Owners of modern smartphones are often faced with the need to manage several bank accounts at the same time. This may be due to the separation of personal and work finances, the use of a spouse's accounts, or simply the need for backup access to funds. The traditional approach requires constantly changing users within the application, which takes time and causes inconvenience when receiving transaction notifications.
Fortunately, the ecosystem Android provides flexible tools to solve this problem. Shell developers from Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and other brands have introduced application cloning functions that allow you to run two independent copies of one app. In this article we will look in detail at how to install the second one Sberbank Online, using the built-in capabilities of the system and third-party utilities.
It is worth noting that the official bank application does not block work in multi-user access mode, but requires careful attention to security. Installing a second copy of the application does not create a new bank account, but only provides a separate interface for logging into an existing account using a different phone number or login. Before starting the procedure, make sure that your device supports the necessary security functions.
Built-in functions for cloning applications on different shells
The first and most reliable way is to use the native functions of your operating system. Smartphone manufacturers understand the need of users to separate work and personal spaces, so they have introduced special modes. The name of this function may differ depending on the brand of your device, but the essence remains the same - creating an isolated environment for running a copy of the app. On smartphones, this technology is called Security Folder. It creates an encrypted space protected by an additional password or biometrics. Inside this folder, you can install a second copy of any application from the store
On smartphones Samsung this technology is called Secure Folder or "Security Folder". It creates an encrypted space protected by an additional password or biometrics. Inside this folder you can install a second copy of any application from the store Galaxy Store or Google Play. To activate, you must go to Settings → Biometrics and security → Security folder and follow the instructions of the setup wizard.
Devices from Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco use the function Clone applications (Dual Apps). It is available directly in the settings menu and does not require the creation of a separate protected area, although it isolates application data from each other. Phone owners Huawei i Honor will find a similar option called Clone application in the application settings section. Interfaces may change with the release of new firmware versions.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may differ depending on the version of Android and the specific phone model. If you do not find the specified option in the menu, use the settings search by entering the word “clone” or “duplication.”
Using built-in tools is preferable to installing third-party software, since system cloners work more stable and do not require additional permissions to access data. They are also better optimized for push notifications, which is critical for banking apps. After activating the function, a second application icon will appear in your phone menu, often marked with a special icon or an orange corner.
Setting up a second account via Secure Folder on Samsung
If you are the owner of the device Samsung, the method using Secure Folder is the gold standard for security. This approach does not simply duplicate the application, but places it in a container with hardware encryption Knox. This means that the data of the second Sberbank Online will be protected even if the main screen of the phone is unlocked by an unauthorized person.
To start setting up, open the notification shade and find the icon Secure Folder. If it is not there, add it through the editing menu of the Quick Settings panel. When you first start, the system will prompt you to set up a protection method: PIN code, pattern key or fingerprint. It is recommended to use the same biometric key as for the main login, for convenience, but with the obligatory presence of a backup PIN code.
After entering the folder, press the button + or Add applications. In the list that opens, find Sberbank Online. If the application is already installed on the main system, it will be available for selection in the "My Applications" section. Click on it to create a clone. The installation process will take a few seconds, after which a second bank icon will appear in the security folder.
☑️ Setting up Secure Folder
It is important to understand that these are two completely independent copies of the app. You can log into the original application under one phone number, and into the clone inside the security folder under another. App notifications in Secure Folder will arrive separately and require you to unlock the folder to view them, providing an additional level of privacy.
For quick access to your bank clone, add the Secure Folder widget to your home screen. This will allow you to launch a second application in one click without opening the folder itself completely.
Using the "App Cloning" function on Xiaomi and Huawei
Users of shell-based devices MIUI i EMUI have easier access to the duplication function. There is no need to create a separate protected folder; the integration process occurs at the system level. This is convenient for those who want to see both Sberbank icons directly on the desktop without unnecessary steps to unlock additional containers.
On smartphones Xiaomi go to Settings → Applications → Cloning applications. In the list of available apps, find Sberbank and activate the switch opposite it. The system will automatically create a second icon labeled as an orange icon. On devices Huawei the path will be as follows: Settings → Applications → Clone application. The logic of the actions is identical.
After activating the function, you will see two bank icons on the desktop. The first is the main application, the second is its clone. When starting a clone, the system may request confirmation of access rights or setting a separate password to enter the duplicated application, depending on the firmware version. This allows you to differentiate access if the phone is used by different family members.
| Smartphone brand | Function name | Menu path | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Secure Folder | Settings → Biometrics and security | Knox hardware encryption |
| Xiaomi / Redmi | App cloning | Settings → Applications | Separate icon on the desktop |
| Huawei / Honor | Clone application | Settings → Applications | Quick launch without folder password |
| Oppo / Realme | Clone applications | Settings → Applications | Support for multiple clones |
It should be taken into account that cloned applications consume a little more RAM, since they run as independent processes. On older phone models with low RAM, this may result in applications being unloaded from memory more frequently. In this case, when switching between two Sberbanks, the application will be downloaded again, and not restored from the background.
What to do if the cloning function is inactive?
If the switch is inactive or the application is not in the list, try updating Sberbank Online to the latest version through the official store. Some older software versions do not support multi-window mode.
Third-party applications for creating virtual space
Owners of smartphones whose manufacturers did not provide a built-in cloning function (for example, some models Motorola, Nokia or stock Android) can use third party solutions. These apps create a virtual environment inside the operating system, emulating a second device on which you can install a copy of Sberbank.
