Many users face the need to use two accounts at the same time on the same social network or messenger, whether it is the separation of personal and work communication, doing business or simply wanting to separate the account for games from the main correspondence. Xiaomi smartphones with the shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS offer built-in tools to solve this problem without the need to install questionable software.
There are several ways to copy an application, each with its own features and limitations, and built-in features are more stable than third-party counterparts because they are deeply integrated into the Android operating system kernel, allowing cloned programs to receive notifications correctly and run in the background.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of bifurcation of applications, you will learn how to set up an isolated environment for the second copy and what are the nuances of working with notifications.
Built-in function Double applications
The easiest and most popular way to run a second copy of the program is to use the standard Dual Applications feature, which is ideal for popular social networks, instant messengers and some banking applications. The system automatically creates a shortcut with a small icon, which allows you to visually distinguish the copy from the original.
To activate the function, you need to go to the smartphone settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same. Find the section responsible for managing programs, and select the desired application from the list of supported ones.
⚠️ Note: not all applications support cloning, and if the program is not listed, the system will not allow you to copy it using this method.
Once you turn on the toggle, a second label will appear on your desktop, and it's important to understand that the cloned application works as a separate process, which means you can independently configure notifications, permissions, and power saving settings for each copy.
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If the shortcut to the second app is gone, check if the clone hiding option is included in the Double App settings.
Cloning is controlled through the Settings menu → Applications → Dual applications. You can create or delete copies, and change the icon to visually distinguish. Some versions of the shell allow you to change not only the icon, but also the name of the folder or shortcut.
Use of the Second Space
A more radical and reliable method is the Second Space function, which, unlike simple cloning, creates a completely isolated environment, like a separate desktop, where you can install any program again, even if it is not supported by a standard cloner.
The second space works as a separate user profile, so you can switch between the main and second spaces with a password, a fingerprint, or a special gesture, and this provides a high level of privacy: the data in the second space is not visible for the most part.
To activate this mode, go to Settings → Second Space and click the Turn on button. The system will suggest setting up the login method. Once you create the space, you will be on a clean desktop where you need to re-enter your Google account and install the necessary applications through Play Market or GetApps.
The advantage of this method is that you have complete independence of your profiles, you can use different wallpapers, different sets of widgets, different system settings, but you have to consider that applications in the second space can consume more resources, because they run in the background in parallel with the main ones.
☑️ Configuring the Second Space
Comparison of cloning techniques
The choice between Dual Apps and Second Space depends on your specific tasks. If you just need to have two WhatsApp or Telegram accounts, the first feature is enough, and if you want complete isolation, for example, for a work phone inside a personal device, you better choose the second space.
Below is a table that helps you decide on the choice of method depending on the requirements for security and functionality.
| Characteristics | Dual annexes | Second space |
|---|---|---|
| Level of isolation | Low (general file system) | High (separate profile) |
| Support for any applications | Only from the system list. | Any applications |
| Battery consumption | Moderate. | High. |
| Confidentiality | Basic | Maximum |
It is important to note that when using Double Applications, files downloaded in a clone are often saved in shared folders or folders with the Clone prefix. In the second space, the file system is completely separated, and access to the main profile files is closed without special permissions.
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For maximum data security, use the Second Space, as it isolates processes and files from the main system profile.
Set up notifications and work in the background
One of the common problems with cloning is not receiving messages in time. MIUI is known for aggressive power optimization, which can kill the background processes of clones. To avoid losing important messages, you need to configure permissions correctly.
Go to the battery settings and find the cloned app. Make sure it has a No Limits mode. This will prevent the system from stopping the program when the screen is off. It's also worth turning on auto-run for mission-critical messengers.
For dual applications, notification settings are in the general notification menu, you can flexibly configure which messages will arrive and which will be blocked, and for the second space, the settings are completely independent and managed within the profile itself.
⚠️ Warning: Enabling the "No Limits" mode increases battery consumption, as the application will be constantly active.
If notifications still don't come, check the settings of the program itself, in some cases you need to manually enable synchronization or background data transfer in the application interface, and also make sure that the Do Not Disturb or Sleep mode that blocks network activity is not turned on.
Third-party cloning solutions
If Xiaomi's built-in capabilities aren't enough, you can use third-party cloners from Google Play. Popular solutions like Parallel Space or Dual Space create a virtual environment for running programs. They're useful when you need to run more than two copies of a single application.
However, the use of such software has its own risks: third-party cloners often require extensive permissions and may contain advertising, and they create an additional layer between the system and the application, which can lead to unstable work and departures.
Safety of third-party cloners
Installing a third-party cloner is simple: download the application, give the necessary permissions and add the necessary programs inside the virtual container.
Note that newer versions of Android and HyperOS are less effective due to enhanced security measures, and Xiaomi’s built-in tools are more stable and faster in most cases.
Frequent problems and their solution
When using two applications on the same device, users may encounter a number of typical problems, most often this concerns version conflict or authorization problems, for example, some services may block the login from a cloned application, considering it suspicious.
If a clone app crashes when it launches, try clearing its cache and data. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, find a clone (usually marked with an icon) and select "Clean." In extreme cases, remove the clone and create it again.
⚠️ Warning: Clearing the cloned application data will delete all correspondence and files inside that copy, but will not affect the main application.
Another problem may be that you can't install updates, and sometimes Play Market or GetApps can't see the cloned version, so you'll have to update the app manually or through the cloner's own settings.
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Regular updates to cloned applications and the MIUI/HyperOS system help avoid conflicts and errors.