How to properly update a cloned application on Xiaomi: all ways and solutions to problems

Cloning applications on Xiaomi smartphones through the function of Dual Apps MIUI — It's a convenient way to split accounts in messengers, social networks or games, but many users face the problem that the main application is automatically updated, but its clone does not, and as a result, the duplicate begins to slow down, emit errors or stops running altogether. In this article, we will analyze all working ways to update cloned applications on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO, including manual methods and circumvention of system constraints.

It is important to understand that the dual application mechanism in MIUI It doesn't always sync with Google Play or Mi App Store, because it's related to the architecture of the virtual space in which the clone operates. We tested all of the methods described below on Xiaomi models. 13 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO F5 latest-edition MIUI 14/15 (HyperOS – Results are relevant to 2026 If your device is older, some steps may differ (we will warn you about this separately).

Why cloned apps don’t automatically update

The main reason is the isolation of virtual space. MIUI Creates a separate sandbox for each clone that:

• 🔄 No direct access to the main Google Play services (unless the app is installed through the Mi App Store).
• 📦 Uses a modified package name (e.g., a modified package name, com.whatsapp.w4b instead of com.whatsapp, which knocks down the update system.
• 🔒 Blocks background processes responsible for checking updates (battery savings in the MIUI).
• 📱 On some models (e.g. Redmi) 10C) The virtual space works through a Knox analog from Xiaomi, which adds additional limitations.

The second factor is the policy of the app stores:

• 🛒 Google Play doesn’t see clones as separate installations (they’re tied to the main set). APK).
• 🏪 The Mi App Store only updates clones for a limited list of apps (like WeChat or Alipay for Chinese firmware).

⚠️ Note: On devices with Global ROM And with an unlocked bootloader, clones can be updated through Google Play, but this requires manually configuring access rights.

If your cloned app stopped opening after the main version was updated, it is due to a version conflict. For example, the main Telegram has updated to version 10.5.0, and the clone remains on 9.8.3 - the system blocks the launch due to database incompatibility.

Preparing for the update: what to do in advance

Before you update the clone, follow the mandatory steps:

Backup clone data (chats, media, settings)

Check the vacant space (you need to). ≥1.5 GB for temporary files)

Connect to stable Wi-Fi (update via mobile Internet may interrupt)

Turn off battery optimization for cloned app in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Optimizing the battery

Close all background processes (especially antivirus and cleaners)

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To back up clone data:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Double Apps.
2. Select the clone you want and click Backup (if the option is active).
3. If you don’t have backup, use the app’s built-in tools (e.g., exporting chats to WhatsApp or Telegram).

In the models with MIUI 14+ (for example, Xiaomi 13T) Clone backup works through Settings → Memory. → Backup, but only if sync with Mi Account is enabled. On devices with an unlocked bootloader, the clones backup may not recover after reset - this is a known firmware bug based on Android 13+.

Check the version of the main and cloned application:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the main app (like Facebook) and write down the version.
3. Repeat for the clone (name will be prefixed (1) or (Clone)).

⚠️ Note: If the version difference is greater than 2 updates (e.g., the main one is 245.0.0.10.100, clone is 243.0.0.8.99), a direct update may cause a failure.

Through the Mi App Store

APK manual installation

Update via Google Play

Never updated.

Another way.-->

Method 1: Automatically Update via Mi App Store

This is the easiest method, but only works for a limited list of applications (mainly Chinese services).If your app is on the Mi App Store, follow the instructions:

1. Open the Mi App Store (App Store icon with Xiaomi logo).
2. Go to the Updates section (bottom of the screen).
3. Find a cloned app and it will be marked with an icon 👥 (double-appendix).
4. Click Update and wait until it is completed.

If the app does not appear in the update list:

• 🔍 Check if clone sync is included in Settings → Dual annexes → Settings → Auto-update.
• 🌐 Make sure your Mi Account region matches the Mi App Store region (e.g. if your account is registered in Russia and the store shows Chinese apps).
• 📥 Try to manually find the app through a search in the Mi App Store and click Update on its page.

On devices with Global ROM Mi App Store can be disabled or hidden to get it back:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots at the top → Show all the apps.
3. Find the Mi App Store and turn it on.

💡

Auto-update via the Mi App Store is the safest method, but only works for a limited list of apps (mostly Chinese).

Method 2: Update via Google Play (for Global) ROM)

On devices with Global ROM You can try to update the clone through the store, but this requires temporarily removing the virtual space isolation. This method does not work on all models and may require resetting the clone after the update.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Double Apps.
2. Select the cloned app and click Disable (do not delete!).
3. Go to Google Play, find the app and update it.
4. Back to Settings → Double apps and turn on the clone again.

