How to completely disable the second space on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: 3 working methods

The second space feature on Xiaomi smartphones allows you to create an isolated work environment with separate applications, settings and data. This is convenient for separating personal and work information or testing programs without risking the main profile. However, on the Redmi Note 8T (model M1908C3XG), this feature sometimes fails: slows down the system, takes up excess memory or interferes with updates. If you decide to turn it off, it is important to do it correctly – so as not to lose data and not disrupt the stability of the MIUI.

In this article, we will discuss three official ways to remove the second space: through standard settings, using Recovery mode and full reset to factory settings. You will also learn how to restore access to the main profile if after turning off the smartphone stopped loading correctly. All methods are tested on Redmi Note 8T with MIUI versions 12-14 and are relevant for firmware based on Android 9-11.

1.What is the second space and why should it be turned off

Second Space is a virtual profile in MIUI that runs parallel to the main one.

📱 A separate desktop with a unique set of applications
🔒 Own security settings (password, fingerprints, Face) ID)
📁 Isolated storage (photo, documents, cache)
📶 Use different Google and Mi Accounts

The Redmi Note 8T features a firmware-level feature, so turning it off requires not just deleting data, but deactivating the virtual environment.

⚡ Performance: The second space consumes up to 10-15% of RAM and can cause lags when switching between profiles.
📉 Memory shortage: system file duplication takes up to 3–5 GB of internal storage.
🔄 Problems with updates: some OTA-Packages are not installed if the second space is active.
🛠️ Failures: known bugs with notifications, geolocation and synchronization in the MIUI 12.5–14.

Before you start shutting down, check if you are using a second space for critical tasks (such as banking applications or corporate email).

📊 Why did you use the second space on Xiaomi?

Separation of work and personal

For testing applications

I mistakenly put it on.

Another option

Method 1: Disconnect via MIUI settings (no reset)

The safest method is to deactivate the second space through a standard menu, which is suitable if:

✅ The smartphone is loading normally
✅ You remember the password from the second space.
✅ No critical failures in the work MIUI

Instructions:

Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space
Enter the password from the second profile (if requested).
Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove the second space.
Confirm the action, wait for the process to be completed (takes 2-5 minutes).

Once removed, the smartphone will automatically reboot, and all data from the second space will be permanently erased, and the main profile will remain intact.

Backup your second profile | Remember account passwords | Check free space on your device | Connect charger (battery > 50%)

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⚠️ Note: If after removing the second space in Settings → The memory's left to the folder. miui_second_space, Don't manually delete it! This could cause a download failure. MIUI. Wait for the automatic cleaning system (usually takes up) 1–2 reboot).

Method 2: Recovery Mode (if the smartphone does not boot)

If the Redmi Note 8T is stuck on the MI logo or reboots cyclically after trying to disable the second space, use Restore Mode, which will reset all settings of the second profile, but save the main data.

Step-by-step:

Turn off the smartphone with a long press on the power button.
Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time until the Mi Recovery logo appears.
Select the language (volume buttons) and confirm the choice with the power button.
Go to Wipe & Reset → Delete Second Space.
Confirm the action and wait until the process is completed (up to 10 minutes).
Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

If Delete Second Space is not on the menu, the virtual profile is already deactivated, but its traces are still in the system, in which case a full reset (section 4) will help.

Symptoms.	Reason.	Decision
The smartphone does not boot after removing the second space	Damage to MIUI system files	Recovery through Fastboot (Section 5)
The second space is gone, but the folder miui_second_space left	Incomplete cache cleaning	Clean the cache in Recovery (Wipe → Wipe Cache)
After the reboot, the second space is active again.	Sync failure with Mi Account	Disable synchronization in account settings

💡

If the sensor is not working in Recovery, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to confirm the choice.

Method 3: Complete reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If the first two methods fail, you have hard reset, which is a complete reset, and it's guaranteed to delete the second space, but it's also going to erase all the main profile data, including photos, messages, and installed apps.

