How to completely disable the second space on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: 3 working ways

Xiaomi’s Second Space feature was originally conceived as a tool to separate personal and work data. With the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI firmware, it allows you to create an isolated profile with individual applications, files and settings, but over time, many users face the need to disable it, whether it’s due to lack of memory, application conflicts or simply because of needlessness.

Deactivation of the second space is not always smooth: the system can issue errors, require a password or even “forget” about its existence after updates. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to delete the second space on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, including hidden settings MIUI Lab, reset via Recovery and manual data cleanup.

Some methods require superuser rights or system files, and if you are unsure of your actions, use official MIUI tools or contact a service center.

1. Method: Standard shutdown via MIUI settings

The safest and most recommended method by Xiaomi is to deactivate the second space through the settings menu, which is suitable for most users and does not require technical skills. Importantly, make sure to back up the data from the second space before you start, as after you turn it off, it will be deleted.

Algorithm of action:

  1. Open the settings on the main screen.
  2. Go to Special Features (or additionally depending on the version of MIUI).
  3. Select the second space item.
  4. Press Turn off the second space.
  5. Enter the password from the main account (if requested).
  6. Confirm the action and wait until the process is completed (may take up to 5 minutes).

If the second space is not on the menu, then the function has been disabled earlier or hidden in the developer settings.

Save important files from the second profile|Remember the password from the main account|Check the battery charge (minimum 30%)|Disable screen locking (if there are problems with password entry)-->

What if the system asks for a password but you forgot it? 80 percent of the time, resetting a password through Mi Account helps:

  1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
  2. Sign in under your account.
  3. In the Devices section, select Redmi Note 8 Pro.
  4. Click Reset Space Password (the feature is not available in all regions).

2. Method: Remove via MIUI Lab (hidden settings)

On MIUI 12-14 firmware, the second space function can be hidden in the system’s laboratory, the MIUI Lab, which is suitable if the standard path has failed or the space has “hang” after the upgrade.

Instructions for activation of MIUI Lab:

  1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
  2. Click on the MIUI version 7 times in a row until you become a developer!
  3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Developer Settings.
  4. Activate the MIUI Lab switch (also known as MIUI Lab).

Now we move on to the removal of the second space:

  1. Back to Settings → Special facilities.
  2. Slip on the free space at the top of the screen 5 times - the hidden menu will open.
  3. Select Space Management (or Second Space Manager)
  4. Click Remove the second space and confirm the action.
What if the MIUI Lab is not displayed?
On some firmware MIUI The lab is hidden deeper: 1. Set the region of India in settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Region). 2. Update MIUI until the last stable version. 3. Use it. ADB-The command for forced inclusion: adb shell settings put global miui_lab_enabled 1 After completing the command, restart the device.

Attention! On MIUI 14 and later, the MIUI Lab function can be removed, in which case you move to the Recovery reset method.

3. Method: Hard removal through Recovery Mode

If the second space does not turn off through settings or causes errors (e.g. com.android.systemui stopped), you will have to resort to resetting through Restore mode, which removes all data from the second space, but retains the main profile.

Step-by-step:

  1. Turn off the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
  2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time until the MI logo appears.
  3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (use volume buttons for navigation).
  4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Second Space.
  5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 2-3 minutes).
  6. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

If Wipe Second Space is missing, the firmware does not support separate deletion, in which case you will have to do a full reset (Wipe All Data), but this will delete data from both spaces.

💡

Before logging into Recovery, check the battery power – if the device turns off during the process, it could damage system files.

Table: Comparison of methods for disconnecting the second space

MethodDifficultyRoot is required.Loss of dataIt's working on MIUI 14.
Through settingsLow.No.Only in space 2.Yes.
MIUI LabMediumNo.Only in space 2.No (on some versions)
Recovery ModeTall.No.Only in 2nd space (or full Wipe All)Yes.
ADB-teamVery high.Sometimes.Depends on the team.Yes.
Manual file cleaningExpertYes.Possible loss of system dataYes.

