Second Space on Xiaomi: How to Include, Configure and Use

The second space feature on Xiaomi smartphones allows you to create an isolated work environment with separate applications, settings and data. It is the perfect solution for those who want to separate their personal and work lives, test apps without risking the main system, or just experiment with settings. Unlike the standard guest mode, the second space works as a full copy of Android with its own accounts, wallpaper and even a version. MIUI.

In this article, you will find current ways to activate the second space on all modern Xiaomi models (2026), including devices based on HyperOS and older versions. MIUI. We're going to look at not only the basic setup, but also the hidden features of the feature, and the common mistakes that users experience. If you've never used this option or tried to enable it without success, here you'll find the answers to all the questions.

What is the second space on Xiaomi and why is it necessary?

Second Space is Xiaomi's proprietary technology, which creates two completely independent user environments on a smartphone.

• 📱 Own applications (you can duplicate messengers, social networks, banking applications)
• 🔑 Individual accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks)
• 🎨 Unique settings (wallpaper, themes, sounds, notifications)
• 📁 Isolated files (photos, documents, downloads do not overlap)

Main use cases:

• 💼 Separation of work and personal life – for example, in one space, corporate mail and Slack, in another – Instagram and games.
• 🔍 Testing applications without risk to the core system (useful for developers or curious users).
• 🛡️ Increased safety – if one space is infected with a virus, the second will remain clean.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family use – you can give your child a smartphone with limited space without risking your data.

It's important to understand that the second space is not the same as guest mode. In guest mode, only basic features are available, and here you get a full copy of Android with the ability to install any application. Also, switching between spaces takes only a few seconds - you do not need to restart the device.

What Xiaomi models support second space

Second Space is available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, But there are important nuances:

To find out if your device supports the second space:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI/HyperOS
2. Tap 7 times on version number to activate developer mode
3. Return to the main settings and open the additional settings → Developer mode
4. Check for Second Space or Second Space

⚠️ Note: On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra for the Chinese market), the function may be blocked by the manufacturer, in which case only the flashing to the global version of the software will help.

Step-by-step: how to turn on the second space

The process of activating the second space takes no more than 5 minutes. Follow the instructions carefully - at some stages, the system may request confirmation with a password or fingerprint.

Make sure your phone has enough free memory (minimum 3GB)

Connect the device to charge (the process can take up to 10 minutes)

Remember the password from the main space (required for confirmation)

Turn it off. VPN (Can prevent the creation of space)-->

Method 1: Through standard settings (MIUI/HyperOS)

1. Open the Settings. → Memory (or special features on new versions)
2. Scroll down and select Second Space.
3. Click Create a second space and confirm the action with a password
4. Wait until the process is complete (the phone will reboot automatically)
5. After rebooting, select the space on the lock screen (up/down swipe or special icon)

Method 2: Through Developer Mode (for hidden function)

If the second space is not in the settings:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 taps according to MIUI)
2. Go to Additional Settings → For developers
3. Find the second space and turn it on.
4. Return to the main settings – now the option should appear in the Memory section

Method 3: Through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods do not work, you can enable the function via the command line:

adb shell settings put global second_space_enabled 1


adb reboot

After the reboot, the second space is activated automatically.

⚠️ Note: On devices with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14) when creating a second space, an error "Insufficient memory" may appear, even if more than 10 GB is free.

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If the second space is created, the phone hangs on the logo. MIUI For more than 10 minutes, force it to restart with the power button. Repeat the process, usually the second time it goes well.

How to Switch Between Spaces and Manage Them

After you create the second space, you need to learn how to use it.

• 🔄 Through the lock screen: swipe up/down on the user’s avatar or click on the space icon at the bottom of the screen
• 📱 Through the notification panel: unfold the curtain and tap the icon Second space
• ⚙️ Through Settings: Settings → Second space → Reverse

Space management includes several important options:

Note the application sync. By default, the second space is created empty, but you can move selected applications from the main space to the same space:

1. Open the Settings. → Second space → Annexes
2. Choose the apps you want to duplicate
3. Confirm the transfer (app data is not copied, only the programs themselves)

Typical problems and their solutions

When you're working with the second space, you often encounter errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

1. Cannot create a second space ("Not enough memory")

Even if you have 20GB of free phone, the system can give you this error.

