Second Space MIUI: How to Use It

Second Space on Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones running MIUI or HyperOS creates a separate, isolated user profile on the same device, letting you keep two sets of apps, photos, files, and accounts completely apart. You switch between them like changing users on a computer, and each space has its own lock screen, wallpaper, and app data. This guide explains what Second Space actually does, how to set it up, how to move data between spaces, and how to remove it safely.

What Is Second Space?

Second Space is a system-level feature built into MIUI and HyperOS. It effectively creates a second user account on your phone, with its own home screen, apps, settings, and storage. The two spaces are isolated: an app installed in the main space does not appear in Second Space, and files stored in one space are not visible in the other (unless you explicitly move them). It is useful for separating work and personal life, keeping sensitive apps hidden, or letting a child use the phone without accessing your data.

It is important to understand that Second Space is not a “hidden folder” or a way to hide individual apps. It is a full separate profile, so you will need to install apps again in the second space if you want to use them there. The feature is available on most Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices running MIUI 9 or later, and it continues to exist in HyperOS.

How to Enable Second Space

Enabling Second Space takes a few taps, and the exact menu names may vary slightly depending on your MIUI or HyperOS version. Here is the general path:

1. Open Settings on your phone.
2. Scroll down and tap Second space (on some versions it is under Additional settings or Privacy).
3. Tap Enable Second space.
4. You will be asked to set a separate lock screen password or PIN for the second space. This is required.
5. Wait a few seconds while the system creates the new profile. You will then be taken to the second space, which looks like a fresh phone.

If you do not see the option, search for “Second space” in the Settings search bar. On some devices, it may be called “Dual apps” – but that is a different feature (app cloning). Second Space is the full profile feature.

Switching Between Spaces

Once Second Space is enabled, you can switch between the two profiles in two ways:

• From the lock screen: Tap the user icon (usually a person silhouette) at the top of the lock screen and select the space you want to enter. You will need to enter the respective password or PIN.
• From Settings: Go to Settings → Second space and tap Switch to Second space (or vice versa).

You can also set a different fingerprint for each space, so the phone automatically unlocks into the correct space based on which finger you use. To do this, go to Settings → Second space → Fingerprint and register a different fingerprint in each space.

Moving Data Between Spaces

By default, the two spaces are completely isolated. If you want to move a file (like a photo or document) from the main space to Second Space, you have a few options:

• Use the “Move data” feature: In Settings → Second space, there is an option called Move data. It lets you move photos, videos, audio, documents, and other files from one space to the other. You select the files and confirm the move.
• Share through a cloud service: Upload the file to a cloud drive (like Google Drive or Xiaomi Cloud) in one space, then download it in the other space. This is a workaround if you cannot find the Move data option.
• Use a file manager with shared storage: Some file managers can access a shared folder that both spaces can see, but this is not the default behavior. The safest way is to use the built-in Move data tool.

Note that apps themselves cannot be moved between spaces; you must reinstall them. App data (like chat history or game progress) is not transferred either.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Users often run into a few issues with Second Space. Here are the most common ones and what to try:

• Second Space option missing: If you cannot find it in Settings, your device may not support it (some budget models have it removed) or your MIUI version is too old. Check for system updates first.
• Cannot switch spaces: If the user icon does not appear on the lock screen, go to Settings → Second space and switch from there. If that fails, restart the phone.
• Files not appearing after moving: The Move data feature can take a few minutes for large files. Make sure you are looking in the correct folder (e.g., DCIM for photos). If the move fails, try moving fewer files at a time.
• Notifications from both spaces: You will only receive notifications from the space you are currently in. If you want notifications from both, you need to enable “Show notifications from both spaces” in Settings → Second space (if available). Not all versions have this option.
• Forgot the second space password: You can reset it by going to Settings → Second space in the main space and tapping Forgot password. You will need to verify your main space password. If you cannot reset it, you may have to disable Second Space, which will delete all data in the second space.

How to Disable Second Space

Disabling Second Space deletes all data inside it permanently. Make sure you have moved anything you want to keep to the main space first. To disable:

1. Go to Settings → Second space (while in the main space).
2. Tap Disable Second space.
3. Confirm that you understand all data in the second space will be deleted.
4. Enter your main space password to confirm.

After this, the second space is removed, and the phone returns to a single profile. Your main space data is untouched.

Second Space vs. Dual Apps

People often confuse Second Space with Dual Apps (also called App Cloning). They are different:

• Second Space is a full separate user profile. It isolates everything – apps, files, settings, and accounts. You switch between spaces.
• Dual Apps creates a second copy of a single app (like WhatsApp or Instagram) within the same space. You run both the original and the clone simultaneously, each with its own data. Dual Apps does not hide the app or separate other files.

If you only need two instances of one app, use Dual Apps. If you want to keep two entire lives separate, use Second Space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Second Space hide my apps from other people?

Second Space hides the entire profile, not individual apps. If someone unlocks the phone into the main space, they will not see the second space’s apps or files. However, they can see that Second Space is enabled in Settings (unless you hide the icon). If you want to hide a single app, use the “Hide apps” feature in the app drawer instead.

Can I use two WhatsApp accounts with Second Space?

Yes. You can install WhatsApp in the second space and use a different phone number there. However, you cannot receive notifications from both WhatsApp accounts at the same time – you will only get notifications from the space you are currently in. For simultaneous notifications, use Dual Apps instead.

Will Second Space slow down my phone?

Running a second space does consume a little extra storage (for the apps you install there) and RAM (if you have apps open in both spaces). On phones with 4GB RAM or less, you may notice slight lag when switching. On modern devices with 6GB or more, the impact is minimal.

Can I move apps from main space to second space?

No. You cannot move installed apps between spaces. You must reinstall them in the second space from the Play Store or app store. App data (like login sessions) will not carry over.

Is Second Space secure?

Second Space is protected by your lock screen password, which is separate from the main space. If someone knows your main password, they cannot access the second space without its own password. However, if your phone is rooted or compromised, security cannot be guaranteed. For highly sensitive data, consider using a secure folder app with encryption.

What happens to my files when I disable Second Space?

All files stored in the second space are permanently deleted when you disable it. There is no recycle bin. Move any files you want to keep to the main space or a cloud backup before disabling.

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