Many users are faced with the need to use two different WhatsApp or Viber numbers on one smartphone. This is especially true for those who separate their personal and work lives, or simply want an additional SIM card for international calls. Modern smartphones based on Android provide an impressive arsenal of tools for solving this problem, but the approach greatly depends on the manufacturer of your device.
In this article we will analyze in detail all existing methods of duplicating messengers: from built-in system functions to installing third-party software. You don't need to be an expert in programming to set parallel space on your gadget. The main thing is to choose the right tool that will not conflict with the main system.
Before you start installing a second copy of the application, make sure that you have an active SIM card with the number to which the new account will be registered. The verification process requires receiving an SMS or a call, so virtual numbers without the ability to receive codes are not suitable here. Let's take a step-by-step look at how to implement this task on various phone models.
Built-in application cloning functions
Most modern smartphone manufacturers build into their shell the function of creating application clones. This is the most reliable and energy efficient method since it works at the system level and not through emulation. If you have a device from Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei or Honor, most likely, the necessary tool is already available in the settings.
First, you need to go to the menu Settings of your smartphone and find the section responsible for managing applications. Names may vary depending on brand and version Android. For example, on Xiaomi devices this function is called “App Cloning”, and on Samsung it is called “Dual Messenger”.
In the list that opens you will see installed messengers that support duplication. Find it in the list Viber and activate the switch opposite it. The system will automatically create a second icon on the desktop, usually with a small different icon (for example, an orange padlock or double circle). After this, you can launch a second Viber and link another phone number to it.
⚠️ Attention: On some older phone models or stripped-down versions of firmware (for example, Chinese versions without Google services), the cloning function may be missing or not work correctly with the latest messenger updates.
If you do not find the desired item in the settings, do not hurry to get upset. There are alternative methods that work on almost any device. However, built-in tools are always preferable, as they consume less battery power and RAM.
Before activating cloning, make sure that you have enough free space in the internal memory. A duplicate app takes up almost as much space as the original, plus cache data.
Using Second Space mode
Some manufacturers, in particular Xiaomi and Redmi, offer a more advanced tool called Second Space. This is not just a clone of the application, but the creation of a complete isolated environment inside your phone. Essentially, you get two independent desktops with different settings, accounts and applications.
This mode is activated through the menu Settings → Second Space → Enable Second Space. Once set up, you will be prompted to create a separate password or fingerprint to log into this environment. This allows you to instantly switch between personal and work profiles simply by placing different fingers on the fingerprint scanner.
Inside Second Space you can install Viber as a regular application from Google Play or Mi GetApps. This is an ideal option for those who need complete privacy: notifications from the second space will not be displayed in the main profile, and contacts will be completely separated.
However, it is worth considering that this approach requires more resources. RAM will be more loaded, since the system actually keeps two independent environments running. If your smartphone has less than 4 GB of RAM, the device may become less responsive.
How to delete Second Space?
To delete Second Space, go to Settings → Second Space → Delete Second Space. All data, applications and files created in this profile will be permanently deleted.
Third-party applications for parallel launch
If your phone does not support built-in cloning, specialized applications from the Google Play store will come to the rescue. They create a virtual container within which a copy of the messenger is launched. Popular solutions are Parallel Space, Dual Space and Multiple Accounts.
The installation process is extremely simple: download the cloner application, give it the necessary permissions and select Viber from the list of apps for cloning. After a few seconds, the virtual application icon will appear on the screen. By launching it, you will go through the standard procedure of registering a new account.
- 🚀 Parallel Space - the most popular solution with support for many applications at the same time, but contains a lot of advertising in the free version.
- 🛡️ Shelter - an open source application that uses the Android "Work Profile" profile for isolation, which is more secure and stable.
- ⚡ 2Accounts - a lightweight cloner focused specifically on instant messengers and social networks, consumes less resources.
The main disadvantage of such solutions is the presence of advertising and increased energy consumption. Cloner applications work as a layer between the system and the messenger, which increases the load on the processor. In addition, notifications from the cloned Viber may arrive with a delay if the system decides to “put to sleep” the background process of the cloner to save battery.
