The modern rhythm of life often requires dividing digital space into personal and work. Owners of smartphones based on Android 8.0 Oreo are faced with the need to launch two accounts in one messenger, for example, WhatsApp or Telegram. Unfortunately, the standard system does not always provide this function out of the box explicitly, especially on devices released before the mass introduction of the Dual Apps function.
However, the architectural features of the eighth version of Android allow you to implement the cloning task in several ways. In this article we will analyze in detail the standard capabilities of manufacturers, the use of specialized software and advanced configuration methods through the engineering menu. You will learn how to safely create copies of apps without the risk of losing data or compromising the stability of the gadget.
Built-in capabilities of manufacturers on Android 8
Many users do not realize that their device already knows how to create clones. Manufacturers often disguise this feature under unique names in the system settings. Before downloading third-party software, carefully study the section Settings of your smartphone. Depending on the brand, the path to the treasured button may differ.
On devices Xiaomi and Redmi With the MIUI shell, the function is called “Application cloning”. It allows you to select any supported messenger and create a full copy of it with a separate icon on your desktop. Developers do the same thing Huawei with the "App Twin" function. These solutions work at the system level, which guarantees high stability minimum battery consumption compared to third-party counterparts.
⚠️ Attention: On some Samsung models with Android 8, the Dual Messenger feature is only available for selected applications. If the required app is not in the list, the standard method will not work.
To activate, you need to go to the menu Settings → Advanced features (or a similar section). There you will see a list of installed apps. Activating the switch next to the desired application will instantly create a second copy of it. This method is the most preferable, as it does not require installing additional Software.
Using specialized cloning applications
If the manufacturer of your device does not provide a built-in duplication function, applications from the store will come to the rescue. Google Play. There is a whole class of utilities that create a virtual environment inside the main Android space. Popular solutions include Parallel Space, 2Accounts and Multiple Accounts.
The operating principle of such apps is based on creating an isolated container. Inside this container, a copy of the target application is launched, which does not see the files of the main version. This allows you to log in using a different phone number or account. The setup process is usually intuitive and takes no more than a couple of minutes.
- 🚀 Quick start: The clone starts almost instantly after setup.
- 🔒 Password protection: Many cloners allow you to set a separate PIN code or fingerprint to enter the cloned application.
- 📱 Game support: Some utilities can clone not only instant messengers, but also game clients for multi-accounts.
It is worth considering that working through a virtual environment creates an additional load on RAM. On devices with 2GB RAM, this may result in system slowdown. In addition, such applications often display ads, which can be annoying if used frequently.
To save battery power, turn off notifications for the cloner application in the system settings if you do not need instant notifications from the second account.
Work Profile feature as an alternative cloning
Android 8.0 has significantly improved support for work profiles. This feature was originally intended for the corporate sector to separate personal and work data. However, enthusiasts have found a way to use it to clone applications at home. This is a “cleaner” method in terms of system architecture.
To implement this method, you will need an application that can create a work profile, for example Shelter or Island. After installation and provision of the necessary access rights, the system will create a second tab in the application menu. All apps installed in this profile will work in isolation from the main system.
The main advantage of this approach is complete data isolation. Applications in the work profile have their own cache, their own settings and their own permissions. This is ideal for those who want to strictly separate, for example, banking applications and entertainment content.
☑️ Setting up a work profile
However, there are also nuances. Not all widgets work correctly in the work profile. It may also be difficult to receive push notifications if the system decides to put the profile's background process to sleep to save energy.
Technical limitations and impact on resources
Creating a clone of an application is not just copying a shortcut. This is the launch of a second instance of the process, which consumes CPU and memory resources. On Android 8, memory management is already quite smart, but the physical limitations of the hardware are still there.
