Xiaomi cloned apps: where to store, how to find and remove

Have you ever noticed that on the Xiaomi smartphone suddenly appear “twins” of installed applications – the same icons, but marked “Clone” or “Dublicate”? MIUI Dual Apps, which allows you to create independent copies of instant messengers, social networks or games to work with multiple accounts at the same time. But where exactly Xiaomi stores these cloned apps, why they take up extra memory, and how to safely remove them are questions that many users are concerned about.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the physical location of clones in the file system. MIUI, We will explain how they differ from the original applications, and provide step-by-step instructions for managing duplicates, and you will also learn which hidden folders and system directories are responsible for storing clone data, and why they can not be simply deleted through a standard File Manager. If you are faced with a lack of memory or suspect that cloned applications slow down your smartphone – this guide will help you to understand everything without risking damage to the system.

What are cloned apps on Xiaomi and why do they need them?

The function "Dual applications" (in English version) MIUI — Dual Apps was first introduced in the MIUI 8 and has since become an integral part of firmware, and its primary purpose is to share data from one application to work with multiple accounts:

• 📱 Use two WhatsApp accounts on the same phone (personal and work).
• 🎮 Run two copies of Clash of Clans game with different profiles.
• 👥 Log in to Facebook or Instagram under different logins without having to log out of your main account.

A technically cloned application is an independent copy of the original APK, It's a sandbox that works in an isolated environment. It has its own:

• 📁 Data folder (/data/user_de/{clone_ID}/).
• 🔑 Cash and settings that do not overlap with the original.
• 📛 Unique identifier (package name with suffix, for example) com.whatsapp.clone1).

It is important to understand that cloning is not the same as installing a second. APK. The system does not download the application again, but creates a “virtual copy” of it using the mechanism. MIUI This saves traffic, but not memory: each clone takes up as much space as the original, plus additional data (cache, media files, etc.).

Where the cloned applications are physically stored MIUI

Unlike other applications that are stored in /data/app/, cloned versions are placed in separate system directories, and their location depends on the version MIUI and the smartphone, but the overall structure looks like this:

To see these folders, you will need root rights or access through ADB. In the standard Xiaomi Explorer, they are hidden, as they belong to the system partition. /data. However, even without root, you can estimate the space occupied by clones:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show all processes".
3. Find the app marked “Clone” in the list and see the “Storage” section.

adb shell dumpsys package | grep "clone"

It will display a list of all cloned applications with their identifiers.-->

How to Find and Manage Cloned Apps Without Root

If you don’t want to go through the system folders, MIUI It provides built-in tools for controlling clones. Here's how to use them:

1. Opening the clone list: Go to Settings → Annexes → Dual apps. Here you'll see all the apps that clones are built for, and you'll also see the ability to add new ones.
2. Remove the clone: Tap the app marked "Clone," then click "Delete the clone." The data will be erased, but the original app will remain intact.
3. Disable notifications: In the same menu, you can turn off notifications for the clone if they interfere. To do this, go to the notification settings for a specific duplicate.

If the list of Double applications does not have the right messenger or social network, this means that MIUI The full list of compatible applications depends on the firmware version, but usually includes:

• 💬 WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber
• 📘 Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
• 🎮 Clash of Clans, PUBG Mobile (in some versions) MIUI)

Find the "Dual Applications" menu in the settings|Check the place occupied in the "Storage"|Remove unnecessary clones|Disable notifications for duplicates-->

Note that some apps (such as Snapchat or bank clients) may block cloned work due to security policies, in which case, when you launch a clone, you will see an error like “Device not supported”.

How to completely remove cloned application and its data

If you remove a clone through the standard Double Apps menu, the system only erases the main one. APK However, residual files (cache, media, settings) may remain in folders. /data/user_de/. To clean everything completely, follow this instruction:

1. Remove via Settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Double Apps, select an unnecessary clone and click “Delete».
2. Cleaning Residual Data (without root): Open Settings → Warehouse → Clean up and select Deep Cleanup. The system will find and prompt you to delete the remaining clone files.
3. Manual cleaning (with root or ADB): If you have root access, delete the folders: rm -rf /data/user_de/{clone_ID}/ rm -rf /data/app/{package.name_ID}/ To find the clone_ID, Use the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep "clone"

⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders in /data/user_de/ This can cause other applications or even systems to fail. Always check the contents of the folder before deleting it.

If after removing the clone, the application continues to appear in the list or take up space, try:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 🧹 Clear the Google Play Services cache (sometimes it conflicts with clones).
• 📱 Reset the application settings through Settings → Annexes → {attachment} → Warehouse → Reset.

Why cloned apps take up so much memory

Many users wonder why a duplicate WhatsApp weighs as much as the original, but logically it should be lighter, because a cloned app is a full copy, not a lightweight version.

The main memory eaters are media files (photos, videos, voice messages) and databases (for example, chat history on Telegram) to reduce the space occupied:

• 🗑️ Clean the clone cache regularly through Settings → Annexes → {clone} → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📂 Transfer media files to SD-card (if supported).
• 🔍 Use the built-in "Storage Analysis" in MIUI, Find and delete large files.

⚠️ Note: Some cloned apps (such as Facebook or Instagram) continue to download media in the background even after removing the clone.

If the memory runs out too fast, check to see if the system automatically creates clones. MIUI (Especially on smartphones for the Chinese market, Dual Apps can be activated when you connect the second one. SIM-Disable it in Settings. → Special facilities → Dual annexes → Auto-creation.

Can cloned applications be transferred to SD-map

In theory, the transfer of clones to SD-It's possible, but in practice, it's limited:

1. Limitations MIUI:

• 🚫 Cloned apps do not support Adoptable Storage (conversion) SD-card-part).
• 📛 Even if the original application is transferred to SD, The clone will remain in the internal memory.

Bypass routes:

• 🔧 Use it. App2SD Or similar tools (root required) that allow you to create symbolic links to clone folders.
• 📁 Manually transfer media files (photos, videos) from the clone folder to the SD-The map, but that won't solve the problem with APK data.

3. Risks:

• ⚠️ When extracted SD-The cloned app may stop working.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI symbolic references may be dropped.

If you are critically short of memory, the best option is to give up clones in favor of:

• 🌐 Web versions of messengers (WhatsApp Web, Telegram Web).
• 📱 Multi-account apps (e.g. Telegram or Slack allow you to add multiple profiles without cloning).

💡

Xiaomi cloned apps cannot be migrated to SD-The only reliable way to save space is to remove unwanted clones or use alternative solutions (web versions, multi-account applications).

Frequent problems with cloned applications and their solutions

Working with duplicate applications in MIUI It doesn't always go smoothly. Here are the most common problems and the ways to fix them:

If the cloned app is getting stuck or not responding, try:

1. Close it through the recent apps (swipe up).
2. Clear the data through Settings → Annexes → {clone} → Warehouse → Clear the data.
3. If nothing helps, remove the clone and recreate it.

⚠️ Note: Some cloned apps (such as Facebook or Instagram) may block login due to suspected fraud.If you see a message saying "Your account is blocked", try logging in via the original app or browser.

After the update MIUI The clones stopped working, which may be due to a change in the virtualization policy:

• Check for updates for cloned apps on Google Play.
• Reset the settings of dual applications through Settings → Annexes → Dual annexes → Reset.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Cloned Apps