Owning a modern smartphone from Xiaomi often involves actively using the device for work and personal purposes at the same time. Users face the need to have two different numbers registered in one of the most popular messengers in the world. Standard installation of the application allows you to log in with only one profile, which creates inconvenience for those who are used to keeping everything at hand.
Fortunately, the MIUI operating system that powers the brand's phones has built-in functionality to do this without having to download questionable software. App cloning is a standard feature that allows you to run a second copy of the messenger regardless of the main one, which means you can receive notifications from both numbers even when the screen is off.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can activate your second account, from built-in system tools to alternative methods for older firmware. The cloning function works at the system level, so the second Watsap will receive push notifications in the same way as the main one, even in sleep mode, you won’t need to constantly switch between profiles or keep one of the applications open.
Regular cloning of applications in MIUI
The most reliable and energy-efficient way to run two WhatsApps on the same device is to use the built-in App Cloning feature. Xiaomi developers have integrated this tool directly into the shell, which ensures stable background processes. You do not need root rights or install third-party launchers that can slow down the gadget.
To activate the function, you need to go to the settings menu of your smartphone. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS), but the logic remains the same. Find the section responsible for managing installed programs, and select the option to create a duplicate.
Once the switch is turned on, the system automatically labels the second application on the desktop, usually marked with a special icon or a similar name with a "2" or "Clone" mark, at which point the process can be considered complete, only logged in.
Importantly, a cloned application requires a stable Internet connection, and if you have two SIM cards installed on your device, you can choose which one to register with, and the registration process is no different from the initial installation: entering a number, receiving an SMS code, and restoring a backup.
- 📱 Open the settings of your Xiaomi device.
- 📲 Go to the Applications section and find the Application Cloning item.
- 🔄 Activate the switch opposite the WhatsApp icon.
- ✅ Wait for the copy to be created and find a new shortcut on your desktop.
⚠️ Note: Once the clone is created, both apps will work independently. Deleting the main WhatsApp will not affect the cloned version, but removing the clone itself through the system settings can erase the history of correspondence in the second copy.
Alternative method through the application Double applications
In some versions of firmware or in certain regions, the function may be called differently or be made into a separate system application. If you do not find a paragraph in the main settings, it is worth checking the availability of the Dual Apps utility. This tool serves the same role, but sometimes offers advanced settings for specific messengers.
This method is especially useful if standard cloning is unstable or not on the list of supported for some reason, and the principle of operation remains the same: an isolated environment is created in which a copy of the messenger with its data store is launched.
Users often confuse the two as different programs, but in the Xiaomi ecosystem, they are usually different names for the same system function. The main difference may be in the management interface. In the dual applications application, sometimes more detailed notification settings for each of the profiles are available.
Why is the cloning badge missing?
When working with an alternative method, consider resource consumption. Running two instances of a heavy messenger increases the load on RAM. If your smartphone has less than 4 GB of RAM, the system can more aggressively unload background processes, which will delay the arrival of messages in the second profile.
- 🔍 Find the application menu shortcut Double Apps.
- 📲 Select WhatsApp from the list of supported programs.
- ⚙️ Set up notification options for the second account separately.
- 🚀 Launch the application and sign in to a new phone number.
It's also worth mentioning that this method allows you to bypass some of the restrictions that business accounts have on you, so if you use WhatsApp Business as your primary, you can make the second profile a regular one, or vice versa, and it gives you the flexibility to manage your contacts and your mailings.
Using WhatsApp Business as a Second Account
Meta, the official messenger developer, provides a great solution for single-SIM card or non-system cloning phone owners, and you can install WhatsApp Business alongside regular WhatsApp, the official version of the messenger, which is designed for entrepreneurs, but it can be used by anyone.
The main advantage of this method is that it is completely independent of the capabilities of the MIUI operating system. The application is installed as a separate package, has its own icon and settings, and it does not conflict with the main version, since technically they are two different programs with different identifiers.
The business version is even more functional than usual, with product catalogs, autoresponders and customer tags available, but if you use it as a second number, these features can be ignored, and the important thing is to have a second SIM card or virtual number to receive SMS when you sign up.
