.
• 🚫 Inability to delete via the standard menu (the Remove button is often inactive).
• 🔒 Conflicts with banking applications that can be blocked in the second space.

In this article, we will look at all possible ways to disable the second space, from official (via MIUI settings) to technical (using ADB and factory reset), and pay special attention to the consequences of each method and how to avoid data loss.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

The safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which is suitable if the second space was created manually and not blocked by the system.

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Scroll down and select the Second Space.
3. Click on the gear icon (⚙️) top-right.
4. Select Remove the Second Space.
5. Confirm the action by entering the password (if installed).

If the Remove button is inactive (grey), this means:

• 🔐 The second space is password protected – try entering it or resetting it via Mi Account.
• 📵 Device linked to Mi Account – authorization required.
• 🔄 The space is actively used (for example, applications are running in it).

Close all applications in both spaces|

Backup important data |

Make sure the battery charge is > 30%|

Turn off sync with Mi Cloud (if you don't need to)-->

⚠️ Note: Once the second space is removed, all the data in it (photos, messages, apps) will be permanently erased. If you want to save the information, first transfer it to the main space through Settings. → Memory. → Move the data.

Method 2: Removal through Recovery Mode

If the standard method didn’t work, try disabling the second space through Restore mode, which is suitable for Redmi 8 Pro with unlocked bootloader or root rights, but can work on stock firmware as well.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery Mode menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
4. After reset, go to Reboot → Reboot to System.

This method will completely reset the device, but it will also remove the second space.

• 📲 Backup is mandatory – all data will be erased.
• 🔓 If the device is tied to Mi Account, after reset, you will need to enter a login and password.
• ⚙️ On some versions MIUI 12.5+ This method may not work – the system will restore the second space after the first setup.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which requires a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. On your smartphone, activate Developer Mode: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect Redmi 8 Pro to your PC via USB and confirm debugging permission.
5. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.secondspace

If the command is successful, the second space will be removed.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This method can cause data loss or device locking. If you are not sure about your actions, skip this method.

💡

Before executing ADB commands, check if the device is recognized by the adb device command. If the list is empty, install the drivers for the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro manually.

Method 4: Complete Fastboot Reset (Extreme Method)

If all the other methods didn't work, you'll have to completely reset through Fastboot mode, which will delete all the data, including the second space, and return the smartphone to factory status, which is suitable for the Redmi 8 Pro with a locked bootloader.

Instructions:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 8 Pro (for example, from here) and unpack it into a folder with fastboot files.
2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect the device to the PC and open the command line in the firmware folder.
4. Run the command to completely reset:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

Once you reboot, it's going to be like new, without the second space.

• 🔧 This method does not require unlocking the bootloader, but it will reset all data.
• 📦 If after discharge MIUI Again, offer to create a second space, refuse at the initial setup stage.
• 🔒 If the phone was linked to Mi Account, after the reset, you will need to enter account data.

💡

Fastboot reset is the most radical, but also the most reliable way to remove the second space, and only use it if other methods have failed.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you turn off the second space on the Redmi 8 Pro, users face typical problems.

1. The "Delete" button is inactive

If the menu is settings → Memory. → The second space of the grey button removal, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔒 Second space is password protected – enter it or reset it via Mi Account.
• 📵 Device is tied to Mi Account – untie it in account settings.
• 🔄 Space is used by the system – restart your phone and try again.

2 After removal, the space appears again.

This is a typical problem for MIUI 12.5+, where the second space is tied to a Xiaomi account.

• 📱 Untie the device from the Mi Account before removing the space.
• 🔄 Reset your settings via Recovery without connecting to your account when you first set up.
• 🛠️ Use it. ADB for forced removal (see Method 3).

Error "Inadequate memory to delete"

If the system is giving this message, it means:

• 📱 Mainly less than 1GB of free space – free up memory.
• 🔧 The second space takes up too much data – transfer some files to the main space.
• ⚙️ Firmware is damaged – reset via Fastboot.

What to do after removing the second space

After successfully disabling the second space, it is recommended to perform several actions to avoid its reappearance and optimize the operation of the smartphone:

1. Check Free Memory: Go to Settings → Memory and make sure the amount of available space has increased.
2. Update MIUI: Sometimes errors with second space are fixed in new firmware versions. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.
3. Turn off automatic space creation: In Settings → Special Options → Second Space Deactivate Auto Switch option.
4. Configure backup: If you’ve used a second workspace, move your important data to the main space or cloud.

If you plan to sell or transfer Redmi 8 Pro to another user, after removing the second space, perform a complete reset via Settings → Additional → Reset. This ensures that all personal data is erased.

💡

To avoid accidentally creating a second space in the future, disable the feature in Mi Account settings: Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Sync → Second space (turn off the slider).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions