How to clone an app on Android Xiaomi: 3 working ways + problem solving

Cloning apps on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones isn’t just a handy feature for sharing accounts on messengers or social networks; it’s a powerful tool for testing beta versions of programs, protecting sensitive data, or even circumventing regional restrictions. However, not everyone knows that devices with MIUI firmware have at least three official ways to duplicate applications — and a couple of hidden tricks for experienced users.

In this article, we will examine all current cloning methods (including the little-known Parallel Space feature in global firmware), compare their pros and cons, and show how to avoid common errors such as “Failed to clone the application” or the disappearance of the duplicate icon.

Spoiler: If you want the most reliable way to completely isolate the clone, skip the first two sections and jump right to the Island (Work Profile) method. And if you want to save space on your phone, learn how to disable unnecessary system duplicates in Settings. → Annexes → Dual Apps.

1. Dual Apps: Official method from Xiaomi (no root)

Dual Apps (aka "Dual Apps") is built into MIUI firmware since MIUI 8 and works on all modern devices, from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra. This method does not require superuser rights and creates a full clone of the selected application with a separate cache, data and notifications.

How does it work technically? The system creates a second instance. APK-file with.dual prefix in folder /data/app, and a separate database in the /data/user_de. Important: the clone will use the same version of the application as the original – they will have to be updated synchronously.

• ✅ Pros: no need to install third-party programs, stable operation, support for most applications.
• ❌ Cons: A limited list of supported apps (not all instant messengers and games are available), takes up extra space in memory.
• ⚠️ Restriction: You can’t clone system applications (e.g. Google Play Services or Mi Account).

To activate Dual Apps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Dual Apps
2. Click Add App and select the one you want from the list (if not, see Problem Solving).
3. Confirm the creation of a clone - a second icon with a double rhombus icon will appear on the desktop.
4. Launch a clone and log in to another account.

Clear the cache of the original application

Check the vacant space (minimum 500 MB)

Disable battery optimization for the application

Make sure the app is updated to the latest version-->

⚠️ Cloning of banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.) through Dual Apps may lead to the blocking of the account due to suspicions of multi-accounting. ID) and signatures APK. Use the Island method for this (Section 3).

2 Parallel Space: A Hidden Function in Global Firmware

Few people know, but global versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI Global or MIUI EU) have a hidden Parallel Space feature that allows you to create a virtual space with a separate set of applications. Unlike Dual Apps, you can clone multiple applications at once and even install new programs into this space.

Parallel Space is powered by Work Profile technology, so the clones are completely isolated from the main system, making it safer for sensitive applications, but also more resource-intensive – virtual space can eat up to 1-1.5 GB of RAM in the background.

How to turn on Parallel Space:

1. Go to Settings → Special Features → Parallel Space (if there is no item, see spoiler below).
2. Click "Create Space" and confirm the action.
3. After the reboot, the Parallel Space icon will appear on the desktop - open it.
4. Inside the space, select "Add Apps" and mark the desired ones.

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If you don’t open apps after you create Parallel Space, check your settings → Battery & Performance → Background Limitation and add Parallel Space to exceptions.

3. Island (Work Profile): The Most Reliable Method for Sensitive Data

If you need to clone apps with maximum isolation (for example, to work with cryptocurrency wallets, corporate accounts or test beta versions), the best choice is Island.This app from developer Oasis Feng (the creator of Greenify) uses the built-in Android Work Profile feature to create a completely separate space.

Unlike Dual Apps, Island:

• ✅ No system modification (no risk of SafetyNet being triggered).
• ✅ Completely isolates clones from the main system (separate notifications, VPN, permitting).
• ✅ Allows you to freeze clones when they are not needed (saves battery life).

How to set up Island:

1. Install Island from Google Play.
2. When you first start, click “Settings” and follow the instructions to create a Work Profile.
3. After creating a profile, go back to Island and select Add Apps.
4. Check the applications and confirm the cloning.

Important: Some apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram) can block your account while using the main profile and Island, and to avoid this, delete the original app before cloning or use a second phone number.

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Island is the only method that passes SafetyNet, which means that clones will work even in multi-account applications (such as Pokémon GO or banking services).

4. Solving common errors in cloning

Even with official methods, users often face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

• 🔴 "Failed to clone the app": Reason 1: Not enough memory. Release at least 1 GB and try again. Cause 2: The app is not supported. Try updating it or use Parallel Space. Cause 3: Restrictions MIUI for a particular model, for example, POCO F3 s MIUI 13 You can't clone Google Maps.
• 🔴 Clone icon disappears after reboot: Solution: Go to Settings → Annexes → Manage applications, find a clone (name will be with suffix (1)) and click Show on the home screen".
• 🔴 Clone not updated via Google Play: Solution: Update the original app - the clone updates automatically. If it doesn't work, remove the clone and recreate it.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI China (Chinese firmware) Dual Apps can be disabled by default. To activate it, run the command to ADB: adb shell settings put global dual_app_enabled 1 Then restart the phone.

5. Alternative methods (for experienced users)

If the standard methods don't work, you can use one of the advanced methods, and note that they require technical skills and can lead to unstable system operation.

• 🛠️ Cloning through ADB (without root: using the pm install command --user 999 can be installed a second copy APK Example: Adb installs. --user 999 com.whatsapp.apk Note: user with ID 999 It must be pre-created (e.g., via Parallel Space).
• 🛠️ Use of Shelter (FOSS-Island alternative: Shelter is an open source software for creating an isolated Work Profile, suitable for users who do not trust proprietary solutions.
• 🛠️ Manual cloning via Titanium Backup (requires root): With this tool, you can back up an application and restore it under a different name of the package.

Before using alternative methods, check compatibility with your Xiaomi model.For example, on the Redmi K50 with MIUI 14, manual cloning via ADB can cause Google services to crash.

6 How to remove the clone and clean the system

If the clone is no longer needed, it must be removed correctly so as not to leave debris in the system, and the procedure will vary depending on the method of cloning.

• 🗑️ For Dual Apps: Go to Settings → Annexes → Dual Apps. Click on the basket icon next to the clone. Confirm the deletion, the clone data will be erased irrevocably.
• 🗑️ For Parallel Space: Open Parallel Space. Go to Space Management. Select Remove Space, and it will remove all the clones inside.

For Island:

1. Open Island and go to the Apps tab.
2. Click on three dots next to the clone and select "Delete".
3. To completely remove Work Profile, go to Settings → Accounts → Delete your work profile.

After removing the clones, it is recommended to clear the system cache:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Select “Deep Cleanup” and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ If after removing the clone in the system remained "ghost" notifications (for example, from a clone of Telegram), restart the device in safe mode (press the power button). →"Restart Safe Mode. This will remove all temporary processes.

7. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of cloning method depends on your goals. Here is a brief summary:

If you're not sure which method to choose, start with Dual Apps, which is the easiest and least risky option. For sensitive data experiments, go straight to Island.

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On devices with MIUI 14+ and Android 13, cloning through Dual Apps has become more stable, but has lost support for some games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cloning on Xiaomi