Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often face the need to use two different accounts in the same app, especially for instant messengers that need to separate personal and work contacts, or for gaming accounts that can not be combined into one profile. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and its modern version of HyperOS offer built-in tools to solve this problem without requiring the installation of dubious software.
Creating a copy of the program allows you to run two independent instances at the same time, you can receive notifications from both accounts, use different audio settings, and even assign them different Internet access profiles. Cloning works at the system level, which ensures stability and minimal resource consumption compared to third-party counterparts.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to activate the cloning function, which applications support this ability out of the box, and what to do if the desired program is not on the list, and we will also discuss the issues of safety and battery optimization when using duplicates.
Built-in function "Cloning applications"
The main tool for creating copies in Xiaomi smartphones is called App Cloning. This feature is built directly into the shell. MIUI And HyperOS, which makes it the most reliable way to split programs. → Annexes → Cloning of applications.
Once you log in, you'll see a list of supported programs, which is usually where the popular messengers and social networks are located, and it can determine which apps can be cloned based on their structure and the ability to run in multiple instances, and if you don't find the right program on the list, there are workarounds that we'll talk about below.
⚠️ Note: When you delete the cloned application, all data accumulated in the second copy (correspondence, photos, cache) will be irretrievably lost.
It's important to understand that cloning creates a virtually independent container, which means that notifications, permissions, and battery settings for the clone are set separately, so you can deny the clone access to geolocation by keeping it with the original, or vice versa.
Step-by-step instructions for activating the double
The process of making a copy is as simple as possible for the interface developers, so you don't need root rights or a computer connection, all of the activities are done through the smartphone's GUI in seconds.
First, open your device settings and find the partition that manages programs. Depending on the firmware version, the path may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same. Once you select the right application, the system automatically creates a shortcut on the desktop with a distinctive icon that distinguishes it from the original.
Once the slider is activated, the system can request confirmation of the action. Click OK or Create. In a few seconds, the second app icon will appear on the desktop. The clone icon usually displays a small icon or tag indicating that it is a copy.
Now you can run a clone and log in using a second phone number or account, and both apps will work independently, and you can even assign them different themes if you use third-party launchers or MIUI themes.
Working with WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber
The most common scenario for using cloning is messengers. Xiaomi owners appreciate the ability to have two WhatsApp or two Telegrams on a single device without having to constantly switch between SIM cards or use flight mode.
For WhatsApp, cloning works perfectly, so you can set different notification sounds for your primary and cloned account, which helps you instantly know where the message came from, and you can set up a separate camera and microphone access for each instance in the privacy section.
In the case of Telegram, the situation is more interesting: the official Telegram client already supports adding multiple accounts within the same application, but cloning is still useful if you want to separate work chats and personal chats into completely isolated spaces, or if you use modified versions of the client.
| Annex | Support for cloning | Features of work |
|---|---|---|
| Complete. | Separate notifications, independent entry | |
| Telegram | Complete. | Duplication of functions within the application itself |
| Viber | Complete. | Requires a separate phone number |
| Complete. | Convenient for separating personal and business pages |
And not to forget Viber and other popular communication platforms, which are cloned in the same way as the ones described above, but the main requirement is that you have a second SIM card or a virtual number to receive. SMS-login.
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For cloned messengers, it is recommended to manually set notification priority so that important work messages are not lost in the overall stream.
Cloning of applications not listed
Often users want to clone applications that are not on the standard MIUI list, such as banking clients, games or specific utilities. For such cases, Xiaomi has a hidden or advanced feature that allows you to add the program manually.
At the bottom of the App Cloning screen (or in the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, depending on the Android version), you can find the Add App option, and if you click on it, you will see a complete list of all installed programs, even those that the system does not consider social networks.
However, not all applications are capable of running properly in clone mode; some banking applications may block startups if they detect that they are running in a cloned environment, considering this as an attempt to hack or work on a rooted device.
⚠️ Cloning of banking applications may result in blocking access by the bank’s security service, and use this feature with caution and only if you understand the risks.
If you can’t add the program using standard means, you can use an alternative method through the “Second Space”, but this is a more complex procedure that requires creating a separate user profile with its own data and settings.
Second Space as an Alternative
Second Space is a deeper level of separation, and it creates a virtually new smartphone inside your phone, a separate desktop, a separate gallery, separate settings, and Google/Xiaomi accounts.
Unlike simple cloning, Second Space allows you to re-install the app as if it were a clean device, ideal for games where developers are not allowed to multi-account, or for complete data isolation, and you can switch between spaces through a password, fingerprint or special widget.
The Second Space takes longer to create and requires additional customization, and you’ll have to re-sign in to Google Play if you want to download apps to the second space, although file sharing between spaces is possible.