How to clone an app on Xiaomi: official and unofficial ways

Creating a copy of an app on Xiaomi smartphones is a popular query among users who want to use multiple accounts on the same service at the same time, such as two WhatsApp, two Telegram or two social media profiles on the same device. The manufacturer offers a built-in solution – the Dual Apps function (in new versions) MIUI And HyperOS is called App Cloner, but it's limited, and in this article, we'll go through all the working methods of cloning, including hidden settings, ADB-teams and third-party tools, and also tell about the pitfalls of each method.

It's important to understand that app cloning isn't just about dubbing an icon, it's about creating an isolated sandbox, where the second copy of the program works with separate data, cache and notifications. On Xiaomi, this is implemented differently depending on the firmware version: MIUI 12-14 It uses the classic Dual Apps, and HyperOS (starting with the Redmi Note) 13, Xiaomi 14) — Updated App Cloner with advanced settings, with some applications (e.g. banking or with a mobile phone) DRM-protection) do not support cloning in principle - they will simply not be on the list available for duplication.

If the built-in tools don’t fit, users resort to alternative methods, from manually creating a second user profile in Android to using utilities like Parallel Space or the likes of the Android app. 2Accounts. However, each of these methods has its own risks, from data loss to account blocking for “suspicious activity”, and then we will discuss all the options, their pros and cons, as well as provide recommendations on security.

1.Official method: Dual Apps / App Cloner in MIUI hyperos

Xiaomi’s most reliable and recommended method is to use the built-in cloning feature, which is available on most devices running the same. MIUI 10 and later, and in HyperOS. The main advantage is that no root or third-party programs are required, and clones are updated along with the original apps via Google Play.

To activate Dual Apps:

1. Open the Settings. → Annexes → Dual Apps (in HyperOS: Settings) → Annexes → Cloning of applications).
2. In the list, select the app you want to clone (such as WhatsApp or Facebook).
3. Click Clone and confirm the creation of a copy.
4. After the process is completed, a new icon with an icon will appear on the desktop. ⧉ (two-arrow).

Limitations of the method:

• 🔹 Not all apps are supported (e.g. Google Pay, Netflix, most banking apps).
• 🔹 Clones take up extra memory space (each copy weighs as much as the original).
• 🔹 In HyperOS, some clones may not work as well due to changes in the system architecture.
• 🔹 Notifications from clones may be duplicated or delayed.

In HyperOS (starting with Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) App Cloner feature has received additional settings:

2. Cloning through the second user profile (no root)

If the application you want is not supported by Dual Apps, you can use the standard Android feature, multiplayer mode, which works on all Xiaomi devices with Android 5.0 and later, but has its own nuances:

How to create a second profile:

1. Go to Settings. → System system → Multiplayer mode (in HyperOS: Settings) → Accounts. → Users).
2. Click Add User or Guest Profile.
3. Follow the instructions for setting up a new profile (you will need to enter a password if the device is protected).
4. After creating, switch to a new profile through the notification panel (user icon).
5. In the new profile, install the desired application and log in under another account.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 It works with any application, including those that are not supported by Dual Apps.
• 🔹 Complete isolation of data between profiles (no risk of confusing accounts).
• 🔹 Does not require root or third-party programs.

Disadvantages:

• 🔸 When switching between profiles, you have to enter a password.
• 🔸 You can’t switch between copies of the application quickly (you need to change the entire profile).
• 🔸 Some apps (such as WhatsApp) can block an account when you switch between profiles frequently.

3. Cloning through ADB (for power users)

If the built-in methods are not suitable, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge for forced app cloning requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge, but bypasses the limitations of Dual Apps.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB-Drivers and open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, continue.
5. Execute the cloning command (replace com.example.app with the desired application package, for example, com.whatsapp): adb shell cmd package install-existing --user 0 com.example.app
6. Reboot the device. The clone will appear on the desktop.

It doesn't work on all versions. MIUI/HyperOS. On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) You may need an additional command to unlock the cloning:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

Install ADB-PC drivers|Enable the developer mode on Xiaomi|Activate debugging by USB|Check the connection of the adb device team|Find the package name of the application (for example, through the App Inspector)-->

Risks of the method:

• 🔸 Disruption of some system functions (e.g. Mi Share or Game Turbo).
• 🔸 Possible errors when updating clones through Google Play.
• 🔸 On devices with HyperOS can work protection MIUI Optimization that blocks change.

