Dual apps have been around for a long time on Android, so chances are they’re familiar to you. Now, these apps can go a bit under the radar if you don’t control too much about the more advanced features or basic Android tricks.
In this article I will tell you everything about them in addition to explaining what their most interesting uses are and how you can use them on your Android smartphone, regardless of its brand.
Do not miss it.
What are Dual Apps?
Dual applications are those that allow you to create two separate apps from the same application in such a way that both have a totally independent operation despite the fact that we are using them on the same mobile phone.
The simplest case to see how dual apps work can be seen with WhatsApp. The Meta messaging application does not allow you to use more than one account on the same mobile device, something that can be uncomfortable if you have a phone with two SIM cards inserted.
If we use this dual function, we can have two separate WhatsApp applications that have nothing to do with each other each one with a different phone number, different contact list and so on.
What Are They For: Uses of Dual Applications
As usually happens with functions of this type that Android keeps inside, the uses that can be given to dual applications they are almost infinite. Obviously, it will depend on each person how to use the dual applications, although it is true that there are certain uses that are more striking and useful.
The first of these uses is no secret, since I have already explained it to you a little above. WhatsApp is the main use that users want to give to dual applications, but of course it is not the only one since it is also very useful with other apps to chat and with alternatives to WhatsApp.
The games they can also be a good target to activate dual applications. Titles like the recent Mighty DOOM do not allow two accounts on the same mobile, so if you are looking to have a second profile you can easily do so thanks to this fantastic feature. You will be able to find another very interesting point for dual applications in the different social networks Like Instagram or Twitter.
Benefits of Dual Applications
Now you know what dual applications are and what they are for, but why clone an app? It’s worth it? These are some of the advantages of using them on your mobile:
- Multiple account management: Cloned apps allow you to access multiple accounts in the same app, which is useful if you have separate personal and work accounts on social media, email, or messaging apps.
- Separation between personal and work life: Cloning apps helps keep personal and professional activities separate, making it easier to stay organized and reduces distractions. This is also a benefit in terms of Privacy & Security.
- Clone apps are useful for developers who want to test different versions of their applications or test in separate environments.
- Yeah multiple people share one device, Cloned apps allow each user to have their own instance of the app, avoiding confusion and protecting individual privacy.
- By maintaining separate instances of applications, users can customize and control notifications for each account independently.
- Cloned apps allow users customize settings of each instance based on your individual preferences, such as themes, or privacy settings.
However, it is worth mentioning that not all applications are compatible with cloning, and some may have malfunctions or incompatibilities. Also, having multiple instances of an app increases resource and storage consumption on the device.
How to Activate Dual Applications?
The way to use the dual applications will depend on the manufacturer of our smartphone. The Android operating system does not have, per sea native way to create these apps, but that does not mean that you can go to a simple third-party app for it.
In addition, today there are many manufacturers that include their own way of use dual apps and then I will tell you how to access them in the best-known brands.
Create Dual Apps with Parallel
I will start by telling you the most “universal” way to create these applications on Android. This method will help you regardless of the mobile you have, although it is always more advisable to go to a native way if it is present on your device.
To create the dual applications you will need an app with many uses called Parallel Space. To install this completely free app, go to the Google Play Store:
Parallel Space－Multi Accounts – Apps on Google Play
Once you have the application installed, you will only have to follow the following steps to be able to have your first dual applications:
- Open Parallel Space.
- You will automatically see the applications that are on your device. Choose the one you want to clone.
- Once selected, click on “Add to Parallel Space”.
So you will have your first dual application. All you have to do is open it to configure it and you can use it as if you had just installed it for the first time on your smartphone.
Activate them on a Xiaomi mobile with MIUI
Xiaomi has its own custom layer of Android (MIUI), and this has a native and extremely simple way to create dual applications. To do this, you have to do the following:
- Access the Settings menu of your Xiaomi device.
- Enter the Applications section, and within this look for the section Dual Applications.
- Select the app you want to clone and click on it. As with Parallel Space, you will have to configure it again.
Samsung has its own mode in One UI
Samsung uses a custom layer on its One UI devices that also allows you to create dual apps natively. Now, in this case I must say that this function is considerably more limited, since it will only serve us for messaging apps. The way to access it is as follows:
- Open the Settings section of your Samsung mobile.
- Once you are in it, the easiest way to go to this function is through the search engine. Click on the magnifying glass and write “dual messaging”.
- Click on the first result that appears, and once this is done, select the corresponding section that you will find at the bottom of the screen.
- Select the messaging app you want to clone.
Something very interesting that this function has in One UI is that it allows us to have a different contact list for each appsomething that you can activate or deactivate in that same section.
Dual applications on Oppo mobiles
On Oppo brand devices you will also find a way to create these dual applications. ColorOS is a very complete layer, and to access this function in it you must do the following:
- Access Settings
- Use the magnifying glass to search by typing “clone applications” or “app cloner”.
- Once this function is open, all the apps that you can clone will appear. Choose the one you want and you will have it available.
Huawei lets us create dual apps natively
If you have a Huawei mobile you can also create these applications. This function is not hidden at all, and to access it you just have to follow the following steps:
- Enter the Settings menu > Applications > twin app.
- Within this menu you can search and select the application that you want to clone.
OnePlus and OxygenOS also allow cloning apps
I end this list of manufacturers with OnePlus, which also has native to create this type of applications. These applications, which the manufacturer calls “Parallel apps”, are also found within Settings, so you just have to do this:
- Look in the Settings menu for the “Parallel applications” option.
- Once inside this menu you will see all the applications that are compatible with cloning.
- Select the app you want and customize it to your liking.
How to Disable Dual Apps?
Disabling dual or cloned apps varies depending on the device and operating system you are using. Here’s how to disable dual apps on some popular operating systems:
Disable dual apps on Android
As I explained to you above, the dual apps feature is not a native feature on pure Android. However, some manufacturers, such as Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung, and others, offer a dual or parallel apps feature on their devices.
The following are general steps, but they may vary depending on the make and model of your device:
- Go to “Settings” on your device.
- Look for “Dual Apps”, “Twin App”, “Parallel App” or similar.
- In the list of apps, find the app you want to disable and uncheck the corresponding option.
- The cloned app will be deleted and the dual apps feature will be disabled for that particular app.
If you are using third party apps, such as Parallel Space, App Cloner or Dual Apps, follow these steps to disable dual apps:
- Open the app you use to clone apps.
- Find the cloned app you want to remove or disable in the list.
- Follow the specific instructions for remove or disable the cloned app. This usually involves tapping a “Delete” or “Uninstall” icon next to the cloned app.
So far all the ways you have to create dual applications, both on Android in general and for each major manufacturer in particular. If you found it useful or you know any other way to clone apps, you can leave it to me in comments. Do not forget to share this article, it helps us a lot.
Image credits: Pexels, TuAppPara