How to completely remove the second space Xiaomi Redmi 8: 3 working ways

The second space on Xiaomi smartphones is a dual account feature that allows you to separate personal and work data. On Redmi 8, it can appear by accident after a MIUI update, reset settings, or when activated through Settings → Special Features. However, many users face the problem: the second space takes up memory, duplicates notifications and prevents synchronization. In this article, we will discuss how to completely delete it, not just turn it off.

It's important to understand the difference: disabling the second space hides it temporarily, but the data stays in the device's memory. Deleting erases it irrevocably, freeing up space. On Redmi 8 with MIUI 11-14, the process is nuanced due to firmware limitations. If you tried to remove it through the standard menu and got an "Impossible to delete" error, then additional steps will be required - from reset to work with ADB.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: path of adjustment → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Redmi 8 is currently available in versions 11-14.
• 🔒 bootloader Unlock Status: If it is blocked, some methods won’t work.
• 📁 Backup: Deleting space erases all data inside it.

1.Why is the second space appearing and whether it can be simply turned off

The Second Space function is designed to separate work and personal data, and on Redmi 8, it is activated by:

• 🔄 Automatically after resetting to factory settings (if previously enabled).
• 📲 Manually through Settings → Special facilities → Second space.
• 🤖 Through third-party applications that request administrator rights (e.g. Parallel Apps).

You can turn off the space in the Settings menu → Second space → Exit, but it doesn't physically remove it.Data remains in the section /data/system/second_space and take up 1–3 GB of memory. Complete deletion is required if:

• 📉 The smartphone began to slow down due to lack of memory.
• 🔄 The space reappears after the reboot.
• 🚫 You want to sell your phone and clear all the data.

⚠️ Note: If the second space was created through Parallel Apps, removing it will not affect the main copies of the programs.

2. Method 1: Remove via standard MIUI settings

This method works if the space was created through the settings menu, not through ADB or third-party utilities.

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space
2. Click on “Delete Second Space” (if the button is active).
3. Confirm the action by entering the password from the main space.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 1-2 minutes).

If the Remove button is inactive or there is an error "It is impossible to delete space", then:

• 🔐 Space is password protected (try resetting it through Settings) → Passwords and security).
• 📱 The device has an unofficial firmware (reset required).
• 🔧 Space is created through ADB (You need a 2 or 3).

Backup of the main space data |

Charge your phone at least 50% |

Remember passwords from both spaces |

Disable protection via fingerprint/face (if any)-->

3. Method 2: Reset settings with the removal of the second space

If standard deletion doesn't work, hard reset will help, which erases all data on the phone, including both spaces.

1. Turn off Redmi 8.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until 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 reset, wait for completion (5-10 minutes).
5. Reboot the phone: Reboot → Reboot to System.

After discharge:

• ✅ The second space will be removed completely.
• ⚠️ All data (photos, contacts, apps) will be erased and can only be recovered from backup.
• 🔄 If the space appeared again after setting up, it means that it was tied to the Mi Account account (you need to untie it in the account settings).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 8 firmware may have a No error after resetting OS It means that the firmware partition is damaged, so you need to reflash your phone on Fastboot.

Method 3: Removal via ADB (for power users)

If the first two methods didn't work, you'll have to delete it via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your phone to your PC and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 💻 A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (download).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB Redmi 8 (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.


2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) in the folder with ADB.




3. Enter the commands in order:





adb shell




su




rm -rf /data/system/second_space




rm -rf /data/data/com.miui.secondspace




reboot





4. Wait for the phone to restart.

If after the reset the space remains:

• 🔹 Repeat commands by adding rm -rf /data/media/0/SecondSpace.
• 🔹 Check the rights of the superuser (su may not work on the blocked bootloader).

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf They delete files irrevocably. If you go wrong (e.g., type in rm). -rf /data without a folder, this will result in the loss of all data on the phone!

💡

If the su command doesn't work, then the phone doesn't have root rights, and then only resetting through Recovery or flashing it will help.

5 How to avoid the reappearance of a second space

Even after removal, the second space can reappear, so that it doesn't happen.

If you use Parallel Apps (Duplicate Apps in the Apps) MIUI), It can automatically create a second space:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Parallel Apps
2. Turn off duplication for all applications.
3. Delete the cache data for com.miui.dualapp via Settings → Applications → Application Management.

💡

If a second space appears after each MIUI update, it is a firmware bug, the solution is to roll back to a stable version or install custom firmware (e.g., Pixel Experience).

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you remove the second space, Redmi 8 users face typical problems:

• 🔄 Error "Cannot remove space" Solution: Check if Find My Device is active in the security settings. Turn it off before deleting it.
• 📱 Phone hangs on Mi logo after reset Solution: Go to Recovery and repeat reset. If it doesn't work, run your phone through Fastboot.

If none of the methods worked, the reason may be:

• 🛠️ Damaged firmware – reflash your phone through the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔐 Blocked bootloader – unlock it through the official Xiaomi website.
• 📦 Custom Recovery – Install the standard Recovery for Redmi 8.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions