How to completely remove the second space on Xiaomi: from unlock to reset

Xiaomi’s second-space feature was originally intended as a tool to separate personal and work data, but many users find that space becomes unnecessary, such as taking up memory, creating notification confusion, or simply getting in the way of the device, and it’s not as easy to remove as it sounds: standard settings often block this option, especially if the space is password-protected or tied to a Mi Account account.

In this article, we will discuss all the working methods for removing the second space, from official methods through the phone menu to radical solutions like reset to factory settings. MIUI (from 12 before 14) model Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO, and also warn against common errors that can lead to data loss or device locking.

If you have tried to delete the second space through Settings → Special Options → Second Space, but the Remove button is inactive, don’t rush to hand over your phone to the service. 90% of the time, you can solve the problem yourself by following our instructions.

Why you can’t remove the second space in the standard way

On most Xiaomi devices, the path to removing the second space is as follows: Settings → Special Features → Second Space → Space Management → Delete.

• 🔒 The Remove button is inactive — gray, the click doesn't work — meaning that the space is password protected or linked to an account.
• 📱 The phone requires you to enter a password you forgot or never set (for example, if the space was created by a previous owner).
• 🔄 After clicking "Delete" there is a return to the menu without a result - a bug MIUI, characteristic of versions 12.5–13.
• 🚫 Error “Cannot delete space” – often associated with damage to system files or lack of memory.

The main reasons for blocking:

• 🔑 Actively linked to Mi Account – if the space was created through a Xiaomi account, the system requires authorization to delete.
• 📲 A password or pattern lock is set to the space itself (even if the main screen is unlocked).
• 🛠️ Systemic constraints MIUI — in some regional firmware (for example, China) the deletion function is disabled.

⚠️ Note: If you have purchased a phone with your hands and find a second space with an unknown password, do not try to delete it through third-party programs like Mi Flash or other software. ADB This can lead to a complete blockage of the device due to the activation of anti-Rollback protection.

Method 1: Remove via the settings menu (if the button is active)

If the Remove button is available in the second space settings, but you are not sure of the consequences, follow this step-by-step instruction. The process will take no more than 5 minutes and will not affect the data in the main space.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space
2. Select Space Management.
3. Click on Remove the second space (if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from the main lock screen (if required).
5. Wait until the process is complete (the phone will reboot automatically).

What happens after removal:

• 📱 All data of the second space (applications, files, settings) will be permanently deleted.
• 🔄 The phone will be reloaded to the main space.
• 📶 Notifications and calls will only come to the main space.

Backup important data from the second space|Remember passwords from apps (if they are different)|Check the free space on the device (needs at least 1 GB)|Disable two-factor authorization in Mi Account (if tied)-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (Xiaomi 12, Redmi Note 11) may lose the firmware region after removing the second space. MIUI for another region (e.g. global version on Chinese phone), check settings after rebooting in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Method 2: Unlocking the second space password

If the Remove button is inactive due to a forgotten password, try to restore it first. Xiaomi provides several official ways to reset the second space password - without losing data in the main profile.

Recovery options:

• 🔑 Through Mi Account – if the space is linked to your account, log in to account.xiaomi.com and reset your password through Devices → Find the device. → Management of spaces.

If these methods don’t work, try bypassing the lock through the Recovery mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (this will delete ALL data on your device, including the main space!).
4. After reset, the second space will disappear, but the phone will become "clean."

Method 3: Remove via ADB (for advanced users)

If the standard methods didn’t work and you don’t want to drop your phone, you can try removing the second space via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and USB debugging enabled.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB Tools on PC (you can download from the official website).
2. Enable USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times), then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
4. Run the command to delete the second space: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.secondspace
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

Possible errors and solutions:

• 🚫 Device Unauthorized – Confirm the debugging on the phone screen.
• 🔧 Command Not Found – Check the Way to the ADB or use the full path (for example, C:\platform-tools\adb).
• 🔒 Operation not allowed – unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.

💡

Before using ADB, back up your data via adb backup -apk -shared -all -f backup.ab. This will save the applications and settings of the main space.

Method 4: Reset to factory settings (radical method)

If no other means have worked, you'll have to completely reset your phone, and it will delete both spaces, all data and settings, and it will bring the device back to a clean state, and you'll only use this method as a last resort!

How to reset Xiaomi to factory settings:

1. Back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) via Settings → About Phone → Backup or manually on PC.
2. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. Enter the password from the main screen (if required).
5. Wait until the process is complete (the phone will reboot several times).

What happens after the dump:

• ✅ The second space will be deleted along with all data.
• ✅ The phone will return to its original settings (as after purchase).
• ⚠️ All apps, accounts and files in both spaces will be erased.
• 🔄 You may need to re-activate your Mi Account.

Yes, it did | Yes, but it didn't help | No, I'm afraid I'm losing my data | I tried other ways-->

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later after the reset, you may need to link to the same Mi Account that was used before. If you do not remember the account information, the phone may be locked! → Xiaomi account.

Method 5: Alternative solutions (without deletion)

If you can’t remove the second space, but it does not work, consider alternative options:

• 🔕 Disable notifications – go to Settings → Notifications → Second space and turn off notifications from it.
• 📵 Limit background activity - in Settings → Annexes → App management find the second space applications and disable them from auto-run.
• 🔄 Switch less frequently – use a gesture to switch quickly (e.g. swipe down with two fingers on the home screen).
• 📱 Hide the switch icon - in Settings → Main screen screen → Icons on the lock screen turn off the display of the icon of the second space.

For MIUI 13/14 users, there is a hidden Guest Mode feature that can replace the second space:

1. Open Settings → System and device → Additional → Guest Mode.
2. Activate the mode and set restrictions (for example, banning the installation of applications).
3. Switch between main and guest modes through the notification panel.

💡

Guest mode does not take up extra space on the device, unlike the second space, and does not require a password to delete.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to delete a second space, users often make critical errors that can lead to data loss or phone lockdown, among the most common ones:

• 📱 Delete via Mi Flash without backup – this will lead to a complete cleanup of the phone and possible binding to the account of the previous owner.
• 🔧 Attempting to change system files manually – editing files into /data/system root without rights can cause bootloop (locking on the download).

How to minimize the risks:

• 📱 Always check the version. MIUI Before using instructions, some commands ADB They only work on certain versions.
• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 50% before resetting or upgrading – this will prevent you from turning off during the process.
• 🔒 If the phone is bought with your hands, first untie the old Mi Account through Settings → Xiaomi account → Get out.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions