Cloning apps on Xiaomi Mi 10: 3 proven ways

Creating an app clone on the Xiaomi Mi 10 allows you to use two accounts of the same service at the same time โ€” for example, two WhatsApp, Telegram or Instagram accounts on the same device. This feature is especially useful for separating work and personal profiles, testing applications or circumventing regional restrictions. Unlike most Android smartphones, where cloning requires third-party utilities, Xiaomi offers built-in tools in the MIUI shell, and also supports alternative solutions.

In this article, we will discuss three working methods: the official Dual Apps feature (available on all versions of MIUI 12-14), the Parallel Space application for advanced users, and manual cloning via ADB for experienced enthusiasts. Each method has its own nuances, from the limitation of the number of clones to the requirements for superuser rights. We will also consider the unique feature of the Xiaomi Mi 10: the ability to clone system applications (for example, Contacts or Mesages), which is absent on many other devices.

1.Cloning through Dual Apps (official method)

Dual Apps (or Dual Apps in Russian) is a built-in MIUI tool that creates a full-fledged clone of the selected application with a separate data store, cache and notifications, the advantage of which is that it does not require root rights and works stably, but does not support all programs.

To activate Dual Apps:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Open the Settings. โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Dual annexes.
  • ๐Ÿ” Find the right app in the list (such as Facebook or Facebook). VK) and switch the slider to the right.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Confirm the creation of a clone โ€“ a new icon with an icon will appear on the desktop ๐Ÿ‘ฅ.
  • ๐Ÿ“Œ Launch a cloned application and log in with a second account.

It is important to take into account the limitations:

  • โš ๏ธ Not all apps are supported โ€“ for example, Google Play Store or Banking apps (SberBank, Tinkoff) are often not listed.
  • โš ๏ธ Cloned applications can consume more memory and battery (up to 15-20% additional consumption).
  • โš ๏ธ Clone updates come with a delay โ€“ sometimes you need to manually update the app via Google Play.

Used MIUI 12 or later

The application is installed from the official store

Free memory (minimum 500 MB)

Power saving modes for the target application are disabled-->

If the application is not listed in Dual Apps, try updating MIUI to the latest version or using alternative methods described below.

Parallel Space: Cloning Without Limitations

Parallel Space is a third-party application that creates an isolated sandbox for installing and running clones of any program, including those that are not supported by Dual Apps. The main advantage is the ability to clone an unlimited number of applications (up to 24 in the free version) and even games.

Instructions for setting:

  1. Download Parallel Space from Google Play (or AppGallery for regions without Google).
  2. Launch the application and provide all the permissions requested (access to contacts, storage, notifications).
  3. Click Add App and select the cloning programs from the list.
  4. After adding, launch a clone from the Parallel Space interface โ€“ it will work independently of the original application.
ParameterDual AppsParallel Space
Support for system applicationsโœ… (e.g. Communications, Contacts)โŒ (user-only)
Number of clonesLimited to the MIUI listUp to 24 (free)
Root requirementsโŒ Not necessary.โŒ Not necessary.
Battery consumptionLow (5-10%)High (15-30%)
Support for gamesโŒ Limited.โœ… Complete.

โš ๏ธ Note: Parallel Space can cause lags on Xiaomi Mi 10 with firmware below MIUI 13.If after installing clones the device began to brake, try to turn off animation in the developer settings (Settings) โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Version. MIUI โ€” Press 7 times to unlock).

WhatsApp

Telegram

Instagram

VK

Other-->

3. Cloning through ADB (for power users)

The method using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) It's a good way to clone applications that aren't supported by Dual Apps, but don't require third-party software, which is more complex and requires PC connectivity, but gives you complete control. ADB They may disrupt the system!

Step-by-step:

  1. Activate Developer Mode on Xiaomi Mi 10: Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ MIUI Version โ†’ Press 7 times

โš ๏ธ Attention: Cloning through ADB This can lead to conflicts with the original application, especially if it uses Google Play Services. โ†’ System system โ†’ Backup.

How do you know? package_name applications?
Install the App Inspector app from Google Play. Open it, find the app you want in the list, and copy the Package Name field value (e.g., com.facebook.katana for Facebook).

