How to clone applications on Xiaomi Mi 9S: all working ways

The app cloning feature on Xiaomi Mi 9S allows you to create a second account in messengers, social networks or games without using multiple devices. This is especially true for users who want to share work and personal profiles on WhatsApp, Telegram or Instagram. However, not everyone knows that the Mi 9S with MIUI firmware has both standard and hidden methods of duplication of programs - and some of them work even without superuser rights.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of cloning on Xiaomi Mi 9S, including the official function of Dual applications, circumvention of restrictions through ADB, as well as alternative methods using third-party launchers. We will focus on common errors (for example, when the cloning button is inactive) and how to fix them. If you tried to create a duplicate of the application, but received the message “failed to clone” – here you will find a solution.

Important: The instructions in this article are relevant for MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions). For older firmware (MIUI 11 and below), some methods may not work, in which case you will need to update the system or use workarounds.

1.Official method: Dual Applications function in MIUI

The easiest and safest method of cloning is the built-in Dual Apps option, which is available on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the Mi 9S, but has limitations: it does not support all programs and requires free space on the device.

To activate the function:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Double Apps.
2. In the list, find the desired application (such as WhatsApp or Facebook) and tap the switch.
3. Confirm the creation of a clone – the system will automatically install the second instance with the icon in the form of two layers.

⚠️ Limitations of method:

• 🔹 Not all apps are supported (for example, Viber or Snapchat may not be on the list).
• 🔹 Cloned programs take up additional space (up to 200-500 MB per program).
• 🔹 Some functions (such as notifications) may not work well.

Backup of the main account data

Free up at least 1 GB of memory

Update the app to the latest version in Google Play

Reboot your smartphone before cloning-->

If the app is not on the list, try updating MIUI to the latest version or using alternative methods (described below). Also check if the option is hidden in your regional firmware - sometimes it is only available in Chinese versions of MIUI.

ADB Cloning: Bypassing the MIUI Restrictions

If Dual Apps doesn’t support the right app, you can force cloning to be activated via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires a smartphone to be connected to a PC, but doesn’t need root rights.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Mi 9S: go to Settings → About Phone and tap on MIUI version 7 times.

🔍 How to find out the packet ID?

⚠️ Warning: After completing the command, the cloned application will appear on the menu, but may not work stable.If errors occur (for example, "App has stopped"), try clearing the cache or reinstall the original version.

3. Alternative methods: third-party launchers and clone applications

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party solutions, and they fall into two categories:

1. Launchers with cloning support (e.g. Parallel Space or 2Accounts)
2. Virtualization applications (such as VMOS or X8 Sandbox) that create an isolated environment.

📌 Pros and cons of methods:

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers, some banking applications and services with two-factor authentication may block the entry due to the detection of an “unsafe environment”. For example, SberBank Online or Google Authenticator may request additional verification.

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If the cloned application does not receive notifications, check the power saving settings in Settings → Battery → Application Power Management and disable optimization for duplicate.

4. Solving common errors in cloning

Even if the instructions are followed correctly, Xiaomi Mi 9S users often face problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

Error 1: The “Clone” button is inactive or missing from the settings.

• 🔄 Check if the dual application function is included in Settings → Special facilities → Functions Lab (on some firmware, the option is hidden there).
• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version – in old builds, the list of supported applications can be reduced.

Error 2: The cloned application closes immediately after launch.

• 🧹 Clear the cache and duplicate data in Settings → Annexes → [The clone's name].
• 🔧 If the problem persists, try reinstalling the original app and repeat the cloning.

Error 3: The app does not appear in the menu after being cloned through ADB.

• 🔍 Check the correctness of the entered packet ID (for example, for Telegram it is org.telegram.messenger, not telegram).
• 📱 Restart your smartphone – sometimes changes only apply after a reboot.

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If the cloned app doesn’t sync data (e.g., WhatsApp chats don’t load), make sure the duplicate has access to contacts and storage in permission settings.

Cloning of system applications: possible risks

Some users try to clone system utilities (such as Settings, Phone, or Messages) and this is possible, but with consequences:

• 🚨 Unstable operation – duplicate system applications often fly out or fail to open.
• 🔐 Security issues – cloned settings may conflict with the original, leading to malfunctions MIUI.
• 📵 Loss of functionality – for example, a cloned phone application will not be able to make calls.

If you still need to duplicate a system application (for example, for testing), use VMOS or X8 Sandbox, which creates an isolated environment, minimizing the risks to the main system.

• 🔒 Settings (com.android.settings)
• 📞 Phone (com.android.contacts)
• 🔑 Security (com.miui.securitycenter)

6. How to remove a cloned application

Removing duplicate is different from removing a regular application, where if you just click "Delete" in the menu, the system may leave junk files or incorrectly clear the data.

The right course of action:

1. For apps cloned through Dual Apps: Go to Settings → Apps → Dual Apps. Slap the Recycle Bin icon next to the duplicate. Confirm deletion and restart the smartphone.

ADB

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.package.name

(Replace com.package.name with a clone identifier, such as com.whatsapp:1).

Parallel Space

• Open the launcher, find the cloned application.
• Hold his icon and select "Delete".

⚠️ Note: If after removing the clone, the original application started to work incorrectly (for example, no notifications come), clean its cache in the settings and restart the device.

Comparison of cloning methods: which should be chosen?

The choice of method depends on your goals and technical skills, and below is a comparative table for quick decision-making:

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If you only need to clone one app (like WhatsApp), start with the official Dual Apps method. If it doesn't support, try ADB. Parallel Space is better for mass cloning.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cloning on Xiaomi Mi 9S