Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphone owners often face the need to use two accounts on the same social network or messenger. App cloning makes it easy to create a copy of the program, but not all users need it all the time. Sometimes this leads to confusion with notifications or excessive consumption of system resources. Which is why the question of how to correctly disable the cloning of applications on Xiaomi Redmi 9 remains relevant for many.
The process of deactivating this feature does not require root rights or complex software. All the necessary tools are built into the MIUI shell that is installed on your device. However, the location of the settings can vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the firmware itself. It is important to understand where the desired switch is hidden so that the data is not deleted accidentally.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can control cloned applications, how to completely remove the clone, how to temporarily suspend it, and how to clean the system of any remaining traces, which will help optimize the operation of your Redmi 9 and free up precious space in internal memory.
Why you may need to disable the cloning function
The app cloning feature, known in the MIUI shell as App Cloning, is designed for convenience, allowing you to run two independent instances of the same program, such as WhatsApp or Telegram. However, in some cases, this feature becomes redundant, for example, if you change your phone number or stop using a second SIM card, a second account is no longer needed.
In addition, the presence of running clones affects the autonomy of the device: the background processes of the second copy of the application consume RAM and battery power; on the Redmi 9 model, which is equipped with a mid-level processor, every percentage of the charge is in the account; Disabling unnecessary services helps to extend the life of the smartphone without recharging.
Also worth mentioning is the notification confusion: When two identical apps appear on the lock screen, the user may miss an important notification or respond to the wrong chat. Removing the extra clone solves the problem of visual noise and increases the productivity of the gadget.
- 📉 Saving battery charge by stopping background processes of an excess copy.
- 🧹 Freeing up space in internal memory that was occupied by cache and clone data.
- 🔔 Removing confusion with incoming notifications and calls.
Users often forget that a cloned application is a full-fledged program with its own data warehouse. If you do not use a second account, it makes sense to delete it so as not to strain the system.
⚠️ Before removing the clone, make sure you remember passwords from your main account if you plan to carry important data or correspondence history.
Where to find cloning settings in MIUI
The interface of the MIUI shell may vary depending on the region and version of the update. On a Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphone, the cloning settings are usually in the "Applications" section. However, the path to these can vary. The standard algorithm involves moving to the main settings menu of the system.
You need to find an App item, then select the Application Cloning subsection. In some firmware versions, this item can be entered into a separate application called App Cloning or Dual Apps, which is located in the Tools folder on the desktop, which is a system utility that manages all virtual copies.
If you can't find the right item through a search, try using the search bar in the settings themselves. Type in the word "clone" or "dual", and the system will prompt you to go to the corresponding menu. This is the fastest way to navigate through the complex structure of the Xiaomi menu.
It is important to distinguish between cloning system settings and clone programs, and we are looking at the built-in MIUI functionality, as it takes precedence over third-party software and is more deeply integrated into the system.
Step-by-step instructions for removing a cloned application
The process of disabling the clone on Redmi 9 is as simple as possible for developers, you don't have to manually delete files through the explorer, just use the standard application management interface, first open the settings menu and go to the Apps section.
In the list that opens, look for App Cloning, and if you click on it, you'll see a list of all the programs that you can copy, and next to each application, you'll have a switch, and if the clone is active, the switch will be blue or green.
To turn off cloning, just press the switch, and the system will immediately issue a warning window that all data from the cloned application will be deleted, which concerns the history of correspondence, media files and settings saved in the second copy.
☑️ Checklist before removing the clone
Once confirmed, the system will clean the data and remove the label of the second application from the desktop, which takes only a few seconds, and if the switch is not activated or is lit in gray, then the clone is already disabled or not installed.
| Action. | The result | Data security |
|---|---|---|
| Turning off the switch | Removal of the clone | Clone data is being deleted |
| Removal of label | Visual removal only | Data is retained |
| Clearing the data in the settings | Resetting clone settings | The appendix remains |
| Complete uninstallation | Removal of the main and clone | Everything removed. |
It is worth noting that removing the clone does not affect the operation of the main application, all your contacts, correspondence and settings in the main version of WhatsApp or Viber will remain intact.
Removal of labels and residual files
Sometimes, when you turn off the cloning function, you may have a shortcut on your desktop or app menu, which is a visual MIUI bug that can be easily fixed, and just press your finger on the cloned app icon and select "Delete" or drag it to the cart.
If you want to make sure that there is no garbage left in your phone, you can check the storage. Clone apps often create separate folders in the root of internal memory or in the Android/data directory. However, after a regular shutdown through settings, the system usually cleans these directories on its own.
For deep cleaning, you can use the built-in Security app. Run a system scan, and MIUI will prompt you to delete the residual files. Be careful when using third-party cleaners so you don't delete important system logs.
Can a remote clone be restored?
Don’t try to manually delete folders with application names in system directories without understanding their purpose, which can lead to errors in the main application or the operating system itself.
Solving problems when disabling clones
Redmi 9 users sometimes experience a situation where the cloning switch does not respond to pressing or immediately returns to its original position, which can be caused by a freeze in the system process responsible for virtualizing applications, in which case a simple reboot of the device helps.
Another common problem is the error message when you try to delete, which may say that the application is in use at the moment, close all running programs through the multitasking menu (swipe up and hold or menu button) and try again.
If the clone is not deleted due to administrator rights (rarely, but it happens in corporate profiles), check the security settings. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Device administrators and make sure there are no unnecessary active profiles.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone if the settings menu freezes.
- 🛑 Close background processes before removal.
- 📱 Update the Security app and system components through GetApps.
⚠️ Note: If the main application stopped running after removing the clone, try clearing its cache through the application settings, but do not delete the data if you do not want to lose correspondence.
The impact of cloning on Redmi 9 performance
Xiaomi Redmi 9 is based on the Helio G80 processor, which is a robust mid-segment solution. However, running two instances of heavy applications, such as social networks with video content, puts a double load on RAM. In models with 3 or 4 GB of RAM, this can lead to more frequent unloading of background tasks.
When cloning is active, the system reserves some resources to keep the second process running, which can imperceptibly reduce the overall performance of the interface, animations become less smooth, and games can take longer to run.
Disabling unwanted clones is one way to easily optimize a system without using third-party boosters, and you give the system back resources it can direct to more important tasks, especially when you multitask, when you have multiple applications open at the same time.
💡
For maximum performance on Redmi 9, it is recommended to keep 1 GB of RAM free. Regularly close heavy applications that you do not use at the moment.
Double loads on the processor and communication module (if both accounts are actively communicating) can lead to more intense heat generation, disabling the second account helps keep temperatures normal.
Alternative ways to use multiple accounts
If you need to temporarily log in to a second account, but you don't want to keep the clone active all the time, consider alternatives. Many modern instant messengers, such as Telegram and Viber, allow you to add multiple numbers within a single application.
Social networks like Instagram or Facebook also have a feature to switch between accounts without logging out, a more energy-efficient way, since the second full application process does not start.
There are also third-party container apps, like Parallel Space or 2Accounts, which are similar, but often contain more advertising and require additional permissions, and the built-in MIUI tool is safer and more stable.
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Use the built-in multi-account feature inside the app itself, if available, which saves more resources than system cloning.
If you need the second number constantly for work, cloning is justified, but if it is a temporary necessity, you should use the function of switching profiles inside the application.