Owners of MIUI or HyperOS devices often face multiple accounts on the same messengers, especially for those who do business and personal correspondence on the same device, not wanting to carry a second smartphone. Fortunately, the company's engineers have built-in functionality that allows you to create full copies of programs without installing third-party software.
The cloning function works at a system level, which ensures the stability and security of data. Unlike sandboxes or virtual environments, which are often found in third-party stores, the built-in app cloning tool does not require root rights or load the processor with unnecessary services, you get a completely isolated environment for the second account, which behaves like a separate application.
This technology allows you to run two instances of most popular social networks and instant messengers at the same time. The setup process takes only a few minutes and does not require deep technical knowledge. Below we will discuss in detail how to activate this feature, which applications are supported and what to do if the desired program is not on the list available for duplication.
What is the Cloning of Applications in MIUI?
Cloning is a mechanism for creating an independent copy of an installed APK package. When you create a clone, the system generates a new user profile for that particular application. This means that the data, cache and settings of the original and the copies are completely separated. You can log into one account in the main application and the other in the clone, receiving notifications from both.
Technically, this is done through the Android User Profiles mechanism, adapted to the needs of Xiaomi shell. Unlike simple multi-window mode, where applications just work in parallel, the clone has its own data set, which allows, for example, to log into two different Telegram accounts with different phone numbers on the same device.
⚠️ Note: Clone applications take up extra space in the device’s memory. If you have almost all of your internal drive full, making multiple copies can lead to a lack of free space and slow down the system.
It is important to understand that not all applications can be cloned, and the system limitations of MIUI allow only those programs that have a clear link to the user's account to be duplicated, usually social networks, messengers and some banking applications, although the latter may block work on cloned versions for security reasons.
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An app clone is a fully isolated copy that runs parallel to the original and has its own data and login settings.
Supported applications and limitations
The list of programs available for cloning is formed by the shell developers and depends on the version of MIUI or HyperOS. Generally, the default list includes the most popular services. However, the system is quite flexible and allows you to add to the list of exceptions even those applications that were not originally supported.
Most often, users can easily create copies for the following categories of software:
- 📱 Messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, Signal.
- 📸 Social networks: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (X), VKontakte.
- 💼 Business applications: Zoom, Skype, Slack, Microsoft Teams.
There are certain restrictions on high-security banking applications and services, some banks can detect that an application is running in a cloned environment and block access to their personal account, to prevent fraud and protect users' financial data.
It is also worth noting that cloning gaming applications is possible, but not always advisable: Games often require significant resources, and running two copies of heavyweight games is not a good idea. 3D-The games can cause both smartphone overheating and frame drops, and some online games may view the use of clones as a violation of the rules and block the account.
Step-by-step: how to create a clone of the application
The process of activating the second copy of the program is as simple and unified as possible in all versions of the firmware. You do not need to download additional launchers or utilities. All the necessary tools are already built into the settings menu of your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone.
To start the work, perform the following actions:
- Open the standard Settings app on your device.
- Scroll down the list and find the App section.
- Inside the section, select Cloning Apps (or Dual Apps).
- You will see a list of installed programs that support copy creation.
- Activate the switch in front of the desired application.
☑️ Pre-cloning testing
Once the switch is turned on, the system automatically creates a shortcut on the desktop, usually marked with a special icon (often two circles or an orange icon) so that you do not confuse the main version and the clone. Now you can open a new application and log in to the second account.
If you don't find the right app on the list, don't get upset. There's a forced cloning method available in newer versions of the shell that allows you to add to the list of supported almost any program installed from Google Play or Google Play. APK-file.
How to clone apps that aren’t on the list
The standard list of supported applications may be limited, but modern versions of MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS have a feature to add any programs, which is especially useful for regional messengers or specialized software that did not make the basic list of Xiaomi.
To add an unsupported app, scroll down the cloning list to the bottom, and you'll see the + Add app button, and you'll click on it, and you'll open the full list of all the apps installed on your smartphone, and just tick the box against the cloning button and confirm the action.
But there's a caveat: Not all apps work properly in forced cloning mode; some can fly out when they launch, or not save settings, or notify them, depending on how the app developer programmed it to work with Android system services.
What if the clone doesn't work?
To remove the unwanted clone, just go back to the Application Cloning menu and turn off the switch. The system will ask for confirmation, as all data inside the cloned application (correspondences, photos, files) will be irrevocably deleted. Make sure you do not need information from the second copy.
Set up notifications and performance
One of the common problems with using clones is the lack of notifications in the second copy. The MIUI energy saving system can aggressively "sleep" the background processes of the clone, considering them less important than the main application.
Go to the battery settings and find the cloned application, make sure it has AutoRun permission and no background restrictions, and it is also recommended to fix the application in memory (lock it in the list of running tasks) so that the system does not unload its process.
The table below shows the comparative characteristics of the original and clone:
| Parameter | Original appendix | Appendix clone |
|---|---|---|
| Icon on screen | Standard. | With an orange badge |
| Data and cache | Separate vault | Isolated storage |
| Notifications | It's working by default. | Requires energy saving settings |
| Impact on the battery | Standard. | Increases consumption by 10-15% |
Keep in mind that having two active instances of a heavy app, such as video calls, can cause the case to heat up. If you notice that the smartphone is starting to warm up, close the currently unused version.
Alternative ways to launch two accounts
If the built-in function is not suitable for some reason or the application blocks cloning, there are alternative methods. These may be less convenient, but often the only ones possible for a specific software. One option is to use the Second Space function.
The second space creates a completely separate user profile on the system, like a guest mode, but with full access. You can re-install the app in the second space and log in to another account. Switching between spaces is through a password or a fingerprint.
Another option is to use specialized parallel apps from Google Play, like Parallel Space or 2Accounts, which create a virtual environment inside themselves by running applications in a sandbox, which works with almost all programs, but often comes with intrusive advertising and increased resource consumption.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party cloning applications often require extensive permissions to access your data, contacts and location. Use them with caution, especially to log into banking or confidential messaging apps.
For most users, Xiaomi’s built-in solution is the optimal balance between convenience, performance and security, and is deeply integrated into the system and does not require the installation of additional junk.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Despite the functionality, users can experience a variety of bugs, and the most common problem is that the clone stops receiving messages, and as mentioned earlier, this is solved by setting up auto-start and removing battery constraints, and reinstalling the cloned app also helps.
Sometimes, after updating the firmware, the cloning settings may get lost, in which case you will have to re-activate the function in the settings menu. If the clone is not working correctly (the interface is glitching, images are not loaded), try clearing the cache of the cloned version through the App menu.
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To quickly clean the clone cache, press the cloned app icon on the desktop, select About App and click Clear -> Clear Cache.
In rare cases, you may need to completely reset your application settings if the cloning system service fails, which can be done in the recovery menu or through special engineering codes, but it is better to resort to this only as a last resort, saving important data beforehand.