Adding a second number to WhatsApp on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO models) is a challenge faced by users who want to separate personal and work correspondence. Unlike the iPhone, where multi-account functionality only appeared in 2023, Android devices (including MIUI) have offered several ways to solve this problem for many years.
In this article, we will discuss three working ways to add a second number to WhatsApp on Xiaomi: 1) through the built-in Dual Apps feature in MIUI, 2) using third-party launchers (e.g. Parallel Space), 3 via virtual phone numbers.
We will pay special attention to the hidden restrictions of Xiaomi on models with hybrid SIM slots, which can block the second account when active 4G on both cards.
1. Method: Dual Apps in MIUI
The simplest and most official method is to use the dual app feature available on all Xiaomi smartphones with a shell. MIUI 8 and later, this option allows you to create a full-fledged WhatsApp clone that will work independently of the main application. SIM-cards or one physical + eSIM on new models).
To activate the Double Applications:
- Open Settings → Applications → Double Apps.
- In the list, find WhatsApp and switch the slider to the On position.
- Confirm the creation of the clone, wait for the installation (may take 1-2 minutes).
- Launch WhatsApp (2) from the app menu and go through the standard registration with the new number.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) Dual applications can be hidden. To unlock it, go to Settings → About the phone and 5 times click on the version MIUI. After that, the menu will additionally appear item For developers, where you need to activate the option Show dual applications.
Are there two active SIM-card
Is there enough free memory (minimum 500 MB)?
Is MIUI Updated to the latest version?
Is the energy-saving modes for WhatsApp turned off?-->
2. Method: Parallel Space or Island (for advanced users)
If your Xiaomi doesn’t support dual apps (like older models like Redmi 4X) or you want to isolate the second account more securely, you can use third-party launchers like Parallel Space or Island, which create a virtual space (sandbox) where you can run a second instance of WhatsApp without conflicting with the main one.
Instructions for Parallel Space:
- 📱 Install Parallel Space from Google Play or APKMirror (if the app is blocked in your area).
- 🔄 Launch the app and add WhatsApp to the list of cloned programs.
- 🔑 Create a password or fingerprint to protect the virtual space (optional).
- 📱 Launch WhatsApp from Parallel Space and register a new account.
⚠️ Note: When using Parallel Space, the second WhatsApp account will consume additional resources (up to 20% CPU 300MB of RAM on weak models (Redmi) 5A, Redmi 6 may cause slowdowns, and some banks block mobile app logins from virtual space, so don’t use Parallel Space for financial services.
How to get around Parallel Space lock in some regions
| Method | Root is required. | Support for notifications | Battery consumption | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Applications (MIUI) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | Low. | ⭐⭐ (simple) |
| Parallel Space | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (delayed) | Medium. | ⭐⭐⭐ (moderately) |
| Island (Work Profile) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | Low. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) |
| Virtual number | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | Low. | ⭐⭐⭐ (moderately) |
3. Method: Virtual phone number for second WhatsApp
If you don't have a second. SIM-You can use a virtual number, which is suitable for temporary accounts (for example, for business or testing), but has limitations: some virtual numbers are blocked by WhatsApp via WhatsApp. 1-2 weekly.
Popular services of virtual numbers:
- 🌍 TextNow (free for the United States/Canada) VPN).
- 📞 OnlineSIM (paid, supports Russia and the CIS).
- 💬 SMS-Pool (single-use numbers for registration).
- 🔄 Google Voice (USA only) requires American IP).
Instructions for registration with a virtual number:
- Install a virtual number application (e.g. TextNow).
- Get the number and save it to the clipboard.
- Remove the main WhatsApp (or use dual apps).
- Install WhatsApp again and enter a virtual number when you register.
- Wait for the SMS with the confirmation code (will come to the virtual number application).
⚠️ WhatsApp actively blocks virtual numbers from services such as SMS-Activate or 5sim. If the account is blocked, it will not be possible to restore it. SIM-map or use dual applications.
Dual Applications (MIUI)
Parallel Space or Island
Virtual number
Another option-->
4. Features of the second WhatsApp on Xiaomi
After setting up your second WhatsApp account on Xiaomi, you may encounter a number of nuances related to MIUI and messenger limitations.
1. Energy saving and background work: MIUI aggressively optimizes background processes, which may cause the second WhatsApp to notify.
- Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Application Power Management.
- Find WhatsApp (2) and select Unlimited.
- Turn off Autoclean for both instances of the messenger.
2. Conflicts with hybrid SIM slots.
On Xiaomi models with a hybrid slot (for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro or POCO F3) activated 4G both SIM-WhatsApp may lose connection to the second card:
- Leave 4G on the main SIM only, and the second forced 3G/2G.
- Or use dual apps with only one active SIM.
3. Contact synchronization.
The second WhatsApp won't automatically pull up contacts from the phone book, to fix this:
- Open WhatsApp (2) → ⋮ → Settings → Contacts.
- Click Update or manually import contacts from your Google Account.
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If the second WhatsApp does not receive SMS With the confirmation code, try temporarily disabling the main one. SIM-map in the settings Mobile network. This will help to avoid conflict when registering.
5. Alternative messengers with support for multi-accounts
If setting up a second WhatsApp seems too complicated, consider alternative messengers that initially support multiple accounts without further tweaks:
- 📱 Telegram allows you to add up to 3 accounts in one application (without cloning).
- 💬 Viber – supports one account per number, but you can use the web version for a second profile.
- 🔄 Signal – officially allows registration for multiple numbers (but requires a change of number) SIM).
- 🌐 Skype – Multi-accounting via web version or desktop application.
Telegram’s advantage over WhatsApp in the context of multi-accounts is obvious: you don’t have to clone the app or use virtual numbers. ⋮ → Add an account and enter a new number, but WhatsApp remains more popular in most countries, so alternatives are not suitable for everyone.
6. Frequent errors and their solutions
When setting up a second WhatsApp on Xiaomi, users often encounter typical problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:
Error 1: “This number is already registered on WhatsApp.”
⚠️ Warning: If you're trying to register a number that's already tied to another device, WhatsApp will block re-activation.Solution: Delete your account from your previous phone via Settings → Account. → Delete my account or wait for automatic deletion (45 days without activity).
Error 2: The second WhatsApp is not installed through dual apps.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Dual applications can be disabled. Check: Is the firmware updated to the latest version? Are there any modified versions installed? MIUI (Is the Developer Mode with Cloning Options disabled activated.
Error 3: Notifications are not received on the second WhatsApp.
⚠️ Attention: MIUI By default, it limits the background work of cloned applications. → Annexes → Application management → WhatsApp (2) → Battery → Without restrictions, settings → Notifications → WhatsApp (2) → Include all types of notifications
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If none of these methods work, check to see if your IMEI is blocked from WhatsApp, which can happen when you change accounts frequently or use virtual numbers.