Sometimes you just need to have several copies of the same app on your Android smartphone to have easy access to several accounts for the same service or something like that. Luckily, almost any Android device allows you to run two or more copies of the same app right out of the box. And we’re going to explain you how.
It doesn’t matter what app you want to install: FindClone, Instagram, and millions of other apps work perfectly well with this method. Of course, there are apps that are protected from duplicating, and even third-party apps for copying won’t be able to help you. But the majority of popular apps work fine. Just follow our step-by-step instructions.
How to install several copies of an app
First of all, this method of installing several versions of the same app has been tested only on certain Android devices: Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus phones and tablets. If you have something else, make sure to try it out, too — but if it won’t work, just look for some third-party solution. Alright, let’s get to work.
Each company has its own name for this option. For example, Samsung refers to it as Dual Messenger. But no matter what you hold in your hand, this option can be easily found in your Settings section. We’re going to show you just how to do the trick on a OnePlus phone with Android 10, but it’s very easy to do that on any supported device.
Follow these steps:
- Open your Settings;
- Scroll down a little, open Utilities, then Parallel Apps;
- Here you’ll find a complete list of supported apps;
- Just look for the app you’d like to duplicate, then switch its toggle to be On;
- The system will automatically make a copy of that app, and you can open and use it right away.
However, this new copy of the application will be brand new, without any of your setting. While some may find it rather inconvenient, it’s actually easier this way: you usually need different setting for another app. So, create (or sign in) your second account and start using it, just don’t mix them up.
Where to find the data of your duplicated apps
Android stores such data in a different location, but you can easily find and access it in the same Settings section: on a OnePlus device, you should be able to find it in the Parallel Apps storage menu. You can just look for it yourself or use an Android file manager.
Which apps are protected from duplicating
This method works with many Android applications, but there are still some apps and games which can’t be duplicated at all. For instance, you can’t copy Google Chrome, so you won’t be able to use several accounts at once. How do you know if you can’t copy an app? That’s simple, just look at the list in that Parallel Apps section. If you can’t find an app there, then your Android phone won’t be able to duplicate it.
How do I delete duplicated apps
You can easily delete copied apps by going to the same menu we mentioned before:
- Go to your Parallel Apps menu in the Settings section;
- Look for the app you’d like to remove a copy of, then switch its toggle back to Off;
- The system will automatically remove a duplicated app with all its data.
Be wary that you won’t be able to retrieve any data of the copy after you delete it, so don’t switch the toggle if you still have anything of value on that account. Deleting a copy doesn’t affect the original app, you can continue using it.
How do I use this method to access several accounts
It’s very simple: just run both the original and the copy, then log in different accounts. They won’t exchange data, and you can use them as truly separate apps. However, if you need to access more than two accounts at once, you’ll have to turn to third-party cloning apps: built-in Android tools allow you to create only one copy.
There are many free duplicating tools out there, and some of them have additional security features. For instance, you can run new copies in the Sandbox mode to prevent them from accessing any other files on your device.