If the clone does not start after switching on:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 🧹 Clear the clone cache in Settings → Annexes → [The clone's name] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📥 Remove the clone and recreate it (the data will be lost!).

⚠️ Note: On some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 with a MIUI 13) disabling the clone will delete all of its data.Be sure to back up before this step.

An alternative option for experienced users is to use ADB-commands for forced renewal:

adb shell pm install -r --user 0 /path/to/apk

Where /path/to/apk — path APK-The new version file. This method requires customization. ADB and unlocked loader.

Method 3: Manual update through APK-file

The most universal method is to download APK It works for any application, but it takes care:

Steps:

1. Download. APK the latest version of the application from a trusted source (e.g. APKMirror or APKPure).
2. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Double applications and remember the name of the clone packet (e.g, com.whatsapp.w4b).
3. Install. APK File Managers (for example, Files by Google or Mi File Manager).
4. When you request, select Update (not "Install as new").

If the installation is blocked:

• 🔓 Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Annexes → Special permits → Installation of unknown applications.
• 🛡️ Turn off Google Play Protect in Google Play settings (temporarily).
• 📦 If APK not installed due to a signature conflict, download the version with the same certificate (check the hash in the file properties).

For separate architecture applications (such as Facebook or Instagram) you may need to:

• 📲 Set the main APK (base.apk).
• 📲 Then add split_apk (configuration files).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 15 (e.g. Xiaomi 14) manual installation APK The clones can block access to notifications. To fix, go to Settings. → Notifications → Setting up apps and manually enable notifications for the clone.

If the clone has stopped opening after the update:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 🧹 Clear the clone data in Settings → Annexes → [The clone's name] → Warehouse → Clear the data (the data will be lost!).
• 🔧 Remove the clone and create it again.

💡

Before installation APK Check its integrity through VirusTotal.Clones are particularly vulnerable to malware due to modified permissions.

Method 4: Use of alternative launchers (for experienced)

If standard methods do not work, you can upgrade the clone through alternative launchers that support virtual spaces, for example:

• 📱 Island (based on Work Profile)
• 📱 Parallel Space (requires root on new versions) MIUI)
• 📱 Shelter (FOSS-open-source)

Instructions for Island:

1. Install Island from Google Play.
2. Transfer the cloned application to the Work Profile (Profile for Work).
3. Update the app via Google Play inside Island.
4. Return the app back to your main profile (if necessary).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Complete isolation of the clone from the main system.
• ✅ Support for Automatic Updates via Google Play.
• ✅ Ability to use different versions of the same application.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires a Work Profile setting (may conflict with corporate policies).
• ❌ On some Xiaomi models (Redmi) K60, POCO X5 Pro) Island is not operating smoothly due to restrictions MIUI.

Parallel Space will require:

1. Download the app from the official website (the version from Google Play is stripped).
2. Add a clone to Parallel Space.
3. Update the application inside the virtual space.

⚠️ Note: Use of Parallel Space on devices with MIUI 14+ This can lead to notification blocking for clones. To fix, disable battery optimization for Parallel Space in the settings.

Solving problems after updating

If the clone is unstable after the update, check the following points:

If the clone is no longer synced to the cloud (for example, WhatsApp chats are not loaded):

1. Check your internet connection in virtual space.
2. Reset the clone.
3. Log in to your account again (may be required) SMS-confirmation).

On devices with MIUI 15 (for example, Xiaomi 14 Pro) after updating the clone may disappear access to the geolocation:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Permissions → Geodata.
2. Find the cloned app and enable access.
3. If the option is inactive, restart the device.

If nothing helps, the last option is to completely reset the clone:

1. Remove the clone in Settings → Dual annexes.
2. Reset the device.
3. Create a clone again and update it with one of the methods described.

💡

If the clone is unstable after the update, try to clear its cache first. A complete reset is a last resort, as it leads to data loss.

Features for different Xiaomi models

The process of updating clones may vary depending on the model and version. MIUI. Let's look at the key nuances:

Devices on MIUI 14/15 (2023–2026 years):

• 📱 Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5:
• 📱 Xiaomi Pad 6:

Devices on MIUI 12/13 (2020–2022 years):

• 📱 Redmi Note 10/11, POCO X3/X4:
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 11:

Devices on MIUI for Russia/Europe:

• 🌍 On firmware without Google Play (for example, Chinese versions of Redmi) K50) The clones are only updated through the Mi App Store or APK.
• 🌍 On Global ROM Pre-installed Google Play (for example, POCO M5) clones of WhatsApp, Telegram and VK Updated through the store after the insulation is turned off.

For devices with unlocked bootloader:

• 🔓 You can use Magisk and App Cloner for flexible clone management.
• 🔓 Update through ADB works more stable:

FAQ: Frequent questions about updating clones