The application cloning function has become standard for most modern smartphones, allowing users to run two copies of one messenger or social network at the same time. However, over time, this feature can turn into a problem: duplicates take up unnecessary memory space, consume RAM in the background, and drain battery power even when you are not using them. Many users are faced with a situation where a second account in Telegram or WhatsApp was created a long time ago, and now it needs to be deleted, but there is simply no standard “Trash” icon on the desktop.
The process of deactivating this function differs greatly depending on the manufacturer of your device and the version of the shell. Android. While on one smartphone you can simply drag the icon to the trash can, on another you will have to go into deep system settings or use special application management menus. Incorrect deletion can lead to the loss of correspondence in the second account or a malfunction of the main application, so it is important to understand the difference between regular deletion and disabling the system duplication function.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithms of actions for the most popular shells, such as MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS i EMUI. You'll learn how to find hidden settings, how to clear the cache before deleting, and what to do if standard methods don't work. We will also discuss the technical nuances of the virtual space in which cloned applications live, and give recommendations for optimizing the system after removing them.
Why there is a need to remove a duplicate application
The main reason why users decide disable cloningis the inefficient use of device resources. Each cloned application runs as an independent process, with its own cache, database, and notification services. This means that even if you don't log into your second WhatsApp account, it will still periodically sync with the server, consuming traffic and CPU power.
Another factor is notification confusion. When messages from two different accounts of the same messenger appear on the lock screen, it’s easy to miss an important message or reply from the wrong number. For many users, the separation of work and personal space is relevant only at the initial stage, and after a while the need for a second profile disappears, leaving behind only digital garbage.
⚠️ Attention: Before deleting the cloned application, be sure to save important correspondence or media files from the second account. After disabling the function, all data stored inside the clone will be irretrievably lost, and it will be impossible to restore it using standard means.
It is also worth considering the impact on the performance of the system as a whole. On smartphones with a small amount of RAM (for example, 4 GB or less), having several heavy clones can lead to frequent downloads of applications from the background. This manifests itself in the fact that when switching between tasks, apps are reloaded again, which creates a feeling of “brakes” and slows down the interface.
Universal method through system settings
Despite the variety of interfaces, the logic of the duplication function at the kernel level Android remains similar. In most cases, management of cloned applications is placed in a separate settings section, which is not always obvious to the user. The first step should always be to find a menu related to managing applications or special functions.
Usually the path to the desired section is as follows: you need to go to Settings, then find the item Applications or Advanced settings. This is where a subsection with a name like “App Cloning”, “Double Applications” or “App Twin” is often hidden. If you do not see such an item right away, use the search bar inside the settings menu by entering the keyword “clone” or “double.”
After entering the corresponding menu, you will see a list of apps for which you can create a copy. Active clones are usually marked with a check mark or switch in the Enabled position. To disable the feature, simply click this switch. The system will immediately request confirmation of the action, warning you that all data will be deleted.
☑️ Setting search algorithm
It is important to note that in some firmware versions the deletion does not occur instantly. The system may offer to first create a backup copy of the clone data or transfer it to the main application, if such a technical possibility is provided by the shell developer. Always read pop-up warnings carefully to avoid accidentally deleting the main application instead of the clone.
Specifics of disabling on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones
The shell MIUI (and its successor HyperOS) offers one of the most flexible cloning systems, which is called “Application Cloning”. A feature of this system is that a clone can not only have a separate icon, but also work in an isolated space with its own settings for notifications and file access.
To manage duplicates on devices Xiaomi you need to follow the path Settings → Applications → Cloning applications. The list that opens will display all apps for which copies have been created. There will be a check mark next to each active clone. Unchecking this checkbox initiates the deletion process.
The system will issue a warning that the data will be deleted. After confirming the action, you will see that the second application icon will disappear from the desktop. However, sometimes it happens that the icon remains, but when clicked it gives an error. In this case, it is recommended to restart the device so that the launcher updates the list of installed apps.
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi smartphones, the Second Space function works differently than regular application cloning. If you were using a full second space with a separate password and desktop, disabling clones inside the main space will not remove the entire second space. It must be deleted separately through the “About phone” or “Passwords and security” settings.
It is also worth mentioning the “Dual applications” function in older versions MIUI. There the interface could be different, and control was carried out through the “Security” application. If you don’t find the item you need in the main settings, open the pre-installed application Security, scroll down to the “Tools” section and find “Double applications” there.
What to do if the clone is not deleted on Xiaomi?
Sometimes the system blocks deletion if the application is active in the background. Go to the multitasking menu (square button or swipe up and hold), close all windows associated with the cloned application, and only then try to disable it in the settings. If this does not help, force stop the process in the "Applications" section before deleting.
Removing duplicates on Samsung Galaxy
The company Samsung implements a cloning feature called “Dual Profile” (Dual Messenger). This function is available mainly for instant messengers and social networks. The principle of operation here is slightly different from its Chinese counterparts: the system does not create a full-fledged virtual container, but rather forks the application installation package.
