Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to manage two accounts on the same social network or messenger. App Cloning allows you to run a second copy of the program, but this raises the question of where the data of these copies is physically stored. The standard Android file system is designed so that the user does not see all the hidden processes, but the MIUI shell has its own features of file storage.
Understanding the structure of directories is not only necessary for curiosity, but also for competent memory cleaning or transferring the history of correspondence. It often happens that the main messenger works perfectly, and the clone takes up gigabytes of hidden cache that cannot be deleted by standard means. Xiaomi app clone files are physically stored in a hidden system partition /data/cloned_app/, access to which requires superuser rights or the use of special file managers, and in this article we will discuss in detail how to find and manage this data.
Before we delve into the system folders, it is worth noting that interference with the file structure of the Android operating system always carries risks. Incorrect deletion of files can lead to the fact that the cloned application will stop running or lose all data. So before any manipulation it is important to clearly understand which file is responsible for what. Next, we will look at the paths to data, from the available to the user to deep system directories.
The principle of cloning in MIUI
Xiaomi’s shell clones function works at the operating system level, creating an isolated environment for the second instance of the app. It’s not just a shortcut, it’s a complete process with its own unique identifier. When you activate cloning for WhatsApp or Telegram, the system allocates a separate memory space where the databases, media files, and settings of that particular copy are stored.
Technically, a cloned application gets its own UID (User ID) on the Linux system on which Android is based. Which means that from a file system perspective, it's a completely different program that doesn't have direct access to the files of the main application. This isolation ensures data security: the main account doesn't see the cloned files, and vice versa.
MIUI uses special mechanisms to forward requests to the file system. When a clone attempts to write a photo or save a document, the system redirects that request to a special hidden folder. The user sees the files in the gallery or file manager as normal, but their physical path may differ from the standard /Android/media/.
Technical details of implementation
Standard paths to clone files
For most Root-free users, only certain directories are available where apps can record media files, and this is where saved images or documents are most often searched, and the path to that data depends on the Android version and the specific version of MIUI, but the overall structure remains similar.
In modern versions of the shell, files can often be found through a standard conductor if you turn on the display of hidden folders. The main media storage for clones is usually along a path similar to the main application, but with the addition of a suffix or in a separate subfolder. For example, for messengers, this can be a directory. Android/media/com.whatsapp.w4b (where w4b clone).
If you're looking for specific files, use the built-in file manager search by entering the name of the cloned application package. Often users forget that the clone can use a standard Download or DCIM folder, but tag files with a special tag. Check these sections first if the standard paths don't work.
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Use a file extension search (such as.jpg or.mp4) in the file manager, sorting the results by date to quickly find fresh files from the cloned application.
System folder Cloned_app access through the Root
Advanced users with superuser rights can access the true location of the data. /data/cloned_app/ This is the root directory for all cloned applications on Xiaomi devices, and this is where the SQLite databases, cache files, and settings are located that are not visible in normal mode.
To get into this directory, you need to use file managers with support for Root rights, such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer. Once you grant access permissions, you will see folders with names corresponding to application packages (for example, com.tencent.mm for WeChat). Inside each folder is a complete copy of the data structure. /data/data/, But for the cloned version.
⚠️ Attention: Direct editing or deleting files in the folder /data/cloned_app/ This can cause permanent damage to the application data or the cloned program to “depart” before making changes, make sure to back up the application.
Inside the system folder, the structure typically repeats the standard one: databases for message history, files for temporary data, and cache, which allows you to manually clean a bloated cache that is not removed by the standard memory cleaners.
Below is a table describing a typical path structure for different data types:
| Type of data | The Road Without Root | The way to Root rights | Description of the contents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media files | /Android/media/[package_name] | /data/cloned_app/[id]/files/ | Photos, videos, voice messages |
| Databases | Unavailable. | /data/cloned_app/[id]/databases/ | History of correspondence, contacts |
| Cash. | Through Settings. | /data/cloned_app/[id]/cache/ | Temporary thumbnails, stickers |
| Settings | Unavailable. | /data/cloned_app/[id]/shared_prefs/ | Authorization and UI parameters |
Data Search through Computer and ADB
An alternative way to access the file system is to use a computer and debug over USB. ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to view and copy files from the device, although access to /data/ system partitions without Root will still be limited.
To start working, you need to turn on the developer mode on the Xiaomi smartphone and activate debugging by USB. Once connected to a PC, you can use the adb shell command to navigate. If you don't have Root rights, you can only go to custom directories, but that already gives you more options than the standard one. MTP-regime.
adb pull /sdcard/Android/media/com.whatsapp.w4b/./backup_whatsapp_clone/This command will copy all available media files of cloned WhatsApp to your computer.Using ADB is especially effective when the phone's built-in file manager is slow or doesn't display some hidden files.It's also a great way to free up space on the phone by transferring heavy archives to an external hard drive.
If the device is unlocked (Root received), ADB commands allow you to make full backups of the clone system folders. The adb shell command, combined with su, gives you complete control of the file system, allowing you to perform complex operations of copying and moving data between the main profile and the clone.
Cleaning and managing clone memory
Over time, cloned apps can grow to giant sizes, occupying tens of gigabytes. The main “eater” of space is cache and stored media history. Regular cleaning is necessary for the stable operation of the Xiaomi smartphone.
The safest way to clean up is through your system settings. Go to the application management menu, find the cloned version of the program, and select Clear cache. This will delete temporary files without affecting your personal communications and settings. If you need a deeper cleanup, you will have to use a file manager.
- 🗑️ Cache Deletion: Find the cache folder in the application directory and delete its contents.
- 📸 Media files: Check Images, Video and Documents folders by deleting old unnecessary files.
- 💾 Databases: files with the.db or.db-wal extension contain the history of messages; deleting them will clear the correspondence.
⚠️ Note: Deleting files with the.db extension will result in a complete loss of correspondence history in the cloned application.
It’s also worth remembering that some apps (like Telegram) allow you to set up automatic cache cleaning inside your settings, which is often a more effective way than manually deleting files through Explorer, since the app knows which files can be safely deleted without losing functionality.
☑️ Checklist for safe cleaning
Addressing Access and Visibility Issues
Often users are faced with a situation where the cloned application works, but its files are not displayed anywhere. This may be due to the features of Scoped Storage on Android 11 and above, which restrict the application’s access to the file system, in which case even file managers may not see the folders of other programs.
To solve this problem, you can use the built-in Files feature in the storage settings or third-party guides that have special permissions to access all files. Also check if the folder is hidden by the.nomedia attribute - the presence of this empty file in the directory causes the gallery and some managers to ignore its contents.
If a clone stopped seeing its files after a system update, try to clear the clone app itself (without deleting the account if possible) or reinstall it.Sometimes after major MIUI updates, the paths to the data may change and the old structure will no longer read correctly.
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If files are not visible, the problem is often the security limitations of Android 11+, not the deletion of data.