Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to use multiple accounts on the same messenger or social network, which may be due to the separation of work and personal communication, the need to maintain a business account, or simply the desire to have a backup profile. Fortunately, in the shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS, this feature is built-in at the system level, which eliminates the installation of third-party software.
App bifurcation is a standard option that allows you to run two independent instances of the same program at the same time. Unlike many other Android smartphones, you don’t have to search for hidden engineering menus or buy paid versions of the software. All the necessary tools are already in the settings menu of your device, whether it’s a budget Redmi or flagship Xiaomi 14.
In this article, we will take a look at how to activate cloning, what limitations are, and how to properly configure notifications for a second copy. You will learn about the nuances of this feature in new firmware versions and understand why sometimes an app icon can disappear after a reboot.
The principle of cloning on MIUI and HyperOS
Technically, the process of creating a copy of an application is not a simple shortcut: Android creates a completely isolated environment for the second instance of the program, which means that the data, cache, settings and authorization in the second copy do not overlap with the main one.
A feature known as App Twin is integrated into the shell core. When you activate a switch for a particular messenger, the system generates a new unique user ID for that copy, which is why you can receive push notifications on both accounts at the same time, even if the main application is closed.
⚠️ Warning: Deleting the main application will automatically remove the cloned version of the app. Always save important data from the second copy before resetting your phone settings.
Not all programs support this feature, but Xiaomi shell developers independently determine the list of compatible software based on the app’s ability to work with multiple accounts, most often messengers and social networks, but some banking applications or games may not be available for cloning.
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Before activating cloning, make sure that the phone has enough free memory, as the second app will take up the same amount of space as the first.
Step-by-step instructions for activating the function
The process of enabling the second copy of the application is as simple as possible and takes no more than a minute. The settings interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic of actions remains the same for all current models. You do not need root rights or a connection to the computer.
To start, open the main settings menu of your smartphone. Find the App section, which is usually located at the top of the list or in the group of main system parameters. In some firmware versions, this item may be called simply “Apps” without additional subcategories on the main settings screen.
Inside the app section, look for App Cloning, and if you click on it, you'll see a list of all the programs that the system allows you to run in the second instance, and next to each compatible app, you'll have a switch switch toggle, and activate it for the messenger you want, like WhatsApp or Telegram.
☑️ Algorithm for incorporating cloning
Once the tumbler is activated, the system will create a copy of the app, which can take a few seconds, and a new icon will appear on the desktop or menu of all programs with a characteristic orange icon or a number "2" in the corner, and this is your second account, ready to set up and log in.
Set up notifications and performance
Once you have created a second copy, it is important to set the notifications correctly to keep important messages out, and by default, the system can apply energy-saving algorithms to cloned applications, considering them to be secondary, which can lead to a delay in the arrival of messages or their complete absence until the program opens.
To avoid messaging problems, go to notification settings for the cloned app. Make sure notification display permissions are activated, and priority display is enabled. In the Battery section for the second app, select No Limits mode so that the system doesn't "sleep" the process.
- 🔔 Open the cloned app settings with a long-term click on the icon.
- 🔔 Go to Notifications and allow all types of notifications.
- 🔔 In the Battery menu, set the mode of operation "Without restrictions».
- 🔔 Check auto-run to let the application run along with the system.
If you use a second account for work where instant response is important, turn off any deep optimization features for it, which ensures that calls through WhatsApp or Telegram are received on time, even if the phone screen is turned off.
Why does the second account drain the battery faster?
Comparison of methods: standard tool against parallel space
Xiaomi users have not only a cloning feature, but also a Second Space mode, two different technologies that are often confused: Cloning creates a copy of a particular application within the current user profile, while Second Space creates a completely separate desktop with its own applications, files and settings, protected by a separate password or fingerprint.
Cloning is ideal if you just need to have two WhatsApps on the same screen. The second space is useful if you want to completely hide the presence of certain apps or files from prying eyes, creating the illusion of another phone.
| Parameter | Cloning of applications | Second space |
|---|---|---|
| Data isolation | Partial (only within the application) | Complete (separate system) |
| Visibility of icons | Seen in the general menu | Hidden in the main space |
| Impact on the battery | Moderate. | High (background profile is working) |
| Difficulty setting up | Low. | Medium |
The choice of method depends on your goals. For most users who want to separate personal and work chats, standard cloning is enough. Second Space Mode is a tool for advanced users who value maximum privacy and are willing to put up with additional resource expenditure.
Solving problems and errors
Despite the debugging of the feature, users can experience various problems. One of the most common problems is the disappearance of the cloned application icon after a system update or reboot. This does not mean that data is lost, most often the failure occurs at the launcher level, which stops displaying the shortcut.
If you find that the second WhatsApp has disappeared from the screen, try to clear the cache of the Security app or the launcher itself. It is also worth checking whether the display of system applications in the desktop settings has been accidentally disabled. In rare cases, re-activating the function helps: turn off cloning in the settings and turn it on again.
⚠️ Note: When the cloning is re-activated, the data in the second copy can be reset. Make sure you have a backup of the chats if possible.
Another problem is authorization in banking applications: Some banks block the entrance if they find that the application is running in a cloned form or on a device with altered access rights, in which case system cloning may not work, and they will have to look for workarounds or put up with using only one account.
Users also sometimes complain about time-dissynchronization in notifications or lack of sound. The solution is often to check the sound settings for the specific notification channel of the cloned application. Make sure that the volume sliders for media and notifications are not set to zero for the second instance of the program.
Data security and confidentiality
Using two accounts on one device increases the risk of information leakage if the phone is taken over by an outsider. Access to a cloned app is not usually protected by an additional password unless you set it up separately. Anyone who unlocks your screen will gain access to a second WhatsApp or Telegram.
To improve security, Xiaomi offers Application Protection, which allows you to set a separate password, pattern lock or fingerprint requirement to run specific programs, and it is recommended to include this option for cloned messengers, especially if they are used for business correspondence.
To activate the protection, go to the Security app (green zipper icon). Find the Application Protection section and activate it. In the list, select cloned versions of programs that should only open after additional verification, which will create a strong barrier between your main profile and the second account.
- 🔒 Open the Security app on the desktop.
- 🔒 Select Application Protection and turn on the switch.
- 🔒 Set a password or link a biometric.
- 🔒 In the “Add” list, select cloned apps.
Remember that cloning does not encrypt data within the app further. If the main Google or Mi Account account is compromised, an attacker could theoretically access backups of both profiles if they sync to the same cloud account.
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App cloning is a handy tool for multitasking, but it doesn’t provide sandbox level isolation. Use Second Space Mode or separate devices to maximize the security of critical data.