To disable the duplicate on Samsung Galaxy, follow the path Settings → Additional features → Dual profile. In the list you will see applications for which you can activate a second account. Opposite the installed clone there will be a switch. Switch it to the inactive state.
After turning off the switch, the system will show a dialog box with the question: “Delete second profile data?” Here, it is critical to select the “Delete” option if you want to completely clear the clone from your device. If you select “Cancel”, the function may remain suspended and the icon will not disappear.
| Samsung model | Menu location | Function name | Uninstall features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S20-S24 | Additional. functions | Dual profile | Instant data deletion |
| Galaxy A series | Additional. functions | Double profile | Requires password confirmation |
| Galaxy Note | Additional. functions | Dual profile | Backup can be saved |
| Old models (J, M) | Application settings | Cloning | May be absent in new firmware |
It is worth noting that on some models Samsung with shell OneUIolder versions, the menu could be in the section Settings → Advanced functions. The interface is constantly updated, so if you do not find the item in the specified location, use the search in the settings by typing “Dual” or “Double.”
If, after deleting the clone on Samsung, the icon remains in the application menu, but is not deleted with a long tap, try clearing the launcher cache. To do this, go to Settings → Applications, find "One UI Home screen" (or similar), select "Storage" and click "Clear cache". The data will not be affected.
Instructions for Huawei and Honor (EMUI and MagicOS)
Smartphones of the brands Huawei i Honor use the “App Twin” function, which is one of the most stable on the market. It is deeply integrated into the shell EMUI and the new MagicOS. Removal here is also done through the system settings, but has its own nuances depending on the version of Android.
The action algorithm is as follows: open Settings, then go to the section Applications. Find the item App clone. The list shows supported apps. To remove the duplicate, you just need to turn off the toggle switch next to the desired application.
The system will warn that the data will be deleted. After confirmation, the orange or blue icon (depending on the shell version) will disappear. A feature of devices Huawei is that cloned applications often have access to separate storage inside the file manager. After deleting the clone, it is recommended to check the folder Internal Storage/Android/data for residual files with names like com.tencent.mm.clone and delete them manually to free up space.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with Google services (GMS) and without them (HMS), the behavior of the function may differ. On newer models without Google services, some third-party applications may not be supported by the cloning feature, and attempting to disable them may cause a system error. Make sure that you are deleting the system clone and not a third-party cloner app.
In rare cases, especially on older firmware EMUI, the function could be called “Twin Application”. The operating logic is the same, but the icon in the settings menu could look different. If the standard path does not lead to results, check the “Security” section in the Phone Manager application, where in older versions optimization and cloning tools were located.
Solving problems during deletion and cleaning up leftovers
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the standard shutdown does not work: the switch does not press, a system error occurs, or the icon continues hang on the desktop like a dead weight. This may be due to corruption of the cache files or an application version conflict.
In this case, you can try a forced stop. Go to Settings → Applications → Show all applications. Find the cloned application in the list (it is often marked with a clone icon or has a "2" or "Clone" suffix). Click on it, select Stop, and then Delete. If the delete button is inactive, try first Clear data and Clear cache.
If this does not help, there is a more radical method through secure boot mode, but for ordinary users it is difficult. A simpler solution is to use ADB commands (Android Debug Bridge) via a computer. This method requires USB debugging to be enabled, but allows you to remove any package that the system refuses to remove through the interface.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 clone_package_nameThe clone package name usually differs from the main one by adding a suffix, for example com.whatsapp.clone or com.instagram.android2. You can find out the exact name through applications like App Inspector. Using this command requires caution: removing a system package may lead to unstable operation of the phone.
If standard removal does not work, do not rush to reset the phone to factory settings. Try clearing the launcher cache first and forcefully stopping the clone process in the application settings - in 90% of cases this solves the problem of a frozen icon.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will correspondence in the main account be deleted if I disable the clone?
No, disabling the function cloning only affects the second, created copy of the application. All data, messages and media files in the main account will remain completely safe. Only the isolated clone space is deleted.
Is it possible to recover a deleted clone of an application?
Yes, you can re-enable the cloning feature in the settings at any time. However, the application itself will be installed “clean”, without the correspondence history and settings that were there before uninstallation. You can restore data only if you have previously made a backup copy within the messenger itself (for example, via Google Drive or iCloud).
Why was so little space freed up after deleting the clone?
The bulk of the data is often stored not in the application itself, but in media files (photos, videos) that could be saved to the general phone gallery. Deleting a clone removes only its system files and cache. To free up more space, check the folders in the gallery and file manager, deleting duplicate images manually.
Does cloning affect the speed of the Internet?
The mere fact of having a clone does not reduce the speed of the Internet. However, if both applications (master and clone) are active and synchronizing data at the same time, they share the available communication channel. In weak signal conditions, this may result in increased ping or slower loading of pages in the browser.
Is it safe to use third-party cloning apps?
Third-party cloner applications (not built into the system) often require broad permissions to access your data and are less stable than system solutions. They can drain your battery faster and pose a risk of data leakage as your communications pass through their servers or virtual environment. It is recommended to use only the built-in functions of the manufacturer.