Xiaomi's second space on a locked phone: how to access in 2026

Forgot the password from the main space on Xiaomi, but urgently need to access files in the second? Or the phone is locked after unsuccessful attempts to enter the pattern lock? The situation is complicated by the fact that the second space Xiaomi (also known as "Dual app" or Dual Apps) works in isolation from the main system, and standard unlock methods often do not work. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to access the second space on the locked device, from official methods to engineering workarounds.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi is actively updating its security policy, and methods that worked in 2022-2023 can be blocked in new versions of MIUI 14/15. We tested all the methods described below on current firmware (as of June 2026) and indicated which ones require unlocking the bootloader and which can be used without the risk of data loss. If your phone is trapped in a “hard” lock (for example, after 10 failed attempts to enter a password), immediately go to the emergency modes section.

How the second space on Xiaomi is arranged: technical nuances

The second space in MIUI is not just a separate account, but a full-fledged virtual environment with its own:

• 📱 Application data (cache, settings, files)
• 🔑 Accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks)
• 📂 Storage (photos, documents, downloads)
• 🔄 System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, sound)

Technically, this is implemented through the Work Profile mechanism (based on Android Enterprise), but with proprietary improvements to Xiaomi. /data/system_ce/0/. This means that even if the main space is locked, the second space can remain accessible... but only with the right approach.

However, there are pitfalls:

• 🔒 Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi linked access to the second space to Mi Account - without an account tied, some methods don't work.
• 🛡️ On devices with a locked boot loader (Redmi Note) 12, Xiaomi 13/14 Most workarounds require unlocking Bootloader.
• ⚠️ After resetting via Fastboot or Recovery, the second space will be removed without recovery (if there was no backup).

Official access methods (without data risk)

If your phone is locked but you remember the Mi Account data, try the official methods first. They don't require technical skills and don't violate warranty.

1 Unlocking through Find Device (Mi Cloud)

The safest way, but it only works if:

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (mobile data or Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Find Device has been activated in the settings.
• 🔑 You remember the username/password from the Mi Account tied to the device.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the locked device in the list.
3. Press Unlock Device → confirm SMS-code.
4. Set a new password or pattern lock (it will apply to the main space).

Once the main space is unlocked, the second one will be available automatically, and if this method doesn't work, move on to the next one.

2. Reset password via Recovery Mode (without loss of data)

Some models (Redmi Note 10/11, POCO X3/X4) have a hidden option to reset your password without deleting data.

1. Download to Recovery Mode: Press Power + Volume Up on the phone turned off.
2. Select Wipe & Reset → Reset Password (some firmwares call it Forgot Password?).
3. Confirm the reset via Mi Account (you will need to enter a login / password).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ This method can result in the removal of the second space. Before using, check the firmware version in the Recovery menu (paragraph Version).

Engineering Methods (for Advanced Users)

If the official methods don't work, you'll have to use technical workarounds, which require an unlocked bootloader or access to ADB/Fastboot, and you do everything at your own risk, because the wrong commands can lead to total data loss.

1.Access via ADB (if debugging is enabled)

If the phone has been activated debugging USB (USB Debugging, you can try to access the files of the second space through the ADB. This method works even if the main space is blocked.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (use the original cable).
2. Open the command line and execute: adb shell su ls /data/system_ce/0/ If the command outputs a list of files, you have access to the second space container.
3. To copy data to your PC, use: adb pull /data/system_ce/0/ /path/on/pc/

If ADB issues a device unauthorized error, it means that the debugging was not enabled in advance – this method will not work.

2. Unlock the boot loader and modify boot.img

For devices with a locked boot loader (Xiaomi) 12/13/14, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) The only reliable way is to unlock Bootloader and implement a patch to bypass the lock. 72 (due to Xiaomi's restrictions) and requires:

• 🖥️ Computer with Mi Unlock Tool.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (required for Fastboot).
• 📱 Mi Account tied to phone at least 7 days ago.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and log in.
2. Transfer your phone to Fastboot Mode (Power + Volume Down).
3. Connect your device to your PC and follow the instructions of the program (account binding → waiting 72 hours → unlocking).
4. After unlocking, swipe through the modified boot.img with a patch to bypass the lock (for example, through Magisk).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 15 and Snapdragon chipset 8 Gen 2/3 (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra) unlocking the bootloader resets all spaces, including the second. Before the procedure, back up through TWRP, if possible.

Emergency modes: what to do if the phone is completely locked

If the device is locked down hard (for example, after 10 failed password attempts), the screen shows the message "Device is locked. Try again in XXXX minutes," and the official methods do not help - radical measures remain. They will lead to data loss, but return access to the phone.

1. Fastboot reset (complete deletion of data)

This method will remove both spaces, but unlock the device, suitable for models without unlocked bootloader.

💡

If the phone requires the old password to be reset, Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is activated.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Down to log in to Fastboot.
3. Connect to your PC and execute the command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase frp fastboot reboot

2. firmware via EDL Mode (for power users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a service mode that allows you to flash a phone even with a locked bootloader.

• 🔧 Authorized Xiaomi Developer Account (Cost) ~$200/year).
• 📀 Original firmware for your model (downloaded from the official website).
• 🖥️ Mi Flash Tool or QFil (for Qualcomm smartphones).

The firmware process in EDL:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in EDL mode (close the Test Point contacts on the motherboard or use the adb reboot edl command if ADB is available).
2. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.
3. Wait until the end (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL on devices with MediaTek (for example, Redmi Note 12) 5G) It requires an additional auth.ini file that can only be obtained from authorized service centers.

Data recovery of the second space after reset

If you unlocked your phone, but the second space was gone, don't despair. Data could have been stored in hidden memory. Here's how you can try to recover it:

1. Search for data residues via TWRP

If the phone has custom recaps (TWRP), you can scan the memory for the presence of files of the second space:

1. Download to TWRP (Power + Volume Up)
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Check the folders: /data/system_ce/ /data/data/com.miui.dualapp/
4. If you find the files, copy them to SD-card.

2. Use of recovery programs

Specialized utilities like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver can scan internal memory for deleted files, but the effectiveness depends on whether the data was overwritten after the reset.

💡

The chances of recovering the data of the second space are maximum if you did not install new applications after the reset and did not record large files (photos, videos).

For scanning:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in MTP (file transfer) mode.
2. Run the program and select the /data partition for deep scanning.
3. Look for tagged files. ce_0_ or dualapp_ — They belong to the second space.

How to avoid blocking a second space in the future

To avoid the problem again, follow these recommendations:

• 🔐 Use the same password for both spaces (or write both in a secure location).
• 📱 Attach Mi Account and enable Find Device in Settings (Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device).
• 🔄 Regularly back up the second space through Settings → System system → Backup.
• 🛠️ Unlock the bootloader in advance (if you plan to use custom firmware).

It's also useful to know:

• 📌 Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi added the option "Allow unlock through Mi Account" in the security settings. Enable it to make it easier to restore access.
• 🔧 If you use the second space frequently, install the DualSpace Manager app from the Mi App Store, which allows you to manage the security settings of both spaces from the same interface.

Frequent questions