How to unlock the second space on Xiaomi, if you forgot the password: 5 working ways

Forgot the password from the second space on Xiaomi and can not access important data? This situation is familiar to many users who actively use the dual application function or the second desktop on their smartphones. Unlike the main password of the lock screen, resetting the password of the second space requires special actions — standard methods like Forgot the password? do not work here.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of unlocking, including official (via Mi Account) and alternative (via Recovery or ADB), focusing on the nuances for different models – from the Redmi Note 10 Pro to the flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra, as well as the risks of data loss. If you tried to enter a password repeatedly and received the message “Try later” – here you will find a solution.

Warning: Some methods require proof of ownership of the device (such as a tied Mi Account), while others can result in a complete reset of the second space, so make sure to check before you start whether your data is synced with Mi Cloud or other cloud services.

1.What is the second space on Xiaomi and why it is blocked

The second space function (or Dual Apps/Second Space) has been in MIUI since version 8. It allows you to create an isolated copy of the Android system with separate:

• 📱 Applications (duplicates of messengers, social networks, games)
• 📁 Files and media (photos, videos, documents)
• 🔑 Settings (wallpaper, sounds, accounts)
• 🛡️ Passwords and login data

The locking of the second space occurs for the same reasons as the main device:

• 🔒 Repeatedly incorrectly entering a password (usually after 5-10 attempts)
• 🕒 Expire of waiting time after unsuccessful attempts
• 🔄 Resetting the settings of the main space (sometimes affects the second one)
• 📲 Update firmware with errors

It's important to understand that the second space is not just a file folder, but a full-fledged virtual machine with its own encryption, so standard methods like connecting to a PC and viewing files through MTP won't work, you need special tools or access to system partitions.

2.Official method: Unblocking through Mi Account

The most secure and recommended method for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account.

• 📧 You have access to email/phone-linked
• 🔗 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data)
• 🔒 In the settings enabled synchronization with Mi Cloud

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen of the second space, tap the button "Forgot your password?" (if it is not available, proceed to the next method).
2. Select "Restore with Mi Account".
3. Enter your username (email or phone) and password from your Xiaomi account.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to create a new password.

If the "Forgot Password" button is not available, try:

1. Reset the device.
2. Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes the lock is triggered due to the limitations of the mobile operator).
3. Update the firmware through Settings → About the phone → System update.

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If you don’t remember the password from Mi Account, restore it through the official account.xiaomi.com. Use the linked email or phone number.

3. Unlocking through Recovery Mode (without data loss)

If the Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the data from it, you can try resetting the password through Recovery mode, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-14.

Importantly, not all versions of Recovery support this method. New devices (such as the Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+) may require unlocking the bootloader, which will lead to a complete reset.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Second Space Password (the name may vary depending on the version of MIUI).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

If you do not have the Wipe Second Space Password,

• 🔧 Try to choose Wipe Data → Erase Second Space (this will delete all data from the second space!).
• 🔄 Fastboot the device (instructions in the next section).

4.Reset second space via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If previous methods fail, you have to reset low-level reset via Fastboot mode, which requires a PC, USB-cables and installed drivers ADB/Fastboot. Warning: Incorrect commands can lead to a device "brick" (complete inoperability)!

Suitable for models:

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 11/12/13, Mi Mix
• 📱 Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi K40/K50
• 📱 POCO F3/F4/F5, POCO X3/X4

Instructions:

1. Install Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot.
3. Connect the device to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
4. Run the command to reset the second space: fastboot erase userdata_second (For new models): fastboot erase userdata_second_space
5. Reboot the device: fastboot reboot

If the team doesn’t work, try:

• 🔧 Find out the exact partition markup through fastboot getvar all.
• 🔧 Use an alternative command: fastboot format userdata_second.

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Fastboot commands are sensitive to the firmware version. On devices with MIUI 14+, you may need to unlock the Bootloader, which will result in a complete reset of all data (including the main space).

5. Unlock through ADB (without data loss but with risks)

The ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method is suitable if:

• ✅ The device is debugging on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer settings).
• ✅ Access to the main space (you can connect to the PC).
• ✅ Drivers installed ADB computer-based.

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging over USB.
2. Open the command line in the adb folder and execute: adb shell
3. Delete the file with the password of the second space: rm /data/system/second_space_password.key or (for new versions) MIUI): rm /data/system/users/1/second_space_password.key
4. Reboot the device: reboot

If the team didn't work:

• 🔧 Check the access rights: su (root rights required).
• 🔧 Try an alternative path: rm /data/data/com.miui.secondspace/shared_prefs/second_space_password.xml.

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If you don’t have root rights but USB debugging enabled, try using XDA Developers’ Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools utility. It automates the process of resetting the second space password.

6. Complete reset of the second space (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked, the second space is completely reset and all data is lost, and this method is guaranteed to work on all Xiaomi models, but:

• ❌ All applications, files and settings of the second space will be deleted.
• ❌ It will not be possible to recover data after the reset (if there was no backup copy).

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
2. Select "Delete the second space".
3. Confirm the action by entering the password of the main space (if required).
4. Wait for the process to be completed and restarted.

Once reset, you can create a new second space from scratch. If you need to save data, try before reset:

• 📤 Copy files from the second space through Explorer MIUI (if there is access).
• 🔄 Sync important data (contacts, photos) with cloud services.

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On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro), resetting a second space can block access for 24 hours, in which case, wait a day and try again.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you unlock the second space, users often face typical problems.

A few more nuances:

• 🔋 If the battery drops below 10% during the discharge process, the device may shut down and damage system files!
• 🌐 Some of the majors (e.g., global) MIUI EU) Recovery menu items may vary. Look for analogs by keywords: second space, password, wipe.
• 🔒 If you use fingerprint protection for a second space, biometric data will also be deleted after resetting the password.

8.How to recover data after unlocking

If you managed to unlock the second space but some of the data is lost, try the following recovery methods:

1. Through Mi Cloud:

• 📧 Go to i.mi.com and log in.
• 🔍 Check the Devices and Backups sections – it is possible that the second space data was synced automatically.

2. Through a local backup copy:

• 📁 Connect your phone to your PC and check the folder MIUI/backup/SecondSpace internal.
• 🔄 Use the Mi. PC Suite for recovery from backup (if it was created).

3. With the help of third-party utilities:

• 🛠️ Programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver can scan the device’s memory for deleted files.
• ⚠️ Risk! These utilities require root rights and can disrupt the system.

If the data is critical, but none of the methods worked, contact Xiaomi Service Center. Official partners have special tools to extract data from damaged partitions (service is paid, cost from 1,500 to 5 000). ₽ model-wise).

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The most reliable way to avoid data loss is to regularly sync the second space with the Mi Cloud or create local backups through Settings → System and Device → Backup.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

If your situation is not described in the article, check out the device model and MIUI version in the comments - we will help you find a personal solution. Good luck with unlocking!