How to create a duplicate application on Xiaomi: a complete guide with 3 methods

Creating a copy of the application on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature that allows you to use two accounts in the same messenger, play a game with two profiles or test different settings in the same service without risking the main account. In MIUI, this feature is implemented at the system level through Dual Apps technology, but there are alternative methods for models where the function is disabled by the manufacturer.

In this article, we'll break down three working ways of cloning applications: standard through MIUI settings, using ADB for advanced features, and third-party utilities like Parallel Space or 2Accounts. Each method has its own nuances: you'll need to unlock the bootloader, you'll have a few taps on the menu, and we'll detail all the steps, including bypassing restrictions on global firmware models, where Dual Apps is often hidden.

Important: cloning some applications (such as banking or two-factor authentication) may violate their rules of use. Before creating a copy, check the terms of the service - some block duplicate accounts on the same device.

1. Method: Dual Apps in standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in Dual Apps feature available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI 12-15, which allows you to create a full-fledged clone of supported applications with separate data storage, notifications and cache.

The function works without root rights, but there are limitations:

• 📱 Not all apps are supported (the list is formed by Xiaomi)
• 🔒 Global firmware can be hidden (solved by changing the region)
• 📁 The clone takes up an extra memory space (about the same as the original)
• 🔄 Application updates are synchronized automatically

To activate Dual Apps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Dual Apps
2. In the list, find the desired application and tap the switch next to it.
3. Confirm the creation of a copy (the system will prompt you to name the clone, for example, "WhatsApp 2").
4. After creation, a new icon will appear on the desktop marked “Dual App”.

Check the MIUI version (should be 12 or later)

Free up at least 500 MB of memory

Disable battery optimization for the application

Restart the device (recommended)

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If you don’t have Dual Apps on the menu, try changing your device region to India (via Settings → Additional → Region). After the reboot, the feature should appear. On some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11 Pro+), it is initially only available in Chinese firmware.

Method 2: Cloning through ADB (for power users)

If the application is not supported in Dual Apps, you can create a copy of it through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a connection to a computer, but works on any version of MIUI and allows you to clone even system utilities.

Pre-launch warnings:

• 🔌 You need a USB Type C cable (wireless) ADB unstable)
• 🛠️ Requires to activate debugging USB developer-setting
• 🚫 Some apps (like Google Pay) block work in clones

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode by tapping 7 times on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone.
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm install --user 0 -i "com.example.app" /path/to/app.apk

Replace com.example.app with a real application package (you can find it through the App Inspector in the Play Market), and /path/to/app.apk — path APK-To create a complete clone, use the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing --user 0 com.example.app

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After you execute the command, a copy notification will appear on the screen, and the clone will appear in the application menu marked "Copy", and note that some functions (such as push notifications) may not work stable.

Dual Apps (Integrated Function)

ADB (for experienced users)

The Appendix (Parallel Space, etc.)

I haven't tried it yet.

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Method: Third-party applications for cloning

If the first two methods do not work, you can use specialized utilities from Google Play:

• 🔄 Parallel Space – Creates a virtual space with clones
• 👥 2Accounts — Supports up to 32 copies of a single application
• 🛡️ Island – isolates clones in a sandbox (requires root)
• 🎮 Multi Parallel – Optimized for Games

Let’s look at the example of Parallel Space:

1. Download and install the app from the Play Market.
2. Run it and provide all the permissions requested.
3. In the main menu, tap "Add App" and select the desired from the list.
4. Confirm the creation of a clone, it will appear inside the virtual space.

The advantages of third-party utilities:

• ✅ It works on all types of software (including global ones)
• ✅ Supports cloning of system applications
• ✅ Allows you to run multiple copies at the same time

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Require additional permissions (access to notifications, windows overlay)
• ⚠️ Can reduce performance (virtual space consumes RAM)
• ⚠️ Some banking applications block the work in such utilities

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Comparison of cloning techniques

Frequent problems and their solutions

When cloning applications, users encounter common errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

Problem 1: There is no Dual Apps on the menu.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with global firmware (MIUI Global) is often hidden. Try changing region to India or install MIUI China via Fastboot. Alternative is to use ADB compulsory:

adb shell settings put global multi_app_enabled 1

Problem 2: The app’s clone is not updated.

Solution: Updates for clones are installed automatically through the Play Market, but sometimes manual sync is required. Go to Settings → Apps → Dual Apps, select a clone and click Update.

Problem 3: The app in the clone crashes or doesn't start.

Causes and solutions:

• 🔹 Incompatibility with virtual space: Try another utility (e.g., a different utility, 2Accounts Parallel Space instead).
• 🔹 Memory Lack: Clear the clone cache in Settings → Annexes.
• 🔹 Manufacturer Block: Some apps (e.g. Netflix or Disney)+) Detects virtual environment and refuses to work.

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Problem 4: After the MIUI update, the clones disappeared.

⚠️ Note: For major system updates (e.g., with MIUI 13 on MIUI (14) clones created through ADB, Backup copies of clone data are not saved - before updating, manually transfer important information.

Safety in the use of clones

Cloning applications is convenient, but involves risks:

• 🔐 Data Leakage: Clones can save logins/passwords in an unsecured form (especially in third-party utilities).
• 🛡️ Account Blocking: Some services (such as Facebook or banking apps) prohibit multiple sessions from a single device.
• 📱 Performance: Simultaneous operation of the original and clone increases the load on the processor and battery.

Safety recommendations:

• 🔒 Use different passwords for the original and clone.
• 📵 Turn off autocomplete passwords in clones.
• 🗑️ Regularly clean cache and clone data through Settings → Annexes.
• 🛡️ For banking applications, use only Dual Apps (third-party utilities are not secure).

If you are cloning messengers (WhatsApp, Viber), consider:

• 📱 One phone number can be linked to only one application instance.
• 🔄 Additional accounts will be required for the second account. SIM-card.
• 🔒 Some features (e.g. chat backup) may be limited in clones.

Alternative solutions: when cloning is not suitable

If you can’t make a copy of the application, consider alternatives:

• 🌐 Web version: Many services (e.g. Telegram or Twitter) have full-featured web versions that can be opened in the browser as PWA.
• 📱 Second user profile: B MIUI Multiple users are supported (setting up in Settings) → System system → Multiplayer mode).
• 🔄 Login/logout: For some applications, it is easier to log out and log in to another user.
• 🖥️ Android Emulator: Install BlueStacks or Genymotion on PC to run second instance.

For games, the alternative to cloning can be:

• 🎮 Cloud Gaming: Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce NOW Allows you to play on different accounts through the browser.
• 📱 Guest session: Some games (such as Clash of Clans) support guest mode without account binding.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions