How to create a duplicate application on Xiaomi: 3 proven ways

Why would you need a duplicate app on Xiaomi? Imagine you have two WhatsApp accounts, a personal one and a work account, but it's not easy to switch between them. Or you're testing different strategies in mobile games without risking your primary profile. Or you just want to separate notifications from social networks for different purposes. App cloning solves these problems by allowing two independent copies of the same service to run on the same device.

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer built-in Dual Apps, but it doesn’t work with all programs and has limitations. In this article, we’ll break down three working methods for creating duplicates, from standard tools to advanced solutions for power users. You’ll learn how to bypass locks, what apps are supported, and what to do if cloning doesn’t work. And there are unique nuances for MIUI 14 and new models from 2026 that aren’t mentioned in most guides.

Built-in Dual Apps: Quick and Rootless

The easiest way to clone an app on Xiaomi is to use the built-in Dual Apps tool (some versions of MIUI called App Cloner or Dual Apps), a feature available on most of the brand’s devices starting with MIUI 8, but the list of supported programs is limited to the manufacturer.

To activate Dual Apps, go to Settings → Apps → Dual Apps. The system will show a list of compatible services — usually messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), social networks (Facebook, Instagram) and some games. Choose the desired application, click Create a duplicate and wait for the process to be completed. Ready! Now a second icon marked Duplicate will appear on the desktop.

• ✅ Pros: does not require superuser rights, works stably, application updates are synchronized automatically.
• ❌ Cons: limited list of supported programs (e.g. TikTok or Spotify are often missing), duplicates take up additional memory.
• ℹ️ Nyuance: MIUI 14 function can be hidden – to find it, type in the search for settings the request duplicate.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g., banking or two-factor authentication) may block duplicates for security reasons.

2.Second Space: Fully-fledged second system

If Dual Apps doesn't support the right application, try Second Space, the MIUI-built function for creating a second independent workspace, which is essentially a separate user profile with its own settings, applications and data, and the advantage of the method is that you can install any application in both spaces, not just from the permissioned list.

To activate Second Space:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Second Space (in some versions, the path may be different: Settings → Accounts → Second Space).
2. Click Create Second Space and follow the instructions on the screen (you will need to set a password or a pattern lock).
3. After restarting the device, select the desired space when you enter.
4. In the second space, install the app again via Google Play or MIUI App Store.

Second Space consumes more resources than Dual Apps because it actually runs a second copy of the system; on weak devices (like Redmi 9A or Poco M3), it can slow down, but it is guaranteed to work even with programs that block cloning.

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To quickly switch between spaces, add the Second Space widget to your desktop or use a gesture: swipe down two fingers from the top edge of the screen (configured in Settings → Gestures).

Third-party cloning applications

If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't fit, third-party utilities come to the rescue.

• 🔹 Parallel Space creates a virtual space to run duplicates, supports most applications, but can conflict with the Internet. MIUI Due to the limitations of virtualization.
• 🔹 2Accounts — It's a lightweight alternative with a minimalist interface. It works well on Xiaomi, but it requires shutting down. MIUI Optimization in the Developer Settings.
• 🔹 Island (requires root) - an advanced application isolation solution suitable for testing beta versions or working with sensitive data.

To install any of these apps, download APK from the official site (not from Google Play, as there may be stripped down versions) and allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Apps → Special Permissions → Install unknown apps.

⚠️ Note: Applications like Parallel Space may be suspicious of antiviruses because of virtualization, and if you work with banking services, avoid running duplicates in third-party utilities, which can lead to the blocking of your account.

On MIUI 14, some utilities (such as Parallel Space) may not be running due to tightened security rules.

Disable MIUI Optimization in the Developer Settings

Install APK via ADB (adb install name file.apk)

Clear the Security app cache (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Security → Clear the cache)

Try an alternative utility (for example, 2Accounts Parallel Space instead)-->

4.Cloning through ADB: for power users

If none of the previous methods worked, the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a debugging tool that allows you to manually duplicate any application, which requires connecting a smartphone to a PC and basic command line knowledge, but it works even with programs that block cloning.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Xiaomi: go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB-Drivers and open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, go further.
5. Create a duplicate of 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
6. Reboot your smartphone. The duplicate will appear in the app menu marked Clone.

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

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

For example, to search for Telegram, type adb shell pm list packages | grep telegram.

This method is universal, but has disadvantages:

• 🔧 Requires skills to work with the command line.
• 🔄 Duplicates created through ADB, They may be reset after the update MIUI.
• 📱 Some apps (like Google Pay) block the work in a cloned form.

5. Features for new Xiaomi models (2023–2026)

On Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5 with MIUI 14, the app cloning process has several key differences:

1. Dual Apps Limits: The list of supported apps has been shortened. For example, Instagram and Facebook are now often absent from the default list, but can be added via ADB (see section 4).
2. HyperOS: On devices with a new HyperOS shell (such as Xiaomi 14), the Dual Apps feature is renamed App Cloner and hidden deeper: Settings → Apps → App Cloner.
3. Blocking Virtualization: MIUI 14 is more aggressive with third-party utilities like Parallel Space. To make them work, you need to disable MIUI Optimization and add the application to battery exceptions (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → Select an application → No restrictions).

Nana POCO-devices (e.g., devices, POCO X5 Pro) Dual Apps can be disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings → Special facilities → Dual Apps and switch on the switch.

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On Xiaomi with MIUI 14 and HyperOS, disable MIUI Optimization in the developer settings before cloning, this will increase the chances of successful duplicate creation.

6. Problem Solving: Why the Duplicate Doesn't Work

Even after successful cloning, there can be errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If the duplicate of the application does not appear in the menu, check:

• 🔍 Hidden Applications folder (swipe up the desktop and click Settings) → Hidden applications).
• 📂 All apps in the menu (sometimes duplicates are hidden there).
• 🔄 Launcher cache: clear Launcher app data in Settings → Annexes.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) post-update MIUI 14 duplicates created through Dual Apps may disappear. To avoid this, back up your data via Settings before updating. → Memory. → Backup.

7.Alternative methods: virtual machines and emulators

If cloning on the device itself is not possible, consider launching a second account through:

• 🖥️ Android emulators (such as BlueStacks or LDPlayer) on PC. Minus - requires a computer.
• 📱 Virtual machines (such as UserLAnd or Waydroid) — allow you to run a second Android inside the main system.
• ☁️ Cloud services (e.g. ApowerMirror or Genymotion) – suitable for temporary use.

UserLAnd is the most convenient for Xiaomi, as it does not require root and works on most devices with MIUI 12+. Install it from Google Play, select an Android distribution and follow the instructions. Once set up, you can install any application inside the virtual machine and use it in parallel with the main system.

Warning: Virtual machines and emulators are loading the processor significantly. On budget models (e.g. Redmi) 10A) This can cause overheating. AIDA64.

FAQ: Frequent questions about duplicate applications on Xiaomi