If you are cloning a “heavy” application, for example Facebook or a resource-intensive game, be prepared for the fact that the device may start to heat up when both versions are running simultaneously. This is especially critical for budget smartphones released during the era of Android Oreo.
| Application type | RAM consumption (approximately) | Impact on battery | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messengers (WhatsApp) | 50-100 MB | Low | Safe for any devices |
| Social networks (VK, Instagram) | 150-300 MB | Average | Preferably 3 GB of RAM |
| Games (PUBG, CoD) | 500+ MB | High | Clone is not recommended |
| Banking applications | 100-200 MB | Low | Use only work profiles |
It is important to monitor the temperature of the case when actively using two copies. Overheating can lead to CPU throttling, causing both applications to run with delays.
Cloning heavy 3D games on devices with less than 4 GB of RAM often leads to system instability and crashes.
Advanced methods: ADB and hidden settings
For experienced users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a method of cloning via USB debugging. By connecting your smartphone to your computer and activating developer mode, you can use tools ADB to manipulate packages.
This method allows you to change the user ID for an installed application, essentially making the system think that it is a app for another user. The command looks something like this:
adb shell pm install-existing --user 10 com.package.nameHere com.package.name is replaced by the real name of the application package, and 10 by the ID of the second user. This method creates the most native copy that does not depend on third-party shells like Parallel Space.
⚠️ Warning: Incorrect use of ADB commands may cause the application to stop running or the system to lose access to data. Make backup copies before experimenting.
Also, some firmware based on Android 8 hides the ability to create multiple users in the standard menu. Activating this function through the engineering menu or special launchers allows you to get a full-fledged second account in the system with your own set of applications.
Where can I find the name of the application package?
You can find out the exact name of the package (for example, com.whatsapp) using free utilities like "App Inspector" from Google Play. Just launch it, select the desired application, and you will see the line “Package Name”.
Solving problems with notifications and synchronization
A common problem when cloning on Android 8 is the lack of notifications from the second copy of the application. The system aggressively manages background processes to save battery, and often "kills" the clone, deeming it unnecessary.
To fix this, you need to manually configure power management for the cloned application. Go to Settings → Applications → [Clone name] → Battery and select the “No restrictions” or “Do not optimize” mode. This will prevent the system from terminating the process in the background.
Another important aspect is contact synchronization. Cloned messengers sometimes do not see contacts from the main phone book. In the clone's permissions settings, make sure that permission to read contacts is granted. In some cases, you need to export contacts to a file and import them again within the clone profile.
If you are faced with the fact that the second copy constantly crashes upon startup, try clearing its cache and data through the app management menu. Sometimes a version conflict (when the main application has been updated, but the clone remains old) causes critical errors.
Disabling battery optimization for cloned applications is a mandatory step to receive stable notifications on Android 8.
Data security when using clones
Using third-party applications for cloning raises security issues. When you enter your account password into an intermediary application (such as Parallel Space), the developer of that intermediary can theoretically gain access to your data.
For financial applications and services with critical information, it is strongly recommended to use only the built-in functions of the system or the Work Profile method through trusted open source software (like Shelter). Avoid dubious cloners with low ratings.
In addition, remember that some services (for example, banking applications or corporate instant messengers) can detect the fact that you are working in a cloned environment and block entry for security reasons. This is protection against malware, which also works on legitimate clones.
Is it possible to clone any app on Android 8?
Technically, you can try to clone almost any application, but system applications (Settings, Phone, Messages) cannot be cloned or it is pointless. Also, some applications are protected from running in a virtual environment.
Will a clone of an application take up a lot of memory space?
The application body itself is duplicated, so it will take up about the same space as the original. However, the cache and data may differ. If the original takes up 100 MB, the clone at rest will also take about 100 MB, but the volume will grow as it is used.
Will the clone be deleted when the main application is deleted?
Depends on the method. When using the built-in feature (App Twin), deleting the main app will often result in deleting the clone. When using Parallel Space or Work Profile, the applications are independent of each other.
Why does the WhatsApp clone not see the camera?
Most likely, the cloned application does not have access rights to the camera. Go to your phone settings, find the WhatsApp clone in the list of applications and manually allow access to the camera and microphone.
Does cloning affect the warranty of the smartphone?
Using software cloning through settings or applications from the Play Market does not affect the warranty. However, using methods with root access or flashing the system to obtain these functions may void your warranty service.