The modern rhythm of life dictates its conditions, forcing users to constantly balance between work and personal accounts in social networks. Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 offers a built-in app cloning feature that allows you to run two instances of the same messenger or social network at the same time. SIM-A card for work, and the second for communication with friends, but does not want to carry two devices with you.
Unlike third-party software, which often requires root rights or excessive permissions, the MIUI mechanism works at the system level, which ensures stability and minimal battery consumption. In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of activating the function, setting up notifications for a second account and solving typical notification problems.
Redmi Note 9 owners often wonder why cloning or notifications are no longer available after a firmware update. Understanding the architecture of dual applications in the MIUI shell will help avoid common mistakes. We will look not only at the standard method, but also at the hidden settings that advanced users may need.
The principle of cloning in MIUI
Xiaomi’s cloning function is based on the technology of creating an isolated environment for each instance that you run. When you activate a clone for Viber or WhatsApp, the system actually creates a new user profile with a unique identifier, which allows the application to think that it is running on a separate device, storing all the data, cache and authorization regardless of the main account.
Technically, the process requires additional RAM and disk space. Redmi Note 9 with its memory configuration does a great job, but it is worth considering that having two active instances of heavy messengers can accelerate battery discharge.
Technical details of the work of the tweener
It's important to understand that not all applications support this feature. MIUI developers implement cloning support at the system library level, and if an application does not have the appropriate tags in the manifest, the system may refuse to clone it, most often with banking applications or specific enterprise software, where security is above convenience.
Standard activation through settings
The easiest and safest way to run the second app is to use the built-in settings interface. First, you need to unlock your Redmi Note 9 screen and go to the main menu. Find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear, and open it.
In the menu that opens, scroll down to the App section, and this is where all the tools for managing installed software are concentrated. You will need to find the Cloning of Applications (in some versions of the firmware it may be called “Dual Applications”). Clicking on this item will open a list of compatible programs.
☑️ Pre-activation check
The system will give you a list of apps that you can duplicate, usually popular messengers and social networks, you just have to activate the switch opposite the name you want, and then you'll see a new icon on your desktop with a distinctive icon in the corner that indicates that it's a clone.
- 📱 Open the settings of your smartphone.
- 🔍 Go to the Appendix section.
- 🔄 Select the item Cloning applications.
- ✅ Activate the switchboard in front of the desired messenger.
Use of the "Second Space" application
If standard cloning doesn't meet your needs, like you want to completely isolate work applications with a separate password and a set of widgets, you should pay attention to the Second Space function, which is a deeper level of isolation, which creates a second desktop with its own settings and files.
To activate, go to Settings and find the About Phone section or search by settings by entering "Second Space." It will take some time to create this space, because the system needs to prepare the file structure. Once created, you can switch between the main and second space through a notification curtain or a special shortcut.
⚠️ Note: Using Second Space takes up significantly more RAM than conventional cloning. On the Redmi Note 9 with 4GB of RAM, this could lead to more frequent unloading of background applications from memory.
The main advantage of this method is complete independence, you can set different wallpapers, different sets of widgets, and even different Google Play accounts in the second space, which turns your smartphone into two devices in one, which is especially important for separating work and personal life without buying a second SIM card or phone.
Set up notifications and energy saving
One of the most common problems Xiaomi users have is the lack of notifications from cloned applications. Aggressive power saving system MIUI can "kill" the background process of the clone, considering it inactive.
Find the cloned app icon on your desktop (usually marked with an orange icon). Click on it and hold your finger until the context menu appears, then select About App. Go to Activity Control or Battery and select No Limits mode. This will prevent the system from restricting the application's background.
| Setup parameter | Recommended value | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-start | Included. | Allows the app to start immediately after the phone is turned on |
| Working in the background | No restrictions. | Prevents the application from being closed by an energy saving system |
| Notifications | Permitted. | Provides the display of messages on the lock screen |
| Network access | Wi-Fi and mobile data | Ensures that messages are received on any network |
It's also worth checking the notification settings in the app itself. Sometimes, after cloning, the settings inside the messenger are reset and the sound or vibration is turned off by default. Make sure the clone is selected for a unique notification sound so you can distinguish which account the message came to.
Addressing common problems
During use, there may be situations when the clone stops working correctly or does not send messages, often due to an update of the application itself or a version conflict. If you encounter a login error or freeze, try first clearing the cache of the cloned application through the About menu.
If cleaning the cache didn't work, you may need to delete the clone and recreate it. Important: Before removing the clone, make sure you remember the login details for the second account, as the history of correspondence inside the clone will be lost without the possibility of recovery, if you don't make a backup copy inside the messenger itself. After reinstallation, the problem often disappears.
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If a WhatsApp clone is constantly crashing, try turning off the Smart Mode option for that particular app in the battery settings, as it may mistakenly block authorization processes.
Another problem is that you can't receive an SMS to register a second account if both SIM cards are active, so temporarily disable the main SIM card in your network settings, register a clone, and then turn the SIM card back on, which will help avoid confusion with the confirmation codes.
- 🗑️ Remove the clone and create it again through the settings.
- 📶 Temporarily switch to Wi-Fi when registering.
- 🔄 Update the app to the latest version from the store.
- 🔋 Reset the energy saving settings for a problem application.
Security and system limitations
Using cloned apps carries certain security risks that the owner of the Redmi Note 9 should be aware of.The data inside the clone is stored in encrypted form, but it is accessible to anyone who has access to the unlocked phone.If you transfer the device to another person, the clone will be opened along with the main application.
To improve security, you can use the Application Protection feature, which allows you to set a separate password or use a fingerprint to log into a cloned application, and you can configure this in the Security app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use cloning for banking applications unless urgently needed. Banking programs have strict security checks and can block work on cloned copies or consider the environment unsafe.
It’s also worth remembering that some services, such as enterprise messengers or applications with two-factor authentication tied to a device, may not work properly in clone mode.
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Application cloning is a handy MIUI tool, but it requires proper power saving settings for stable notifications and is not suitable for all types of applications for security reasons.