How to make a clone of the application on Android Xiaomi: 3 working methods

Creating a clone of an app on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature that allows you to use two accounts of the same service at the same time. For example, you can log into WhatsApp from personal and work accounts on the same device or manage multiple social media profiles. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to clone applications on MIUI 14/15, including built-in tools and third-party solutions.

It is important to understand that not all applications support cloning due to developer limitations. For example, some banking or messengers with enhanced security (for example, Telegram with secret chats) can block work in the cloned version.

If you use a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO device based on MIUI, you have at least three ways to create a clone: through the built-in Parallel Apps feature, using the Dual Apps mode (for some models), or through third-party utilities like Island or 2Accounts.

1.Cloning through Parallel Apps (built-in MIUI function)

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in Parallel Apps tool, which is available on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 9 and later, which creates an isolated copy of the app that works independently of the original, with a separate cache and data.

To activate Parallel Apps, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Parallel Apps.
• 🔧 Click Create a parallel app and select from the list (such as WhatsApp, Facebook or Instagram).
• 🔄 Wait a few seconds for the system to create a clone. The finished copy will appear on the home screen with the icon as two folded squares.
• 🔒 When you first start, you will need to log in again – use the second profile.

Important: on some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), Parallel Apps may be hidden. To find it, search for the settings for "parallel".

Check the MIUI version (must be at least 9)

Free up at least 500 MB of memory

Make sure the app supports cloning

Disable battery optimization for the original application-->

If the application is not listed in Parallel Apps, it means that the developer has blocked its cloning, and then you have to use alternative methods, which we'll talk about later.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Viber or Signal) can identify cloned versions and block them, in which case you will have to use third-party utilities with virtualization support.

2. Double Apps Mode (for selected models)

Some Xiaomi devices (mainly Mi or POCO F flagships) have dual-app mode, which works on the principle of splitting user profiles, which, unlike Parallel Apps, creates a full-fledged second profile with separate desktops, settings and applications.

To activate the mode:

1. Go to Settings → Special Features → Dual Applications.
2. Click Enable Double Apps and confirm the creation of a second profile.
3. After restarting the device on the lock screen, you will be able to select a profile.
4. Log in to the second profile and install the desired applications again (they will be isolated from the main profile).

Dual Apps are more resource-intensive, but you can use any program, including those that are not supported in Parallel Apps. However, note that the second profile will take up additional space in memory (up to 1-2 GB depending on the number of applications installed).

Built-in Parallel Apps

Double Appendices (second profile)

Third-party utilities (Island, 2Accounts)

He didn't use cloning.-->

3. Third-party utilities: Island and 2Accounts

If the built-in methods are not suitable (for example, the desired application is not in the list of Parallel Apps), you can use third-party programs. The two most popular cloning utilities are Island (based on Work Profile) and 2Accounts (with support for virtualization).

Island works through the Android Work Profile engine, which is originally designed for enterprise devices, which means that cloned applications will be isolated in a separate island with their own data and settings.

• 📲 Install the app from Google Play.
• 🔧 When you first start, click Set up Island and follow the instructions.
• 🔄 Go to the Applications section, select the desired one and click Clone.
• 🔒 The clone will appear on a separate menu on Island.

2Accounts is a more powerful tool that supports virtualization (requires VirtualXposed or Root), which allows you to clone even those applications that block work in parallel environments, but to fully work, you may need to unlock the bootloader and obtain root rights, which voids the warranty.

⚠️ Attention: When in use 2Accounts without root rights, some features (such as notifications in cloned messengers) may not work smoothly. Also note that virtualization increases the load on the processor, which can lead to overheating of the device.

4. ADB cloning (for power users)

If you're familiar with the command line, you can create a clone of an application through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for applications that are not supported in Parallel Apps but do not require root rights.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB Debugging in the Developer Settings → About Phone → 7 times click on MIUI Version, then go back to Additional → For Developers.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
4. Click the application (replace com.example.app with the batch name of the desired application, for example, com.whatsapp): adb shell cmd package install-existing com.example.app
5. Reboot the device. The clone will appear on the home screen.

To find out the batch name of the application, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"

For example, for Telegram, it will be org.telegram.messenger.

💡

If the install-existing command doesn't work, try the alternative method via pm install-create.The full instructions can be found in the Android documentation at: ADB Guide.

This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires knowledge of commands and work with ADB. Also note that not all applications work correctly after cloning through ADB - some may give errors during authorization.

5. Problems and Solutions in Application Cloning

Even if you've done all the steps right, there can be problems, and let's look at some of the most common mistakes and how to fix them:

• 🚫 Clone does not start or closes immediately: Reason: conflict with the original app or lack of memory Solution: clear both versions cache in Settings → Annexes → Warehouse.
• 🔔 No notifications in the cloned app: Reason: power saving restrictions Solution: disable battery optimization for the clone in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
• 🔒 App requires re-authorization every time: Reason: Reset data when rebooting. Solution: Check Island settings (if you use) or update MIUI last-minute.
• 📱 The clone icon disappeared after the update MIUI: Reason: Reset the settings of parallel applications. Solution: Reactivate the clone in Parallel Apps.

If the problem is not solved, try to remove the clone and create it again, in extreme cases, you can use alternative messengers with support for multiple accounts (for example, Telegram or Skype allows you to quickly switch between profiles without cloning).

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Before cloning banking applications or messengers with two-factor authentication, make sure that this does not violate the rules of the service. Some banks (for example, SberBank or Tinkoff) block access when parallel sessions are detected.

Alternative methods: multiple accounts without cloning

Not all apps require cloning to use multiple accounts, and some services support switching profiles right in the interface.

• 📘 Google Services (Gmail, YouTube, Drive): Add a second account to Settings → Accounts and switch between them in the app menu.
• 💬 Telegram: Supports up to 3 accounts in one app (click on the arrow next to your profile name).
• 📷 Instagram: Allows you to add up to 5 accounts (click on the avatar in the lower right corner).
• 🎮 Steam or Epic Games: Use Family Sharing or Other Users on PC.

If your goal is simply to separate work and personal data, consider using Secure Folder (on Samsung devices) or Private Space (on some Xiaomi models), which create encrypted sections where you can store individual copies of applications.

Also worth mentioning is Shelter, an open source application isolation software that works through Work Profile, similar to Island, but with a focus on privacy. It can be installed from F-Droid.

7.Security when using app clones

Cloning applications is convenient, but can pose security risks.

• 🔐 Don’t clone banking apps unless absolutely necessary. Even if the clone works, some banks may consider it suspicious activity and block the account.
• 🛡️ Use two-factor authentication for all cloned accounts, especially on instant messengers and social networks.
• 📡 Limit permissions for clones, such as disabling access to contacts or location if it is not critical to the app’s performance.
• 🔄 Update your clones regularly, as they may not receive automatic updates through Google Play.

If you are using a third-party utility like Island or 2Accounts, download them only from official sources (Google Play or F-Droid). APK-files from unknown sites – they may contain malicious code.

⚠️ Note: On devices with unlocked bootloader or root rights, cloned applications may become vulnerable to attacks. If you use such devices to work with sensitive data, consider disabling root or using MagiskHide to mask superuser rights.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cloning apps on Xiaomi