The dual app feature on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO allows you to create an isolated copy of the system with separate applications, settings and data, which is convenient for separating work and personal accounts, testing programs or hiding sensitive information. However, over time, the second space can take up excess memory, slow down the device or simply become unnecessary. How to properly disable or delete it without losing data, we will discuss in this guide.
Many users have trouble deactivating the second space: the system may issue errors, require a password, or not display the deletion option at all. The reasons lie in the features of MIUI and how to create a duplicate. In this article, you will find 4 proven methods (including hidden ones), as well as answers to frequent questions about data recovery and the consequences of disconnection.
⚠️ Important: if the second space was created through Settings → Special facilities → Second space, deleting it will result in the total loss of all the data in it (photos, messages, accounts!
1. Standard method: Deletion through MIUI settings
The simplest method is suitable for most Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11) with MIUI version 12-14. Instructions are relevant if the second space was created through the regular system tools, and not third-party programs.
Steps to remove:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
- 🔍 Find the Second Space section (on some firmwares, Dual Apps or Parallel Space).
- 🗑️ Tap on the option to Remove the second space (or Deactivate).
- 🔐 Enter the password from the main space (if requested).
- ✅ Confirm the action in the dialog window.
Once deleted, all data from the second space will be permanently erased, and if you need to save information (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), transfer it to the main space or to the cloud.
☑️ Preparation for removal of the second space
⚠️ Note: on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) The deletion option may be hidden if the second space is actively used by the system services.
2. reset the second space without deletion (data storage)
If you want to deactivate the second space, but you want to keep it recoverable later, you can do a factory reset for a duplicate only, and this doesn't affect the main space.
Instructions:
- Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
- Select Space Management (or Space Settings).
- Tap Reset (sometimes the option is called Reset factory settings).
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
After the reset, the second space will remain in the system, but all installed applications and data will be deleted.This method is useful if you plan to use the duplicate later, but want to clear it of unnecessary information.
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If the second space doesn’t appear in the startup menu after reset, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management and find Parallel Space. Turn it on manually.
3. Recovery Mode Removal (for power users)
If standard methods fail (e.g., due to a system failure or remote access), you can remove the second space through Recovery Mode, a method that requires caution, as improper actions can lead to data loss in the main space.
Step-by-step:
- 🔄 Turn off your smartphone.
- 🔘 Press the power buttons. + Volume upwards before the Mi logo appears (on some models - Nutrition) + Loudness down).
- 📛 In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
- 🗃️ Find the Delete Dual Apps Data or Erase Second Space option (name depends on version) MIUI).
- ✅ Confirm the removal and wait for the process to be completed.
- 🔄 Restart the device (Reboot).
⚠️ Note: Recovery Mode does not have the option to choose which data to delete, as it affects all files in the second space. If you are not sure about your actions, use the standard method from the first section.
What if Recovery doesn’t have the option to delete the second space?
Alternative method: Disconnection via ADB (for advanced)
If the second space was created by a third-party application (such as Parallel Space or Island), standard MIUI settings may not see it, in which case debugging over USB and ADB commands will help.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer's settings).
Commands for removal:
adb shell
pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.dualapp
pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.dualapp.core
rm -rf /data/second_space/*Once you have completed the commands, restart the device. If the second space was created through Parallel Space, use:
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.lbe.parallel.intl⚠️ Attention: misuse ADB If you're not sure about the teams, call a specialist.
5. Data recovery after deleting the second space
If you deleted the second space without making a backup, the chances of recovering data depend on how it was created:
| Type of second space | Is recovery possible? | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Staff (via MIUI) | ❌ No. | Data is stored in an encrypted section /data/second_space and are removed irrevocably. |
| Third-party (Parallel Space) | ⚠️ Partially. | Try programs like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver (requires root). |
| Through Island (Work Profile) | ✅ Yes. | Data is synced with your Google account. Restore through Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync. |
If the second space was encrypted, recovery is almost impossible without specialized software. For critical data (such as work correspondence), contact Xiaomi’s service center – sometimes engineers can extract information using service utilities.
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The only reliable way to save data is to back up before you delete the second space. Use Mi Cloud or local copying on your PC.
6. Frequent errors and their solutions
When you delete the second space, users often face problems.
- 🔒 "Password required, but I don't remember it" If you forget the password from the second space, reset it via Recovery Mode (section) 3). The alternative is to use ADB Resetting the lock (requires root): adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db
- 📱 "Remove option is inactive (grey)" This means that the second space is used by the system process. Try: Close all applications in duplicate. Turn off sync with accounts (Settings) → Reboot your device and try again.
"After removal, there were traces in the app menu"
Clear the system cache: Settings → Applications → Application management → Three dots (menu) → Clear the cache.
If none of the methods worked, check if your device is enterprise (with Android Enterprise), in which case the second space can be tied to the company’s security policy and can only be removed through the administrator.