💡

To find the batch name of the application, install App Inspector from Google Play. Open the application, information about the package will be in the "Package Name" section.

Third-party cloning applications: Parallel Space, 2Accounts others

If the official methods do not fit, you can use third-party utilities.

• 🔹 Parallel Space – creates a virtual space for cloning applications, supports several copies of one service.
• 🔹 2Accounts — lightweight analogue with minimalist interface, suitable for weak devices.
• 🔹 Island (requires root) – isolates clones in a separate “island” mode for increased security.
• 🔹 Multi Accounts – specializes in social networks and instant messengers.

How to work with Parallel Space:

1. Install the app from Google Play or APK-file (for regions where it is blocked).
2. Open Parallel Space and add the right applications to the virtual space.
3. Sign in to clones under other accounts.
4. Switch between originals and copies through the utility interface.

Advantages of third-party solutions:

• 🔹 Support for applications that are not cloned through Dual Apps.
• 🔹 The ability to create more than two copies of one application (in Parallel Space Pro).
• 🔹 Additional functions: blocking notifications, changing geolocation, password protection.

Risks and disadvantages:

• 🔸 High battery consumption (virtual space works as a separate process).
• 🔸 Possible conflicts with MIUI Optimization, especially on HyperOS.
• 🔸 Some banking applications and services (such as Google Pay) block virtual space.
• 🔸 Free versions show ads and may collect data.

💡

On the side, utilities like Parallel Space are convenient, but they don't guarantee stability. On Xiaomi with HyperOS, they may perform worse because of the changed system architecture.

5. Restrictions and blockings: which applications can not be cloned

Not all programs support cloning, some actively block this possibility at the code level, and here is a list of categories of applications that cannot be duplicated on Xiaomi without the risk of blocking an account or crashing:

Even if you have cloned an app like this (for example, through Parallel Space), it can:

• 🔹 Blocking an account for “suspicious activity".
• 🔹 Refuse to run in a virtual environment.
• 🔹 Require re-authorization at each entrance.

💡

Before cloning a banking app, check its security policy, for example, Tinkoff officially bans the use of virtual spaces and can block the card.

Risks of cloning: safety and productivity

Creating copies of apps is a convenient feature, but it has hidden threats:

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi devices with HyperOS cloning through ADB or third-party utilities may cause system failure MIUI Optimization. In this case, the phone will start to slow down, and some functions (such as Always-on Display or Game Turbo) will stop working. To regain stability, you will have to reset the settings to the factory.

Main risks:

• 🔹 Clones may have vulnerabilities, especially if created through untested utilities.
• 🔹 Loss of performance: Each copy of the application consumes additional resources (RAM, CPU), which leads to brakes.
• 🔹 Notification conflicts: On MIUI/HyperOS Notifications from clones may be duplicated or not at all.
• 🔹 Account Blocking: Social Networks and Messengers (e.g, VK Telegram or Telegram may consider multi-accounting as a violation of the rules.

How to minimize the risks:

• 🔹 Use only official methods (Dual Apps) for critical applications.
• 🔹 Update clones regularly via Google Play (Parallel Space has a built-in update feature).
• 🔹 Do not clone more than 2-3 applications at the same time – it is very loading.
• 🔹 On HyperOS devices, turn off optimization for clones: Settings → Annexes → Special permits → Optimizing the battery.

7. Alternatives to cloning: web versions and multi-account in the application

If cloning is not possible or desirable, consider alternative ways to manage multiple accounts:

Web versions of services:

• 🌐 WhatsApp Web – allows you to use a second account through a browser.
• 🌐 Telegram Web – supports multisessions without cloning.
• 🌐 VK, Facebook, Instagram – in the browser you can log in under another account.

Built-in multi-account support:

• 🔹 Telegram – officially supports up to 3 accounts in one app.
• 🔹 Slack, Discord – allows you to quickly switch between workspaces.
• 🔹 Gmail – Supports adding multiple accounts to one app.

Additional devices:

• 📱 Use a second smartphone (like an old Redmi) for a second account.
• 🖥 Connect your second account to your PC via emulators (BlueStacks, LDPlayer).

💡

Before you clone an app, check if it supports a multi-account natively, for example, Telegram can add up to 3 accounts without any clones.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cloning on Xiaomi