Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often face the need to use two accounts in the same instant messenger, which may be due to the desire to separate work from personal correspondence, or the need to manage multiple game profiles. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS provide built-in tools to solve this problem without installing third-party software.
The cloning function works at a system level, which ensures stability and minimal resource consumption. You do not need to look for dubious programs on Google Play that can steal data. The built-in mechanism allows you to create a full copy of the selected software that will work as an independent process with its own data and cache.
In this article, we will discuss the algorithm for activating twins, discuss the limitations, and answer frequently asked questions, which applications support cloning and what to do if the desired program is not on the list of system options.
What is App Cloning and How Does It Work
The technology of copying programs in Xiaomi smartphones is implemented through the mechanism of isolated containers. When you activate the twin function, the system creates a virtual space that simulates a separate device for the selected software, which allows you to install and run the second version of the program using the same system libraries, but with a unique user ID.
The main advantage of this approach is that it's completely data independent, and notifications from both accounts will come in real time, so you can switch between them quickly, and it's important to understand that the cloned instance consumes additional RAM, because it's actually a running background process.
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For stable operation of two accounts in the background, it is recommended not to clear aggressively memory through a standard cleaner, so that the system does not "kill" the background process of the twin.
It's worth noting that not all software is clonable, usually social media, messengers and popular online games, and that system utilities and banking software are generally protected from replication for security reasons.
Preparation of the smartphone for the installation of twins
Before you start setting up, make sure your device is ready to work with multiple profiles. First, check the operating system version. The feature is available on all current versions of MIUI (starting with version 9) and HyperOS. If you have a very old smartphone, some options may be missing or otherwise called.
Make sure the device is on the Internet. Although the feature itself works offline, initial configuration or update of service components may require a connection, and it is also advisable to have free space in internal memory, especially if you plan to clone heavy games or messengers with a large amount of media files.
☑️ Checking the device's readiness
The important point is the presence of the second SIM-A card or Wi-Fi connection if you plan to register a new account on a messenger. Phone number verification often requires an SMS and the phone must be able to accept that code.
The standard method through MIUI and HyperOS settings
The simplest and most reliable method of activating a dual application is built directly into the system settings. Xiaomi developers have put this option in a separate section so that users do not have to wander through the deep menu. The algorithm of actions is the same for most models, regardless of whether you are using a budget Redmi Note or a flagship Xiaomi 14.
To start, open the main settings menu. Find a section that could be called "Applications" or "Additional Features." Depending on the firmware version and region, the name may vary slightly. Inside this menu, you'll need to find "Cloning Apps" (or "Dual Apps").
Once you log in, you'll see a list of programs that you can duplicate, and next to each name, you'll have a switch, activate it for the right application, like WhatsApp or Telegram, and the system will alert you that a new shortcut will appear on your desktop.
Once activated, a copy of the app will appear on the desktop with a characteristic marker icon (usually a yellow badge or double badge) and you can now launch it and log in under a second phone number or account.
Alternative Methods: Second Space and Mode
If standard cloning doesn't suit you or you need a deeper separation, use Second Space, which is not just a copy of the app, but a full-fledged second desktop with its own settings, gallery and accounts, which is ideal for those who want to completely separate, for example, a work profile from a personal one.
Unlike simple cloning, Second Space requires a separate input (by fingerprint or password), switching between spaces creates the feeling of using two different phones. All data here is isolated: photos taken in Second Space are not visible in most ways, and vice versa.
⚠️ Note: When you delete the Second Space, all the data stored inside it (photos, contacts, installed applications) will be permanently deleted.
Another option is to use game modes or specialized launchers, but they are less effective for instant messengers. For ordinary users, the most optimal is a combination of standard cloning for social networks and a Second Space for full separation of use contexts.
Comparison of cloning methods on Xiaomi
So to make it easier for you to choose the right method, we've developed a comparison table that will help you understand the difference between simply duplicating and creating an isolated environment.
| Characteristics | Cloning of applications | Second space |
|---|---|---|
| Level of isolation | Low (appendix data only) | High (full system) |
| Access to files | Gallery public access | Complete file isolation |
| Switching | Instant (through label) | Requires authorization/switching profile |
| Battery consumption | Moderate. | High (background profile is working) |
As you can see from the table, for simple tasks like the second WhatsApp, it's better to use standard cloning, it's easier to manage and less resource-intensive, and the second space is a tool for advanced scripting.
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Choose the cloning method depending on the degree of confidentiality: for simple chat separation, the function "Double Applications" will suffice, for complete data isolation, use "Second Space".
Solution: if the application is not cloned
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the desired application is not on the list of available for cloning, this often happens with new versions of popular programs or regional modifications of software, the system simply does not recognize the packet ID as supported.
In such cases, you can try updating the app itself through the GetApps store or Google Play. Sometimes the problem is solved by cleaning the cache of the Security service, which is responsible for managing permissions and cloning. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Security → Clear data.
⚠️ Warning: Cleaning up the security system application will reset your antivirus and blacklist number settings, but will not delete your personal files or installed programs.
If standard methods don't work, there are third-party parallelizers like Parallel Space or 2Accounts, which create a virtual environment inside themselves by running the programs they want, but it's less optimized, more battery-consuming, and can contain ads.
Secret code to verify support
Optimizing the Dual Applications
Using two active accounts simultaneously increases the workload on the processor and RAM. To make the smartphone work quickly, it is recommended to set the notifications correctly. Go to the settings of the cloned application and make sure that it is allowed to work in the background and auto-start.
It’s also worth limiting sync for a secondary account if you don’t need it all the time, for example, in an Instagram clone, you can turn off the loading of storis in the background, leaving only push notifications about messages, which will significantly save battery power.
Check system updates regularly. Xiaomi engineers are constantly improving the algorithms for working with memory in new versions of HyperOS, which has a positive effect on the stability of the work of cloned services.