Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often face the need to use two accounts in the same app, for example, to separate work and personal space in instant messengers. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS have powerful built-in tools that allow you to create copies of programs without the need to install questionable software. Application bifurcation is a regular feature that works stably and does not require superuser rights or complex system configuration.
The cloning process takes only a few seconds and is available immediately after unpacking the device. Unlike many competitors, the Chinese manufacturer has implemented this option deep into the system settings, ensuring maximum compatibility with popular social networks and instant messengers. Below we will discuss in detail how to activate this feature, what restrictions are there and what to do if the desired program is not in the list of supported.
It is worth noting that two copies of one application require a sufficient amount of free RAM to work correctly. System resources are consumed proportionally to the number of processes running, so on budget models with 3-4 GB of RAM, the background work of two heavy messengers can affect autonomy. However, for most users, this compromise is justified for the sake of convenience.
The standard cloning function in MIUI and HyperOS
The main method of activating the second copy of the application is hidden in the special features menu of the system. To access it, you need to go to the Settings section, then select the App item and find the option Cloning applications (in some versions of the firmware it can be called Dual applications), This is where the switch for all supported programs installed on your device is located.
Once you log in, you'll see a list of all the social networks and messengers that the system can duplicate, usually WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, Instagram and popular Chinese services like WeChat, activated by simply clicking on a slider opposite the name you want, and automatically label the second copy on your desktop by adding a yellow chain or second circle icon to the icon.
It’s important to understand that a cloned application works as a completely independent process, which means you can set up separate notifications, permissions, and even fingerprint or Face ID logins for it, as long as the feature is supported by a particular messenger. The second copy of the application stores its data separately, so leaving the account in the main version will not affect the clone.
The configuration interface may vary slightly depending on the shell version. In older versions of MIUI 12 and MIUI 13, the path might have looked different, but the logic of the work remained the same. If you upgraded to HyperOS, the cloning settings icon can be taken to a separate menu or integrated into the general application management section for better ergonomics.
Step-by-step instructions for activating the second copy
For those who prefer to act consistently, we have prepared a detailed algorithm of actions. Follow these steps to create a duplicate of the desired program without errors. Make sure that the original application has already been installed and at least once launched for initial configuration.
- 📱 Open the main menu of your smartphone settings and scroll to the section "Apps».
- 🔍 Find and click on “Cloning Apps” or “Dual Apps” in the list of special features.
- ✅ In the list that opens, find the desired program (for example, WhatsApp) and activate the switch to the right of its name.
- 🏠 Return to your desktop and find a new label marked “2” or a cloning icon.
After doing this, a second icon will appear on the screen, and when you first start up, the system can request additional permissions similar to those required for the main application, but data privacy is not affected, since both copies are isolated from each other at the Android file system level.
☑️ Pre-cloning testing
If you don't see a second icon on your desktop after activation, try restarting the device. Sometimes it takes time for the launcher to index the new shortcut. Also check if the icon is hidden in folders or other desktop pages, as the system can place it automatically next to the original.
What to do if the application is not on the list
Xiaomi’s built-in functionality doesn’t support all existing applications. The list of compatible programs is created by shell developers and may not include some banking applications, less popular messengers or specific utilities. If you didn’t find the right program in the cloning menu, this does not mean that you can not run two accounts.
In such cases, third-party solutions come to the rescue, which create a virtual environment within the main application, 2Accounts And Multiple Accounts, which emulates the Android environment inside of itself, allowing you to run any kind of system. APK-file.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party cloners can lead to increased battery consumption and reduced performance, as they consume additional system resources to emulate the environment.
To install an alternative method, download the selected application from the official Google Play store. After installation, launch it and follow the instructions on the screen: the program will scan the device itself and suggest creating clones for all the applications found. Data security in third-party utilities depends entirely on the developer of this software, so use only verified names.
Why do some banking apps block cloning?
Comparison of methods: built-in against third-party
The choice between native MIUI/HyperOS and third-party utilities depends on your needs. The built-in method is almost perfect: it is integrated into the system, does not consume excess battery and works steadily. Third-party applications are a crutch that is necessary only when the usual means of solving a problem can not be solved.
Below is a comparison table that will help you decide on the choice of cloning method depending on your situation and system requirements.
| Characteristics | Built-in MIUI function | Third-party applications (Parallel Space) |
|---|---|---|
| Stability of work | Tall. | Medium |
| Battery consumption | Minimum | High-pitched |
| Support for all applications | Only the elect. | Almost everyone. |
| Impact on the system | Absent. | Notable. |
As you can see from the table, the optimization of the built-in method is much higher. Third-party programs often contain advertising, require a lot of permissions and can slow down the smartphone as a whole. So if your application is supported natively, always choose the standard path through the settings.
Problems with notifications and their resolution
One of the common problems with using two copies of messengers is the incorrect operation of notifications. The second application may not send messages in the background or do it with a delay.This is due to the aggressive policy of energy saving Android and Xiaomi shells, which seek to “sleep” background processes to save charge.
To fix this, you need to manually configure the power saving settings for the cloned application. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the clone (it can be listed as “2” or “Clone”) and select “Saving Charge”. Set the value No restrictions.
💡
For guaranteed notifications, also allow the app to auto-run in the “Permissions” menu → “Auto-Run”.
Also check the notification settings in the Notifications section for this app. Make sure the Allow Notifications switch is active, and options like Lock Screen and Status Bar are enabled.
Effects of cloning on productivity and battery
Running two instances of a heavy app like Telegram or Viber inevitably increases the workload on the processor and RAM. If the messenger normally consumes about 150 MB of RAM, two copies will take 300 MB or more, not counting the system’s overhead for process management.
⚠️ Warning: On 3GB RAM devices, less active use of two heavy applications at the same time can lead to periodic reboots or resets of background tasks.
Users may notice faster battery discharge, especially if both apps are actively using the Internet connection and GPS. Background activity doubles, which makes the modem and processor work harder. On modern models with batteries from 5000 mAh, this effect is less noticeable, but on older devices the difference can be up to 15-20% of battery life.
💡
Cloning applications is a convenient tool, but on weak devices it can cause a decrease in overall system performance.
To minimize the negative impact, it is recommended to regularly clean the cache of cloned applications and close them if they are not in use for a long time. It is also useful to turn off unnecessary animations and visuals in the developer settings to make the interface work easier.