The most popular and reliable solution is the application Parallel Space. It is available in the store Google Play and allows you to clone almost any social networks and banking applications. After installing Parallel Space, you need to select Sberbank from the list of supported apps and click the add button. The application will create a shortcut to launch the clone directly in the Parallel Space interface or on the desktop.
Another powerful tool is Island. This app uses Android work profile technology, which is originally designed for corporate devices, but is great for personal needs. Island creates an isolated sandbox where applications run independently of the main system. This provides a high level of stability and compatibility with banking protections.
⚠️ Attention: When using third-party cloning apps, be careful with granting access rights. Do not grant superuser rights (Root) to unknown applications, as this may compromise the security of your banking data.
The disadvantage of using third-party utilities is the presence of advertising in free versions and possible increased battery consumption. In addition, some banking applications may identify working in a virtual environment as suspicious activity. In rare cases, Sberbank may request additional verification when logging in through such clones, but usually the problem is solved by re-authorization.
Third-party applications are an excellent solution for phones without a built-in cloning function, but built-in system tools are always a priority in terms of security and energy efficiency.
Solving problems with notifications and login
One of the most common problems when installing a second Sberbank is incorrect operation of push notifications. Users complain that messages about receipts of funds only come to the main application, and the clone is silent. This is due to Android's aggressive power saving, which "puts to sleep" the background processes of cloned applications.
To correct the situation, you need to manually configure permissions for the second instance of the application. Log in Settings → Applications, find the Sberbank clone (it may be called “Sberbank Online (clone)” or have a lock icon/orange corner). Go to the Battery or Energy saving section and select the No restrictions or Do not limitmode. This will prevent the system from killing the application process in the background.
Also check your notification settings. Make sure all alert categories are enabled for the clone, including Important and Sound. In some shells, for example MIUI, there is a separate item Autostartthat must be activated for the second Sberbank so that it can correctly connect to the server immediately after turning on the phone screen.
If a connection error occurs when logging into the second account or the application restarts cyclically, try clearing the cache clone. To do this, select Storage → Clear cachein the application menu. Do not confuse this with clearing data, as it will delete saved passwords and login settings, forcing you to log in again.
- 🔋 Check the power saving mode: disable it completely to test the notifications.
- 🔔 Enable priority notifications in the system settings for both instances of the bank.
- 🔄 Reboot the phone after setting all permissions to apply the changes.
- 🛡️ Make sure that the antivirus does not block the network activity of the cloned application.
Security issues when using two copies of the bank
Using two copies of a banking application on one device inevitably raises security questions. The main risk is that compromise of the device (viruses, phishing) gives the attacker access to all installed financial instruments at once. Therefore, maintaining digital hygiene becomes critical.
Never use the same password to log into the main application and its clone. If one account is compromised, the attacker will not be able to automatically log into the second. It is recommended that you enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for both phone numbers associated with your accounts. This will add an additional barrier even if there is a password.
Be careful when granting access rights. Cloned applications often request the same permissions as the original: access to contacts, microphone, geolocation. Deny access to contacts for the second Sberbank if it is not necessary to minimize the leakage of phone book data. Also keep an eye on which applications have the right to overlay on top of other windows - this is a common attack vector for intercepting password entries.
⚠️ Attention: The terms of use of banking applications may prohibit the installation of modified versions or operation in emulators. Using official cloning methods (Secure Folder, Dual Apps) is usually allowed, but always check your bank's current security policies.
Update both the main application and its clone regularly. Bank developers constantly release security patches that close vulnerabilities. If you lose your phone, immediately block access to all accounts through support or your personal account from another device, as the attacker will have access to both applications if the phone is unlocked.
Is it possible to log into the same account from two copies at the same time?
Technically this is possible, but not recommended. The bank's security system can regard simultaneous sessions from one device (even through different interfaces) as suspicious activity and temporarily block access. It is better to use different logins.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will SMS codes be sent to the second application?
SMS codes are sent to the phone number to which the account is linked, and not to a specific application. If you logged into the second Sberbank using a different phone number, the code will be sent to this SIM card. If the numbers are the same (which is impossible for full-fledged operation), the code will come once and will be suitable for entering any active session, but the bank may require confirmation via push in the active application.
Does the second Sberbank take up a lot of memory space?
The installation application itself is duplicated, taking up the same amount of space as the original (about 100-200 MB). However, the cache and data can grow independently. In total, two applications can take up 1.5-1.8 times more space than one, due to shared system libraries that are not duplicated, but unique user data that is stored separately for each clone.
Is it possible to make the fingerprint different for two applications?
Yes, it is possible, especially when using Secure Folder on Samsung. You can set up logging into the main system with one finger, and logging into the Security Folder (and, accordingly, into the second Sberbank) with another finger or with the same finger, but with the obligatory entry of the folder PIN code. In standard Xiaomi/Huawei cloners, fingerprint recognition is usually not provided; login is carried out using the device’s common biometric key.
What to do if the clone disappears after updating Android?
With major system updates, the cloning settings may be reset. Go to the settings of the corresponding function (Application Cloning or Secure Folder) and check whether the switch for Sberbank is active. If the icon has disappeared from the desktop, but the function is enabled, try deleting the clone and creating it again - your account data will not be affected, you will only need to enter your login and password.
Does SberPrime and Thank You bonuses work in the second application?
Yes, all bonus apps, subscriptions and cashback work absolutely identical to the main application, since they are linked to your bank account (card/phone number), and not to a specific copy of the app on your phone. You will be able to accumulate and spend Thank You bonuses using a second copy of the application, without any restrictions.