Should you split your work and personal WhatsApp? Or do your business account parallel to your personal? On Xiaomi smartphones, it's real, without root rights or complicated manipulation. In 2026, the manufacturer offers several ways to install two (or even three!) messengers with different numbers on the same device.
But there are nuances. Not all methods are equally stable: you have to sacrifice notifications somewhere, you have to synchronize backups somewhere, and some solutions only work on certain versions at all. MIUI. We tested all the current methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Poco X5 Pro and Xiaomi 13 Ultra – and ready to share honest conclusions.
In this article you will find:
- 🔹 Official methods from Xiaomi (including hidden feature) MIUI)
- 🔹 Bypasses for older models without dual app support
- 🔹 Step-by-step instructions with pictures and videos (for visuals)
- 🔹 Comparative table of pros and cons of each method
- 🔹 Solutions for Notifications and Backup Problems
We warn you right away that unofficial WhatsApp modifications (such as GBWhatsApp) can lead to a ban on your account, and we will focus on legal methods that do not violate the rules of the messenger.
1. Built-in duplication of applications in MIUI (easiest)
Modern Xiaomi smartphones on the basis MIUI 12+ They have a built-in App Cloning feature that allows you to create a full copy of WhatsApp with a separate data space, notifications and even an icon on your desktop.
The main advantage of the method is that it does not require root rights and works on 90% of Xiaomi devices released after 2019.
- 📱 It only works on official firmware (not on customized ones). ROM)
- 🔄 Not all models support WhatsApp duplication (e.g. Poco) M3 function may not be present)
- ☁️ Backups of two accounts are not synchronized with each other
How to include duplication:
- Open the Settings. → Annexes → Duplicate applications
- Find in the WhatsApp list and activate the switch
- On the desktop will appear a second icon with the label "Duplicate"
- Launch a duplicate WhatsApp and register a new number
Important: when you first start a copied application, the system can request permissions for contacts and files - allow everything, otherwise the messenger will not be able to work correctly.
☑️ Preparing for WhatsApp Duplication
2. WhatsApp Business as a second account
The official business app from Meta is a legal way to have two WhatsApps on the same phone. WhatsApp Business installs from Google Play as a separate messenger and supports all the features of the regular version (except Stories in some regions).
Advantages of the method:
- 🔒 Completely legal (does not violate WhatsApp rules)
- 📊 Additional business functions: quick answers, chat tags, product catalog
- 🔔 Stable notifications (as opposed to some workarounds)
How to set up:
- Download WhatsApp Business from Google Play
- Register your second phone number
- In the business profile settings, specify the name of the company (can be made up if you use it for personal purposes)
- Turn off business functions in settings if they are not needed
Limitations:
- 📵 You can’t use the same number at the same time on WhatsApp and Business.
- 🔄 Backups of the two versions are stored separately (you can’t restore chats from regular WhatsApp to Business and vice versa)
How to transfer chats from regular WhatsApp to Business?
3. Parallel Space and its analogues: virtual space for the second WhatsApp
If your Xiaomi doesn't support duplicate applications, virtual space programs will come to the rescue, and Parallel Space is the most popular solution, which is a version of Lite for weak devices.
Pros of the method:
- 🌐 It works on any device (even on older Redmis). 4A)
- 🔄 You can duplicate not only WhatsApp, but also other messengers
- 🛡️ The second account is password protected
Instructions for setting:
- Download Parallel Space from Google Play
- Launch the app and add WhatsApp to the virtual space
- Inside Parallel Space, install WhatsApp (if it’s not there) and register for a second number.
- Set up notifications in Parallel Space (otherwise, notifications from the second WhatsApp will not come)
⚠️ Parallel Space can slow down your phone if you have less 4 GB of RAM on weak devices (Redmi) 5/6) Use Parallel Space Lite to use it.
Alternative applications for virtual spaces:
- 🅰️ 2Accounts — A lightweight analogue of Parallel Space
- 🔹 Island (requires root) – for advanced users
- 🛡️ Shelter – Open source software for application isolation
4 Two WhatsApps in a few SIM-Cards (for dual-devices) SIM)
If your Xiaomi supports two of your SIM-cards (and this is almost all models after 2018), you can use different numbers for different accounts. SIM, and with eSIM (on supported devices).