This method allows you to clone even those applications that are blocked in Dual Apps, but requires technical skills. If ADB commands cause errors, check if debugging is enabled over USB and if the drivers are installed correctly.

4. Solving problems with cloned applications

Even after successful cloning, Xiaomi Mi 10 users may face typical problems such as no notifications, authorization errors, or sudden closures.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Strong lags: Limit background clone activity in Settings โ†’ Battery โ†’ Optimizing the battery.

If the cloned app doesnโ€™t start, try:

  1. Clear the cache and clone data in Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ Select a clone โ†’ Storage.
  2. Reboot your phone โ€“ sometimes MIUI does not properly initialize isolated processes.
  3. Install an older version of the application (e.g. via APKMirror) if the problem occurs after the update.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the cloned application does not save data (e.g. chats in Telegram), check if backup is enabled in its settings. Some clones require manual export/import of data.

5. Alternative methods: Island and Shelter

For users who need not only cloning but also complete application isolation (for example, for security or testing), Island or Shelter utilities are suitable. These applications create a separate user profile (Work Profile), in which you can install and run applications regardless of the main profile, the main advantage is complete data isolation, which is useful for working with confidential information.

How to set up Island:

  1. Download Island from Google Play.
  2. When you first start, allow you to create a Work Profile.
  3. In the Island interface, click Add Apps and select the ones to clone.
  4. Applications from the work profile will be marked with a special icon and will not be able to interact with the main profile data.

Shelter works similarly, but with open source and additional features for root users.Both solutions support the Xiaomi Mi 10, but may conflict with Dual Apps - it is recommended to use only one cloning method.

6. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of cloning method depends on your tasks:

  • ๐Ÿ”น For social networks and instant messengers: Dual Apps is the easiest and most stable option.
  • ๐Ÿ”น For games or non-supported applications: Parallel Space or ADB.
  • ๐Ÿ”น For safety and isolation: Island or Shelter.
  • ๐Ÿ”น For system applications: Dual Apps only (other methods do not support cloning Contacts or Messages).

If you're not sure which method is right, start with Dual Apps, which requires no additional software and has minimal impact on performance. For power users, ADB offers maximum flexibility, but requires caution.

๐Ÿ’ก

On the Xiaomi Mi 10 with MIUI 14, Dual Apps supports cloning up to 32 apps at a time (in earlier versions, the limit is 16).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cloning on Xiaomi Mi 10

Can bank applications be cloned (SberBank, Tinkoff)?
No, most banking applications block clones because of security requirements; an attempt to clone through Dual Apps or Parallel Space will result in an authorization error; the alternative is to use a second physical phone or virtual machine (such as Genymotion).
Why the cloned WhatsApp doesnโ€™t get SMS-code?
The problem is that Google Play Services doesnโ€™t always properly handle SMS for clones. Solutions: Temporarily disable the original WhatsApp before logging in to the clone. Use voice call to confirm instead of SMS. Check if SMS permissions for the cloned application are included in Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ WhatsApp (clone) โ†’ Permissions.
How to remove a clone of the application?
To remove a clone created through Dual Apps: Go to Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ Dual Apps. Find the clone you want and switch the slider to the left. Confirm deletion โ€” the clone data will be erased without recovery. For Parallel Space: open the app, click on the clone icon and select Delete.
Will a cloned app consume traffic separately?
Yes, the clone uses the Internet regardless of the original application. For example, if Telegram is mostly downloading files, and the clone is not, the traffic will only be spent on the active instance. To limit background traffic, go to Settings. โ†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks โ†’ Transfer of data โ†’ Background data transmission and disable it for the clone.
Can I transfer data from the original application to the clone?
Data transfer depends on the application: ๐Ÿ“ฑ Social media (VK, Instagram: You need to log in again โ€“ transfer is impossible. ๐Ÿ’ฌ Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp): You can export chats (in Telegram) or backup (in WhatsApp) and import to a clone. ๐ŸŽฎ Games: Progress is usually linked to an account (Google Play Games, Facebook) โ€“ just log in under the same profile.