How to make a duplicate WhatsApp on your Xiaomi phone: all working ways

Creating a second WhatsApp account on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge faced by users who want to share personal and work correspondence, manage multiple numbers or test business functions of the messenger. Unlike other brands, Redmi, POCO or Mi phones offer several built-in tools for cloning applications, but each of them has nuances. For example, the Dual Apps feature in MIUI does not work with all versions of WhatsApp, and third-party launchers like Parallel Space can conflict with system updates.

In this article, we will analyze 3 current ways to create a duplicate WhatsApp on Xiaomi (including models 2023-2026 on MIUI 14/15), compare them in terms of reliability and impact on performance, and warn against the typical errors that the messenger blocks accounts.

1. Built-in Dual Apps feature in MIUI: pros and cons

The most obvious way to clone WhatsApp on Xiaomi is to use the proprietary Dual Apps feature (aka “Dual Apps”), which is available on all devices with MIUI 9 and newer, but it depends on the firmware version and smartphone model. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with MIUI 15, the feature supports up to 32 duplicate applications, and on the budget POCO M5 – only 8.

To activate Dual Apps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Double Apps.
2. Find in the WhatsApp list and turn on the switch next to it.
3. Confirm the creation of a duplicate - a second icon will appear on the desktop marked "Double".
4. Run a duplicate and go through the standard registration with a new phone number.

⚠️ Note: Dual Apps creates a full copy of the application, but with limitations:

• 📱 Does not work with WhatsApp Business – only with the regular version of the messenger.
• 🔄 The duplicate updates with the original app, but sometimes requires manual reboot after updates.
• 📶 On some models (Redmi) 10A, POCO X3 NFC) function may be disabled after resetting settings.

2 Parallel Space: a third-party launcher for cloning

If Dual Apps is not available (for example, on custom firmware devices) or does not support WhatsApp Business, the alternative will be the Parallel Space application. This launcher creates an isolated sandbox in which you can run copies of any application, including instant messengers. The advantage of the method is support for multiple duplicates (up to 4 pieces in the free version) and compatibility with even outdated Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi 5 Plus).

Instructions for setting:

• 📥 Install Parallel Space from Google Play (or AppGallery for devices without Google services).
• 🔓 Give the app the rights to Overlay over other windows and Access notifications (in phone security settings).
• 📋 In the main menu of Parallel Space click "+" and select WhatsApp.
• 🔄 Wait for a copy to be created (it can take up to 2 minutes) and run it.

⚠️ Parallel Space has critical flaws:

• 🐢 Slows down your phone by 15-20% (Snapdragon test) 732G), As it launches a virtual machine.
• 🚫 Some banks and messengers (such as Telegram with secret chats) block the entrance from Parallel Space for security reasons.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI The launcher may require reconfiguration of rights.

3 Multi-User: a radical but reliable method

A little-known way to run the second WhatsApp is to use the Multi-User feature (or Second Space in newer versions of MIUI), which creates a completely isolated profile on the phone with separate apps, settings, and even a desktop, and the advantage over Parallel Space is that there is no performance loss, since the system does not emulate the virtual environment.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Multi-Users (on MIUI 15, the path may differ: Settings → Accounts → Second Space).
2. Click Add User and follow the instructions (you will need to specify a profile name and password).
3. After creating a profile, switch to it through the notification panel (user icon).
4. In the new profile, install WhatsApp as usual and register a second number.

⚠️ Note: The method has nuances:

• 📵 Does not work on devices with unlocked bootloader (bootloader) – the system blocks the function.
• 📱 Applications from the main profile are not duplicated automatically – they must be installed again.
• 🔋 Battery consumption increases by 5-10% as the system supports two profiles simultaneously.

4. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To determine the method of cloning WhatsApp, compare the key parameters in the table:

🔹 Bottom Line: For most users, Xiaomi is optimal for Dual Apps – it’s simple, secure and doesn’t require third-party apps. Parallel Space is suitable for those who need more than two copies or support for WhatsApp Business, but have to put up with the brakes. Multi-users are an option for experienced users who are ready to spend time on setting up.

💡

If you switch between accounts frequently, add the Dual Apps widget to your desktop: long-press on the screen → Widgets → Dual apps. This will speed up access to the duplicate.

5. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When creating a duplicate WhatsApp, Xiaomi users often face problems that lead to account locking or crashes, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

Error 1: “WhatsApp cannot verify the phone number” when registering for a duplicate.

• 📞 Reason: The number is already linked to another account or blocked.
• 🔧 Solution: Use a new number or wait until it unlocks (usually 12-24 hours). If it's new, check if the phone has a restriction on the number. SMS (For example, in the settings → SIM-map → Limitations).

Error 2: WhatsApp’s duplicate is not updated via Google Play.

• 🔄 Dual Apps or Parallel Space are blocking automatic updates.
• 🔧 Solution: Update the original app and then manually restart the duplicate. Parallel Space allows you to enable auto-updates in the launcher settings.

Error 3: Notifications only come to the original app.

• 🔔 Reason: In the notification settings, the duplicate is disabled.
• 🔧 Solution: Go to Settings → Notifications → WhatsApp (Double) and enable all permissions.

💡

Never use modified versions of WhatsApp (GBWhatsApp, FMWhatsApp) on Xiaomi – they violate the messenger policy and are guaranteed to lead to a ban within 1-3 weeks. Official duplicates through Dual Apps or Parallel Space are safe, as long as you do not violate the rules (for example, do not send spam).

6. Alternative solutions: when a duplicate is not needed

Before you create a second WhatsApp account, consider whether it is really necessary, and in some cases, the problem can be solved more easily:

• 📌 Use WhatsApp Web on your computer – this will separate personal and work chats without duplicate on your phone.
• 📱 For the second number: Set up call forwarding and SMS to the main number through the operator (the service is usually free of charge).
• 🔄 Use the Beta version of WhatsApp (available by invitation) – it supports multi-account in one application (a feature in the testing phase).

If a duplicate is still necessary, but none of the methods described is suitable (for example, on devices with MIUI for Russia, where some functions are disabled), consider buying a low-cost second Xiaomi phone (for example, Redmi A2+ for 6-8 thousand rubles), this is a radical but reliable solution for business problems.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the duplicate WhatsApp on Xiaomi