How to completely remove the second space on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

The second space feature in Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi models) allows you to create an isolated work environment with separate applications, files and settings. This is convenient for separating personal and work data, but over time users face the need to delete it - due to lack of memory, malfunctions or simply because of unnecessary. However, standard deletion through the menu does not always work: the system can leave junk files, and in some cases, space is restored after a reboot.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove second space on Xiaomi in 2026 – from basic methods through settings. MIUI Advanced solutions with the use of ADB We will focus on the nuances for different versions of the firmware (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15) and smartphone models, as well as risks that are important to consider before starting the procedure.

1 What is the second space on Xiaomi and why is it difficult to remove it

Second Space is a virtual environment that runs parallel to the main system, and uses the same hardware resources, but has:

• 📱 A separate set of applications (you can duplicate messengers, social networks, banking applications).
• 🔒 Isolated data: files, contacts, SMS The settings do not overlap with the main space.
• 🔄 Your own accounts (for example, you can use another Google account or Mi Account).
• 🛡️ Additional protection: access to the second space is protected by a password or fingerprint.

The following are the reasons for the MIUI architecture:

1. File system: The second space is stored in an encrypted /data/secondspace partition that is not cleared by standard deletion.
2. Service processes: Even after removal through the menu, some background services (com.miui.secondspace) may remain active.
3. MIUI Updates: After a firmware upgrade, space is sometimes restored automatically.

According to Xiaomi Community, up to 15% of users experience a “ghost” return of a second space after it is deleted, which is because the system stores profile metadata in a protected memory area.

Method 2: Remove via MIUI settings (Basic Method)

This is the easiest method that works on most models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13, etc.) with MIUI 13/14/15 firmware. However, it does not guarantee complete cleanup - residual files can take up to 1-2 GB of memory.

Back up your data from the second space |Close all apps in both spaces |Connect your smartphone to charge (recommended) |Make sure your battery is at least 50% charged

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Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Special Features (or Additional Settings in older versions).
2. Select Second Space (on some models, path: Settings → Accounts and Sync → Second Space).
3. Click Remove the second space (or Exit the second space → Delete).
4. Confirm the action by entering the password (if installed).
5. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes) and restart the device.

After restarting, check the space in Settings → Memory. If the amount of free memory has not changed, then the space files have not been deleted completely, then proceed to the following methods.

💡

If the Remove Second Space button is inactive, try to exit the space first and then try again.

Method 2: Recovery Mode Removal (for power users)

This method is suitable if standard deletion failed or you want to ensure that all traces of the second space are cleared. It requires logging into Recovery Mode — Service Recovery Mode. Attention: improper actions in Recovery can result in a reset of all data!

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the button combination to enter Recovery: For most models: Power + Volume up. For POCO F5/Redmi K60: Power + Volume up + Volume down (hold 10 seconds).

Recovery

Wipe & Reset → Wipe Second Space → Confirm

Confirm the action and wait until the process is completed (the process can take up to 10 minutes).

Reboot → System

If your Recovery does not have Wipe Second Space, then the firmware does not support this option, in which case use Method 4 (ADB) or Method 5 (Reset).

💡

Recovery is the most reliable way, but it requires caution. Don't confuse Wipe Second Space with Wipe Data (the latter will reset ALL of your smartphone data)!

Method 3: Cleaning through ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can remove the second space using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which is suitable for models with unlocked bootloader or root rights, but can work on standard firmware.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Follow the command to check the connection: Adb devices must display the serial number of your device.
4. Enter the command to delete the second space: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.secondspace If an error occurs, try the alternative command: adb shell pm clear com.miui.secondspace
5. Reboot your smartphone: adb reboot

After the reboot, check if the second space from the settings menu has disappeared. If not, try the command combination:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/secondspace




exit




exit

(Requires root rights.)

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not execute commands unless you are sure of their purpose, such as adb shell rm. -rf /data Delete all user data!

5. Method 4: Complete reset to factory settings (extreme method)

If none of these things work, you have to reset hard, you get your smartphone back to factory status, and that will delete all the data, including the main and second space, so you can only use this as a last resort.

How to reset:

1. Back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) through Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud.
2. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select Delete all data (reset to factory data).
4. Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.
5. Wait for the completion (it will take 5-15 minutes) and set the smartphone as new.

After the reset, the second space will be removed without the possibility of recovery, but this method has significant disadvantages:

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 11 Pro)+, Xiaomi 12T) After reset, you may need to re-activate the device via Mi Account!

6. Method 5: Uninstall via Fastboot (for unlocked bootloader)

This method is suitable for users who have a Bootloader unlocked, and allows you to manually clear the second space partition through Fastboot, a firmware mode that runs at the hardware level.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Mi Flash Tool and Fastboot installed.
• 📱 Unlocked bootloader (instructions for unlocking: official Xiaomi website).
• 🔌 USB-cable (requiredly original!).

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone and put it in Fastboot: Power + Volume down (hold 5-10 seconds until the Fastboot logo appears).
2. Connect the device to your PC and open the command line in the folder with Fastboot.
3. Check the connection: fastboot devices
4. Delete the second space section: fastboot erase secondspace If the command doesn't work, try: fastboot erase userdata_second
5. Reboot the device: fastboot reboot

After the reboot, the second space will be removed at the memory partition level, which is the most effective method, but requires unlocking the bootloader, which will void the warranty on some models.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you delete the second space, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

• 🔄 "Second space rebuilt after rebooting": Reason: com.miui.secondspace system process automatically recreates space. Solution: Use Method 3 (ADB) or Method 4 (reset).
• 🚫 "Remove button inactive": Reason: Second space is used by background processes.Solution: Close all apps in both spaces and restart your smartphone.
• 📱 "Lack of memory after deletion": Reason: Residual files take up space.Solution: clear cache in Settings → Memory. → Clean or use ADB hand-clean.
• ⚠️ "Smartphone does not turn on after reset": Reason: interrupted reset process or firmware error Solution: log in to Recovery and repeat reset, or run the device through Fastboot.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔍 Version MIUI: On some beta versions of the firmware, the function of the second space does not work correctly.
• 🛠️ System Integrity: Use Settings → The phone. → System check for error diagnosis.
• 📡 Updates: Install the latest stable version MIUI can solve the problem.

8.Alternatives to the second space on Xiaomi

If you have removed the second space but still need to separate work and personal data, consider alternative solutions:

For most users, the optimal solution would be a combination of user profiles (for basic separation) and clone applications (for duplicate messengers), for example, WhatsApp and Telegram have built-in support for multiple accounts without the need to create a second space.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions