How to change your password in the second space Xiaomi: 3 proven ways

The second space on Xiaomi smartphones is a convenient feature for separating personal and work data, but sometimes users face the need to change the password from this mode. The reasons can be different from the banal forgetting of current code to the desire to improve security after transferring the device to another person. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to change passwords, including nuances for different versions of MIUI and smartphone models.

It's important to understand that the procedure is different from the standard lock password change. The second space in Xiaomi has its own security system, and not all users know where to look for the right settings. We'll look at official methods through the phone menu, as well as alternative solutions for cases where the standard method does not work.

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

Second Space was first introduced in MIUI 8 and has since become an integral part of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO firmware.

• 📱 Applications (you can duplicate messengers, social networks)
• 📁 Files and media library
• 🔑 System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, sound)
• 🛡️ Password lock (separate from the main one)

The primary purpose is to separate personal and work information, for example, you can install family apps in the main space, and the second one is corporate messengers and email, and when you switch between spaces, the system completely isolates data: you can't see files or notifications from one space to another.

On Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and later, the feature is more stable than on older devices (for example, Redmi 5 or Mi A2), where sometimes errors occur when changing the password. In MIUI 15, the second space configuration interface was redesigned, but the essence remained the same.

Method 1: Change password through second space settings

The simplest and most formal method is to change the password directly from the second space menu, which works if you remember the current password and have access to the device. MIUI 12–15:

1. Go to the second space (swipe down the notification panel → user icon → select the second space).
2. Open the Settings. → Password and security.
3. Select the second space password (on some models, the item may be called the second space lock).
4. Enter the current password for confirmation.
5. Enter a new password (minimum 4 characters, 6+ is recommended for security).
6. Confirm the new password and save the changes.

On some devices (such as the POCO F5 or Xiaomi 12T), after changing your password, the system may request a reboot. Don’t ignore this requirement – without rebooting, the new password may not apply.

⚠️ Note: If you use a fingerprint or facial recognition to unlock a second space, after you change your password, that data will be reset. → Biometry.

Method 2: Reset password through Mi Account (if you forgot the current one)

If you forget the password from the second space, but you have linked the device to your Mi Account, you can use the reset function, which works on most models, including the Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi 11T and later. Important condition: the phone must have a mobile network or Wi-Fi active to sync with Xiaomi servers.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen of the second space, enter the wrong password 5 times in a row.
2. Will you see a message Forgot your password? – click on it.
3. Select the recovery option through Mi Account.
4. Enter the username and password from your Xiaomi account (the same as used in the main space).
5. Confirm the action via SMS or email (depending on the account security settings).
6. Set a new password for the second space.

If after the reset you see an error failed to synchronize the data, check:

• 🌐 Connect to the Internet (switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi or vice versa).
• ⏳ Time and date on the device (must be relevant).
• 🔄 Xiaomi server status (sometimes technical work).

⚠️ Note: After resetting the password through Mi Account, some of the second space settings may be reset to factory settings (e.g., background wallpaper or application order on the home screen.

Method 3: Complete reset of the second space (extreme case)

If none of the previous methods worked, the radical solution is to completely reset the second space, which would remove all data inside the isolated environment, including:

• 📱 Installed applications and their data
• 📂 Photos, videos, documents
• 📞 Call log and SMS
• ⚙️ Individual settings (wallpaper, sounds, widgets)

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to the main space of the phone.
2. Open Settings → Memory → Second Space
3. Select Remove Second Space (or Erase Data on Some Models).
4. Confirm the action by entering the password of the main space.
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take 1-3 minutes).

Once reset, you can create a new second space from scratch by setting any password for it. This method is suitable for devices on MIUI 10-15, but on older versions (for example, MIUI 9), the path in the menu may differ: Settings → Additional → Second Space.

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Before resetting the second space, check if it contains any important data. If you have, try transferring it to the main space via Settings → Memory → File Transfer (not available on all models).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you change your password in the second space, you often have a problem, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

Error: "Incorrect current password"

• Check the keyboard layout (Russian/English).
• Make sure that Caps Lock is not on.
• If the password contains characters, try entering them in a different order (sometimes touch input is incorrect).

Error: "Failure to change password. Retry"

• Restart the device and try again.
• Check the space available in memory (requires a minimum of 500 MB).
• Disable VPNs or proxy services – they can block communication with Xiaomi servers.

Error: "Second space disabled by administrator"

This error appears on enterprise devices where the second space feature is blocked via Android Enterprise or Mi Device Management.

• Contact the administrator of the device (if the phone was issued by the company).
• Try untie the device from the corporate account in Settings → Accounts.

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If you see a message saying “Service temporarily unavailable” when resetting via Mi Account, wait 10-15 minutes and try again, most often due to overloading of Xiaomi servers.

How to protect the second space from hacking

Changing your password is only part of security, and to protect your data in the second space as much as possible, follow these guidelines:

• 🔐 Use a password length of 8+ symbols with numbers, letters and special signs.
• 🔄 Change your password every 3-6 months (especially if you’re transferring your phone to other people).
• 📱 Set up a biometric lock (fingerprint or face) in addition to the password.
• 🚫 Turn off Smart Lock for second space (security settings) → Smart Lock).
• 🔗 Link the device to Mi Account for recovery.

On devices with MIUI 14+, we have a Privacy Protection feature that allows you to hide second-space notifications on the lock screen, to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications → Privacy.
2. Choose Hide the contents of notifications.
3. Activate the option for the second space.

On Xiaomi 13 Ultra and later, the second space supports hardware encryption (AES-256), making it virtually immune to software attacks.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions