How to make a duplicate application on Android Xiaomi: all ways

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones offer users unique customization capabilities that go far beyond the standard Android feature set. One of the most sought-after options is the ability to create copies of installed programs, allowing you to use two accounts on the same messenger or social network without having to constantly switch between profiles. This feature is especially relevant for those who share work and personal contacts, but prefer to carry only one device. Smartphone owners often look for ways to make a duplicate of the Android app shaomi to optimize their digital experience.

The MIUI and the new HyperOS ecosystem have several mechanisms to do this, each with its own specifics and limitations. The standard Dual Apps tool is built deep into the system and does not require additional software to be installed at the core level. However, there are more advanced methods, such as creating a second space, that actually emulate the work of a second smartphone within the same case. Understanding the differences between these methods will help you choose the most suitable option for your specific needs.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the available cloning methods, from built-in settings to third-party launchers, why some programs don’t appear in the list of available duplicates, and how to circumvent these limitations, and we will also look at the nuances of notifications and system resource consumption when multiple copies of programs are activated.

Dual Apps built-in in MIUI and HyperOS

The easiest and most reliable way to run the second copy of the program is to use the native shell function called Dual Apps, which is designed by Xiaomi engineers specifically for popular social networks and messengers, ensuring their stable operation and proper integration with the notification system. To activate, go to the device settings menu, where you can find the appropriate control point in the Applications section.

Once enabled, the system will automatically create a shortcut with a small yellow icon that will differ from the original. It is important to understand that Dual Apps do not support all installed programs, but only those that are on a special whitelist of the shell developer. Usually this is WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, Facebook and some Chinese services, but the list can vary depending on the version of MIUI and the firmware region.

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If you don’t see the app you want in the Dual Apps list, try upgrading to the latest version through Google Play Store or Mi GetApps, as support is added regularly.

Working with cloned applications through this method has little impact on the autonomy of the device, since the processes are optimized at the system level. However, it is worth considering that when you remove the main application, its copy will also be erased, so you should be careful before cleaning the memory.

Use Second Space Mode for Total Insulation

If Dual Apps isn’t built-in enough, such as cloning a banking app or game that doesn’t support a multi-account, Second Space creates a completely isolated environment inside the smartphone that is effectively a second user profile with its settings, gallery and Installed Apps list. Switching between the main and second spaces is instantaneous through a password or fingerprint.

Unlike simple duplication, Second Space requires separate authorization in a Google or Mi Account, which provides a high level of data privacy.This is the ideal solution for those who want to hide certain applications from prying eyes or separate working and personal files at the file system level. Activation is done through the Settings path → Second space → Enable, after which the system will suggest setting up the login method.

Using a second space can consume more RAM, as background processes in an isolated environment are not always optimized as aggressively as in the main profile. However, for tasks requiring maximum security or running programs that do not support standard cloning, this is the only sure way. You can transfer files between spaces, but direct access to contacts and calls will be limited by privacy settings.

Cloning for different versions of MIUI

The interface and settings can vary significantly depending on the version of the installed firmware MIUI or HyperOS. In older versions of the shell, such as MIUI 11 or MIUI 12, the function was often in the Advanced Settings section, while in MIUI 13 and 14 it was moved directly to the application menu. Users of new devices with HyperOS should look for an option in the category Applications → Dual applications, where the interface has become more minimalistic.

In some regional versions of firmware (e.g. Global ROM vs. China ROM), the list of supported programs may differ. Chinese versions of shells often have a more expanded list of services available for cloning, including local social networks and games. If you own a global version but need to clone a specific application, changing the region in the settings of Additional → Region sometimes helps, although this does not always work.

When you upgrade to a new major version, the cloning settings may reset and the function will need to be re-activated for each application.This is standard security behavior that ensures that new permissions and privacy policies are applied correctly.

Third-party solutions and clone applications

When built-in tools are not enough, third-party apps from the Google Play Store, such as Parallel Space, 2Accounts or Multiple Accounts, come to the rescue, creating a virtual sandbox environment within which you can run additional copies of any installed programs, even those that are not supported by Xiaomi system cloning, and emulate the Android environment within a single window.

The main disadvantage of using third-party cloners is the increased consumption of resources and the availability of advertising in free versions, which require extensive permissions to access data, which can raise questions from the point of view of the security of personal information, especially when working with banking applications.

Installing these programs requires careful adjustment of battery resolutions so that MIUI does not shut down their background processes. You must manually disable the energy saving for the clone application by setting the mode of operation No restrictions on the battery menu, only in this case notifications from cloned applications will arrive in a timely and without delay.

Problems with notifications and their resolution

One of the most common problems with using duplicate applications on Xiaomi is the late receipt of notifications or their complete absence. The aggressive energy saving system MIUI often “kills” the background processes of cloned applications, considering them to be secondary. To fix this, you need to go to the battery settings of a particular cloned application and select the mode of operation No restrictions.

It is also important to check the notification settings in the clone itself, as they can be disabled by default when creating a take.In some versions of the shell, there is a separate switch to display the icon on the clone, which allows you to visually distinguish messages from the main and secondary accounts. If the icon does not appear, try restarting the device after setting up.

⚠️ Attention: When activating too many cloned applications and enabling high performance mode, the smartphone’s operating time from one charge can be reduced by a factor of two. 15-20%.

For critical messages, it is recommended to enable auto-run for cloned applications, this is done through the application Security → Permissions → Auto-Run. This measure ensures that the process will start immediately after the phone is turned on and will not be stopped by the system until the moment you first interact with it.

Technical limitations and compatibility

Not all applications can be successfully cloned due to technical limitations of the Android operating system itself or developer security policies. Banking applications, high-security services and some corporate clients often block the launch in Dual Apps or Second Space, detecting the virtual environment.

Online gaming can also have limitations: some anti-cheaters view running in a cloned environment as an attempt to use third-party software to gain an advantage, which can lead to a temporary locking of the account in the game.

Also, it is worth considering that cloned applications take up additional space in the memory of the device. Cache, media files and data of two accounts are added together, which on devices with a small amount of internal memory can be critical. Regular cleaning of the cache will help to maintain high-speed system performance.

Removal and management of cloned applications

The cloned application is removed separately from the main one. You can delete the take by leaving the original, or vice versa. You just need to pinch the cloned application icon (which is usually marked with a special icon) and select Delete. Dual Apps also have a general list where you can massively control active clones.

When you delete the main application, the clone created through the system function will also be deleted automatically. This behavior of the system cannot be changed, so if you need to save the data of the additional account, first back up or transfer the data to the cloud. Applications created through Second Space are deleted independently from each other.

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System cloning is linked to the life cycle of the main application: no original, no copy.

To completely remove all cloning traces, including Second Space data, you need to use the corresponding item in the settings menu of the second space. Simply removing the label from the desktop will not be enough, since the data will remain in the hidden partition of the device’s memory.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)