How to create a second space on Android 10: 3 proven methods

Modern smartphones on Android 10 allow you to separate personal and work data without purchasing a second device. The "second space" (or "multi-user mode") feature is especially relevant for those who want to separate work applications from personal ones, hide confidential information from children, or test new apps in an isolated environment. However, not all manufacturers leave this option available out of the box - some remove it from the interface, although the technical possibility remains.

In this article we will examine three working methods for creating a second space on Android 10: from standard settings to hidden commands for advanced users. You will learn how to bypass manufacturer restrictions, which models support the function out of the box, and how to avoid mistakes when setting up. Important: the methods differ for pure Android (for example, Pixel) and custom shells (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS).

Before you begin, check your firmware version in Settings → About phone → Android version. If you you Android 11+, some methods may not work - in new versions Google has tightened the security policy for multi-user modes.

1. Standard multi-user mode (for pure Android)

If your smartphone runs on “pure” Android 10 (for example, Google Pixel, Nokia or devices under the app Android One), the second space function is already built into the system. It is easy to activate through the settings menu, but there are nuances:

• 📱 Supported on all devices with Android 5.0+, but manufacturers can hide option.
• 🔒 The second space is isolated: it has separate applications, settings and even IMEI (for calls).
• ⚠️ Some applications (for example, banking) can block work in multi-user mode.
• 📶 mobile data and Wi-Fi common for all users.

To create a second user:

1. Open Settings → System → Advanced → Multi-user mode.
2. Click Add user (or Guestif you need temporary space).
3. Confirm the action - the system will offer to configure the new space as a new phone.
4. After reboot, select the new user on the screen blocking.

Important: on some devices (for example, Samsung s One UI) this path may not be available. In this case, proceed to the next method.

Check the Android version (must be 10.0)

Make a backup copy of your important data

Charge your phone to at least 50%

Make sure that the device has enough memory (at least 2 GB free)-->

2. Hidden function "Work profile" (for corporate ones). devices)

If the standard multi-user mode is not available, try activating "Work profile" This is a lightweight version of the second space, originally intended for corporate users. It allows you to install individual applications and settings, but does not provide complete isolation (for example, calls and SMS remain shared).

Profile is activated through the app Android Device Policy (installed from Google Play):

1. Download and open Android Device Policy.
2. Click Start → My own device.
3. Select Add work profile and follow the instructions.
4. After setup, a briefcase icon will appear in the notification panel - this is an indicator of the active work profile.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Fast switching between profiles without rebooting.
• 📱 Supported even on devices with customized shells (Xiaomi, Huawei).
• 🔒 Applications in the work profile are marked with a special icon.

Limitation: some manufacturers (for example, Huawei on EMUI 10) block the creation of a work profile without a corporate account. In this case, the third method will help.

3. Activating the second space via ADB (for experienced ones). users)

If the first two methods did not work, it remains manual activation via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) data-i="111">or Xiaomi With MIUI 11/12 or Samsung with One UI 2.0/2.5.

You will need:

• 🖥️ A computer with drivers installed ADB i Fastboot.
• 📱 Enabled USB debugging on the phone (Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times) → Developer settings → USB debugging USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB-Type C (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the computer and confirm debugging on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command line (cmd) and enter:

adb shell pm create-user --profileOf 0 SecondSpace

3. If the command completed without errors, reboot the phone.
4. After turning on, a new user will appear on the lock screen.

Critical detail: on some firmwares (for example, ColorOS 7 from Oppo/Realme), this command can cause the system to crash. Before experiments, create a backup via adb backup or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup.

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.user.SettingsActivity

This command forces the hidden menu to open. users, even if it is not in the interface.-->

4. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To determine the optimal method, let's compare the key parameters of each method:

If you need maximum isolated space (for example, to test applications or separate work and personal data), choose standard multi-user mode or ADB-method. For quick access to individual applications (for example, the second WhatsApp or Telegram), a working profile is sufficient.

5. Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

When setting up a second space, users often encounter problems. Here are the most common of them and solutions:

• 🚫 Error "Failed to add user"
  

  Cause: there is not enough memory on the device. Free up at least 2-3 GB and try again. On some firmwares (MIUI), clearing the cache through Settings → Storage → Clear cache helps.

• 🔄 Second space disappears after reboot
  

  Reason: failure in work user manager. Solution: delete the user and create again, or run the command via ADB:

  adb shell pm remove-user [user_ID]

  (you can find out the ID with the command adb shell pm list users).

• 📵 No mobile data in the second space
  

  Reason: some operators block multi-user mode Solution: insert a second SIM card or use Wi-Fi.

• 🔒 The application cannot be installed in the second space
  

  Reason: restrictions Google Play for work profiles Solution: download APK from a trusted source (for example, APKMirror) and install manually.

⚠️ Attention: on devices with Android 10 and Samsung Knox (for example, Galaxy S10, Note 10) an attempt to create a second user through ADB may result in a trigger Knox (indicator 0x1). This will void your warranty and block you. Samsung Pay.

6. Alternative solutions: if nothing works

If none of the methods worked, consider alternative separation methods space:

• 📱 Clone applications (for example, Parallel Space, 2Accounts):
  

  Allow you to duplicate applications (for example, two WhatsApp or Instagram) without creating a second user. Disadvantage: high battery consumption and risk of leakage data.

• 🔒 Isolation containers (for example, Shelter or Island):
  

  Use the work profile mechanism to isolate selected applications. Suitable for devices without root, but requires Android 7.0+.

• 🖥️ Virtual machines (for example, UserLAnd):
  

  Allow you to run a full Linuxsystem inside Android. Difficult to set up, but provides maximum isolation.

More flexible ones are available for devices with root access solutions:

• 🛠️ Xposed Framework with module MultiUser Mod —restores multi-user mode even on locked firmware.
• 📂 Magisk with module MultiUserSwitch —adds a user switcher to the panel notifications.

⚠️ Attention: the use of root and modified firmware (Custom ROM) may disrupt the operation of Google Pay, Netflix in HD quality and other services with verification SafetyNetBefore installation, check compatibility. forums XDA Developers.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the second space on Android 10

adb shell pm remove-user [user_ID]