How to run two Watsaps on Xiaomi: official and hidden methods

Using two WhatsApp accounts on a Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge for those who share business and personal contacts, manage multiple business profiles, or simply want to keep privacy. Unlike the iPhone, where this feature requires workarounds, devices on MIUI offer several built-in and third-party solutions at once. However, not all methods are equally reliable: some can lead to a ban of an account due to a violation of WhatsApp policy, and others to slow down the phone.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to install a second WhatsApp on Xiaomi Redmi, Poco, Mi and other models, including official cloning through Settings. → Annexes → Dual apps, using Parallel Space, signing up via WhatsApp Business, and little-known tricks with the help of the company ADB We'll focus on the risks of each method and the nuances of the different versions. MIUI (12 to 15).

Official cloning through “Dual Annexes” (MIUI 12–15)

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in MIUI feature, which allows you to create clones of supported applications, which works on most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Poco X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12 and later.

To activate the second WhatsApp:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Double Apps.
2. Find in the WhatsApp list and turn on the switch next to it.
3. On the home screen, a new WhatsApp icon will appear marked “Double” (or a two-layer icon).
4. Launch a cloned app and register a second account with a different phone number.

⚠️ Important: Dual Apps may be hidden on some firmware. If it's not on the menu, try it:

• 🔍 Enter the search for settings request "clone" or "duplicate».
• 📱 Update MIUI Up to the latest version (in old builds, the function was called the "Second Space»).
• 🔧 Reset application settings through Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting application settings.

Make sure your phone has enough memory (at least 1GB free)

Use the second. SIM-card or virtual number for registration

Turn off battery optimization for WhatsApp in settings

Create a backup of chats in your main account-->

2. WhatsApp Business as a second account

If you don't want a full clone, but you just need to separate your personal and work chats, you can install WhatsApp Business, which is Meta's official app that allows you to manage your business profile separately from your personal one, and supports all the features of standard WhatsApp, including calls, stickers, and group chats.

Instructions:

1. Download WhatsApp Business from Google Play.
2. Register with another phone number (you can use a virtual phone number via TextNow or Google Voice).
3. Set up a business profile: add a logo, description and opening hours (this is optional, but useful for splitting accounts).

🔹 Pros of the method:

• 🔒 Full legality – does not violate WhatsApp’s rules.
• 📱 No need for root or third-party utilities.
• 🔄 Automatic backup of chats in Google Drive.

⚠️ Limitations:

⚠️ Note: WhatsApp Business does not support simultaneous login from the same number to both apps.If you try to use the same number for your personal and business account, the first one will be automatically logged off.

Official cloning at MIUI

WhatsApp Business

Parallel Space or Island

ADB-team

None of the above.-->

3. Parallel Space and similar applications

If your version of MIUI does not have the dual apps feature, you can use third-party cloning utilities like Parallel Space, Island or 2Accounts, which create an isolated virtual space where you can run a second instance of WhatsApp.

The following is a step-by-step guide for Parallel Space:

1. Install Parallel Space from Google Play.
2. Open the app and add WhatsApp to the list of cloned (click + and select messenger).
3. Launch a cloned WhatsApp from the Parallel Space interface and register a second account.

📊 Comparison of popular utilities for cloning:

⚠️ Warning:

⚠️ Note: When using Parallel Space or similar utilities, WhatsApp may block your account if it detects suspicious activity (such as frequent device changes or other suspicious activity). IP). To reduce the risk, avoid sending spam and mass mailings from the second account.

💡

If Parallel Space is slowing down your phone, try turning off the Acceleration option and reducing the number of cloned apps to 1-2.

4. Create a second user in Android (without root)

A lesser-known but effective way is to take advantage of Android’s built-in multiple user profiles feature, which allows you to isolate the data of two WhatsApp accounts at the system level without having to clone, a method that works on all Xiaomi Android 9+ users.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → System → Additional → Multiple users.
2. Click Add User and follow the instructions (you will need to set up a new profile for a new device).
3. After creation, switch to the second user via the notification panel (the person icon in the upper right corner).
4. In the new profile, install WhatsApp and sign up with a different number.

🔹 Advantages:

• 🛡️ Complete data isolation – chats and files do not overlap.
• 📱 No additional applications are required.
• 🔄 You can switch between profiles quickly.

⚠️ Deficiencies:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption (both profiles work in parallel).
• 📱 You need to update the applications separately in each profile.
• 📵 Notifications from the second profile may not appear on the home screen.

5. Install a second WhatsApp via ADB (for experienced)

For users willing to work with ADB, there is a way to install a second WhatsApp without cloning.This method is suitable for Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader or root, but can work on standard firmware.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then return to Additional → For Developers).
2. Download ADB Tools and open the command line in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Run the command to create a second user: adb shell pm create-user --profileOf 0 --managed WhatsApp2
4. Install WhatsApp in the new space: adb install --user 10 com.whatsapp.apk (where 10 is the ID of the second user, may differ).

⚠️ Risks of the method:

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause system failure or data loss.Before experimenting, back up through Settings → System system → Also note that WhatsApp can block your account if you find a non-standard installation.

🔹 When is it worth using this method?

• 🔧 If other methods do not work (for example, on custom firmware).
• 📱 If you need more than 2 WhatsApp accounts.
• 🛠️ If you are a user and ready for possible bugs.

💡

The ADB method is the most flexible, but also the most risky, and only use it if other options are not available or suitable.

6. Virtual Machines and Cloud Solutions

If you need to use a second WhatsApp temporarily (for example, for testing or a one-time task), you can do without installing it on the main device.

• 🖥️ Android emulators (such as BlueStacks or Genymotion) – let you run WhatsApp on a PC with a separate number.
• ☁️ Cloud phones (such as BrowserStack or AWS Device Farm – renting a virtual device with WhatsApp preinstalled.
• 📱 The second phone on the same device (via the VMOS or X8 Sandbox – Creating a full-fledged virtual OS inside Xiaomi.

🔹 The advantages of virtual solutions:

• 🔒 Complete isolation from the main account.
• 📱 No risk of ban for cloning.
• 🔄 You can quickly remove the virtual machine after use.

⚠️ Cons:

• 🐢 Low performance (depending on the power of the phone).
• 💰 Some services are paid (for example, AWS Device Farm).
• 📶 A stable internet connection is required.

📌 Tip: Use WhatsApp to test your second account without risk VMOS — It is a free Google Play app that emulates the full Android inside your Xiaomi.

FAQ: Frequent questions about two WhatsApps on Xiaomi