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Use WhatsApp Business for the second number if you want to have a separate set of stickers or themes, as the settings in the clone and the original can be incorrectly synchronized.
Some users fear that the business version may block a number for commercial activity. In practice, if you don’t use automatic spam mailings and do regular correspondence, there is no risk of blocking.
- 📥 Download WhatsApp Business from the official Google Play Store.
- 📞 Enter the number of the second SIM card to register.
- 💼 Skip the business profile settings or fill them out as you wish.
- 🔄 Use two applications in parallel without restrictions.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to register the same number on both WhatsApp and Business at the same time. When you log in to the second app, you'll be automatically thrown out of the first app.
Third-party cloners: Parallel Space and analogues
If for some reason Xiaomi's built-in tools don't work or you need to run more than two copies of the messenger, third-party solutions come to the rescue, the most popular of which is the Parallel Space app, which creates a virtual environment (sandbox) within which you can run any installed programs.
There are pros and cons to using these programs, and on the one hand, you can clone almost any application, even if it's not supported by the system, and on the other hand, it leads to increased battery consumption and increased CPU load, because the virtual environment requires additional resources.
Installing a third-party cloner is a last resort, and Xiaomi smartphone owners are advised to use it only if they cannot use standard features, and such applications often require extensive permissions to access your data, which can jeopardize the confidentiality of correspondence.
☑️ Checking before installing a cloner
The setup process in Parallel Space or its analogues (Dual Space, 2Accounts) is quite simple. Once installed, you will need to add WhatsApp to the list of cloned applications. The program will create a shortcut through which the second account will be launched, all data will be stored in the memory of this shell application.
- 📲 Install a cloner app from Google Play Market.
- 🔐 Provide the necessary permissions for the virtual environment.
- ➕ Click the Add App button and select WhatsApp.
- 🚀 Run the clone through the created shortcut and log in to the account.
Backup in such cases is better done manually or be extremely careful when cleaning the phone from unused software.
Comparison of methods: characteristic table
To make it easier for you to choose the right way, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you evaluate the pros and cons of each method in the context of use on Xiaomi and Redmi devices.
| Characteristics | Systemic cloning | WhatsApp Business | Parallel Space |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stability of work | High (native) | High (official) | Medium (depending on OS) |
| Battery consumption | Optimal. | Optimal. | Elevated |
| Security of data | Maximum | Maximum | Medium (third party access) |
| Number of copies | One copy (2 in total) | One copy (2 in total) | A lot (depends on memory) |
As you can see from the table, for most users, the best choice is built-in cloning or installing a business version, which provides the best balance between functionality and resource consumption of the device.
Third-party applications should only be considered in exceptional cases when you need to run three or more accounts on one device, but even then you should be aware of the potential security risks and performance of the smartphone.
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For daily use on Xiaomi, always choose built-in cloning – this ensures better integration with the notification system and saves battery life.
Set up notifications and optimize work
After successfully installing a second WhatsApp on a Xiaomi phone, it is critical to properly configure notifications. Android, and MIUI in particular, are known for their aggressive energy saving policy, which can "kill" the background processes of the second messenger, which will only cause messages to arrive when the application is opened.
To avoid losing important messages, you need to remove the cloned app from your optimization lists. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance (or simply Battery). Find your second WhatsApp (it may be called WhatsApp (2) or have a cloning icon) in the application list.
In the battery settings for this application, select Unlimited mode, which will allow the program to run in the background continuously without being wiped by memory, and check the notification settings: make sure that pop-ups, sound and vibration are enabled for the second profile, if necessary.
- 🔋 Open your battery settings and find the second WhatsApp.
- ⚙️ Select the mode No restrictions for background work.
- 🔔 Enable all types of notifications in the corresponding menu.
- 🔒 Lock the application in the multitasking menu (optional).
⚠️ Warning: No Limits mode may slightly increase battery consumption, but it is a necessary sacrifice for instant messages in the second account.
Another useful tip is to pin an important application to the menu of running tasks: open a list of working applications (swipe from the bottom up or menu button), find the second WhatsApp window and click on the lock or lock icon, which will prevent it from closing when you clear the memory with the "Clear All" button.