Algorithm of action:
- Put two on the phone. SIM-card
- Download WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business (or use duplication)
- When registering in each messenger, select the desired one SIM-map
- Set up notifications for each account separately
Features of the method:
- 📶 Device with Dual is required SIM Dual Standby (DSDS)
- 🔄 You can quickly switch between numbers in the settings SIM-map
- 📵 If you turn one off SIM, WhatsApp will no longer receive SMS-code
What models Xiaomi works on eSIM (for the second number):
| Model | Support for eSIM | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/13 Pro | ✅ Yes. | Requires MIUI 14+ |
| Xiaomi 12T/12T Pro | ✅ Yes. | It only works on European versions. |
| Poco F5/F5 Pro | ✅ Yes. | You need to activate in the operator’s cabin. |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | ❌ No. | Only physical. SIM |
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If you have a phone without eSIM, but with Dual support SIM, You can use virtual numbers from operators (for example, “Additional number” from MTS or “Multinum” from Beeline) for the second WhatsApp.
5. Manual cloning through ADB (for advanced users)
If standard methods don’t work, you can create a copy of WhatsApp via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires a connection to a computer, but it works on 99% of Xiaomi devices.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools
- 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB)
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
Step-by-step:
1. Connect the phone to the computer and allow debugging
2. Open the command line in the folder with ADB
3. Enter a command to create a copy of the user:
adb shell pm create-user --profileOf 0 CloneUser
4. Install WhatsApp for the second user:
adb install -i com.android.vending --user 10 com.whatsapp.apk
5. Switch to the second user in the notification curtain⚠️ Attention: When used incorrectly ADB If you're not sure about your abilities, use other methods in this article.
Advantages of ADB-method:
- 🔧 It works on all versions of Android and MIUI
- 📱 Doesn't require root rights
- 🔄 You can create up to 4 copies of a single application
Comparison of all methods: which one to choose?
To make it easier, we've created a table with the pros and cons of each method, so focus on your phone model and your tasks:
| Method | Difficulty | Root is required. | Stability | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duplication in MIUI | ⭐ (simple) | ❌ No. | ✅ Tall. | New Xiaomi models (MIUI 12+) |
| WhatsApp Business | ⭐ (simple) | ❌ No. | ✅ Very high. | All devices, legal method |
| Parallel Space | ⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Medium (may lay) | Old models, weak phones |
| Dual SIM | ⭐ (simple) | ❌ No. | ✅ Tall. | Devices with 2 SIM-map |
| ADB-cloning | ⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) | ❌ No. | ✅ Tall. | Advanced users |
For most users of Xiaomi, the best solution is to duplicate applications in the MIUI If your phone is older than 2019, try Parallel Space. ADB leave it to the last resort.
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On devices with MIUI 14+ The most stable way is built-in duplication, which doesn't require any additional apps, and it doesn't affect the performance of the phone.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after successfully installing the second WhatsApp, it can be difficult, and we have collected the most common problems and ways to solve them:
Problem 1: Notifications from the second WhatsApp
- 🔕 Check the notification settings in Settings → Annexes → WhatsApp (clone) → Notifications
- 🔄 Reboot the phone.
- 📵 If you use Parallel Space, enable notifications in the app settings
Problem 2: You can’t restore a backup in a second WhatsApp
- ☁️ Backups are tied to the phone number and version of WhatsApp
- 🔄 First restore a copy of mostly WhatsApp, then move the chats through export (see spoiler above)
- 📱 Use third-party utilities such as Backuptrans (at your own risk)
Problem 3: WhatsApp is constantly crashing
- 🗑️ Clear the app's cache in Settings → Annexes → WhatsApp (clone) → Memory. → Clear the cache
- 🔄 Update WhatsApp to the latest version
- 📱 If you are using Parallel Space, upgrade it or try an alternative (2Accounts)
Problem 4: You can't register a second number.
- 📵 Make sure that SIM-The card is active and can receive SMS
- 🔢 Try asking for a code through a call instead SMS
- 🌐 Turn it off. VPN — It can block registration.
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If the second WhatsApp doesn’t see contacts, check the permissions in Settings. → Annexes → WhatsApp (clone) → Permits and enable access to contacts and storage.