How to completely cancel the second space on Xiaomi: all working methods

Dual space in MIUI is one of Xiaomi’s most controversial features, and it’s a convenient tool for separating personal and work data, but it’s often activated accidentally or gets in the way of updates. If you find that your Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphone requires you to choose space when you turn on and duplicate apps appear on the menu, this article will help bring the device back to standard mode.

We will discuss all the current ways to disable the second space, including official methods through MIUI settings, hidden commands for power users, as well as radical measures like factory resets. We will focus on the nuances of what to do if the option to disable is inactive, how to avoid data loss and why the function can spontaneously turn on after updates. Instructions are tested on MIUI firmware 12-14 and are relevant for models 2020-2026.

What is the second space on Xiaomi and why is it necessary?

Second Space was introduced in MIUI 8 as an analogue of multiplayer in Android, but with advanced features.

Initially, the function was positioned for:

• 👔 Separation of work and personal data (for example, for freelancers or employees with corporate phones).
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Sharing the device by multiple people (parents/children, spouses).
• 🛡️ Enhancing privacy (hiding personal data from outsiders).

However, in practice, many users face problems:

• ⚠️ Interferes with updates (some firmware requires you to disable the second space before installing it).

Official method: disabling through MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in system tools, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-14.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Special Functions section → Second space.
3. Click on Remove the second space (or Disable in older versions).
4. Enter the main space password (if requested).
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After that, the device will automatically restart, and when turned on, there will be no more request for space selection.All data from the second space will be permanently deleted - make sure you do not need files or settings from there.

⚠️ Warning: If the option Remove the second space is inactive (grey), it means that you are inside the second space.Switch to the main space via the lock menu or reboot.

The way for experienced: disabling through ADB

If the standard method fails (for example, due to a system failure or lack of an option in the menu), you can use the Android debugging bridge (ADB), which requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or quality).
• 📦 Utilities. ADB Fastboot (download from the official Android website).
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm the trusted device.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux) and execute: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.secondspace
5. Reboot the device: adb reboot

If the command is executed without error, the second space will be completely deleted, including all of its data. In rare cases, an additional command may be required to clear the cache:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.secondspace

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause the system to run in an unstable way if you type in the wrong commands. It is not recommended to experiment with other parameters of pm uninstall without understanding the consequences.

💡

If you have a second space left after you execute the command, try switching to that space first and then repeating the procedure, and sometimes the system blocks the removal from the main space.

Radical method: reset to factory settings

If none of the previous methods worked (for example, due to a serious system failure or blocking settings), the last option is a full reset, which is guaranteed to delete the second space, but also erase all data on the device, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos (if not saved in the cloud).
• 📱 Applications and their settings.
• 📞 Contacts (unless synced with Google or Mi Account).
• 📝 Messages and call logs.

How to reset:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Mark Delete all data (including internal memory if necessary).
4. Enter a password (if requested) and confirm the action.

Alternative method (if the phone is not turned on):

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) After the reset, the second space may remain empty without the possibility of deleting, in which case only the firmware through the Fastboot will help.

Why the second space can turn on itself

Many users experience a situation where a function is activated without their participation, and here are the most common reasons:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: Some firmware (e.g, MIUI 13.0.4 for Redmi Note 10 Pro automatically creates second space when installed.
• 🔑 Password reset: If you reset a pattern lock or PIN via Mi Account, the system can restore settings with duplicate space.
• 🤖 Launcher malfunctions: Bugs in the shell MIUI Sometimes they can cause spontaneous switching between spaces.
• 📱 Activation through button combination: On some models (POCO F3, Mi 11 Lite) Long-term clamping Loudness down + Power can trigger a menu to create a second space.

How to prevent automatic activation:

• 🛡️ Turn off automatic update installation in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔧 Check the Special Functions section regularly for second space.
• 📴 Avoid using third-party launchers (such as Nova Launcher) that may conflict with the MIUI.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you try to disable the second space, users often face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Additional advice:

• 🔍 If duplicate applications remain after the second space is deleted, clear their data in Settings. → Annexes.
• 📡 Mobile network problems after reset? restart your phone or manually select the operator in the settings SIM-map.
• 🔋 If the device discharges faster after the second space is turned off, check the activity of background processes in Settings. → Battery.

💡

If none of the methods worked, the problem is likely to be a system file corruption, in which case only a flashing through the Mi Flash Tool with a complete data cleanup will help.

Alternatives to the second space on Xiaomi

If you need data isolation, but the standard second MIUI space is not stable, consider alternative solutions:

• 🔐 Private regime in MIUI: Hide selected files and applications without creating a separate environment. → Confidentiality → Private regime.
• 📱 Android Multiplayer Mode: Built-in Android feature (not Android) MIUI), available in Settings → System system → Multiplayer mode supports up to 3 profiles.
• 🛡️ Cloning applications: Utilities like Parallel Space or 2Accounts Allows you to duplicate messengers without system changes.
• 🖥️ Virtual machines: For advanced users – UserLAnd or Termux with an isolated Android environment.

Comparison of alternatives:

For most tasks (for example, the separation of working and personal messengers), the optimal solution will be the multiplayer Android mode - it is more stable than the second space and does not require additional resources.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's second space