How to completely remove the second space on Xiaomi Redmi: 4 working methods + error solving

The second space on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a useful feature for separating personal and work data, but users often face the need to delete it. The reasons range from bugs in work to trivial inconvenience. However, standard disconnection through settings does not always clear all traces of the second profile, leaving up to 5-7 GB of junk files in the device’s memory. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of deletion, from official to technical, including working with ADB and hidden MIUI settings.

It's important to understand that the second space in Xiaomi is implemented at the firmware level, so simply removing the Duplicate App icon won't do anything. We tested all methods on Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and POCO X3/X4 models with MIUI 12-14 versions, the results are summarized in the comparison table below. If you tried to remove space, but it "returns" after rebooting, the problem lies in the incomplete cleaning of system partitions. Next, step-by-step instructions with all the nuances.

What is the second space on Xiaomi and why is it difficult to remove it?

Second Space is an isolated environment in MIUI that creates a separate user profile with its own:

• 📱 Applications (duplicate system and user installed)
• 📁 Files (folders) /data/secondspace and /data/user_de/11)
• 🔑 Accounts (you can link another Mi Account)
• 🛡️ Settings (themes, sounds, wallpapers)

The problem is that Xiaomi doesn't provide a tool to completely remove the second space, just to disable it.

• 🗑️ Profile files remain in memory (up to 10% of the total volume)
• 🔄 When resetting the settings, the space can be restored
• 🐞 Some system applications (e.g. com.miui.secondspace) continue to work in the background.

On the 4PDA and XDA Developers forums, users complain that after “deleting” through settings, the space reappears when you update MIUI. This is because the firmware stores activation tags in the /data/property section. The only reliable way is to manually clean system files or reset to factory pre-prepared settings.

Method 1: Officially disable via MIUI settings

The easiest way to do this, but the least effective way, is if you've just created a second space and you want to get rid of it without any consequences.

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space
2. Click on “Delete Second Space” (or “Disable”, depending on the MIUI version).
3. Confirm the action with a password (if installed).
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: This method does not delete space files! They remain in memory and can be restored by the system. To check this, go to Settings → Memory. → Files and find the secondspace folder – its size will show how much space the “remainders” take up».

Make sure there is no important data in the second space.|Make a backup copy of the main profile|Remember account passwords|Check the vacant space (need to be checked). ≥15%)-->

Method 2: Removal via ADB (for power users)

If the official method doesn't work, you'll have to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which removes all traces of the second space, but requires a connection to the computer and the developer mode.

Step 1: Preparation

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Download ADB Tools on PC and unpack it into the C:\adb folder.

Step 2: Connect and commands:

1. Connect Redmi to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type:

adb devices

(Your device should show up. If not, check the driver.)

adb shell


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.secondspace




pm clear com.miui.secondspace




rm -rf /data/secondspace




rm -rf /data/user_de/11

Step 3. Clear the cache:

adb shell


su




echo "" > /data/property/persist.sys.secondspace.enabled




reboot

⚠️ Attention: After these instructions are executed, the device will restart. If there is an adbd cannot run as root error, then you do not have the bootloader unlocked - this method will not work.

Method 3: Reset to factory settings with pre-cleaning

If ADB didn't help or you don't want to mess with the commands, the only sure way is to reset completely, but before you do, you have to remove the tags on the second space, or it will recover after the reset.

Instructions:

1. Back up your main space data through Settings → Additional → Backup.
2. Remove the second space through the settings (as in Method 1).
3. Go to Settings → Memory → Files and manually delete folders: secondspace miui/secondspace Android/obb/secondspace

Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Delete all data

⚠️ Warning: After reset, do not restore data from a backup created before the second space was deleted! this can bring it back.

💡

Before reset, check if the Mi Account is tied to the device. After reset, Xiaomi may request account details to unlock (anti-Theft protection).

Method 4: Manually delete files via TWRP (for unlocked bootloader)

If you have a bootloader unlocked and a custom TWRP reclaimer installed, you can manually erase all traces of the second space.This method guarantees 100% cleanup, but is only suitable for advanced users.

Step-by-step:

1. Boot to TWRP (hold Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Delete the following folders and files: /data/secondspace /data/user_de/11 /data/system/users/11.xml /data/property/persist.sys.secondspace.enabled

TWRP

Wipe → Format Data

yes

Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Formatting Data in TWRP It erases all data on the device, including photos and apps. Use this method only if others have failed and you have a backup.

💡

If the device becomes braking after removing the second space, clean the cache in the recache (Wipe → Cache), which will eliminate the conflicts of system processes.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you delete the second space, you're faced with the typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🔄 Space returns after reboot Reason: Files not deleted in /data/property. Solution: Use ADB or TWRP for complete cleaning (see Method) 2 method 4).
• 🚫 Cannot manually delete the secondspace folder Reason: No root rights. Solution: Unlock the bootloader and install Magisk to obtain root rights.
• 🔌 ADB Does not see the device Reason: No driver or no debugging enabled Solution: Install Xiaomi USB Drivers and check the developer settings.
• 📱 After the reset, asks for a Mi Account that is not there Reason: Device is tied to an old account.Solution: Restore access to Mi Account or contact Xiaomi support to unlock.

If none of these methods worked, the problem could be the damaged firmware, which can only help by flashing the device through the Fastboot or MI Flash Tool. For firmware instructions for your Redmi model, check the official Xiaomi website.

How to check if the second space is completely removed

To make sure there is no trace of the second space, follow the following steps:

1. Check the memory space: Go to Settings → Memory. Compare the current volume with what was before the deletion. If ≥5 GB is free, the space is removed.
2. Search for residual files: Use a file manager (like Solid Explorer) with access to system folders: /data/secondspace, /data/user_de/11.

• Install Termux and execute the command:
• If the output is empty, the space is removed.

If you find residual files, repeat the cleanup via ADB or TWRP. In rare cases, installing custom firmware (such as LineageOS) that does not support the second space function helps.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing second space