• 🗑️ Fragmented Memory: Defragment through Settings → Memory. → Optimization
• 📱 System limitations: Some models (Redmi Note 11) require at least 5GB of uninterrupted free space
• 🔄 Firmware error: Update MIUI/HyperOS last-minute

2. the second space does not open (freeze on the boot)

If the screen goes out or the logo hangs when switching MIUI:

1. Wait. 10-15 Minutes – sometimes the initial setup takes a long time
2. Force your phone to restart (press the power button for 10 seconds)
3. If the problem is repeated, reset the second space through Settings. → Second space → Reset

3. Applications are not synchronized between spaces

To move applications from the main space to the second:

• 📲 Use the function of Cloning applications in Settings → Annexes → Cloning
• 🔄 Install apps again via Google Play in the second space
• 📥 Use backups to transfer data (e.g., via Mi Cloud)

4.Notifications are not shown from the second space

To ensure that notifications are displayed on the main screen:

1. Go to Settings. → Second space → Notifications
2. Enable the option to Show notifications from the second space
3. For individual applications, set up notifications in their settings

⚠️ Note: HyperOS devices (such as the Xiaomi 14 Pro) may overheat the processor if you use the second space for a long time. This is normal, the system creates two independent Android sessions, which increases the load. If the phone is too warm, limit your time in the second space or close the background apps.

The Hidden Possibilities of Second Space

Few people know, but the second space on Xiaomi has a few hidden features that can be useful:

1. Different versions of Android in the same phone

You can install a different version in the second space. MIUI/HyperOS, That's what I'm talking about:

1. Download firmware for your model (for example, global instead of Chinese)
2. Move to the second space
3. Through Settings. → The phone. → Update system select firmware file
4. Confirm the installation (the second space data will be erased!)

2.Isolated testing of beta versions

If you want to test the beta version MIUI/HyperOS, But you are afraid of failures in the main system:

• 📱 Install beta firmware in the second space
• 🔍 Test new features without risking the main space
• 🔄 If necessary, simply remove the second space and recreate it.

3. Dual authorization in games and social networks

In the second space, you can:

• 🎮 Play Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail from two accounts at the same time
• 📘 Use two Telegram, WhatsApp or other accounts VK free-floating
• 💼 Work with two Gmail or Outlook mailboxes in parallel

4. Hidden performance settings

In some firmware in the second space, additional optimization options are available:

Settings → Special features → Hidden settings → Performance

Here you can:

• 🚀 Enable High Performance Mode for Games
• 🔋 Turn off background activity to save battery
• 📡 Optimize the network for online gaming

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The second space consumes the extra resources of the phone. 15-20%, Limit background activity in the second space through battery settings.

Security and privacy: how to protect data

Although the second space is isolated from the main one, there are a few things to look out for for maximum safety:

1. Password protection

Each space can have its own password or biometric authorization:

• 🔐 Set up different ones. PIN-codes for the main and second space
• 👆 Set up different fingerprints (if supported)
• 😊 Use different blocking patterns

2. Data encryption

By default, the second space data is not encrypted.

1. Move to the second space
2. Open the Settings. → Security → Encryption of the telephone
3. Follow the instructions (the process will take place) 30-60 minute)

3. Restriction of access to files

To prevent files from one space from being accessed in another:

• 📁 Use the file manager only in the current space
• 🔗 Disable access to SD-map in the second space (if used in the second space)
• ☁️ Store sensitive data in Mi Cloud with separate accounts

4.Surveillance protection

If you use the second space for confidential tasks:

• 🛡️ Turn off the debugging. USB second-space
• 📍 Turn off geolocation for individual applications
• 🔍 Regularly check the permissions of applications in Settings → Annexes → Permits

⚠️ Note: If you are selling or transferring your phone to another person, it is not enough to simply delete the second space. The data may remain in the device's memory. → System system → Resetting settings → Delete all data.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions