The situation when the user forgets the password from the Second Space on the Xiaomi smartphone is quite common, especially if this feature was used irregularly. This security system, designed to separate personal and work data, can become a trap if you don’t remember the set data. PIN-The main difficulty is that standard methods of recovery through a Mi or Google account are often useless here because of the specifics of isolation of profiles.
Device owners need to understand that completely removing Second Space without knowing the password is not just a function-off process, it is a process of forcing a protected partition of memory to be cleaned, which requires specific actions, and that data security is being sacrificed in this case to regain control of the device, as it is almost impossible to bypass encryption without the key.
Below we will discuss in detail all available methods of solving this problem, from the regular system tools to radical reset measures. You will learn how to proceed if the standard login is blocked, and what consequences a complete deletion of the profile will have. It is important to prepare for the fact that the data inside the Second Space will likely be lost, but the smartphone itself will return to normal functioning.
Principles of operation and blocking of the Second Space
The second space in the MIUI and HyperOS shell is implemented as a fully-fledged, isolated user profile, which means that the system treats it as a separate smartphone inside your device with its own apps, gallery and settings. When you set a password, it encrypts access to that particular part of the file system without affecting the main profile, but locks the door to the second world securely.
⚠️ Note: Attempts to select a password by brute-force (automatic brute-force) on modern versions of Android will lead to a temporary lock of input or complete erasure of the data of the Second Space by the security system.
The main problem is the security mechanism: if you forget your password, the system does not allow you to simply log in and turn off the function through the settings menu. Data encryption prevents access to profile files even when connecting your smartphone to your computer in debugging mode, this is done so that in the case of a phone theft, unauthorized persons can not access hidden photos or documents.
There is a misconception that resetting the smartphone itself will automatically delete Second Space. In practice, this is not always the case: in some versions of firmware, a profile may be saved or require a password to be entered immediately after the reboot, creating a lock cycle. It is important to understand that deleting Second Space is a separate procedure that requires either administrator rights in the main profile or a complete reset of the device.
The standard method of removal through the main profile
If you have access to the main profile (First Space), the problem is relatively simple, even if you do not remember the password from the Second. Xiaomi system provides the ability to manage the second profile "from the top", that is, from the main system. You do not need to know the password from the blocked partition to initiate its removal, since the rights of the main profile administrator take priority.
To start, you need to go to the system settings. Find the section responsible for additional features or special features, depending on the version of your MIUI shell.
Settings → Second Space → Menu (three dots or hamburger) → Delete Second SpaceOnce you select the deletion point, the system may request confirmation. In some cases, it will ask you to enter a password from the Second Space for verification of identity, but often (especially in older versions of MIUI) it is enough to confirm the action with a password from the main account or unlock the screen. If the system requires a password from the Second Space and you do not remember it, move to the next step - use the "Forgot Password" function if it is active.
☑️ Pre-deletion check
Importantly, when you delete it through the settings, all the data inside the Second Space will be irretrievably destroyed, the file system will be cleaned, applications will be deleted, and the space will be returned to the shared memory pool of the smartphone, a standard and most secure method that does not require the use of third-party software.
Use of the "Forgot Password" function
In some cases, when you try to log in to the Second Space, the lock screen displays a link "Forgot password" or "Forgot pattern lock"; this method only works if you previously linked to your Mi Account or Google Account directly inside the Second Space, and if you did, the system will allow you to reset the access code over the Internet.
The process is as follows: after several incorrect attempts to enter the code, click on the corresponding link, you will be prompted to enter the account information to which the profile is linked, after successful authorization, the system will prompt you to set a new password or immediately delete the Second Space if you select the corresponding option.
⚠️ Note: This method is useless if the smartphone is not connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network) at the time of the recovery attempt, since the password check takes place on the company’s servers.
However, if the account is not tied or you do not remember the data from it, this path will be closed, in such situations, the restoration of access becomes impossible by standard means, and you have to resort to more radical measures, such as clearing the data through Recovery or completely resetting the device.
What if the Internet is not connected in the Second Space?
Reset via Recovery (Hard Reset)
When software methods fail, the only reliable way to remove Second Space and reset all passwords is to enter Recovery Mode, which completely clears the smartphone’s internal memory, returning it to factory status. Factory reset ensures that all user profiles are deleted, including the locked Second Space.
Before starting the procedure, make sure that the battery is at least 50-60%. The flashing or reset process is critical to power outages. To enter Recovery mode on most Xiaomi smartphones, you need to follow the following steps:
- 📱 Turn off your smartphone completely and wait for the vibrations to come.
- 🔘 Press the volume button and the power button at the same time.
- ⏳ Hold the buttons until the Mi logo or Recovery menu appears.
- 🖱️ Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data. Confirm action. Once the process is complete, select Reboot. The smartphone will reboot, and when you first turn on, the Second Space will be missing, since all user memory will be formatted.
Comparison of Profile Deletion Methods
The choice of method depends on your situation: whether you have access to the main profile, whether you have an account attached, and whether you are willing to lose all the data on your phone. Below is a table that will help you determine the best way to solve the problem.
| Method | Data security | Access to the main profile is required | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Settings. | Main profile data is retained | Yes. | Low. |
| Forgot the password (Account) | Main profile data is retained | No (we need the internet) | Medium |
| Recovery (Dumping) | Total loss of all data | No. | Tall. |
| Device search (Google) | Total loss of all data | No (needs a PC/other phone) | Medium |
As you can see from the table, if it is critical to save photos and contacts in the main profile, you should try to find a way to log in to settings or remember the password from the account. If the data is not important, Hard Reset via Recovery is the fastest and most guaranteed solution to eliminate any software locks.
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Before you complete a Hard Reset, always try to sync your Main Profile with Google or Mi Cloud so you don’t lose contacts and notes.
Removal through the service "Find the device"
Another efficient way that doesn’t require physical access to a smartphone’s menu is to use Google’s Find My Device cloud service or a similar service from Xiaomi, which works remotely and allows you to initiate a factory reset of your smartphone settings, which will automatically remove Second Space.
You will need a computer or other smartphone to do this. Go to android.com/find and log in to the Google account that is active on the locked device. From the device list, select your Xiaomi. From the control menu, select the option "Erase Device".
The smartphone has to be connected to the Internet to receive a command, and once confirmed, the process of deleting all data will begin.