Dual Phones in One: Xiaomi Second Space Feature

How to Activate Second Space on Xiaomi Phones (MIUI Guide for UK Users)

The Second Space feature in MIUI allows you to effectively have two separate “phones” within a single Xiaomi device. This can be useful for separating work and personal accounts, testing apps, or even restricting access to certain apps and files from younger family members like your son or sibling.

What is Second Space?

Second Space creates a completely separate environment on your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO phone. Each space has its own apps, files, and settings, making it function almost like a second phone. This is particularly useful for UK users who want to maintain privacy when using public Wi-Fi in London cafés or sharing a device with multiple family members in Manchester or Birmingham flats.

Unfortunately, not all devices support Second Space natively. For instance, models like the Redmi Note 10 or other entry-level Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones may not show this option under Settings > Special Features in MIUI. Without access, the Second Space option might appear completely absent.

How to Access Second Space Even if Your Xiaomi Lacks It

Even if your device doesn’t officially support Second Space, there’s a simple workaround that lets you enable it on any Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO phone:

  1. Download Activity Launcher from the Google Play Store. This free app lets you access hidden or restricted MIUI settings.
  2. Open Activity Launcher and use the search icon to find “Second Space.”
  3. Look for the entry ending with eSettingActivity and launch it.
  4. Second Space will open automatically, even if your device didn’t have it available through the usual MIUI menus.
  5. Optionally, you can long-press the Activity Launcher icon to create a desktop shortcut, giving you instant access to Second Space anytime.

Practical Use Cases in the UK

UK users have found Second Space particularly useful in real-world scenarios:

  • London: Keep work and personal accounts separate when commuting on the Tube or using office Wi-Fi networks like EE and O2.
  • Manchester: Create a second space for children to safely explore apps without accessing sensitive data.
  • Birmingham: Test new apps or MIUI tweaks without affecting your main environment.
  • Glasgow: Maintain privacy when using shared devices at home or in high street cafés with public Wi-Fi.

Why This Works

Activity Launcher accesses MIUI’s internal activities directly, bypassing restrictions on certain models. While the device may not show Second Space in Settings, the underlying system still supports the feature. This makes it a safe and practical solution for UK users with entry-level Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO phones.

Verdict

Second Space is one of MIUI’s most versatile features, enabling multiple environments on a single device. Whether for privacy, testing, or managing family use, this tool ensures that all Xiaomi users in the UK—from London to Glasgow—can take advantage of the feature. With Activity Launcher, you can unlock Second Space even on devices that don’t officially support it, ensuring that every Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO phone remains fully functional for multiple accounts.

Related UK Xiaomi Guides

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Guides at UK Xiaomi

How to Use the Equaliser for Headphones, Earbuds, and Headsets on Xiaomi Phones

How to Boost Headphone Bass on Xiaomi Phones (MIUI Guide for UK Users) Music is closely tied to emotions, and for many UK users, headphones are a constant companion throughout the day—whether commuting in London , relaxing in a Manchester flat, or catching up on podcasts in Birmingham . Naturally, everyone wants the best possible sound quality from their Xiaomi device, without relying on third-party apps that take up storage space. Why Bass Matters Before boosting headphone bass, it’s worth understanding the basics. Humans can hear frequencies from 20Hz to 20kHz. The lower end, below 250Hz, represents bass sounds. Within this range, the lowest frequencies contribute to deep bass, while slightly higher frequencies provide “punchy” bass. MIUI’s equaliser allows you to tweak these frequencies, regardless of the headphone model—be it Mi AirDots , Redmi AirDots S, or higher-end wired headphones. Setting up the equaliser properly is crucial for achieving the richest sound experience...
Read more

How to Identify the HyperOS Version on Your Xiaomi Phone

Reality check: HyperOS version numbers on Xiaomi are more confusing than most UK users expect Xiaomi keeps rolling out HyperOS updates that promise smoother performance and new features. On paper, it sounds straightforward. In practice — especially across UK devices — many users have no idea whether they’re on HyperOS 2.1 or 2.2. The confusion isn’t your fault. Xiaomi’s version naming is unnecessarily opaque, and after updates land on networks like EE or O2, the numbering rarely looks as clean as guides suggest. This is where people usually get it wrong. They look for a big “HyperOS 2.2” label and assume it will be obvious. It usually isn’t. Xiaomi hides the real clue inside the build number, and if you don’t know what to look for, you can stare straight at it and still miss it. If you want clarity — and avoid misreporting your version in the Xiaomi Community — here’s how to read it properly. What actually causes the confusion in the UK rollout Across UK Xiaomi, Redmi an...
Read more

How to Change the Default Launcher on Xiaomi MIUI/HyperOS Phones

How to Change the Default Launcher on Xiaomi MIUI Phones in the UK Reality check: default launcher works, but isn’t for everyone For many UK Xiaomi users, the default MIUI launcher is functional. It comes packed with customisation options, gesture controls, and integration with system features like widgets and themes. In practice, though, not everyone is satisfied. Some find the interface cluttered, others dislike the stock icon styles, and some simply prefer the performance and flexibility of third-party launchers. This is where people usually get it wrong. Many think changing the default launcher is complicated or risky. The reality is very different — MIUI allows swapping the default launcher at any time, and you can always revert without major side effects. Why you might want a different launcher Third-party launchers like Nova Launcher, Action Launcher, or Smart Launcher often offer: Highly customisable home screens Improved gesture support Better icon packs and them...
Read more

Xiaomi WiFi Disconnecting on BT/Sky — UK Fixes

Reality check: Xiaomi Wi-Fi drop-outs on BT and Sky aren’t random — and quick fixes often miss the point If your Xiaomi keeps disconnecting from Wi-Fi at home — especially on BT or Sky broadband — you’re not dealing with bad luck. Across UK households, particularly in older flats and semi-detached homes, this problem shows up with uncomfortable regularity after certain HyperOS updates. Users often blame the router first. Sometimes that’s fair. But in many UK Xiaomi cases, the behaviour is coming from the phone’s own network handling rather than the broadband line itself. This is where people usually get it wrong. They reboot the router, run a speed test, maybe even upgrade their tariff — and the drop-outs keep coming back. Because the real friction often sits inside HyperOS Wi-Fi management, not the BT or Sky line quality. If you want this fixed properly, you need to focus on the pressure points that actually break most often. What actually breaks most often on Xiaomi Wi-Fi...
Read more

Xiaomi HyperOS 2 Cold Resistance Mode: Protecting Battery in Winter

HyperOS 2 Cold Resistance Mode on Xiaomi Phones: What Actually Happens to Your Battery in a British Winter Reality check first. Cold weather is not just mildly inconvenient for smartphones. It is one of the fastest ways to expose battery weaknesses, especially on devices used daily across the UK where damp air, sudden temperature swings, and long commuting hours create conditions phones were never truly designed for. Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices are no exception. In fact, many UK users notice battery behaviour changing dramatically when winter hits: phones shutting down at 15%, charging slowing to a crawl, or performance suddenly dipping when stepping outside. HyperOS 2 introduces something Xiaomi rarely advertises loudly but actually matters: Cold Resistance Mode . On paper, it sounds like another background optimisation. In practice, it directly addresses why batteries struggle when temperatures drop. But let’s remove the marketing gloss. This feature helps, yes. It doe...
Read more

Optimise Xiaomi HyperOS Charging for Longer Battery Life in the UK

Reality check: Xiaomi’s Optimised Charging helps — but it’s not the battery miracle people expect With HyperOS, Xiaomi quietly introduced a feature designed to slow down battery ageing: Optimised Charging (sometimes labelled Smart Charging). On paper, it sounds exactly like what most users in the UK want — longer battery lifespan with zero effort. And yes, it can help. But not in the simplistic way many guides claim. This is where people usually get it wrong. Users often flip the toggle expecting immediate battery gains — longer screen time, faster charging, cooler temperatures overnight. That’s not how this feature works. In reality, Optimised Charging is a long-game protection tool. Used correctly, it reduces long-term battery wear. Used blindly, especially on inconsistent charging routines common in busy UK households, it may barely activate at all. So before you switch it on and forget about it, you need to understand what it actually does inside HyperOS — and when it q...
Read more

HyperOS Notifications Delayed — Xiaomi UK Guide

Reality check: HyperOS notification delays on Xiaomi aren’t random — and UK users feel it more If notifications on your Xiaomi arrive late — or worse, only appear when you unlock the phone — you’re not imagining things. Since the rollout of HyperOS, delayed alerts have become one of the most persistent complaints among UK Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO users. WhatsApp messages arriving minutes late. Banking alerts showing up after the moment has passed. Email push behaving like it’s stuck in traffic. It’s frustrating — and more importantly, it’s predictable. This is where people usually get it wrong. They blame the app. Or the network. Or assume the phone is simply “slow”. In reality, HyperOS is often doing exactly what it was designed to do: aggressively managing background activity to protect battery life. The problem is that in real UK usage — especially on networks like O2 where indoor signal can fluctuate in older flats — that behaviour sometimes goes too far. The good news? Mos...
Read more

Optimising Battery Charging on Xiaomi Phones in the UK

MIUI 12.5’s New Smart Charge Protection: What UK Xiaomi Users Need to Know Xiaomi has quietly added a significant tweak to MIUI 12.5 that UK users should not overlook. Beyond the usual waves of features and tweaks we’ve seen in previous updates, this latest iteration introduces a Smart Charge Protection system aimed at reducing long-term battery degradation. While it may sound like a simple feature on paper, the real-world implications for Xiaomi owners in cities like London or Manchester are surprisingly practical. How Smart Charge Protection Actually Works Thanks to MIUI, we now know that Xiaomi’s newest beta, version 21.2.1, embeds this feature directly in the device’s Security app . The principle is straightforward: the system learns your charging habits and adjusts the charging timeline intelligently. For instance, if you typically charge your Xiaomi overnight in your Birmingham flat, the system delays the final charging phase so the battery reaches 100% just as you wake...
Read more

How to Hide Xiaomi Notification Content on the Lock Screen

Hide Lock Screen Notifications on Xiaomi — Protect Your Privacy in Real UK Conditions Receiving notifications on your Xiaomi and seeing them instantly on the lock screen is convenient — until you realise that anyone glancing at your phone can read sensitive details. In the UK, where many people use text messages for authentication codes and mobile payments, this is more than a nuisance — it’s a privacy risk. Forgetting your phone in a café or losing it entirely can expose personal information immediately. MIUI allows you to continue receiving notifications while keeping their content hidden on the lock screen. This balances convenience with privacy — something most users underestimate. This is where people usually get it wrong: leaving notifications fully visible and assuming no one else can read them. Reality Check Lock screen notifications are visible by default. MIUI shows both the sender and content, which is convenient but risky. Curious eyes in public transport, high stre...
Read more

Xiaomi Charging Slow in Cold UK Weather — Explained

Xiaomi Charging Slow in Cold UK Weather — Explained If your Xiaomi suddenly starts charging painfully slowly during colder months in the UK, you’re not imagining it. Every winter, users from London to Manchester report the same thing: plug in the phone, and the charging speed crawls — even with the original fast charger. Here’s the blunt truth: in most cases, your charger isn’t broken and your battery isn’t dying. Cold UK weather triggers built-in battery protection systems inside HyperOS that deliberately slow charging to protect long-term battery health. This guide explains what’s really happening — and when you should actually worry. Why Xiaomi Charging Slows Down in the Cold All modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones use lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are sensitive to temperature, and HyperOS actively limits charging speed when the battery gets too cold. In the UK, this commonly happens when: Your phone sits near a cold window overnight You leave it in the car...
Read more