Xiaomi smartphone owners often use the “Second Space” feature to separate work and personal data or to hide sensitive information from prying eyes. However, there comes a point when this isolated profile is no longer necessary and the user wonders how to correctly and completely remove it.The exit process can vary depending on the shell version. MIUI HyperOS or whether you remember the password.
If you just want to switch between profiles, it's done through settings or notification curtains. But if your goal is to completely erase the second space along with all the data, apps and photos stored there, you'll need to do a number of specific things. It's important to understand that deleting the second space will irreversibly destroy all the files inside it, so make sure that important data is saved or transferred to the main profile before you start the procedure.
In this article, we will look at all the available methods, from standard uninstallation through the settings menu to more complex reset options if you forgot your password. We will also look at the nuances of working with administrator rights and possible system errors when trying to deactivate the function.
Standard removal through system settings
The easiest and safest way to exit the second space and remove it is to use the built-in Android system tools in the MIUI shell.This method is suitable for most users who have access to the main profile and know the password from the second space (or it is not installed).
Find a section called Second Space, and depending on the firmware version, it can be in Advanced Settings or be placed in a separate menu on the home settings screen, and you'll see the activation switch and the control button inside, and that's where the primary interaction with the virtual profile takes place.
- 📱 Click on the gear icon or menu in the upper right corner of the second space settings screen.
- 🗑️ Select the option to Remove the second space from the drop-down list.
- 🔒 The system will request confirmation of action and possibly enter a password to unlock the screen or fingerprint.
- ✅ Confirm the deletion, after which the data cleanup process will begin.
Once confirmed, the system will automatically delete all apps, accounts and files created in the second profile, your device will return to a state where there is only one main user. If the process is successful, the profile switch icon will disappear from the notification curtain and the settings menu.
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Before removing the second space, use the “Move Files” function to transfer important photos and documents to the main profile, otherwise they will be irretrievably lost.
Removal through the Security App
In some versions of Xiaomi firmware, the second space management is duplicated in the system application Security, which is done to make it easy to access privacy features in one place. If you can't find your profile settings in the main menu, try using this method.
Run the Security app, which usually has a green icon with a shield. In the bottom menu or tool list, find a section related to privacy or space. This can display the status of the activated second profile. By clicking on it, you will be taken to the control menu, which functions similar to the system settings.
The interface may vary slightly depending on the regional version of the firmware. For example, in global versions of MIUI Global, the path may be hidden deeper than in Chinese builds. If the standard path does not work, try searching by phone settings by typing in the "Second Space" query.
Why did the delete button disappear?
What to do if you forget the password from the second space
The situation where a user forgets a password, a pattern lock or a fingerprint to log into a second space is one of the most difficult. Unlike the main profile, there is no way to reset a password through a Google account or Mi Account directly from the lock screen of the second space.
The only reliable way to exit is to completely reset the second space. Unfortunately, this will result in the loss of all the data inside it. If you are in the main profile, you can initiate the removal of the second space without entering a password from the second profile itself, but you will need a password from the main profile of the owner of the device.
When you try to delete, the system can request proof of identity, and if you can't remember the data to access, the only option left is to completely reset the device to the factory settings (Hard Reset), which will delete all data from the phone, including the main profile, so you should only resort to it as a last resort.
⚠️ Warning: Trying to get a password brute-force can cause a device to be temporarily locked or the time interval between typing attempts to be extended.
Using ADB to force shutdown
For advanced users who can’t remove the second space using standard methods or have encountered software bugs (bugs) of the interface, there is a way through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) debugging. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and having the appropriate drivers.
First, activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version number several times. Then, in the Developer menu that appears, turn on “Debugging on USB.” Connect the phone to your PC and start the command line.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 10This command tries to disable a user with ID 10, which often corresponds to a second space. However, in modern versions of Android and MIUI, the user structure may be different. A more radical but effective method is to delete the space data through the file system if there are root rights, but this is beyond standard use.
- 🔌 Connect your smartphone to your computer in file transfer mode.
- 💻 Install the platform SDK Platform-Tools on the computer.
- ⌨️ Enter the adb device command to check the connection.
- 🚀 Execute the command to reset or delete the profile.
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Using ADB is a powerful tool, but it requires caution: Mistakely removing system users can lead to unstable phone performance or cyclical reboot.
Comparison of methods of removing the second profile
The choice of removal method depends on your specific situation: whether you have access to the main profile, remember passwords and how confident you are using technical means. Below is a table that will help determine the best way to solve your problem.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk of data loss | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Settings. | Low. | Only the second space. | Access to the main profile |
| Through the Security App | Low. | Only the second space. | Applicability of the annex |
| Reset via ADB | Tall. | Medium (command errors) | PC, drivers, ADB knowledge |
| Hard Reset (reset) | Medium | Total loss of all data | Lack of access to the system |
As you can see from the table, standard methods are the safest, and you should only resort to using the command line or a complete reset when the regular funds are not available, and always evaluate the value of the data in the second space before you start any manipulation.
Possible errors and their solution
Users may experience system errors during the process of exiting the second space, such as deleting the data clearing process or rebooting the phone, but the profile will remain, often due to a lack of free RAM or conflicting system processes.
If the deletion is hanging, try to force the device to restart by holding the power button. After turning on, check if the second space has disappeared. If the problem persists, make sure that the phone has the latest available system update, as Xiaomi developers regularly fix such bugs in security patches.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the deletion process by forcibly removing the battery (if it is not removable) or discharging the phone to zero.This can cause damage to the file system and the need to flash the device.
It is also worth noting that on some models with a heavily modified shell (castom firmware), the second space function may not work properly, in which cases the only way out is often to return to stock firmware or completely reset.