How to switch from second space to first in Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI often face the need to use the function of “Second space” – a convenient tool for separating personal and work data. However, it is not always obvious how to return access to the main (first) space, especially if the system has blocked the switch or the user has forgotten the password. This problem is relevant for models from Redmi Note 12 to flagship Xiaomi 14, where the logic of the spaces can differ depending on the firmware version.

In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to get from the second space to the first, from standard methods through settings to hidden commands and reset via Fastboot. Particular attention will be paid to typical errors (for example, hanging on the lock screen or losing access to the main account) and how to get around them. If you came here after a failed attempt to switch, do not panic: in 90% of cases the problem is solved without loss of data.

Before you start the instructions, make sure you have a backup of important data. Even if you plan to use soft methods, some operations (such as a Mi Account reset) can result in files being deleted in the second space.

What is Xiaomi’s Second Space and Why You Can’t Just Get Out

The Dual Apps Space feature in MIUI is an isolated environment with separate applications, settings and data, created on the same physical device, but operates as an independent profile. The main feature is that switching between spaces requires authorization (password, fingerprint or pattern lock). If you forget the data to log into the first space, the system will not allow you to return there without additional manipulation.

The main reasons why users get stuck in the second space are:

• 🔑 Forgot the password from the main space (frequent problem after prolonged use of the second space).
• 📱 Failure MIUI after updating the firmware (for example, when switching from MIUI 13 on MIUI 14).
• 🔄 Mi Account sync error when the system does not recognize the associated account.
• 🚫 Device Administrator Lock (Relevant for Corporate Phones).

It’s important to understand that the second space is not a full-fledged multiplayer system (as in Android for Work), it’s more of a limited-enabled sandbox, so some system settings (such as Settings → About Phone) may not be available without going to the first space.

Method 1: Standard menu switching (if you know the password)

If you remember the password from the first space, the easiest way to return access is through the system menu, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with MIUI 12 and later.

1. Unlock the screen of the second space (use any available method: PIN, pattern lock or fingerprint).
2. Go to Settings → Second Space (or Settings → Accounts → Second Space in Older Versions).
3. Click on the option “Exit from second space” (or “Switch to first space”).
4. Enter the password from the first space (not the second!).
5. Confirm the action – the phone will automatically reboot to the main space.

If the second space is not in the settings, try an alternative path:

• 📌 Open the notification bar and find the Switch Space icon** (if it was added earlier).
• 🔍 Use the search by settings (the magnifier in the upper right corner) and enter the request “second space».

⚠️ Note: If after entering the password, the system gives an error "Incorrect password"**, but you are sure of its correctness - try using a backup. PIN-code (if it was configured) MIUI 14 Sometimes a bug occurs when the pattern lock is not recognized and the digital password is working.

Method 2: Switching over Mi Account (if an account is linked)

If you forget the password from the first space, but the phone is tied to Mi Account, you can use the access recovery function.

1. The device is authorized in Mi Account (check Settings → Accounts → Mi Account).
2. The account settings include space synchronization (Sync Second Space option).

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Backup.
2. Select "Restore from Mi Cloud"**.
3. Log in to your Mi Account (use data from the main account linked to the first space).
4. In the backup list, look for the “Settings of Space” or “Authorization Data” item.
5. Restore the data and restart the device.

After the reboot, the system should prompt you to select a login space. If this does not happen, try manually switching through the menu (see Method 1).

⚠️ Note: If you see a device not found error when you restore via Mi Cloud, this means that the space synchronization has been disabled.In this case, try Method 4 (reset via Fastboot).

Method 3: Reset the first space password via ADB (for advanced)

If standard methods didn’t work, and the data in the first space is critical, you can try resetting your password via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires USB debugging and access to your computer, and is only suitable for users with root rights or an unlocked bootloader.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (original, for stable connection).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB in the second space (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer options, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the device screen.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/password.key




rm /data/system/locksettings.db




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm




reboot

Once rebooted, the password from the first space should be reset, but this method does not guarantee 100% results – in MIUI 14, Xiaomi tightened the protection, and sometimes additional file deletion is required in /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases.

Method 4: Hard reset via Fastboot (data loss)

If all previous methods failed, the last option is a full reset via Fastboot mode, which will delete all data in the second space, but save files in the first (if it was not encrypted), suitable for devices with a locked bootloader.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume button down until the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect the device to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB Tools.
4. Enter a command to check the connection:

fastboot devices

1. If the device is determined, perform a reset:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

Once you reboot, the phone will suggest that you configure the first space as a new device, and the important thing is, if you've used data encryption, this method can lead to a total loss of information in both spaces.

💡

Before resetting via Fastboot, try extracting important files from the second space, connect your phone to your PC in MTP mode (if available) and copy the data to your computer.

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Support (official method)

If you are not willing to risk data or are afraid of damaging the device, you can contact official support Xiaomi.The company provides assistance in restoring access to spaces if you have supporting documents (purchase check or tied Mi Account).

How to apply:

1. Go to the Xiaomi support website.
2. Select the "Device Access Lost" section.**
3. Fill out the form by specifying: 📄 IMEI Devices (can be found on the box or via command *#06#). 🔐 Mi Account Data Linked to the Phone. 📅 Date of purchase and place of acquisition.

Attach screenshots with errors (if any) and wait for a specialist to respond (usually within 24-48 hours).

Please note that support may be denied if:

• 🚫 The device was purchased informally (for example, via AliExpress without warranty).
• 🔓 The phone has unlocked the bootloader (this violates the warranty conditions).
• 📵 Mi Account is not tied to the device or blocked.

💡

Official Xiaomi support is the safest way, but not the fastest. If you need to get back to the first space urgently, combine this method with others (for example, try recovery through Mi Account in parallel with the support appeal).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When switching between spaces, users often face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

If your problem is not described in the table, try the following:

• 🔄 Restart the device in Safe Mode (hold the power button) → «Restarting in Safe Mode»**).
• 📡 Update the firmware through Settings → System updates (sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions) MIUI).
• 🔧 Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and networks → Resetting network settings).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions