Cloning apps on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: a complete guide to solving typical problems

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T is one of the most popular smartphones of the brand, but even years after its release, its owners are faced with the need to run multiple accounts in messengers or social networks. App cloning solves this problem, but the standard Dual Apps feature in MIUI does not work with all programs, and third-party tools require caution. In this guide, we will analyze all the available ways, from built-in capabilities to workarounds for “stubborn” applications that refuse to be duplicated.

It's important to understand that cloning is not the same as installing a second copy of the APK: it's creating an isolated space with separate data, cache and notifications. On the Redmi Note 8T (willow model), the process is complicated by the version of MIUI - in firmware older than MIUI 12, the function algorithm changed. We tested all methods on current builds (including MIUI 14 for this device) and identified key nuances that are not written in the standard instructions.

Why Dual Apps May Not Work on the Redmi Note 8T

Built-in Dual Apps (aka "Dual Apps") is available from the Settings menu → Apps → Dual Apps, but not all programs are officially supported. The manufacturer limits the list of compatible services for several reasons:

• 🔒 Security policy: some applications (e.g., banking or two-factor authentication) block work in cloned space due to the risk of data leaks.
• 📱 Android Restrictions: Starting with Android 10, Google tightened the rules for clones, which forced Xiaomi to narrow down the list of supported programs.
• 🔄 Version conflicts: If an app is updated over the factory version via Google Play, Dual Apps may not see it".
• 📦 Memory Lack: Cloning creates second dataset, like the one on the Redmi Note 8T s 3/32 GB 4/64 GB could lead to lags.

On the Redmi Note. 8T firmware MIUI Global 12.5+ Dual Apps officially supports no more 37 Applications that do not include Telegram, Viber or most gaming clients can be found in the file. /system/etc/dual_app_white_list.conf, But you can't edit it without root rights, and if you don't have the messenger or social network you want, you'll have to use workarounds.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI through OTA The list of supported apps for Dual Apps may reset. Before updating, check if your clones have disappeared from the Settings menu. → Annexes → Application management.

Method 1: Cloning through Dual Apps

This is the safest and easiest method, but it only works with applications from Xiaomi’s whitelist.The instructions are relevant for the Redmi Note 8T on any version of MIUI (including MIUI 14):

1. Open Settings → Applications → Double Apps.
2. In the list, find the app you want (like WhatsApp or Facebook) and activate the switch next to it.
3. Confirm the creation of a clone – a new icon with an icon will appear on the desktop 👥.
4. Launch the cloned application and log in under the second account.

The main difference between the clone and the original:

If the desired application is not in the list, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Reinstall the app via Google Play (sometimes helps to reset restrictions).
• 📥 Install an older version APK (For example, Telegram will be suitable version 8.4.1).
• 🔧 Enable the Developer Mode (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — tap 7 times) and activate the option Do not turn off background processes.

Check the MIUI version (should be at least 11)

Free up at least 1 GB of memory

Turn off battery optimization for the target application

Make a backup of the original application data-->

Method 2: Using Parallel Space and its analogues

If Dual Apps doesn't support the right app, third-party utilities like Parallel Space, 2Accounts or Island come to the rescue, creating an isolated sandbox where you can run clones of any program, but there are nuances on the Redmi Note 8T:

• 🛡️ Parallel Space requires permission to access notifications and overlay windows (Settings) → Special facilities → Parallel Space).
• 🔐 Island only works on rooted devices or with an unlocked bootloader.
• ⚡ 2Accounts may conflict with MIUI Optimizations, causing reboots.

The following is a step-by-step guide for Parallel Space:

1. Download the utility from Google Play or from the official website (version 4.0.8653 is the most stable on the Redmi Note 8T).
2. Launch the app and provide all permissions you have requested (including Display over other apps).
3. Add the desired programs to the "sandbox" through the + button.
4. Sign in to your second account inside Parallel Space.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 12.5+ Parallel Space can block notifications from cloned apps. To fix this, go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Parallel Space → Notifications and manually enable the display for each clone.

Comparison of popular cloning utilities:

Parallel Space|2Accounts|Island (requires Root)|Shelter|Other |Do not use-->

Method 3: Cloning through ADB (for power users)

If neither Dual Apps nor third-party utilities helped, the ADB method is still available, which allows you to manually duplicate any application, but requires a computer connection and basic command-line knowledge, and the advantage of the method is to work even with programs that block cloning (for example, Snapchat or Pokémon GO).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Developer mode enabled and debugging by USB on the Redmi Note 8T.
• 🔌 Cable USB (It is preferable to be original, since cheap cables may not transmit data).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the permission to debug via USB.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm list packages | grep 'name packet'

For example, for Telegram, it will be org.telegram.messenger.

1. Clone the application with the command:

adb shell cmd package clone org.telegram.messenger

1. Reboot the phone. The clone will appear on the desktop marked "Copy."

On the Redmi Note 8T with MIUI 12.5+, the clone command can return the "Operation not allowed" error, in which case, first perform the adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 org.telegram.messenger, and then repeat the cloning.

⚠️ Attention: Cloning through ADB creates an incomplete copy – some functions (such as push notifications or geolocation) may not work correctly. /data/system/packages.xml, What's dangerous without a backup.

Solving Typical Problems in Cloning

Even after the successful creation of a clone, Redmi Note 8T users are faced with bugs, and we have collected the most common errors and ways to fix them:

1.The clone doesn't appear on the desktop

Check it out.

• 🔍 All Apps folder in the launch menu – sometimes clones hide there.
• 📂 Memory of the device: if free less than 500 MB, MIUI may not display the icon.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes helps to reset the launcher cache.

2. Notifications do not come to the cloned application

For Dual Apps:

• 🔔 Go to Settings. → Notifications → Double Apps and Enable Showing for a Clone.
• 📵 Check if the application has been added to the notification blacklist (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → [clone] → Notifications).

For Parallel Space:

• 🔧 Open Parallel Space settings and turn on the option to Show notifications.
• 🔄 Reinstall the clone inside the sandbox".

3.The clone is constantly flying out or not opening

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🗑️ Clear the clone cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → [clone] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Turn off battery optimization for clone (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Find the clone. → Shut down).
• 📥 Reinstall the original app, then repeat the cloning.

💡

If the WhatsApp clone doesn’t send messages, check to see if the sync of contacts is enabled in the account settings inside the cloned app, often solved by rebooting a phone with the mobile network disabled (wi-fi only).

Limitations and risks of cloning on the Redmi Note 8T

App cloning is not the perfect solution. On the Redmi Note 8T, with its hardware limitations (the Snapdragon 665 processor and 3–4 GB of RAM), using clones can lead to:

• 🐢 Slowdown: two instances of the messenger in the background eat up to 30% of RAM.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: clones are not optimized for MIUI Battery Saver.
• 🚫 Account Blocking: Some services (such as Facebook or Tinder) can recognize clones and can ban a “suspicious” account.
• 🛑 Update conflicts: cloned apps don’t update through Google Play, creating security holes.

Particularly careful should be with:

• 💳 Banking applications: SberBank Online, Tinkoff and others block work in clones due to the risk of phishing.
• 🎮 Anticheat games: PUBG Mobile, Free Fire or Call of Duty Mobile recognize clones as cheating tools.
• 🔒 Annexes with 2FA: Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator may stop generating codes in cloned version.

If you are critically interested in using two accounts in one of these apps, consider alternatives:

• 🌐 Web versions: Many services (including WhatsApp Web or Telegram Web) allow you to work with multiple accounts in the browser.
• 📱 The second phone: budget models like Redmi A1+ It is cheaper than the potential problems with blocking the main account.
• 🔄 Multiaccount in the application itself: some messengers (for example, Telegram or Skype) support changing accounts without cloning.

💡

Cloning applications on Redmi Note 8T is a temporary solution, and for long-term use of multiple accounts, it is better to choose official methods (web versions, multi-account) or a second phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cloning on the Redmi Note 8T