How to completely remove cloned apps on Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven ways

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi has duplicated apps — for example, two Google Play Stores, two galleries or two browsers? — This is a typical problem for MIUI users when the system creates cloned applications for functions like “Dual Apps” or after update failures, which not only take up space in memory, but can lead to conflicts when data is synchronized, accelerated battery discharge and errors in the main versions of programs.

In this article, we will look at all possible causes of clones on Redmi, POCO and other Xiaomi devices, as well as give step-by-step instructions for removing them - from simple methods through settings to advanced methods using ADB and manual editing of system files.

Why are cloned apps coming to Xiaomi?

There are several reasons for duplicate MIUI programs, and not all of them are due to system errors.

• 🔄 Dual Apps: Official Tool MIUI, This is a way to create a clone of a messenger (like WhatsApp or Telegram) for a second account, and these take-ups are marked with an "2" icon in an orange circle.
• 📱 Errors in updating MIUI: If the firmware is installed intermittently, the system may “forget” to delete temporary copies of applications used during the update.

It is important to distinguish between useful clones (created by you through Dual Apps) and system duplicates that appear by themselves, which are often hidden from the user and can interfere with the operation of the device. For example, Google Play Store duplicates often lead to the error "App not installed" when trying to update programs.

How to find cloned apps on Xiaomi

Before you delete the duplicates, you need to find them, and not all clones are visible in the main menu, some are hidden in the system folders.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show All Apps (including system ones).
3. Scroll down the list and look at the apps from: 🔹 prefix «-1» or «-2» in the name of the package (for example, com.android.gallery-1). 🔹 icon «2» in an orange mug (these are clones through Dual Apps). 🔹 Repeated names (e.g. two Chromes or two Cameras).

Use the search list by entering the names of popular applications (Facebook, Instagram, Google Play Store).

For advanced users: you can view the full list of packages installed through ADB by following the command:

adb shell pm list packages -f

In the output, look for duplicate lines with the same beginning (e.g. package:/data/app/com.google.android.gms-1/... and package:/data/app/com.google.android.gms-2/...).

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If you see a duplicate in the list of applications with a gray icon and the words "Disabled", it may be a residual file from the old version of MIUI. Such applications can be removed without risk to the system.

Method 1: Removing clones through “Double Apps”

If duplicates are due to Dual Apps, it is easiest to delete them through the standard MIUI settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Double Apps.
2. In the list, find an application marked “On” and tap on it.
3. Click "Delete" and confirm the action. The clone will be removed and the original app will remain intact.

This method only works for clones that you created by hand, and if there are no duplicates in the Dual Apps list, then you can move on to the following methods.

Check for backup copies of important data|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Disable the antivirus (if you use it)|Remember the names of the original applications-->

Method 2: Remove through application settings

Some cloned applications can be removed in a standard way, like conventional programs:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find a duplicate in the list and tap on it.
3. If the Remove button is active, press it. If it's not there or it's gray, go to the ADB method.

Pay attention to two nuances:

• ⚠️ Do not remove system applications marked “System” in the description – this can lead to unstable operation. MIUI.
• 🔄 If the Remove button is inactive, but there is a Disable button, use it. This hides the application from the system and frees up some resources.

Method 3: Removing clones via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you'll need to plug in ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a powerful tool that allows you to manage system files, but you need to be careful.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and drivers for Xiaomi.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock Developer Settings, then turn on debugging).
• 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the device screen.
2. Open the Command Prompt (CMD) or Terminal on your computer and type: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
3. Get a list of all packages: adb shell pm list packages -f Find duplicate packages (e.g. com.android.gallery-1 and com.android.gallery-2).
4. Remove the clone command (replace package.name with the real name of the package): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 package.name The flag --user 0 means that the application is removed only for the current user, and not from the system completely (this is safer).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete packages with the names com.miui., com.android. (except for obvious duplicates) or com.google.android.gsf – this may lead to loss of functionality MIUI or the inability to download Google Play.

Method 4: Manually delete clone files (for advanced ones)

If ADB didn’t help or you prefer to work directly with the file system, you can manually remove clones through root Explorer or TWRP. This method is risky, but effective for persistent duplicates.

Instructions:

1. Install a root-enabled explorer (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /data/app/, where the user applications are stored.
3. Find folders with duplicate package names (e.g. com.facebook.app-1 and com.facebook.app-2).
4. Delete the clone folder (not the original!). For system applications, the path can be /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/.
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system/ If you don't have a backup, you can make the device "brick" (unloadable). ADB or consult a specialist.

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Before manually deleting files, be sure to back up via TWRP or MIUI Backup, which will allow you to restore the system in case of an error.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If the cloned applications are not removed by any means and interfere with the operation of the device, then it is a radical method, but it is guaranteed to clear the system of all duplicates.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Back up your important data (Settings → About Phone → Backup).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset → Resetting.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.
4. After restarting, set your phone as new.

The advantage of this method is a clean system without garbage, but there are also disadvantages:

• ❌ All data, including photos, messages and installed apps will be deleted.
• ❌ You will need to reconfigure accounts and settings.

Use reset only if other methods have failed, or if duplicates have appeared after a failed MIUI update and cause critical errors.

How to Prevent Cloned Apps in the Future

To avoid duplicates, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic cloning in Settings → Special facilities → Double Applications (if you do not use this feature).
• 📱 Update. MIUI Only through official channels (Settings) → System updates: Avoid third-party firmware if you are not sure of its security.

If you are actively using Dual Apps to work with multiple accounts, make sure that:

• 📌 Do not clone system applications (such as Settings or Phone).

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Check Settings → Applications → Unused regularly, where MIUI collects applications that have not been launched in a long time, including forgotten clones.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cloned apps on Xiaomi