How to make a cloning app on Xiaomi Redmi phone

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones often face the need to separate working and personal contacts, especially when it comes to instant messengers. Standard functionality of the Android operating system in the basic version does not always allow you to run two copies of the same program at the same time, but the developers of MIUI and HyperOS have provided a built-in solution to this problem. You do not have to search for dubious programs in the Play Market or get root rights, since the system tool works stably and securely for user data.

The app cloning feature allows you to create a full copy of the installed software that will work independently of the original.This means that you can log in to WhatsApp from one number and a clone from another, receiving notifications from both accounts in real time. The system creates an isolated environment where the cache, data and settings of the second copy do not overlap with the main application, which ensures that both profiles work correctly without conflicts.

This is especially true for entrepreneurs, sales managers or people with an active social life. Unlike third-party solutions, the built-in Xiaomi cloner consumes less battery life and does not require permanent permissions to access personal data. Below we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions, possible errors and fine-tunings for various versions of firmware.

What is the cloning of applications in MIUI and HyperOS

Application cloning is a virtualization technology built directly into the MIUI shell, which creates an isolated container that runs a second instance of the software you choose, and technically, it allocates a separate memory space where the second account's data is stored, making it completely independent of the first.

Many users confuse this feature with simple multi-window mode or split screen. However, App Clone (as the feature is often called in international documentation) creates a separate shortcut on the desktop, which looks like a copy of the original, but often has a small marker icon in the corner of the icon, which allows you to run two applications in parallel, switching between them, or use them simultaneously in split screen mode.

The main advantage of Xiaomi’s built-in solution is optimization: Third-party cloners often drain the battery, keeping the background processes active all the time, while the system tool is integrated into the task scheduler, which ensures a more competent allocation of CPU and RAM resources, especially on the budget models of Redmi.

⚠️ Note: The cloning function is not available for all installed programs. The system filter allows duplication only for popular messengers and social networks, as for other types of software (for example, banking applications or games), this may violate security rules or license agreements.

It's worth noting that the interface of settings may vary slightly from one firmware to another. Newer versions of HyperOS are looking to unify menus, so the layout of items may change from the older MIUI 12 or 13. But the logic of the work remains the same: you pick an application, activate the switch, and the system automatically generates a second shortcut.

Preparing a smartphone to create a copy

Before you start setting up, make sure your device is ready to work with additional instances of applications. First of all, check for free space in internal memory. Although the applications themselves take up a little space, their data (correspondence history, media files, cache) will be duplicated, which can significantly reduce the amount of storage available.

It is also important that the latest available version of the system software is installed on the phone. Xiaomi developers regularly release updates that fix bugs in the operation of system functions, including cloning. An outdated version of MIUI may contain errors that will lead to incorrect display of the second account or notification problems.

Make sure that the main application is already installed and preferably configured. While it is technically possible to clone an empty application, it is more logical to log in to the main account first, which will help avoid confusion when you log in a second time, especially if you use the same phone number for registration, but different devices for confirmation.

If you plan to clone heavy applications like Telegram or Viber with a large amount of media files, it is worth freeing up a few gigabytes in advance. The cache of media files in the clone will grow regardless of the main application, and a sudden memory shortage can cause one of the instances to stop working.

Step-by-step: how to activate the function

The process of activating the second account in the shell of Xiaomi is as simple as possible and takes no more than a minute. You do not need to have programming skills or deep knowledge of the Android architecture. All actions are performed through the standard settings menu, which is familiar to every user of smartphones of this brand.

First, open the Settings menu for your Redmi device. In the settings list, find a section that may be called Apps or Additional Features, depending on your firmware version. In newer versions of HyperOS, this item is often listed in a separate menu or in the Advanced Settings section.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• 📱 Find the menu item Cloning applications (or Dual apps).
• 📱 In the list that opens, select the app you want to duplicate (such as WhatsApp).
• 📱 Activate the switch opposite the application name.
• 📱 Wait for the copy to be created and find a new shortcut on your desktop.

Once the switch is activated, the system automatically creates a second label, which will look almost identical to the main one, but with a small icon (usually two crossed arrows or an orange icon) in the corner of the icon, and this marker indicates that you are seeing a clone, not the original application.

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The cloned app shortcut can be moved to a separate folder or to another desktop page to avoid confusing it with the main account, which is especially useful if you use both numbers frequently.

Now you can run the copy you've created. The first time you run the app, it'll require authorization. SIM-If you have already activated the number on another device, or use the confirmation code, you will receive a fully functional second account after successfully logging in.

Set up notifications and manage data

One of the most important post-cloning settings is that notifications work correctly; by default, the system can aggressively save battery power by closing the background processes of the clone; to avoid missing an important message in the second account, you need to properly configure energy saving settings.

Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find a cloned application (it will be marked with the appropriate icon) Go to Battery or Energy Saving and select No Limits mode. This will prevent the system from "killing" the messenger process in the background.

It is also worth checking the notification settings:

• 🔔 Make sure the Notice slider is on.
• 🔔 Check if the display on the lock screen is allowed.
• 🔔 Make sure the notification sounds for the clone are different from the main one (optional) to distinguish the accounts by ear.

⚠️ Note: If you use Do Not Disturb or Sleep mode, notifications from the cloned app may be delayed. Add the clone to the exclusion list for these modes to stay connected. 24/7.

Data management also requires attention. When you delete the main application, the clone is not automatically deleted, and vice versa. However, if you decide to completely remove the clone through the settings, all the data inside it (correspondence, photos, contacts) will be irretrievably lost.

Comparison of cloning methods in different versions of MIUI

The interface and features of the feature may vary depending on the version of the shell installed on your Redmi. Xiaomi constantly updates its software products, introducing new features and changing the layout of the menu. Understanding the differences will help you find the right setting faster.

The table below compares key features in different firmware versions:

In older versions of MIUI, the list of supported applications was strictly limited to the developer. In newer versions, especially in global builds, it became possible to add any applications to the cloning list, even if they are not in the standard list, through hidden settings or ADB, although this requires more care.

HyperOS users note smoother animations when switching between the clone and the original. The system better manages process priorities, which reduces the likelihood of “out” of the second account when there is a shortage of RAM.

Possible problems and ways to solve them

Despite the functionality, users may encounter some difficulties, most often problems with authorization or notification display, and understanding the causes of these failures will help quickly restore the functionality of the second account.

One common problem is that you can't get an SMS with a confirmation code in the second application, which can happen if both apps are trying to intercept the message, in which case you can use the call confirmation method or use the "I already got the code" function to manually enter it from another device.

Another common problem is the lack of notifications, which, as mentioned, is solved by setting up autostarts and not having battery limitations, and it's also worth checking if the app itself has a Traffic Savings mode that can block background message synchronization.

If a clone application is unstable or crashes immediately after launch, try to clear its data. Go to Settings → Applications, find a clone, select Memory and click Clear Data. After that, you will need to re-authorize in your account, but this often solves problems with software errors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Cloning apps on Xiaomi is a safe and effective way to separate personal and workspace without having to buy a second phone or use sophisticated third-party software.