Method 4: Removal via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can try disabling the second space via the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

  • 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
  • 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
  • 📱 Included debugging by USB On the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

Instructions:

  1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and allow debugging over USB.
  2. Open the command prompt (cmd) and type: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
  3. Run the command to check the status of the second space: adb shell pm list users In the output, find the line from UserInfo{10:Second space:13} (the numbers may differ).
  4. Remove the space with the command: adb shell pm remove-user 10 (replace 10 with the current ID from the previous step).
  5. Reboot the device: adb reboot

💡

If the second space is left after the commands are executed, then it is protected by the system, in which case only resetting via Recovery or manually deleting files with root rights will help.

ADB errors and their solutions:

  • Device unauthorized → Reconnect USB and confirm debugging on your phone.
  • no such user 10 → Check the correct ID through the pm list of users.
  • Operation not allowed → Root or unlocked bootloader rights are required.

5 Manual deletion of second space files (root only)

This method is suitable for experienced users who are ready to work with system files. Wrong actions can lead to a device "brick!" We recommend you to make a full backup through TWRP before starting.

What files should be deleted:

  • 📁 folder /data/user/10 (or ID space-space).
  • 📄 File. /data/system/users/10.xml.
  • 🔧 The notes in /data/system/packages.xml, second-space.

Instructions:

  1. Get root rights (for example, through Magisk).
  2. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
  3. Go to /data/user/ and delete the folder with the second space ID.
  4. Clear the cache in /data/system/package_cache/.
  5. Reset the device.

Yes, regularly |Tryed but deleted |No, I haven't tried |I don't know what it-->

⚠️ Attention! Deleting system files without a backup can lead to a bootloop.If the smartphone doesn't turn on after the reboot, try flashing stock firmware through Fastboot.

Possible problems and solutions

Even after the second space is successfully shut down, Redmi Note 8 Pro users may experience side effects, and consider the most common and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The system asks for a second space password when it is enabled

This happens if the spaces have not been completely removed.

  • 🔄 Reset with Recovery (Wipe Second Space).
  • 🔑 Enter any password 5 times in a row - the system can unlock (does not work on all versions) MIUI).
  • 📱 Connect to Mi Account and reset your password through the web interface.

Problem 2: Files from the main space are missing

If photos or documents are missing after the second space is deleted, check:

  • 🗃️ folder /MIUI/SecondSpace/ — Sometimes the files stay there.
  • 🔍 Use data recovery applications (e.g. DiskDigger).
  • ☁️ Check cloud backups in Mi Cloud or Google Drive.

Problem 3: Persistent errors in com.android.systemui

This indicates that the system files are corrupted.

  1. Clear the cache in Recovery (Wipe → Wipe Cache).
  2. Reverse to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot.
  3. Do a full reset (Wipe All Data) if the errors are repeated.

⚠️ Attention! If after removing the second space, the smartphone began to brake or overheat, check the processor boot in Settings → The battery, maybe the background processes of the second space were not properly stopped, and then only a complete reset would help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the second space on the Redmi Note 8 Pro

Can I return the second space after removal?
Yes, you can activate it again through Settings → Special Options → Second Space. All data will have to be reconfigured.
Why does the second space take up so much memory?
Each space has its own copies of apps and system files, for example, if the main profile has WhatsApp weighing 100 MB, in the second space it will take another 100 MB.
Will the second space work after the MIUI update?
Usually, yes, but sometimes after major upgrades (like MIUI 12 to MIUI 13), space can break, and then it has to be recreated or removed.
Can I transfer data from the second space to the main one?
There's no direct tool for that, but you can: Copy files manually through the file manager; back up the second space in the Mi Cloud and restore it mostly; use ADB to transfer data (technical skills required).
Why can't you enter the second space after the reset?
It's likely that the space has been damaged. Try: Remove it through Recovery and recreate it. Reset all settings (Settings → System → Resetting). Swipe the device through Fastboot to clean up the data.