How to remove the second space on Xiaomi Redmi 8, if you forgot the password: all working methods

The second space on Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a useful feature for separating personal and work data, but what if you forget your password?The situation is complicated by the fact that the standard methods of resetting a password (via Settings → Passwords) do not work here. Many users try to remove space through a reset, risking losing all the data on the main account.

There are actually legal ways to delete a second space without password without resorting to drastic measures. In this article, we will examine 5 proven methods, from recovering through Mi Account to using Fastboot mode and hidden engineering codes. Importantly, some of them require prior preparation (for example, a tied Xiaomi account or an unlocked bootloader).

If you are unsure of your technical skills, we recommend that you first read the risk table in one of the sections below, and for those who are willing to act on their own, we recommend step-by-step instructions with warnings about the possible consequences.

📊 You’ve already tried to reset the second space on Redmi 8?
Yes, but without success.
No, I'm afraid of losing my data.
I tried it with Mi Account.
Used Fastboot.
Another way.

Recovery through Mi Account (official method)

The safest way to delete the second space is to use a Xiaomi account that is linked, which only works if you have logged in to Mi Account on your device beforehand and remember your username/password, otherwise the system will block access to the recovery function.

Instructions:

  1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi account.
  2. Select Management of Spaces → Second space.
  3. Click Forgot Password? and follow the system's prompts.
  4. Enter the data from Mi Account (email or phone + password).
  5. Confirm the removal of the second space via SMS or email.

⚠️ Warning: If two-factor authentication is enabled on your device, you will need to access a backup email or phone without it, you cannot restore access.

Is Mi Account linked to the device?| Is there access to the email/phone account?| Is the phone connected to the Internet?| Is the battery at least 50% charged?

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If the method didn’t work, maybe Redmi 8 has custom firmware installed or Xiaomi services disabled, in which case move on to the next method.

2. reset second space through engineering menu

The Xiaomi Redmi 8 has a hidden engineering menu that allows you to manage memory partitions, which does not require a password, but only works on standard MIUI firmware (versions 10-14).

Step-by-step:

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Enter the code ##3646633##
  3. Go to the Engineer Mode section → Engineer Mode (MTK).
  4. Choose Storage → Multi-user.
  5. Find the Delete Second Space option and confirm the action.

Important: After removing the second space through the engineering menu, all data in it will be irrevocably erased, including apps, photos and messages.

What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
If nothing happens after you enter the code, check: 1. MIUI version (the menu works only on official builds). 2. No root rights (they can block access). 3. Correct code entry (no spaces or extra characters). If the menu is still not available, try the alternative code: # #4636##, but the functionality is limited there.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change other settings in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose. IMEI or failures of the communication module.

3. Delete via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If previous methods failed, the radical way is to remove the second space through Fastboot mode, which requires a computer, a USB Type-C cable, and ADB/Fastboot drivers installed. All data in the second space will be deleted!

Instructions:

  1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools.
  2. Turn off Redmi 8 and press the Power button + Volume Down to log into the Fastboot.
  3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with fastboot.
  4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the device).
  5. Remove the second space with the command: fastboot erase userdata_second
  6. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use of Fastboot can lead to a device blink (completely inoperable).If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to contact the service center.

💡

Before working with Fastboot, back up your main space via adb backup or Mi Cloud, which will protect your data in the event of a crash.

4 Hard Reset - a last resort

If none of these methods work, you have to completely reset your settings, and this way you delete all the data on your device, including the main space, and only use it if you're willing to lose all the information.

How to make Hard Reset on Redmi 8:

  1. Turn off the phone.
  2. Press the Power button + Volume up before the Mi logo appears.
  3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
  4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
  5. Reboot your device with Reboot → Reboot to System.

After the reset, the second space will be removed, but you will have to adjust the phone from scratch, as after buying.

💡

Hard Reset is the only method that is guaranteed to remove the second space, but it is also the most destructive. Use it only if other methods have not worked.

5. Alternative methods (for root users)

If your Redmi 8 has root rights, you can manually remove the second space through a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).

Instructions:

  • 📁 Open Root Explorer and go to the /data/system/users/.
  • 🔍 Find the folder number 10 (this is the file). ID second-space).
  • 🗑️ Delete it, as well as the files. second_space_enabled and second_space_pwd into /data/system/.
  • 🔄 Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly deleting system files can lead to a cyclical bootloop!

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make the choice easier, we have compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:

MethodConditions requiredLoss of dataDifficultyRisks.
Recovery through Mi AccountA Linked Xiaomi AccountOnly in space 2.⭐Minimum
Engineering menuStandard MIUI firmwareOnly in space 2.⭐⭐Medium (menu failure risk)
FastbootComputer, USB-cable, ADBOnly in space 2.⭐⭐⭐High (brick risk)
Hard ResetNo.All the data on the phone.⭐Critical (complete loss of data)
Root-methodRoot rights, experienceOnly in space 2.⭐⭐⭐⭐Very high (bootloop risk)

We recommend starting with the safest methods (Mi Account, engineering menu) and moving to radical (Fastboot, Hard Reset) only as a last resort.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to remove a second space, users often encounter typical problems, including the most common ones and ways to solve them:

  • 🔌 Phone is not defined in Fastboot: Check the drivers ADB, try another USB-Disable the antivirus, which can block the connection.
  • 🔒 Mi Account does not accept password: Make sure you enter data from an account linked to Redmi 8, not from another device.
  • 📱 Engineering menu not opening: It's possible there's custom firmware installed on the phone. MIUI In Settings → The phone.
  • ⚠️ After reset, the phone asks for the old password: This means that the Mi Account has remained tied to the device.

If you have another problem, describe it in the comments – we will try to help!

Can I recover data from the second space after deletion?
No, all the data in the second space is deleted permanently. If there were important files, try connecting your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode and using programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver, but the chances of recovery are minimal.
Will this method work on other Xiaomi models (Redmi Note 8, Mi 9, etc.)?
Most methods (Mi Account, Fastboot, Hard Reset) are universal for all Xiaomi smartphones with second space function. However, the engineering codes may differ. For example, on Redmi Note 8, the code ##4636## is used to enter the engineering menu.
What if after removing the second space, the phone began to brake?
This may be due to memory fragmentation. Try: Clear cache in Settings → Memory → Clear cache. Perform optimization through Security → Optimization. If the problem persists, reset to factory settings (but without creating a second space).
Can I recreate the second space after removal?
Yes, you can re-activate the function through Settings → Special Options → Second Space, but keep in mind that all the data will have to be configured from scratch.
Will the phone be able to remove the second space?
Yes, but this is an extreme measure: Install the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option. This will delete both spaces and all data. Use only if other methods have failed!