☑️ Check before installing the cloner
Setting up notifications and energy saving
One of the most common problems when using two Viber is the lack of notifications from the second account. The Android system strives to optimize battery consumption and can terminate background processes of cloned applications. To avoid this, you need to correctly configure the energy saving settings.
Go to Settings → Applications → [Your Viber Clone] → Battery. Here you need to select the “No restrictions” or “No restrictions” mode. This will prevent the system from killing the messenger process when the screen is off. It is also recommended to pin the application in memory if such a function is in your firmware (usually through the multitasking menu).
For built-in clones (Dual Messenger and analogs), these settings are often applied automatically, but for third-party solutions like Parallel Space they need to be checked manually. Ignoring this step will result in the fact that you will only learn about new messages after manually opening the application.
| Clone method | Notification stability | Battery consumption | Setting up complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in function (Dual Messenger) | High | Low | Minimum |
| Second Space | High | Medium | Medium |
| Parallel Space (third-party software) | Medium (requires configuration) | High | Low |
| Shelter (Work profile) | High | Low | Medium |
Remember that the constant operation of two instances of the messenger in the background is inevitable will reduce the battery life of your smartphone. If battery life is critical for you, consider using a smartwatch to receive notifications from only one number.
The key factor in the stable operation of the second Viber is to exclude the application from the battery optimization and autostart lists.
Solving problems with verification and contacts
When registering a second account, users often encounter difficulties receive a confirmation code. Make sure that the second SIM card is installed in the phone and has a network signal. If you are using a virtual number, check whether the service supports receiving voice calls, as SMS may not arrive.
Another important aspect is contact synchronization. By default, the cloned Viber may not see contacts from the main phone book or, conversely, mix them up. In the settings of the second application, go to the Privacy → Contacts section and check the access rights. Some cloners have a separate "Update contacts" or "Synchronize" button.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to register the same phone number on two devices or in two applications at the same time. When you log in from a new device, the session on the old device will automatically end, and you will lose access to correspondence on the first phone.
If the verification code does not arrive, try requesting it as a voice call. Sometimes operators' SMS gateways work with delays, especially if the number was recently activated or is in roaming. Also check if the short number for the Viber service is blocked in the settings of your telecom operator.
Data security and backup
Using two accounts imposes double responsibility for data safety. The backup mechanisms for the main and cloned application operate independently. You need to configure saving chat history for each number separately so as not to lose important information when changing your phone or resetting settings.
In the settings of each Viber instance, go to the section Account → Viber backup. For the main application, you can use Google Drive. For a cloned version, especially if it is launched through third-party software, automatic uploading to the cloud may not work correctly due to access restrictions to the file system.
In such cases, it is recommended to periodically make local backups. Database files are usually stored in a folder /sdcard/Viber or inside the cloner application directory. Regularly copying these files to your computer or cloud storage manually ensures that you do not lose your correspondence history.
It is also worth remembering the security of the cloner applications themselves. By giving them access to your contacts, SMS, and microphone, you trust them with sensitive data. Give preference to trusted developers with high ratings and a large number of downloads, avoiding little-known utilities of dubious origin.
Is it possible to install more than two copies of Viber on one phone?
Technically, this is possible with the help of some advanced cloners (for example, Parallel Space Lite with the Multi-Open function), but it is highly not recommended. The Android system may become unstable, and RAM consumption will increase dramatically. In addition, managing three or more accounts on one screen becomes inconvenient.
Why doesn’t the second Viber receive notifications?
Most often the problem lies in the energy saving settings. The system "kills" the clone's background process. You need to add the application to battery exclusions, disable optimization for it and allow auto-start. Also check if notifications are disabled in the Android settings themselves for this particular application.
Does the cloned Viber take up as much space as the original?
No, not really. The app itself (APK file) takes up space, but system libraries are often shared with the main app. However, the cache, media files (photos, videos) and the message database are completely duplicated. Therefore, with active correspondence in two accounts, the occupied space will be almost twice as large as when using one.
Is it safe to enter bank card details in a cloned application?
Using the built-in cloning functions (from the phone manufacturer) is considered safe. However, using third-party wrapper applications (Parallel Space and analogues) carries certain risks, since you are transferring data through an intermediary. For financial transactions and input data, it is better to use the main profile or the official application.