How to make two identical applications. Android: how to install two identical applications on one phone. Cloning applications on any Android smartphone

You've probably had a situation where you needed multiple accounts in a messenger or banking application. A multi-account in the official client is a rare exception, Instagram is one of them. For some services, third-party clients are available with support for multiple accounts, but, as a rule, their quality and stability are far from ideal. Creating a clone of the desired application is one of the ways out in this situation. For example, there are simply no alternatives for gaming applications! In addition, cloning allows you to install different versions of the program at the same time. About the best utilities for creating clones automatically, today in the selection.


Cloning principle App Cloner is based on creating a copy of the desired application with a modified package name and signature. Superuser rights are not required. Cloned applications are completely independent and will continue to work even after App Cloner is removed.

The main menu contains a list of applications available for cloning. The utility allows you to change the name of the application and modify the icon: change the color, reflect, rotate, add a number - to avoid confusion in the application menu. In addition, you can modify some parameters of the cloned application, for example: change the appearance, assign a password for opening, deny access to device data, prohibit autorun, change notification settings, transfer all data to a memory card, and much more. There are about a hundred parameters in total, but most of them are available only in the premium version.

After preparation, the clone is installed as a normal application in normal mode. You must first allow the installation of APK files from unknown sources in the security section of your device settings. The original application and its clone can function simultaneously, independently of each other. The installation file with the changed package name and signature is stored separately and is ready for installation at any time. Therefore, cloned applications in the form of APK files can be transferred to any other device without App Cloner.

You can also clone uninstalled APK files downloaded to the device memory. By default, the mode is hidden; to activate it, you need to click on the stylized folder in the section panel of the main menu. The function may be useful for simultaneous use of different versions of one application: old-new, original-modified.

App Cloner automatically tracks updates to the original and notifies you when it is necessary to re-clone the corresponding application. Data and settings of the clone application are not erased after updating. If desired, the update notification can be disabled.

Testing App Cloner

To test the utilities, we selected the most likely formats for using clones and recommended applications:

1. Client of the social network VKontakte.
2. Messenger WhatsApp.
3. Applications from Google.
4. SimCity Buildit and Asphalt 8 - games with and without cache.
5. ‎Banking applications Sberbank Online and VTB24.

With app cloning In contact with version 5.0 the utility failed. After installation, the authorization window does not work. I had to be content with the outdated fourth version, but without the music cache, which was not so long ago. Otherwise, the clone works stably, however, a bug was noticed; to send a message you need to close the chat screen.

Cloning whatsapp only available in premium version. List of known problems: inability to launch a clone from contacts and inability to backup via Google account.

Successful cloning of applications that use Google Play services is not guaranteed. In fact, all cloned applications crash at the account selection stage. Among them: Google Maps, Google Keep, YouTube, Google Music. Also, in clones of applications from third-party developers, the functionality associated with a Google account does not work.

SimCity Buildit is an example of a game without additional cache on the internal storage. The original and copy work without conflicts. Authorization through Google Play Games, as expected, does not work; you can synchronize the gameplay through Facebook.

Cache games can also be copied, e.g. Asphalt 8 works without conflicts with the original version. It is worth considering that for each clone you have to download additional files again. For Asphalt 8, that's just over 1GB of data. Synchronization via Google Play is also not available.

With banking applications, everything is ambiguous; the Sberbank Online clone freezes at the device verification stage, apparently due to a mismatch in the application package name. VTB24 client works as expected, with the help of clones, you can simultaneously use several personal accounts on one smartphone. Unlike modified versions that are published on third-party sites, clones made in App Cloner can be considered safe.

At this point, you might get the impression that the utility does a poor job of cloning applications, but this is not the case. App Cloner seamlessly creates copies of applications that do not use a Google account and do not check the package name. For example: Telegram, Tumblr, Twitter, Skype and many others - I think that there is more than one application without a multi-account that can be cloned.

The free version of the application has no advertising. For the premium version the developers ask 352 rubles. The purchase significantly expands the functionality of the utility:

Parallel Space offers an alternative approach to app cloning. The utility creates a virtual sandbox within which copies of applications are launched. This approach ensures better compatibility; at the same time, clones do not work without the Parallel Space environment; the utility is constantly located in the device’s RAM. Superuser rights are not required to run Parallel Space.

The main screen resembles a regular application menu, where already cloned programs are collected. Application shortcuts can be swapped. To create new new copies, you need to click on the “Add application” button and select the necessary programs. Installation of APK files is not required, all clones are located in the Parallel Space environment, they are not in the general list of applications. Copies of applications and their data can be deleted by simply clearing Parallel Space data, or by completely removing the utility. You can place shortcuts to frequently used clones on your desktop for quick launch without opening the utility interface. It is not possible to create multiple copies of the same application.

