Xiaomi and Redmi users often use the Second Space feature to separate work and personal data, a powerful privacy tool that hides apps and files from prying eyes. However, sometimes there is a situation where access to this hidden partition is lost and the password or pattern lock is forgotten. Restoring access can be difficult because of the security features of MIUI.
Unlike standard screen locking, resetting the second space password has its nuances. Simply turning off the phone or rebooting it won't help here, since the data is encrypted separately. You'll have to resort to more radical methods, which may include deleting the partition itself or using special debugging tools. It's important to understand that data security in the Second Space is not guaranteed during such operations.
In this article, we will take a look at all the solutions available, how to act if you have a Mi Account attached, and what to do if the security system has completely blocked access, and we will look at both software methods and extreme measures so that you can regain control of your device.
Why is the lock and how does the protection work?
The MIUI Android shell system treats the Second Space as a separate virtual user profile, isolated from the main space, which provides a high level of security. It is this isolation that makes it impossible to simply reset a password through the standard main profile menus. The system does not allow the main user to interfere with the affairs of the guest without special permission.
Most often, locking occurs after several failed attempts to enter a pattern lock or digital code. After a certain number of errors, the system temporarily blocks the input, and then may require confirmation through the Mi Account. If you do not remember the login details or did not link it, the situation becomes more complicated.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to select a password by brute-force (automatic brute force) on modern versions MIUI This will only result in an increase in lock time or a complete lock on the device by timer.
It is also worth noting that the Mi Account protection feature is the main recovery mechanism, and if it was activated in advance, the unlocking process will be much easier, otherwise the system will have to prove that you own the device using more sophisticated methods.
Method 1: Reset via an associated Mi Account
The most civilized and secure way to restore access is only possible if you have previously linked your Mi Account to the Second Space, a mechanism that was implemented by the developers for this particular case, and if you entered your account information when you created the profile, it will take a few minutes to recover.
First, you have to go to the Second Space interface, and after five incorrect password inputs, you have to have a "Forgot your password?" or similar button on the screen, and then you click on it, and you'll be prompted to log in, and you'll have to enter your Mi Account login and password.
- 🔑 Enter the correct Xiaomi account details that were used in setting up.
- 📱 Make sure your smartphone is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile internet to verify data.
- 🔄 After successful authorization, the system will offer to specify a new pattern lock or digital code.
If you have entered the correct data, but the system is writing about an error, check the keyboard layout and the character register correctly. Often users confuse the letters in the password or use the wrong account region. Also make sure that the date and time on the device are set correctly, as this affects security certificates.
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If you have changed your Mi Account password recently, try logging in with a password – the system can cache old authorization data for Second Space.
Method 2: Remove Second Space through Settings
If you can't recover your password, but you have access to your main profile, you can try removing the Second Space entirely, which is a method for those who are willing to sacrifice data inside a hidden partition to regain control of the function, and once you delete, you can create a new space with a new password.
Go to the main profile settings. Find the Second Space section (usually in the System Applications category or through Settings search). The profile management menu should have the Remove Second Space button.
The system will require a confirmation of action. You will be warned that all apps, photos and files inside will be permanently deleted. If you agree, confirm the operation. The smartphone may request a password from the main lock screen or a fingerprint to confirm.
☑️ Checklist before removing space
In some versions of MIUI (especially in Chinese firmware or older builds), deletion can be blocked if the Delete Protection feature is enabled, in which case the system will require a password from the Second Space, which you presumably forgot, then this method will not work, and you will have to move to more complex options.
Use of debugging by USB and ADB
For advanced users who have previously activated the developer mode and enabled debugging over USB, there is a method of resetting via a computer, which allows you to send a command to clean up the data of a particular user (profile) without knowing the password, if there are root rights or appropriate permissions.
You'll need a computer with an ADB driver installed and a cable-connected smartphone. The reset command looks complicated and requires accuracy. First, you need to know the user ID of the Second Space (usually 10 or 11, but it may differ).
adb shell pm clear --user 10 com.android.settingsHowever, on modern versions of Android and MIUI, this command is often blocked by security policies if the application is not running in the context of this user.
adb shell pm remove-user 10⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB requires precise knowledge ID A number error may result in the deletion of the main profile data or system applications.
If USB debugging was not enabled before blocking, this method will not work, and it is worth considering that after the security updates of Google and Xiaomi, the ability of ADB to manipulate users was significantly limited.
Table of comparison of discharge methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have systematized the methods by their effectiveness and consequences. Pay attention to the requirements for each method.
| Method | Data security | Conditions required | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Account. | Complete. | Knowing the password from the account | Low. |
| Removal through settings | No (complete removal) | Access to the main profile | Low. |
| ADB team | No (profile removal) | Debugging enabled, PC | Tall. |
| Hard Reset (reset) | No (removing everything) | Physical access to buttons | Medium |
As you can see from the table, the only way to save data is to remember the password from the Mi Account, and all other methods are aimed at fixing the problem by removing the source of the problem itself, the protected partition.
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If the data in the Second Space is critical, don’t rush to make a full reset of the phone (Hard Reset), as this does not always help to remove the profile of the second space, but it is guaranteed to delete your personal photos in the main section.
The Radical Method: Full Reset (Hard Reset)
If none of the sparing methods worked, the last option is to completely reset the device to factory settings, which is guaranteed to remove the Second Space along with its password, but you lose all data on the phone, including the main profile.
Turn off the smartphone completely to perform the reset. Then press the button combination to enter Recovery mode. On most Xiaomi and Redmi models, this is a combination of Volume Up + Power button. Hold the buttons until the Mi logo or Recovery menu appears.
- 🔘 Select the language (English) with the volume buttons and confirm the power button.
- 🗑️ Find Wipe Data and select Wipe All Data.
- ✅ Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
- 🔄 After the process is complete, select Reboot to restart.
Once turned on, the phone will be like new. When you first set up, the system will require you to enter the password from the Mi Account that was tied to the phone before the reset (FRP theft protection). If you remember this password, the phone will unlock, and the Second Space will no longer be available.
What if the phone asks for a password from an old account after a reset?
Prevention and safety recommendations
To avoid such situations in the future, mobile security experts recommend a number of rules, and the main problem users face is the hope of memory, which often fails at the most inopportune time.
Always link your Mi Account to the Second Space immediately after you create it, which is the only thread you can grab when you're forgetful, and it's also helpful to write complex graphic keys to a secure location or use password managers.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t use simple passwords like “1234” or “0000” to protect sensitive data, which are matched by attackers in seconds, and brute force protection on the lock screen doesn’t always work instantly.
Back up important files regularly. Second Space is designed to be private, not long-term, for a single copy of important documents. Use cloud storage or periodically copy data to your computer.