Owners of smartphones based on the Android 9 Pie operating system are often faced with the need to use several accounts in the same instant messengers or social networks. The standard functionality does not always allow you to run two copies of the app at the same time, which creates inconvenience for those who separate personal and work space. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to bypass this limitation without the need to obtain root access or reflash the device.
Creation application clone implies launching an isolated copy of the app, which runs in parallel with the original, has its own settings and data. On Android 9, this process can be implemented either using the built-in tools of the smartphone manufacturer or using third-party software. The choice of method directly depends on the brand of your gadget and the version of the user interface.
Within this guide, we will analyze in detail all the available options for implementing the task, from system settings to installing specialized utilities. You will learn which methods are the most stable, how they affect autonomy devices, and what pitfalls exist when using virtual environments.
Built-in cloning functions from manufacturers
Many modern smartphone manufacturers integrate the application cloning function directly into the operating system shell. This is the most preferred option, as it provides maximum stability and minimal resource consumption compared to third-party solutions. However, the names of this function and the path to it may differ significantly depending on the brand.
On devices Samsung with the One UI shell (based on Android 9) this option is called Dual Messenger. It allows you to create copies only for certain social networks and instant messengers. Activation occurs through the settings menu, where the system automatically scans installed apps and offers to create a second account for them. After confirmation, an icon appears on the desktop with a small orange icon indicating a clone.
Smartphones from Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco use a feature called Dual Apps (or Clone applications). Users have access to a wider selection of duplication apps. In the MIUI settings, you can select almost any application from the list of installed ones, and the system will create a complete copy of it in a separate container. This solution works very quickly and has virtually no effect on the performance of the system.
Brand devices Huawei and Honor offer the App Twin function. The principle of operation is similar to the previous options: you select the application in the settings menu, and the system generates a second instance of it. It is important to note that on Android 9, some older models of these brands may have restrictions on the number of apps that can be cloned at the same time.
- 📱 Samsung: Settings → Additional features → Dual Messenger.
- 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi: Settings → Applications → Clone applications.
- 📱 Huawei/Honor: Settings → Applications → Application clone.
- 📱 OnePlus: Settings → Utilities → Parallel applications.
⚠️ Attention: The built-in cloning functions only work with applications that are officially supported by the shell manufacturer. If the app you need is not in the list, you will have to use third-party solutions.
Using third-party cloning applications
If your smartphone does not support system cloning or the list of available applications is too limited, specialized utilities from the Google Play store will come to the rescue. These apps create a virtual space inside the main Android interface in which copies of the target apps run. The most popular solution in this category is the application Parallel Space.
The principle of operation of such utilities is to emulate a separate runtime environment. When you add an application to Parallel Space, it is installed inside the cloner container. This allows you to launch a second WhatsApp, Telegram or VKontakte account independently of the main one. The setup process is usually intuitive: after installation, you need to select the target applications and click the add button.
There are alternatives, such as 2Accounts, Multiple Accounts or Super Clone. They offer similar functionality, but may differ in interface, presence of advertising, or RAM consumption. Some of them allow you to create an unlimited number of copies, while others are limited to one clone per application.
When using third-party solutions, it is worth considering that they work as a layer between the system and the cloned application. This may cause slight delays in startup or notifications. In addition, such apps require permission to draw on top of other windows and access to storage to work correctly.
For better stability of the cloner, add it to the list of battery optimization exceptions in the Android settings so that the system does not terminate its process in the background.
Android Work Profile technology for business tasks
A more advanced and “cleaner” way of separating applications from a system point of view is to use a Work Profile. This feature is initially intended for corporate users to separate personal and work data on one device, but it is also great for creating clones of any applications on Android 9.
Activating a work profile creates a completely isolated environment on the smartphone. Applications installed in the work profile have a separate icon with a briefcase icon and do not interfere with personal profile data. Activating this feature on consumer devices often requires special manager utilities, such as Shelter or Islandthat use the device administrator API.
The main advantage of the Work Profile method is complete isolation. Notifications, contacts, files, and application caches in your work profile are not mixed in any way with personal data. You can freeze your entire work profile at any time with a single click, which will instantly disable all cloned apps and stop them consuming resources.
Setup may seem a little more complicated than using Parallel Space, as it requires granting device administrator rights to the supporting app. However, after configuration, you get native integration into the Android system, which works more stable and safer than any virtual machines.
| Method | Stability | Data isolation | Impact on battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| System clone | High | Average | Minimum |
| Parallel Space | Average | Low | High |
| Work Profile | High | Full | Medium |
Work Profile is the only method that provides complete data isolation and the ability to instantly freeze all cloned applications.
