The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is one of the brand’s most popular smartphones, but its dual app feature is often confusing, with many users activating it accidentally or unknowingly, and then facing duplicate apps, notifications and even leaks of personal data. In this article, we will discuss how to completely remove the second space on the Redmi Note 10 (including the Pro, Pro Max and the Redmi Note 10 models). 5G), avoiding typical errors.
Second space in the MIUI — It's not just a desktop copy, it's a complete, isolated environment with separate accounts, files and settings, and it's useful for separating work and personal life, but it can slow down a smartphone by 15-20 percent due to duplication of processes. In addition, some applications (e.g. banking) block the second space due to security risks.
We tested all the current ways to disconnect on the Redmi Note 10 MIUI 12-14 and found nuances that are not mentioned in the official instructions, such as why, after removing space through the settings, it can return after the reboot, and how to fix it.
What is the second space on Xiaomi and why to turn it off
Dual Apps (Second Space) was first introduced in the MIUI 8, and was positioned as a tool to separate personal and work data, essentially a clone of Android inside the main system, with its own personal data:
- 📱 Applications (you can duplicate messengers, social networks, games)
- 🔑 Accounts (different profiles of Google, Xiaomi, social networks)
- 📂 Files (isolated storage for photos, documents)
- 🔔 Notifications (separate alert centre)
Redmi Note 10 has the second space at the core level MIUI, So just removing the icon from the desktop won't help, and the system continues to spend resources on maintaining an isolated environment, even if you're not using it.
Reasons for disconnection:
- ⚡ Reduced productivity: duplication of processes eats up to 500–800 MB RAM and increases the load on the Snapdragon processor 678/732G.
- 🔋 Battery consumption: Background synchronization of the second space can reduce the running time by 10-15%.
- 🛡️ Security risks: some banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) block work in a cloned environment.
- 📱 Notification confusion: messages from the second space can be duplicated or lost.
⚠️ Note: If you used a second space to bypass bans in games (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact, its deactivation can lead to the blocking of the main account.
Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings
The easiest way is to use built-in tools. MIUI. It is suitable if you have not changed system files and have not received root access.
Step-by-step:
- Open Settings → Applications → Second Space
- Click on Remove the second space (button at the bottom of the screen).
- Confirm the action by entering the screen unlock password (if installed).
- Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 2-3 minutes).
After restarting the smartphone, check if:
- 📌 The icon of the second space in the application menu.
- 🔔 Notifications from duplicate messengers.
- 📊 Section Second Space in Settings.
☑️ Post-switch check
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 13/14 After such a disconnect, the space is restored after the system update. To avoid this, unplug the Xiaomi account in the second space settings before disabling.
If the Remove the second space button is inactive or absent, it means:
- 🔒 You are logged into the second space (switch to the main through the notification panel).
- 📱 You have a custom firmware installed (requires a reset to stock). MIUI).
- 🔧 The function is blocked by the policy of the device (relevant for corporate smartphones).
Method 2: Removal through MIUI Lab (hidden settings)
If the standard method doesn’t work, try disabling the second space through the MIUI Lab is a hidden menu for power users, and it works even on blocked firmware.
Instructions:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → On the phone. MIUI 7 times in a row until you become a developer!.
Settings → Additional → For Developers
MIUI Lab
MIUI Laboratory
Second space
Shut down.
Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.
V MIUI Labs can also be found:
- 🔄 Reset the settings of the second space to the factory.
- 🔒 Blocking the creation of a new space.
- 📊 View statistics on resource use.
| Parameter | Standard shutdown | Through MIUI Lab |
|---|---|---|
| Root is required. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| It works on custom firmware. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (partially) |
| Save data after updating | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| Implementation time | 1-2 minutes | 3-5 minutes |
💡
If the section MIUI Lab's missing, try updating the firmware to the latest stable version. MIUI 12.5 It's hidden due to bugs.
Method 3: Complete removal through hard reset
If previous methods have failed, the radical option is hard reset, which will delete all data, including the second space, but requires prior preparation.
Important: before discharge:
- 🔄 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
- 📝 Write down usernames/passwords from accounts (especially if you used different profiles in the second space).
- 📱 Make sure the battery is at least 50 times charged%.
Resetting instructions:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Select Delete all data (do not Reset settings!).
- Enter the unlock password (if installed).
- Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-10 minutes).
After discharge:
- 📱 The smartphone will reboot to the state "as out of the box".
- 🔧 The second space will be completely removed at the system level.
- 📊 At the first inclusion, you will be offered to restore data from the backup (you can skip the data).
⚠️ Note: Some Redmi Note 10 models (especially with the MIUI Global) after the reset, the error "This device is associated with an existing Xiaomi account" may appear. To unlock it, you will need to enter the associated account details or wait 72 hours for automatic unlocking.
What if there are traces of the second space after the reset?
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When you turn off the second space, users often face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them.
Error 1: "Not able to remove the second space"
Reason: Xiaomi account is tied to space or not enough rights.
Decision:
- Untie your account in Settings → Accounts. → Xiaomi (in the second space).
- Try to turn it off through MIUI Lab (method 2).
- If it does not help, do the reset (method 3).
Error 2: Second Space Returns After Update
Reason: bug in firmware MIUI 13.0.4–13.0.8.
Decision:
- Upgrade your smartphone to the latest stable version (MIUI 14 recommended).
- Before the update, disable the second space through MIUI Lab.
- If the problem persists, reset after the update.
Error 3: Lack of memory to delete
The reason: the second space took up more than 5 GB of data.
Decision:
- Clear the second space cache in Settings → Warehouse → Second space.
- Remove unnecessary applications from the second space.
- If the memory is not released, reset.
What to do with data from the second space before deleting
If you've been actively using the second space, you should save important data before you delete it. Unlike the main profile, files from the second space are not automatically backed up.
How to transfer data:
- 📂 Photo and video: Connect your smartphone to your PC and copy files from your folder /sdcard/miui/second_space/. Or use it. MI File Manager: Move to the Second Space → Internal memory. → DCIM.
- 📝 Contacts and Messages: Export contacts to.vcf via Google Contacts. Save chat history in instant messengers (on WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup copy).
- 🎮 Game saves: For cloud-save games (such as Genshin Impact), link your account to the main space. For offline games, use Titanium Backup (root required).
What can't be saved:
- ⚠️ App settings (such as topics on WhatsApp or Instagram filters).
- ⚠️ Local notes in a standard notebook MIUI.
- ⚠️ Data from some banking applications (re-authorization required).
💡
If you used a second space to work with cryptocurrency wallets (such as Trust Wallet or MetaMask), be sure to export seed phrases before deleting. Without them, access to funds will be lost!
Alternatives to the second space on the Redmi Note 10
If you need to separate work and personal data, but the second space is the MIUI It seems uncomfortable, consider alternatives:
| The alternative | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| 📱 Guest session | It does not require additional resources and switches quickly. | Limited settings, no application isolation. |
| 🔒 Cloning Apps (Parallel Space, 2Accounts) | More flexible settings, work without root. | They can slow down the system and risk security. |
| 🌐 Second Google account | Complete data isolation, synchronization with the cloud. | You need to constantly switch in settings. |
| 📱 Profile (Android for Work) | The official solution from Google is supported by corporate applications. | It is difficult to set up, not all applications support. |
For most Redmi Note 10 users, the best solution is a guest session or a second Google account, which does not overload the system or require complex manipulation.
If you want complete isolation (for example, for testing applications), consider virtual machines like UserLAnd or Waydroid. These allow you to run a second Android inside the main system, but require root rights.