Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 smartphones often face the need to use multiple accounts on the same messengers or social networks. This can be due to the separation of work and personal contacts, maintaining business accounts or the desire to manage the profiles of different family members from one device. Fortunately, the MIUI shell on which the smartphone’s operatic system is based provides powerful built-in tools to solve this task without the need for superuser rights.
The process of creating a copy of an application, often called cloning or duplication, allows you to run two independent copies of the same program at the same time. Android system as standard does not always support such a feature out of the box, but Xiaomi engineers have implemented special mechanisms to make this process simple and safe for the average user. In this article, we will discuss all available methods, including hidden settings and specialized software.
It is worth noting that Redmi 8, with a Snapdragon 439 processor and sufficient RAM, is quite capable of handling multiple heavy applications simultaneously. However, for cloned services to work consistently, you need to take into account resource consumption and adjust background activity correctly. Below are proven ways to implement multi-accounting.
Built-in function Cloning applications
The most reliable and energy efficient way is to use the native MIUI shell function, which is deeply integrated into the system, which guarantees stability and minimal impact on battery life. To activate, you need to go to the settings menu and find the appropriate section where the system will offer a list of supported programs.
Once the feature is enabled, a copy of the app will appear on the desktop with a special icon that distinguishes it from the original, usually a small yellow or blue tag in the corner of the icon. The cloned app works as a fully independent module: you can log in from a different phone number, use a separate password, and receive notifications even when the main application is closed.
⚠️ Note: Not all applications support official cloning; the list of available programs is created by developers. MIUI It may vary depending on the version of the firmware.
If you don't find the right program on the list of supported programs, don't despair. There are workarounds and third-party solutions that we'll look at next.
Use of the Second Space Mode
A more radical but extremely effective method is to create a Second Space, which, unlike simple shortcut cloning, creates a virtual second smartphone inside your Redmi 8, which has a separate desktop, customizations, a gallery, and, most importantly, the ability to install any application again, regardless of the first space.
Switching between spaces is instantaneous through a notification panel or a special widget on the lock screen, ideal for those who want to completely isolate work tasks from their personal lives, for example, in the Second Space you can even set a different system language or change the time zone, which is impossible with conventional cloning.
However, it is worth considering that creating a second space takes up an additional amount of internal memory. If your Xiaomi Redmi 8 has a version with 32 GB of memory, free space can run out faster, it is recommended to regularly clean the cache and transfer media files to a memory card or cloud storage.
☑️ Checking before creating the second space
Third-party cloning applications
When there is not enough built-in tools or you need to clone an application that is not on the MIUI list, specialized utilities from Google Play come to the rescue. The most popular solutions are Parallel Space, 2Accounts and Multiple Accounts. These programs create a virtual environment (sandbox), inside which copies of the desired services are run.
The main advantage of third-party solutions is versatility: they allow you to clone almost any application, including games and rare social networks. However, this method has its disadvantages. Third-party virtualizers consume significantly more RAM and battery power, as they emulate the system.
When using these programs on Redmi 8, it is important to set the permissions correctly, you must prevent the system from "killing" the virtualizer process in the background, otherwise you will not receive notifications from cloned messengers, and you need to go to the battery settings and select the "No restrictions" mode for the virtualizer used.
Why is the clone through Parallel Space slowing down?
Set up notifications and batteries
One of the most common problems with cloning is the lack of notifications from the second copy of the application. Android aggressively optimizes background processes to save energy, which often leads to the blocking of the work of cloned services. To fix this, you need to manually adjust the energy saving settings.
Go to Settings → Battery and Performance and find a cloned app on the list. Make sure you select Unlimited mode. Also, auto-start important messengers so they activate immediately after you turn on the phone, ensuring that you do not miss an important message or call.
Additionally, check notification settings. MIUI has a separate notification management center for each application. Make sure that all types of notifications are enabled for the clone, including lock screen display and pop-ups. Without these settings, the phone will behave as "dumb" despite the Internet working.
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To keep cloned applications running, stick them in memory. Open the running app menu, press the window, and press the lock icon, which will prevent the process from being accidentally cleaned when you press the "Clear All" button.
Comparison of cloning techniques
The right method depends on your specific needs and smartphone usage model, and each of the methods examined has its own strengths and weaknesses. Below is a comparison table that will help you determine the best option for your scenario.
| Parameter | Embedded cloning | Second space | Parallel Space |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stability of work | Tall. | Very high. | Medium |
| Battery consumption | Minimum | Medium. | High-pitched |
| Support for all applications | Only popular. | All applications | All applications |
| Data isolation | Partial | Complete. | Partial |
As you can see from the table, the best way to use instant messengers is through a built-in feature. If you want complete privacy and data separation, for example, for corporate secrets, then Second Space will be the leader, and third-party applications should be considered as a temporary solution or for cloning rare programs.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party virtualizers, be careful about transferring sensitive data, such as bank passwords.
Frequent problems and their solution
During the setup process, users of Xiaomi Redmi 8 may face a number of typical problems, most often associated with incorrect display of notifications or sudden closure of applications, and understanding the causes of these failures will help quickly return the device to working condition.
If a cloned application crashes all the time, try clearing its cache and data through the application management menu. Sometimes it helps to delete and re-install the clone. It is also worth checking for updates for the MIUI shell itself, as new versions often fix multi-account errors.
Another common problem is to desynchronize the time in the clone, which is solved by automatically setting the time over the network, make sure that both spaces (if the Second Space is used) have the same time zone and time format, and the time difference can block the security protocols in the messengers.
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90% of cloning problems are solved by properly configuring the autorun and not having battery limitations for a particular application.
In conclusion, the ability to clone applications makes Redmi 8 a powerful tool for multitasking. Using these features effectively doubles the productivity of a device without having to buy a second phone. Experiment with settings to find the perfect balance between functionality and autonomy.