Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to use multiple accounts on the same messengers or social networks. Redmi 8T, despite its age, remains popular thanks to the support of cloning feature built right into the shell of MIUI. This allows you to run two copies of the same program at the same time, which is especially important for the separation of work and personal space.
The system implementation of this feature on the Redmi 8T is stable and does not require superuser rights or complex flashing of the device. However, there are nuances that depend on the version of the Android operating system and the specific build of MIUI. In some cases, standard functionality may not be enough, and then you have to resort to alternative methods.
Next, we will discuss in detail how to activate the cloning mode, what limitations exist in this model and how to avoid possible errors, learn how to manage copies, configure notifications and optimize the system for comfortable use.
Dual Apps feature built-in on Redmi 8T
MIUI offers a native tool called Dual Apps that allows you to create independent copies of supported programs. On Redmi 8T, this mechanism is deeply integrated into the system, which provides better performance compared to third-party counterparts. To activate, you need to go to the settings section where the applications are managed.
Unlike some other brands, Xiaomi allows you to clone not only messengers, but also some gaming or banking applications, if they are present in the list of compatible. The system automatically detects installed programs and suggests creating a second copy for them. It is important to understand that the cloned application will work as a separate process with its cache and data.
💡
The second instance of the application will be marked with a special icon so that you do not get confused in the icons on the desktop.
The activation process takes only a few seconds. You don't have to download additional files or restart the device, but you should keep in mind that having two running copies of the same software increases the load on the Redmi 8T RAM.
- 📱 Open the smartphone settings and find the Application section.
- 🔍 Select Double Applications in the list of available options.
- ✅ Activate the switch in front of the desired messenger, such as WhatsApp or Telegram.
- 🔄 Wait for the copy to be created, after which a new icon will appear on the desktop.
Step-by-step instructions for creating a copy
For those who are first-timers with Xiaomi setup, the process may seem obscure due to the specifics of menu localization. Let's take each step in detail to avoid errors. First, make sure your device is connected to the Internet, although this is not always necessary for the cloning itself, but may be required to update compatibility lists.
☑️ Cloning algorithm
Once you include a feature in the menu, the system will create a shortcut for the second program, which is usually marked with an orange icon or a number "2" in the corner of the icon. If you use a different theme than the standard, the visual designation may differ, and now you can launch the second application and log in using a different phone number or account.
It’s important to note that logging into a cloned app requires separate authorization. You can’t just transfer data from the main program unless you back up chats. For WhatsApp, this is done via Google Drive or local save, which is then restored when the second copy is first run.
⚠️ Note: When you delete the main application, the cloned version will also be automatically deleted by the system. First delete the copy, and then the original.
Set up notifications and energy saving
One of the most common problems for Redmi 8T users is the lack of notifications from the second copy of the messenger. The aggressive MIUI energy saving system can kill the background process of a cloned application, considering it an unnecessary resource user.
Go to the battery settings and find a list of running applications, find the cloned version (it will be marked "(2)") and set the "No Limits" mode for it, which allows the program to remain active in the background and receive messages in a timely manner. Without this setting, messages can only come after the application is opened.
Why are notifications missing?
It’s also worth checking the notification settings in the Notifications and Status bar section itself. Make sure the second copy is allowed to display on the lock screen and pop-ups. Sometimes the system hides notifications from cloned apps by default so as not to spam the user.
- 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity.
- 📲 Find the cloned app in the list and select Energy Saving.
- ⚙️ Set a mode without restrictions for stable work.
Use of third-party cloners
If the built-in Dual Apps feature doesn't support the app you want, third-party solutions from Google Play come to the rescue, programs like Parallel Space, 2Accounts or Multiple Accounts create a virtual environment within which you can run any program, a universal method that works on almost any Android device.
However, this approach has its drawbacks: Third-party cloners consume significantly more CPU and RAM resources than Xiaomi’s system solution. On the Redmi 8T with its 4 GB of RAM, this can lead to noticeable interface delays or heating the case when active.
In addition, these applications often contain ads and require multiple permissions to access your data, use them only if the usual means to clone the desired program is impossible, for banking applications, the use of third-party cloners may not be safe.
| Parameter | System Dual Apps | Third-party annexes |
|---|---|---|
| Stability | Tall. | Medium |
| Battery consumption | Low. | High-pitched |
| Support for games | Limited. | Wide. |
| Security | Maximum | Depends on the developer. |
Problems with banking applications and their solution
Many users try to clone banking applications for convenience, but face lockdowns. Financial institutions are tightly guarded and often identify cloning as a potential threat, resulting in the app refusing to run or requiring the device to be re-binded.
System cloning in MIUI is more likely to pass bank security checks than using virtual environments like Parallel Space. If the bank blocks the entrance, try clearing the cloned application data and logging in again. In some cases, disabling the USB debugging in the developer menu helps.
Some banks use additional environmental checks, and if the app detects that it is running in a clone, it may not work properly, and in such cases, the only way out is to use Second Space mode, which creates a completely isolated environment in the phone.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to bypass security checks of banking applications with modified versions of the software - this can lead to the blocking of accounts.
The “Second Space” as an Alternative
Xiaomi has a more powerful tool than simple cloning, which is Second Space, which is basically creating a second user profile inside a phone, and you'll have two separate desktops, two sets of apps, and two different galleries.
This is ideal for those who want to separate work from their personal lives completely, and you can install a banking app in a second space, and it will consider the phone clean, because it won't see cloned versions from the first space, and the switch between spaces is through a fingerprint or a password.
The downside of this approach is that it consumes more memory, because it essentially has two independent user systems. 8T This is a very reasonable solution, if you do not install heavy games in both spaces at the same time. → Second space.
💡
The second space is not just a clone of the application, but a full-fledged second user profile with its own data and security settings.