Have you ever wondered how to use two WhatsApp, Telegram or Instagram accounts on the same Xiaomi Redmi smartphone at the same time? Being able to create a duplicate app solves this problem — without having to buy a second phone or log out all the time. But how to do it correctly so as not to face errors or data loss?
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to clone applications on Xiaomi devices, from built-in MIUI functions to third-party utilities. We will pay special attention to the nuances for different versions of firmware (MIUI 12/13/14/15) and Redmi models (including Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 10, POCO X5 and others).
Spoiler: On MIUI 14+ devices, the Dual Apps feature is hidden in the back of the settings — it's not in the main menu, but it still works. We'll show you how to find it.
1. Built-in Dual Apps in MIUI: step-by-step instruction
The most reliable and easy way to clone an app on Xiaomi Redmi is to use the built-in Dual Apps feature (also known as App Cloning) that is available on all MIUI devices, but its location varies depending on the firmware version.
On MIUI 14/15, the path to the function became less obvious. Here's how to find it:
- Open the Settings → Applications.
- Tap on Application Management (or All Apps in Older Versions).
- In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) Choose Cloning Apps (or Dual Apps).
- In the list, tick the apps you want to duplicate (for example, WhatsApp, Facebook, Viber).
- Confirm the action with the button Clone.
After that, a second app icon marked Dual (like WhatsApp Dual) will appear on the home screen, both apps running independently, with separate notifications and data.
Make sure your phone has enough free memory (at least 1GB)
Update MIUI to the latest version (check in Settings → About Phone → System Update)
Turn off battery optimization for the cloned app (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization)
Backup important data (in case of failure)
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⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or Redmi 8) Dual Apps can be disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings → Special facilities → Useful functions → Cloning of applications.
2 Parallel Space: a third-party cloning solution
If the built-in Dual Apps feature doesn’t work, or if you want to clone apps that aren’t on its list, use Parallel Space, one of the most popular duplicate apps, and it supports even programs that don’t officially allow cloning (such as some banking apps or games).
How to install and configure Parallel Space:
- 📥 Download the app from Google Play or AppGallery (for devices without Google services).
- 🔓 Provide all necessary permissions (access to memory, notifications, window overlays).
- ➕ Click Add App and select the ones you want to duplicate.
- 🔄 Run Parallel Space and use cloned versions right from its interface.
| Characteristics | Dual Apps (built-in) | Parallel Space |
|---|---|---|
| Support for banking applications | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (with reservations) |
| Working without the Internet | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Requires root rights | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| Impact on productivity | Minimum | Average (depending on model) |
| Support for games | ❌ Limited. | ✅ Yes (but possible lags) |
⚠️ Note: When using Parallel Space on Xiaomi Redmi MIUI 14+ You may have a notification problem. To fix it, go to Settings. → Annexes → Parallel Space → Notifications and enable the option to Show Notifications.
WhatsApp|Telegram|Instagram|Facebook|Other-->
3. Island and Shelter: data-isolated cloning
If you need to not just duplicate an application, but completely isolate its data (for example, to test beta versions or work with sensitive information), use Island or Shelter. These applications create a sandbox, a separate environment where cloned programs work in isolation from the main system.
Features of Island:
- 🔒 Complete data isolation (files, cache, accounts do not overlap with the main system).
- 🛡️ Support for Work Profile (Android for Work) that improves security.
- 📱 Compatible with all Xiaomi Redmi models (including Redmi) K50, Redmi Note 11 Pro).
- ⚙️ Requires activation in Settings → Accounts. → Working profile.
How to set up Island:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Follow the instructions for creating a Work Profile (password/fingerprint confirmation is required).
- In the Apps section, select the ones you want to clone.
- Run them from the Island interface, and they will work in an isolated environment.
Shelter is a simplified, open-source version of Island, which is fine if you don't need advanced features, but privacy is important. Both apps don't require root rights, but you may need to unlock the bootloader to work properly (on some Xiaomi models).
What is a Work Profile?
4.Cloning through ADB: for power users
If you’re ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can clone apps without third-party software, a technique that’s suitable for applications that aren’t supported by Dual Apps, but require a bit of technical skill.
Instructions:
- Turn on Developer Mode on Xiaomi Redmi: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on the MIUI Version until the notification You become a developer appears!. Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.
ADB-tools
Terminal
adb shell pm install -r --user 0 /path/to/app.apk(substitute /path/to/app.apk path APK-file).
adb shell cmd package install-existing --user 0 com.example.app(Replace com.example.app with the batch name of the application).
⚠️ Note: Not all applications can be cloned through ADB. For example, Google Play Services or Xiaomi’s Mi Security (Mi Account) system utilities can block the duplicate, and this method does not create separate notifications for the clone, they will come to the main application.
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To find out the batch name of the application, install App Inspector from Google Play. Open the application you need information about, and copy the value of the Package Name field (for example, com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).
5. Which applications cannot be duplicated (and why)
Not all programs can be cloned on Xiaomi Redmi, some block this feature at the code level, others on security policy.
- 🏦 Banking applications: SberBank Online, Tinkoff, VTB Online, many banks block work in cloned environments due to the risk of fraud.
- 🎮 Protected games: PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, Free Fire Antichits can recognize duplicates as an attempt at multi-accounting.
- 🔐 Two-factor authentication apps: Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator.Cloning can reset tied accounts.
- 📱 Xiaomi system utilities: Mi Account, Mi Security, Theme Store. their duplication often leads to synchronization errors.
If you try to clone such an app, the following problems may occur:
- Automatic logout from the account.
- Device locking (in the case of banking applications).
- Lack of notifications or incorrect work.
- Floating or departures at launch.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global (International Firmware) restrictions on cloning are stricter than on cloning MIUI For example, WhatsApp can work in Dual Apps on the Chinese version, but is blocked on the global version.
6. How to remove the duplicate of the application without consequences
If the cloned application is no longer needed, delete it correctly so as not to leave any junk files.
| Method of cloning | How to remove duplicate | Is there any data left? |
|---|---|---|
| Dual Apps | Go to Settings → Applications → App cloning. Uncheck the unnecessary duplicate. Confirm the deletion. | ❌ No (removed completely) |
| Parallel Space | Open Parallel Space. Hold your finger on the cloned app icon. Choose Delete. | ✅ Yes (remain in Parallel Space memory until you clear the cache) |
| Island/Shelter | Open Island. Go to the Apps. Click on the three dots next to the app and select Delete. | ❌ Not (unless you use backup) |
| ADB | Follow the command: adb uninstall --user 0 com.example.app | ✅ Partially (may remain cache) |
Once the duplicate has been deleted, it is recommended that:
- 🧹 Clear the cache of the main application (Settings) → Annexes → [name] → Clear the cache).
- 🔄 Reboot your phone (especially if you created a duplicate phone through the phone). ADB).
- 📊 Check the free space in memory (Settings) → Warehouse).
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Deleting duplicates through Dual Apps is the cleanest way, as MIUI completely clears all associated data. In the case of Parallel Space or Island, temporary files can remain, which eventually take up space in memory.
7. Frequent errors and how to fix them
When cloning applications on Xiaomi Redmi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:
- 🚫 "Failed to clone the app" (Dual Apps error): Check if the app is supported by Dual Apps (not all programs can be duplicated). MIUI Clear the cache of the Settings. → Annexes → Cloning of applications → Clear the cache.
- 🔔 No notifications are received in the cloned application: Go to Settings → Notifications → [name of the cloned app] and turn on all permissions. For Parallel Space, open its settings and activate Show notifications. Reboot your phone.
- 🔋 Fast battery discharge after cloning: Limit background activity of the duplicate in Settings → Battery → Battery optimization. Turn off auto-update for the cloned app. Use Island instead of Parallel Space, which is less resource-intensive.
- 📱 Duplicate won't open or crashes: Remove and clone the app again. check if there's enough free memory (minimum 500MB). ADB, reinstall APK with the right permissions.
If neither of these methods worked, try an alternative cloning method, for example, if Dual Apps didn't work, use Parallel Space or vice versa.