🔄 Cyclical reboot of the smartphone
🚫 Inability to log in to Recovery
📵 Loss of access to the main profile

How to reset:

Turn off the device.
Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery.
Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data.
Confirm the action by entering the code (if required) and wait for completion.
Reboot your smartphone (Reboot → Reboot to System)

After resetting, the Redmi Note 8T will boot as a new one, with clean MIUI firmware. You will need to reconfigure the device, including binding the Mi Account and recovering data from the backup (if it was created).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 13+ After reset, you may need to unlock the bootloader.If the smartphone requests authorization through the Mi Unlock Tool, follow the instructions in section 6.

What to do if after resetting the smartphone asks for an old password?

If you forgot the password from the main profile that was before the reset, and the smartphone requests it when you first set it up - this means that the Xiaomi data protection function (Mi Cloud Lock) is enabled. To unlock the device: 1. Go to the i.mi.com site from another device. 2. Sign in under the same Mi Account that was tied to the Redmi Note 8T. 3. Find the device in the list and click Delete the device. 4. Wait 24-48 hours (sometimes unlocking is instantaneous). 5. Reconfigure the setting of the smartphone.

5. System Restore via Fastboot (for power users)

If the Redmi Note 8T stopped loading even in Recovery after manipulating the second space, you will need to reflash it through Fastboot. This method is only suitable for users with experience with ADB and Fastboot.

Tools required:

🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools
🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original)
📄 Fastboot firmware ROM For the Redmi Note 8T (download from the official website)

Instructions:

1 Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters.


2. Connect the smartphone off to the PC, keeping Volume down + Power (Fastboot mode).




3. Open the command line in the firmware folder and do:




fastboot flash all




4. wait until the process is completed (the process will take 5-15 minutes).




5. Reset the device with the command:




fastboot reboot

After flashing, all data will be erased, including the second space, which will also help if the smartphone was blocked after the virtual profile was deleted unsuccessfully.

💡

Fastboot flashing removes all user data, but restores MIUI even in cases of critical failures.

6. How to unlock the bootloader after resetting

The Redmi Note 8T with MIUI 12+ may require unlocking the bootloader after a full reset if it has previously been locked, a standard Xiaomi security measure to prevent unauthorized access to the device.

To unlock:

Download the Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
Sign in under the same Mi Account that is tied to your smartphone.
Connect the Redmi Note 8T in Fastboot mode (keep Volume down + Power when connected to a PC).
Click Unlock in the program and wait until it is completed (usually takes 1-3 minutes).

Once unlocked, the smartphone will automatically restart. Now you can reconfigure it without restrictions.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking Bootloader resets all data on the device, including internal memory (userdata).If you did not back up in advance, it will be impossible to restore information.

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

Can I transfer data from the second space to the main one?

No, MIUI doesn't provide direct portability tools. You can manually copy files (photos, documents) through the File Manager, but applications and their data will have to be re-installed. Use Settings → System → Backup, but you can only restore it in the same space to back up.

Why did some applications disappear after the second space was removed?

This is because apps could only be installed in a second space.To return them, reinstall from Google Play or Mi App Store.If apps were pre-installed (pre-installed), they will return after the reboot.

How do you check if the second space has been removed?

Open the Settings. → The phone. → Memory, if a folder miui_second_space No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No, no, no. No, no. No, no. No, no. No, no. No, no. No, no. No, no. No, no. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. ADB: adb shell pm list users The output should not be a user with ID 10 (standard identifier of the second space).

Can I re-enable the second space after removal?

Yes, the feature is available at any time. To do this, go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space and follow the instructions for creating a new profile. Please note that re-enablement will take up to 5-10 minutes to set up the virtual environment.

Why does the smartphone ask for a password from Mi Account when you delete the second space?

This is a Xiaomi security measure to prevent unauthorized changes to system settings. If you forget your password, restore it through the official website. Without authorization, you cannot delete the second space.