Step-by-step guide for setting up Parallel Space
Let's consider a detailed algorithm of actions for creating an application clone using the most popular tool - Parallel Space. This method is universal and suitable for most Android 9 devices that do not have a built-in duplication function. Before you begin, make sure that you have a stable internet connection to download the necessary components.
The first step is to download the application from the official Google Play store. After installation, run the app and grant all requested permissions. Without access to storage and phone, cloning instant messengers will be impossible, since the application needs to read the list of installed apps and create data files.
In the main window you will see a list of applications that can be added. Select the desired messenger or social network and click on the plus icon. The system will begin the clone creation process, which can take anywhere from a few seconds to a minute depending on the size of the application. Upon completion, the icon will appear inside the Parallel Space interface.
For ease of use, it is recommended to create a shortcut for the cloned application on the home screen. In the Parallel Space settings, find the "Create shortcut" item and confirm the action. Now you can launch the second account directly from the desktop, although technically it will still work through the main app container.
☑️ Setting up Parallel Space
Problems with notifications and background work
One of the most common problems when using clones on Android 9 is the unstable operation of notifications. The operating system aggressively manages background processes to save battery power, which often causes cloned applications to stop receiving messages until they are manually opened.
To resolve this issue, you must manually configure the power saving settings for the cloned application or the cloning tool itself. Go to the settings of your smartphone, the "Applications" section, find the desired app and go to the "Battery" item. Set the mode to "Unlimited" or disable energy optimization.
It is also worth checking autorun permissions. On many shells (especially MIUI and EMUI), autorun is disabled by default for second instances of applications. Find the "Autorun" section in the settings and make sure that the switch next to the cloned application is active. This ensures that the process starts immediately after turning on the phone.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling battery optimization for a large number of applications can significantly reduce the battery life of your smartphone. Use this setting only for critical messengers.
Another nuance is the operation of push notifications through Google Play services. In some cases, cloned applications cannot register correctly with the notification service because they use the same identifier as the original. If notifications do not arrive even after all the settings, try clearing the Google Play services cache data or reinstalling the clone.
Why do notifications arrive with a delay?
The delay is often caused by the fact that the Android 9 system “puts to sleep” background processes to save energy. When the screen is turned off for a long time, the connection of the cloned application to the server may be lost. The connection is restored only when the screen is activated or an attempt is made to open the application.
Data security and privacy
When using third-party cloning applications, it is important to be aware of security issues. You trust a third party with access to all your correspondence, photos and authorization data, which are processed inside a virtual container. Although popular utilities like Parallel Space have a good reputation, the risk of data leakage is never zero.
Built-in system solutions and the Work Profile method are considered more secure because they use the operating system-level isolation provided by Android itself. Data in your work profile is encrypted separately, and even if you gain root access, access to it may be difficult without unlocking the profile.
Avoid using dubious clones that require suspicious permissions, such as access to SMS or calls, unless this is a functional need for the messenger. Always check the developer's privacy policy before installation.
For maximum protection of financial applications and banking clients, it is not recommended to use their cloned versions in third-party containers. Banking applications often detect the presence of cloning tools and may block work for security reasons, considering the environment to be compromised.
Periodically check the list of applications with device administrator rights. If you no longer use the cloner, remove its rights and the application itself to remove the unnecessary entry point into your system.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to clone banking applications on Android 9?
Technically this is possible through Work Profile or some advanced cloners, but highly not recommended. Banking applications use security mechanisms (SafetyNet) that can detect the cloned environment as unsafe and block entry. In addition, this creates risks for the security of your financial data.
Why does a cloned application crash on startup?
Most often this is due to a lack of RAM or a version conflict. Try updating both the main application and the cloning app to the latest versions. Also clear the cloned app's cache in settings. If the problem persists, the specific application may be incompatible with the virtualization method.
Will the clone be deleted when the main application is deleted?
When using system functions (Dual Apps, App Twin), deleting the main application usually leads to the deletion of its clone. In the case of third-party apps like Parallel Space, the clone is stored inside a container, so deleting the original from the desktop will not affect the copy inside the cloner, but it may become inoperable without some system libraries.
Does cloning affect the speed of the smartphone?
Yes, it does. Running a second instance of the application consumes additional RAM and CPU resources. On devices with 2-3 GB of RAM, this can lead to noticeable slowdowns. On smartphones with 4 GB of memory or more, the difference in performance is usually unnoticeable during everyday use.
Is it possible to change the icon of a cloned application?
In system implementations, the icon usually changes automatically (a second icon is added or the color changes). Third-party applications, such as Parallel Space, often have built-in themes that allow you to change the appearance of the clone icon to visually distinguish it from the original and avoid confusion in accounts.