The process of creating multiple Android app clones can vary, depending on your Android model. This tutorial shows how to duplicate apps on Android, which involves creating multiple instances of the same app for different user accounts.
Why You Should Clone Apps on Android
Creating app clones on Android allows you to maintain separate accounts for different users on the same device. Below, find three great benefits.
- Each instance of an app runs independently: each duplicate app will have its own icon or user profile image, enabling you to sign in independently with different usernames, email addresses, and phone numbers.
- Greater privacy: It’s easier to separate your private conversations and contacts from the main instance of the original app. Additionally, you can secure your duplicate app using app locks and other hidden features.
- Dealing with app glitches: if your original app isn’t functioning properly, the duplicate app can assist you in sending urgent messages.
Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat are popular examples of apps that can be cloned on Android. Once an app clone is created, you can see its duplicate instance within the app drawer.
Currently, only social media apps can be easily duplicated on Android. Cloning other apps requires external apps and alternative methods.
Tip: besides creating app clones, you can easily run fresh user instances by completely deleting and uninstalling apps on Android.
How to Clone Apps on Supported Android Devices
With the launch of Android 14, it was anticipated that integrated app cloning would be available on all Android devices. However, this feature was not included in the final version of Android 14 for Google’s Pixel devices.
Android app cloners are accessible on parallel operating systems, like the OnePlus OxygenOS 14, Oppo ColorOS, Samsung One UI on Galaxy devices, and Vivo FuntouchOS. These only support a limited number of applications that are connected to social media accounts.
If you own one of these devices, follow the instructions below to use app cloning to duplicate apps.
1. OxygenOS 14/Oppo Color OS
To create duplicate apps on Android for a OnePlus device running on OxygenOS 14, go to Settings -> Apps -> App Cloner. On Oppo Color OS 12 and later devices, click Settings -> Apps -> Clone Apps.
In the next screen, you’ll find a list of apps that support cloning. To discover which apps offer cloning, download and install a messaging app via Google Play services, then enable its cloning feature.
We are duplicating WhatsApp on OnePlus by turning on the slider for Create app clone. On Oppo ColorOS devices, the option is Enable App cloning. It takes a few seconds for the second app instance to be created.
Once the app has been duplicated, rename the second instance by clicking Rename app clone. On Oppo ColorOS, the button is Rename cloned app.
When you open the cloned application in the future, it will prompt you to select between the app instances. To prevent this, disable Always ask, which will default to the main app instance. An app clone that runs independently of the original app is added to the home screen and app drawer.
FYI: due to adaptation issues, the performance of the app clone may differ from the original app. Currently, OxygenOS 14 and ColorOS do not support app clones for third-party UI launchers.
2. Samsung Galaxy OneUI
Samsung Galaxy device owners can create app clones using the Galaxy Store app, Clone App. It should work on all compatible devices that support Samsung’s Galaxy store, including the Fold and Flip.
After downloading and installing the app and clicking Agree and continue to a service agreement, you can view a home screen. To create a new app clone, click the big + Clone button. Select the app you want duplicated.
You can even add a different icon, name and badge for the cloned app. Click Clone to install the second app instance. If you get an Unsafe app blocked message, click Install anyway, and the app clone will be visible on the home screen.
FYI: Samsung and Android devices aren’t very similar. This guide includes a few essential differences between the two operating systems.
3. Vivo FuntouchOS
On a Vivo smartphone, go to Settings -> Applications and Permissions/Apps and notifications -> Apps -> App Clone. It’s required that you initially enable the App Clone switch.
Go to any app on the home screen, and long-press the app’s icon. A plus button will display if the app supports cloning. Currently, the feature is only available with WhatsApp, Line, Snapchat, Instagram, Viber or Facebook.
FYI: find downloaded files on any Android device you own.
How to Clone Apps If Your Android Phone Doesn’t Support the Feature
As mentioned earlier, although mobile manufacturers employ various methods to duplicate apps, they face limitations regarding the number of apps they can support. Most Google Workspace apps cannot be cloned, as they have different user certificates that cannot be replicated.
However, if you have ordinary apps that have no such restrictions, you can clone them easily on any Android brand and version.
Download the App Cloner APK file via your smartphone browser. To run it, you will have to bypass your Android device security permissions to allow APK installations. If you get an Unsafe app blocked message, click Install anyway.
Once you reach the home screen, select the app that you want to clone.
After the app is selected, identify its clone version number, change the icon color, etc. Click on the big Clone icon on the screen, and the app will duplicate itself. The cloned app should be visible in the main app drawer, but it won’t update on its own.
Now that you know how to duplicate or clone apps on Android, learn how to set up multiple WhatsApp accounts via App Clones.
Image credit: Pixabay. All screenshots by Sayak Boral.
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