How to clone applications on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 9A — One of the most popular budget smartphones, but its owners often face a limitation: the inability to use two accounts in the same messenger or social network. App cloning solves this problem by allowing two copies of WhatsApp, Telegram, VKontakte or Instagram to run on the same device. 9A This feature works differently than on Xiaomi flagships.

In this article, we will look at all the current cloning methods, from the built-in Dual Applications function in MIUI to workarounds for models where it is disabled, and focus on the hidden ADB cloning mode, which works even on devices with a locked bootloader, and you will learn why some applications refuse to duplicate and how to fix it.

Why is Redmi 9A not equipped with dual apps?

Redmi 9A owners often don’t find the dual apps option in their settings, although it’s on more expensive Xiaomi models, because of hardware and software limitations:

• 📱 Budget iron: Redmi 9A Powered by MediaTek Helio processor G25 And only 2-3 GB of RAM. Cloning applications requires additional resources, which can lead to slowdown.
• 🔒 Politics MIUI: Xiaomi artificially restricts functionality on budget models to encourage the purchase of more expensive devices.
• 🛡️ Security: Duplicating certain applications (e.g. banking) may violate their security policies. MIUI block this possibility.

However, there are workarounds, such as Redmi 9A with MIUI 12.5 and later, you can activate a hidden cloning function via ADB or use third-party applications, more on this in the following sections.

⚠️ Note: Cloning of banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.) can lead to account blocking due to suspicions of fraud.

Method 1: Built-in dual applications (if available)

Some versions of MIUI for Redmi 9A still have cloning features, but they're hidden to find them:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Double Apps.
2. If there is no item, try the path: Settings → Special features → Dual applications.
3. In the list, select the app you want to clone (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).
4. Click Clone and wait for the second copy to be made.

The cloned app will appear on the home screen with an icon in the form of two folded squares.

• 🔄 Both copies will be updated independently.
• 🔔 Notifications will be sent separately for each clone.
• 🚫 Some apps (such as Google Play Store) cannot be cloned.

Make a backup copy of the data of the main application

Check the space available (at least 500 MB is required)

Turn off battery optimization for cloned app

Reboot your phone after creating a clone-->

If your firmware does not have this feature, move on to the next method.

Method 2: ADB cloning (works on MIUI 12-14)

This is the most reliable method for the Redmi 9A, as it does not require root rights and works even on locked devices.

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Steps:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell settings put secure multi_app_clone_support 1

After you complete the command, restart your phone. Double Apps will appear in the settings. If you don't have one, try an alternative command:

adb shell pm grant com.miui.dualapp android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 14 for Redmi 9A This method can only work after you reset your settings!

Method 3: Use Parallel Space or Island

If the built-in methods don't work, you can use third-party virtualization apps. The best options for Redmi 9A are:

For installation:

1. Download Parallel Space from Google Play or APK-file.
2. Add the app to a virtual space (like WhatsApp).
3. Launch a clone from the Parallel Space interface.

Important: Virtual spaces consume a lot of resources. Redmi 9A with 2 GB of RAM can cause hangings. We recommend closing background applications before using a clone.

WhatsApp

Telegram

VKontakte

Instagram

Other-->

Method 4: Cloning through Mi Account (official but limited)

Xiaomi offers a legal way to use two accounts in some apps, through a link to the Mi Account.

• 📩 Mi Mail (postal)
• 💬 Mi Messages (SMS)
• 📅 Calendar and Notes

How to set up:

1. Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
2. Add a second Xiaomi account (if not).
3. In the application settings (such as Mi Mail), select which account to use by default.

This method is not suitable for instant messengers or social networks, but allows you to separate personal and work data in standard MIUI applications.

💡

If you need to clone Google services (like Gmail or YouTube), use additional Android users. Go to Settings → System → Additional Settings → Multiplayer Mode. However, on Redmi 9A, this feature may be disabled.

Method 5: Hand-cloned APK (for advanced users)

If none of these methods worked, you can manually install a second copy of the APK with the changed package.

1. Download. APK-file of the desired application (for example, from the APKMirror site).
2. Use the Apk Editor tool (requires root) to change the packet name (e.g., from com.whatsapp to com.whatsapp2).
3. Install the modified APK.

This method is risky because:

• 🔓 May disrupt the original application.
• 🚨 Some apps (like Telegram) block modified versions of the app.
• 🔄 Updates will have to be installed manually.

⚠️ Attention: Change APK-Root-free files can cause installation error due to restrictions MIUI. On the Redmi. 9A This method only works with certain applications (e.g, VK or OK).

💡

The most versatile method for the Redmi 9A is to use ADB. It does not require root rights and works on most MIUI versions, including 12.5 and 13.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When cloning applications on Redmi 9A, users encounter common errors.

If the cloned app doesn’t send notifications, check:

• 🔔 Permissions for clone in Settings → Notifications.
• 🔋 Battery Optimization (Switch Off for a Clone App).
• 📵 Do Not Disturb (can block notifications from duplicates).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions