How to make a duplicate application on Xiaomi: official and hidden methods

Why You Need a Duplicate App on Xiaomi and When It’s Safe

Duplicating an app on Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco smartphones is not just a whim, it’s a real necessity for many users. Imagine if you have to use two WhatsApp accounts (working and personal), Telegram with different numbers, or even two accounts in the same game, which is not something that standard Android settings allow — but the manufacturer has provided several legal ways to circumvent this restriction.

But it’s not that simple: Cloning apps can lead to cache conflicts, increased battery consumption, and even account locks on some services (such as banking apps or messengers with strict security policies). In this article, we will analyze three proven methods for creating a double - from the built-in Parallel Apps feature to hidden features. MIUI, We will also tell you which applications are categorically not duplicated and why.

Important: All of the methods described below work on shell devices MIUI 12–14 (including HyperOS). If you have an older firmware version, update your system first through Settings. → The phone. → Update MIUI.

Method 1: Parallel Apps – official cloner from Xiaomi

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in Parallel Apps feature (in some versions). MIUI It is available on all modern Xiaomi devices without root rights and does not require the installation of third-party software. The main limitation is that not all applications are supported (the list depends on the model and the firmware region).

To activate the duplicate:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Double Apps.
2. In the list, find the app you want (like WhatsApp or Facebook) and turn on the switch next to it.
3. Confirm the creation of the double - a new icon with an icon will appear on the desktop ⧉ (two-arrow).
4. Start a duplicate and log in to another account.

Note that some applications (such as Google Pay or SberBank Online) may block work in duplicate mode due to security policies. Parallel Apps also consumes 15-30% more RAM than the original application – this should be considered by owners of devices with 4-6 GB of RAM.

Check the list of supported applications in the settings

Free at least 500 MB of memory on the device

Disable battery optimization for a duplicate application

Synchronize contacts (if you clone the messenger)-->

Method 2: Second Space – a full-fledged “double” of the system

If you need to not just duplicate one app, but create a completely isolated environment with separate settings, accounts and even wallpaper, use Second Space, which is the equivalent of guest mode in Windows, but with the ability to quickly switch between profiles.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Second screen (on some models, the path may differ: Settings) → Accounts. → Second space).
2. Click Create a second space and follow the instructions (you will need to create a password to switch).
3. Once created, restart the device and select the desired space when turned on (or switch through the notification bar).
4. In the second space, install the same apps as you would normally do, but with other accounts.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Complete data isolation – applications from different spaces don’t ‘see’ each other.
• 📱 The ability to use different wallpapers, themes and even a version MIUI (Update the spaces separately).
• 🔄 Quick switching through gesture (on some models – swipe on the fingerprint sensor).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ It takes up to 2-3 GB of additional disk space (depending on the number of installed applications).
• ⏳ When switching spaces, the device can slow down (especially on budget Redmi models).
• 🚫 Some system functions (e.g. Game Turbo) only work in the main space.

Parallel Apps (Dual Apps)|Second Space (Second Space)|Side launchers (e.g. Island)|I don't use duplicates.-->

Method 3: Party launchers and utilities for advanced users

If integrated functions MIUI You don't like it (for example, you need to clone an application that is not in the Parallel Apps list), you can use third-party solutions:

To install most of these applications will require:

1. Allow installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications).
2. Download APK from the official website of the developer (not from third-party stores!).
3. At the first run, provide all requested permissions (especially access to the Overlay and Special Features).

⚠️ Note: Parallel Space applications may be suspicious of anti-cheat games (e.g., in games). PUBG Use them at your own risk - an account can be banned for "multiple login».

What applications can not be duplicated and why

Not all programs tolerate cloning well, but here is a list of applications that are highly discouraged from being duplicated:

• 🏦 Banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff, Alfa-Click) – can block an account for “suspicious login».
• 💳 Payment systems (Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay) – a duplicate will lead to the reset of tied cards.
• 🎮 Anticheat games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Mobile – High Risk Ban.
• 🔐 Google Authenticator (Microsoft Authenticator) – clones can disrupt code synchronization.
• 📱 System utilities (Settings, Phone, Messages) – duplication will lead to conflicts.

Also, avoid cloning applications that:

• Use it. DRM-protection (e.g. Netflix, Disney)+ — They may not be running in a duplicate environment).
• Require permanent geolocation (Yandex.Navigator, Google Maps – in a clone) GPS may not work properly).
• Synchronize with wearable devices (Mi Fit, Zepp - a duplicate will knock the connection with the fitness bracelet).

⚠️ Note: If you use a corporate phone with politicians MDM (For example, through Microsoft Intune, app cloning can violate company security rules, and in some cases, it can lead to not only locking the device, but also disciplinary action.

How to remove duplicate applications without consequences

If the duplicate application is no longer needed, you need to delete it correctly, otherwise there may be junk files in the system that will consume space and slow down the smartphone.

For Parallel Apps:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Double Apps.
2. Find an unnecessary duplicate and turn off the switch.
3. Confirm the removal – the icon from the desktop will disappear automatically.
4. Clear the cache of the original application (Settings) → Annexes → [name] → Clear the cache).

For Second Space:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Second screen.
2. Select Remove the Second Space.
3. Confirm the action – all data and applications from the take will be erased irrevocably.

For third-party launchers (such as Island or Parallel Space):

1. Open the launcher app and find the Clone Management section.
2. Select an unnecessary duplicate and click Remove.
3. Remove the launcher app itself if you no longer plan to use it.
4. Optimize the system through Settings → The phone. → Optimization.

After removing the take, it is recommended to restart the device - this will help the system free up the occupied resources.

💡

If after removing the duplicate, the original application began to work unstable (flys out, does not open), try to clear its data: → Annexes → [name] → Warehouse → Clear the data. Please note that this will remove all local settings (for example, chat history in instant messengers).

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

When cloning applications, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

If none of these methods worked, try:

• 🔄 Reset the application settings (Settings) → Annexes → [name] → Reset the settings).
• 📱 Update MIUI Up to the latest version (sometimes bugs are fixed in new builds).
• 💬 Write in support of Xiaomi through the official chat (specify the device model and firmware version).

💡

If the duplicate application stopped working after the update MIUI, Try to roll back the system to the previous version through Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI → Three points. → Select the update package (you will need to download the old firmware manually).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions