How to create a clone of an application on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why would you want to clone an app on a Xiaomi smartphone? Imagine using two WhatsApp accounts (personal and work), testing a beta version of Telegram in parallel with a stable one, or running two copies of the game with different progressions. APK-A file on top of an existing application won't work -- the system will just update it. MIUI.

In this article, we will look at all the available ways to clone applications on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from standard functionality to third-party solutions with advanced capabilities. You will learn which methods are safe for the system and which can lead to a ban on an account (for example, in games with cheating protection), and we will analyze the limitations of each approach and give recommendations for choosing the best option for your tasks.

⚠️ Cloning of certain applications (e.g., banking or two-factor authentication) may violate their usage rules. Before duplication, check the service’s user agreement – some platforms block accounts for multi-accounting, even if it is carried out by legal means.

1. Built-in dual applications function in MIUI

The easiest and safest way to create a clone is to use the built-in MIUI tool called Dual Apps, which is available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones since the MIUI 8 firmware version, which allows you to duplicate supported applications without root rights and third-party software.

To activate Double Apps, go to Settings → Apps → Dual Apps. The system will show you a list of compatible programs (usually messengers, social networks and some games). Choose the desired application, click Create, and in a few seconds a copy of it will appear on the desktop with an icon in the form of two folded triangles. The clone will work independently of the original, with separate notifications and data.

• ✅ Pros: No superuser rights, stable operation, minimal risk to the system.
• ❌ Cons: limited list of supported applications (for example, you can not clone the Google Play Store or YouTube).
• ℹ️ Feature: cloned applications are updated with the original through the Play Store.

⚠️ Warning: If the app starts to slow down or crash after the clone is created, try clearing the cache in the settings. In rare cases, Double Apps conflict with memory optimization in the app. MIUI — Turn off the Cleanup function. RAM In the Settings section → Battery and productivity.

2.Second Space: Fully Virtual Copy of the System

If you need to not just duplicate one application, but create a full second profile with your settings, wallpaper and installed programs, use the Second Space feature.

The function is activated in Settings → Special features → Second space. Once set up, you can switch between swipe spaces down the notification panel (the corresponding icon will appear). All applications installed in the second space are essentially clones of them - with separate data, cache and notifications.

Second Space is especially useful for testing beta applications or separating work and personal data, such as installing WhatsApp Business in parallel with regular WhatsApp in the main space, but remember that some apps (such as banking) may block virtual work because of suspected fraud.

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To save space, you can turn off the synchronization of unnecessary data in the second space (for example, photos from Google Photos or backups).

3.Cloning through Island (Sandbox) - Advanced isolation

For users who need maximum isolation of clones (for example, to test unstable applications or work with sensitive data), Island is a tool based on Google’s Work Profile that creates a sandbox to install and run applications separately from the main system.

Island works without root rights, but requires activation of Mode to work in Android settings. Once installed, you can transfer any applications to an isolated environment where they will function as independent copies. The main advantage is full data protection: applications in Island do not have access to files or contacts of the main profile.

• 🔒 Security: Ideal for testing doubtful APK or work with corporate accounts.
• 📱 Universality: Supports cloning of any application, including system applications.
• ⚙️ Customization: You can restrict access to geolocation, camera or microphone for clones.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Netflix or Disney)+) You can't run on Island because you don't have to do piracy protection, and you can't have Google Play in the sandbox, so you have to manually install updates.

Install Island from Google Play| Activate Mode to work in Android |Transfer the desired applications to Island through its menu |Tune permissions for isolated applications |Check notifications-->

4.Cloning with Parallel Space and analogues

If you don't like the built-in MIUI features, you can use third-party cloning launchers like Parallel Space or 2Accounts, which create a virtual environment where you can run copies of programs with separate accounts, and the main difference from Island is that clones work within a single user profile, but with isolated data.

The installation is simple: download Parallel Space from Google Play, add the desired applications to it and log in under another account. The application even supports cloning games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Clash of Clans), but beware: some multiplayer games block accounts for using virtual environments, considering this as cheating.

⚠️ Note: Parallel Space applications may conflict with Optimization MIUI. If clones start to brake, add launcher to battery exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Applications without restrictions).

5. Cloning through ADB (for advanced users)

For those who are not afraid of the command line, there is a way to create a clone of any application using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root rights, but requires a computer and basic knowledge of working with the terminal, the essence is to create a second user profile and install a copy of the application in it.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the item, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm create-user CloneUser
3. Install. APK-Application file in new profile: adb install --user CloneUser path to file.apk
4. Switch to the second profile in the notification curtain (a user icon will appear).

This method allows you to clone any application, including system, but has disadvantages: the second profile consumes additional resources, and some functions (for example, notifications) can work unstable, and not all applications work correctly in multiplayer mode – for example, the Google Play Store in a cloned profile often gives errors.

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ADB-Cloning is the only way to duplicate system applications (like a Camera or Gallery) without root rights, but it requires manual profile setting and command knowledge. ADB.

6 Risks and Limitations in App Cloning

Despite the convenience, app cloning carries a number of risks that are important to know in advance:

• 🚫 Account blocking: Social media (Facebook, Instagram) and instant messengers can ban accounts for multi-accounting, even if clones were created by legal means.
• 🎮 Ban in Games: Games with anticheat (PUBG, Free Fire, Call of Duty Mobile are often blocked for running accounts in virtual environments (Parallel Space, Island).
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: Clone apps run in the background, which can reduce battery life by 15-30%.
• 📱 System Instability: Multiple copies of resource-intensive applications (e.g. TikTok or Google Maps) can cause lags.

Legal considerations are also important: some services (such as Netflix or Spotify) prohibit the use of clones in their user agreements, which in theory could be a reason for blocking an account, although in practice such cases are rare.

⚠️ Note: If you use cloning to bypass regional restrictions (e.g., running Google Play with another region), please note that this may result in payment blocking or loss of access to in-app purchases.

Alternative methods: multi-accounting without cloning

If the goal is to simply use multiple accounts in one app, you don't always have to create a clone. Many services support built-in multi-accounting:

• 📧 Email: Gmail, Outlook and Yandex Mail allow you to add multiple accounts in one app.
• 💼 Twitter and LinkedIn can quickly switch between profiles without cloning.
• 🎵 Spotify and Apple Music support family accounts with separate profiles.
• 📱 Cloud Services: Google Drive and Dropbox Allow You to Add Multiple Accounts.

For messengers there are specialized solutions:

• Telegram supports up to 3 accounts in one application (switching in the side menu).
• WhatsApp Business – You can install it in parallel with the regular WhatsApp (but both will be tied to different numbers).
• VK Messenger – allows you to add multiple accounts through settings.

If your job is to simply separate personal and work messages, check if the application supports multi-accounting out of the box, which will eliminate the need to clone it and risk the stability of the system.

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Before cloning, check if the in-app multi-accounting feature is the safest and most resource-efficient way to do this.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cloning apps on Xiaomi