The modern rhythm of life often requires separation of personal and work processes, which is especially relevant for owners of Xiaomi smartphones. Redmi 9, with an affordable cost and functional shell MIUI, provides users with powerful tools for multi-tasking without the need to install third-party software. The ability to run two copies of the same messenger or social network on the same gadget significantly simplifies communication and increases productivity.
The built-in app cloning system works at the core level of the operating system, which guarantees stability and minimal battery consumption. You do not need to search for dubious programs on the Internet or obtain super-user rights, since all the necessary mechanisms are already integrated by the manufacturer. This solution is ideal for those who use one SIM card for work and another for personal purposes, but want to have access to all notifications instantly.
The process of activating this feature is as simple and clear as possible, even for an inexperienced user, but has its own nuances depending on the firmware version. In this article, we will analyze all the configuration steps, consider possible errors and give recommendations for optimizing the operation of cloned services. System cloning on Redmi 9 works more stable than third-party analogues like Parallel Space, since it does not require permanent permissions to access data.
Preparation of the smartphone and compatibility check
Before you start setting up, make sure your device is fully ready to work with additional copies of programs. Xiaomi Redmi 9 comes with a pre-installed MIUI shell, which has a built-in data separation mechanism. Check that the phone has the current version of the firmware, as old builds may encounter errors or lack some control features.
The cloned versions require free space in internal memory to work properly. Each copy creates a separate storage for cache, media files and databases, which can take from several hundred megabytes to several gigabytes depending on the intensity of use. It is recommended to free up at least 1-2 GB of space so that the system works without delay and does not emit errors when downloading the correspondence history.
Also worth paying attention to security and authorization settings. If the device has data encryption enabled or complex passwords set for individual applications, the initial setup process may require additional confirmation. Make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account, as it may be needed to restore data or synchronize settings in a new copy.
☑️ Readiness check for Redmi 9
It is important to understand that not all applications support cloning at the software level. Developers of some banking clients or corporate messengers may block the launch of second instances for security reasons. In such cases, the system simply will not suggest creating a clone, and this is normal data protection behavior, not a device error.
Activation of the dual application function in MIUI
The main tool for creating copies in the MIUI shell is called "Dual Applications." To access it, open the standard settings menu of your Redmi 9 and scroll through the list to the "Applications" section. This is the Double Apps key item that governs the entire cloning process.
Once you log in, you'll see a list of installed programs that support making a second copy. The system automatically analyzes packages and tags available options with a special icon. To activate, simply move the slider opposite the desired application, such as WhatsApp or Viber, to the "On" position.
Once activated, a new label will appear on the desktop with a distinctive yellow icon in the corner, indicating that it is a clone, and this copy will run independently of the main one, and you will need separate authorization by phone number or login to log in, which allows you to keep two different accounts active at the same time, receiving notifications from both.
What to do if the desired application is not on the list?
It is worth noting that some features of the cloned app may require additional permissions to work. Android can request access to contacts, microphone or geolocation separately for the second copy, even if you gave them for the first. Read permission requests carefully to ensure that all services work correctly.
Use of the Second Space Mode
For users who need deeper data separation than just cloning individual programs, Xiaomi Redmi 9 has a “Second Space” mode, which creates a virtual second smartphone inside your device with its own separate galleries, contacts and settings. You can switch between the main and second spaces through the notification panel or a special widget on the lock screen.
The main difference from simple app cloning is that the photos taken in the second space will not be visible in the main gallery, and the contacts will be saved in a separate phone book, ideal for those who want to completely separate their work life from their personal life, hiding certain files even from themselves in the main environment.
Activation mode is done through the Settings menu → Second Space → Enable Second Space. The system will suggest creating a separate password or using a fingerprint to quickly switch. You can assign different fingers to enter the main and second space, making the switching process instant and invisible to outsiders.
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Use different fingerprints to quickly switch between the main and second space without entering passwords.
However, it should be noted that the second space mode consumes more RAM resources, since it essentially runs two independent environments. On Redmi 9 with its memory configuration, this can lead to more frequent unloading of background applications. If you only need to run a second WhatsApp, it is better to limit the function "Dual applications" described in the previous section.
Set up notifications and power consumption
Xiaomi cloned apps have their own notification settings that are not always copied from the main version automatically. To avoid missing an important message from the second account, you need to go to the settings of the particular cloned application and make sure that notifications are enabled. Often by default, they can be muted or hidden.
Energy-saving system MIUI It's a problem for cloned applications, because they can stop receiving real-time messages if you don't add them to the exclusion list. → Battery → Settings and find autostart control there.
In the autorun list, find a cloned application (it will be marked with a clone icon) and allow it to run. It is also recommended that you select the "No Limits" mode in the battery settings for this application, which ensures that the system does not "kill" the process for the sake of saving charge, and you will receive notifications instantly.
For ease of use, you can customize different notification sounds for the main and cloned versions, allowing you to hear whether a message has reached a personal or work number without taking the phone out of your pocket, and this fine-tuning greatly improves the comfort of using the device in everyday life.
Solving synchronization problems and errors
Despite the stability of MIUI, users may encounter some difficulties in using cloned applications, such as de-synchronizing messages or not being able to download media files in a second copy, often solved by simply cleaning the cache of a cloned application through the program management menu.
Another possible difficulty is the conflict of versions: if you upgraded the main version of the application through Google Play, the cloned version may remain old, which will lead to authorization errors, in such cases, you need to remove the clone and create it again, since direct updating of the second copy through the app store is usually impossible or not recommended.
Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the cloned application does not see contacts, this is solved by issuing the appropriate permissions manually. Go to Settings → Apps → Dual Applications → [Application needed] → Permissions and make sure that access to the phone book is activated. Without this, you will only see numbers, but not the names of subscribers.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision-making |
|---|---|---|
| No notifications. | Aggressive energy conservation | Allow auto-start and remove battery restrictions |
| No photos loaded. | Lack of space or cache failure | Clear the cache of the cloned application |
| Launch departure | Conflict of versions | Remove the clone, update the main version, create a clone again |
| No contact visible. | Lack of permits | Manually enable access to contacts in clone settings |
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Updating the main version of the app and setting the permissions correctly prevents 90% of cloned copy problems.
Data security and clone removal
Using cloned applications requires a careful approach to security, because the clone stores data separately, deleting the main program will not affect the second copy, and vice versa. However, when selling a phone or transferring it to another person, you need to remember to reset both data spaces so that sensitive information does not fall into the wrong hands.
To remove a cloned application, you don’t need to look for its shortcut on your desktop. Go back to Settings → Apps → Dual apps and just turn off the slider in front of an unnecessary program. The system will warn you that all data accumulated in the second copy (correspondences, photos, files) will be irretrievably deleted.
If you use the "Second Space" function, you delete it by switching to the space management mode, where you can completely erase the second space, returning all the resources it occupies to the system, regularly check which applications have active clones, so that you do not store unnecessary data and do not waste battery power.
⚠️ Warning: When you reset your smartphone to factory settings, both the main and cloned apps are removed along with all the data. Be sure to back up important correspondence and files before this procedure.
Also worth remembering are the risks of installing modified versions of popular apps (called "WhatsApp Plus" and analogues) as clones, often without security certificates and can result in account locking by official servers or identity theft.
⚠️ Note: Using unofficial modified messenger clients in cloning mode may result in your number being blocked by the service administration.