How to clone apps on Xiaomi Redmi: a complete guide

Many smartphone users face the need to use two accounts at the same time on the same messenger or social network. This is especially true for separating personal and work communication when it becomes inconvenient or too expensive to carry two devices. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices are in a better position thanks to the built-in features of the MIUI operating system, which allows you to easily create copies of programs.

The process of creating duplicates on these devices is as simple as possible for developers and does not require obtaining superuser rights or complex flashing. However, there are many nuances that depend on the version of the shell and the type of application itself, which are not known by everyone. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from the standard tools of the system to the use of specialized software.

We will look at why some programs don’t want to be cloned by standard methods, and how to get around these limitations, and how to properly configure duplicate notifications to keep an important message from missing, and what hidden opportunities exist for advanced users.

The regular function “Cloning applications” in MIUI

The first and most reliable way is to use the built-in system tool that is preinstalled on the vast majority of modern Xiaomi smartphones, which does not require the installation of additional software, which has a positive effect on the autonomy of the device and the security of personal data. To activate the function, you need to go to the settings menu and find the section responsible for managing programs.

The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic of actions remains the same for all models. You need to open Settings, then scroll through the list to the App item and select the option Cloning applications there. In some firmware, this item can be entered in a separate menu called Dual Applications.

Once you log in, the system will offer a list of supported programs that can be copied, usually popular social networks and instant messengers such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, Instagram and Facebook, and simply switch the switchboard against the desired application, and the system automatically creates a duplicate of it with the prefix “2” in the title.

It's important to note that cloned apps work as independent processes, which means you can turn off notifications for one account while another is active, or assign different ringtones to different contacts, but it's worth remembering that two instances of the same program will consume more RAM and battery power.

⚠️ Note: When you delete the main application, the clone will also be automatically deleted by the system. If you want to save a second account, first transfer important data or make a backup, and only then delete the original.

The cloning functionality allows not only two accounts to run, but also to hide their presence. In the settings of each cloned application, the option of hiding an icon is often available, which requires entering a password or fingerprint to access, which adds an additional level of privacy for your personal correspondence.

For those who prefer visual control, the system allows you to change the icon of the cloned application. You can choose any color or image from the gallery to visually distinguish the work account from the personal one, which is especially convenient when you quickly switch between tasks during the day.

Use of the “Second Space” mode

If standard app cloning isn't enough, or you want to completely isolate your work data from your personal data, Second Space comes to the rescue, a unique feature of MIUI that creates a virtual second operating environment on your smartphone with its settings, gallery, contacts and installed programs.

Unlike simple cloning, the second space is protected by a separate password, pin code or fingerprint, switching between spaces instantly through a notification curtain or a special widget on the desktop, the perfect solution for those who want to completely separate digital life from work.

To activate this feature, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version several times to open the developer's advanced settings if the item is hidden, or find it immediately in the main settings menu. Once enabled, the system will ask you to configure the method of entering the second space. You can use the same finger as you used to unlock the main screen, but from a different phalanx, or assign a separate pattern lock.

In the second space, you can re-install any application from another Google or Apple ID account, which allows you to bypass the restrictions on the number of cloned programs, because in the second space, you can clone the same applications again, so theoretically you can have up to four accounts of a single messenger on a single device.

The advantage of this method is that it is completely isolated, and applications in the second space do not have access to the files, photos and contacts of the first space unless you give such permission when transferring data, which ensures that corporate software does not scan your personal photo albums.

However, it is worth considering that having two active spaces requires more CPU resources. If you have a budget model Redmi with a small amount of RAM, work in the background can be limited to the system to save energy, in which case notifications from the second space may come with a delay.

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Use different fingerprints to enter the first and second spaces, allowing you to instantly switch between Work and Home modes just by putting your finger on the scanner on a locked screen.

Cloning through third-party parallelizer applications

There are times when Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t support a specific application that needs to be run in two copies, such as banking apps, corporate messengers, or games, and in such cases, third-party parallelizers available on the Google Play store come to the rescue.

The most popular and proven solutions are Parallel Space, 2Accounts and Multiple Accounts, which create a virtual environment within themselves that runs copies of the required programs, and it works like an emulator, but it works faster and easier to set up.

Once you install an application, you'll need to give it extensive permissions, because it needs to have access to notifications, contacts, and storage to work properly. Without those permissions, cloned applications may not run smoothly or at all. The process of adding a program is simple: you select it from a list of installed apps and click the add button.

A significant disadvantage of using third-party parallelizers is the increased energy consumption. Since such a shell application must be constantly hanging in memory to keep the clones running, battery life can accelerate by 15-20% per day.

Some high-security banking applications and programs may fail to run in a parallelizer environment, detecting that they are running in a virtual environment and blocking the launch for security reasons, and in such cases, you have to look for workarounds or use a second-space mode, which is systemic and less visible to the security mechanisms.

When choosing a third-party solution, pay attention to the rating and number of installations. It is better to choose time-tested products with millions of downloads, since unknown applications can contain malicious code that steals your data to log into social networks.

Solving Notifications and Clone Work Problems

A frequent problem for Xiaomi users is the lack of notifications from cloned applications. The aggressively system optimizes background processes to save charge, which often leads to the "killing" of the second account processes. To fix this, you need to manually configure autostart and work in the background.

Go to the cloned app settings (long-click on the icon → About or through the battery settings). Find AutoStart and activate it. Then go to Activity Control and select No Limits. This will prevent the system from unloading the application from memory.

It's also important to check permissions. Make sure the cloned app is allowed to display notifications on top of other windows and run in the background. Without these settings, you risk missing an important call or message, as the system will deem the application unused and stop it.

If notifications come but no sound or vibration, check the audio settings specifically for the second account. In MIUI, you can configure individual audio profiles. Make sure that the cloned application does not select the default No Sound or Do Not Disturb mode.

⚠️ Warning: Don't clear the device's memory with the "Close All" button if you want cloned applications to work steadily. Better add important programs to the memory cleaner exception list so they stay active at all times.

Another common problem is time or data desynchronization, so if a cloned application shows an incorrect message arrival time, try to force it to stop and run again, and in rare cases, resetting the settings of the cloned application itself through the program management menu helps.

Comparison of cloning methods on Xiaomi

To make it easier for you to decide on the right way, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you assess the pros and cons of each method depending on your needs and smartphone model.

As you can see from the table, regular cloning is the best way to use instant messengers every day, it's the most energy efficient and stable, and if you have to separate work and personal data at the file and Google account level, then Second Space is unparalleled.

Third-party applications are a good temporary solution when you need to quickly launch something unusual, but you should not rely on them constantly because of the risk of data leakage and advertising. MIUI first and foremost.

Frequent Questions and Answers (FAQ)

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The use of built-in MIUI tools is always a priority over third-party counterparts due to better optimization, security and less impact on the battery life of the device.

In conclusion, Xiaomi’s ecosystem provides some of the most flexible multitasking tools on the Android market, and by setting these features properly, you can turn one smartphone into two full-fledged working tools, saving you time and money.

Experiment with settings, but always keep the balance between functionality and security in mind: don’t install questionable cloning programs unless there’s a pressing need for it, and check your privacy settings regularly.