The private installation of applications from Google Play in the Parallel Space environment deserves special attention. Installing APK files from the device memory is not possible. The original privately installed clone is deleted, leaving the application only in the sandbox. In addition, Parallel Space and clones can be protected using a pattern key or a fingerprint. As a result, the utility allows you to configure a protected space with applications that are not in the general list.

Notifications for each clone are controlled separately. The Parallel Space environment is responsible for obtaining and demonstrating them, which is why after each reboot of the device, the clones have to be launched manually; autostart is not provided.

To clone some applications on 64-bit systems, you need to install a special plugin. The utility will notify you about it separately; the add-on is published in the Google Play store and can be installed in one click.

Some users report increased battery consumption and an overall decrease in device performance. In the case of OnePlus 3T, no negative impact was noticed, at the same time, Paralell Space is a third-party application that is constantly located in RAM, which cannot but affect the smartphone. I will also note an impressive list of required permissions: from calendar and contacts, to camera and location. The developers claim that access is necessary for the correct operation of the sandbox and application cloning.

Testing Parallel Space

Unlike App Cloner, Parallel Space coped with cloning the fifth version of the client In contact with. No functional limitations or glitches were found.

WITH whatsapp There were no problems either, the clone works correctly. Backup using Google account is supported. As with App Cloner, contacts open the original version of WhatsApp.

Google apps can be cloned without problems, in particular: Youtube, Google Keep, Gmail, Google Drive - I think that there will be no problems with other programs. The main advantage of Parallel Space is full-fledged work with Google services; the sandbox allows you to add additional Google accounts regardless of the main environment. Accounts added to Parallel Space are not visible in the device settings and original applications. A full-fledged Google Play, an application for working with Android Wear and Google Play Games is also available. If Google services are not needed, I recommend activating “Speed ​​Mode”.

With cloning SimCity Buildit The utility did it without an additional cache. For unknown reasons, authorization through Google Play Games does not work, the service complains about problems with the Internet, although the network is in perfect order.

Asphalt 8 also launched, the cache for the clone had to be downloaded separately. Unlike SimCity Buildit, authorization through Google Play Games was successful.

Same as App Cloner, with client cloning Sberbank Online there were problems. The copy does not pass the scan by the antivirus built into your personal account and opens only in limited mode. VTB24 client launched, no functional limitations were noticed.

Parallel Space's compatibility level is much higher than that of App Cloner. The utility coped with cloning a similar set of applications: Telegram, Tumblr, Twitter, Skype, Periscope. The main advantage is full support for your Google account and all services. Disadvantages include the dependence of clones on the Parallel Space environment, which is constantly located in the device’s RAM.

In addition to the useful features associated with cloning applications, Parallel Space is filled with dubious features. The application has a built-in RAM optimizer and a third-party lock screen; we talked about the dangers of such functions; we strongly recommend that you ignore them. Moreover, the built-in lock screen is used to display advertisements, which are abundant in the free version of Parallel Space. Thus, a news aggregator is built into the main menu, and when clones are launched, full-screen advertising banners are shown from time to time. For 50 rubles you can turn off advertising for a month, the Pro version “forever” will cost 249 rubles.

2Accounts in the Google Play Store

2Accounts or Multiple Accounts- an alternative utility for creating application clones. The principle of operation is similar to Parallel Space; the utility also creates a special sandbox - a second space for clones. 2Accounts is constantly located in RAM, in addition, a notification is attached to the status bar that prevents accidental closing of the utility. Superuser rights are not required.

The main menu also resembles the application menu; shortcuts can be moved and renamed. Applications are added in one click, batch cloning is supported. It is not possible to create multiple copies of one application. Clones are not displayed in the manager and in the application menu. Shortcuts to favorite clones can be masked and placed on the desktop for quick launch.

Unlike its competitors, 2Accounts lacks additional features. For example, the developers did not provide a private mode and lock the application with a password. Notifications work as expected, but you can't control them.

Like Parallel Space, 2Accounts resides in RAM, which is required to keep the sandbox running. Also, some users complain about increased battery consumption. During a short period of testing on the OnePlus 3T, no negative dynamics were noticed. The utility requires many permissions, including: access to phone, SMS, location, camera, contacts and others.

Testing 2Accounts

Clone of the official client In contact with The fifth version works fine, notifications arrive on time. But the music player control panel in the status database is displayed incorrectly and does not function. Music playback is interrupted from time to time.

With cloning whatsapp there were no problems. The clone does not conflict with the original version, synchronization via Google account works.

2Accounts is fully compatible with Google Play services. Accounts added to the sandbox are not visible in the device settings and do not affect the main account and synchronization. Google services in the sandbox are activated by default; disabling is not provided. All tested applications: Google Keep, Google Chrome, Youtube, Play Music, work fully with a Google account.

Apshalt 8 traditionally required loading the cache. Authorization through Google Play Games was successful, the application immediately synchronized the game progress.

Clone Sberbank Online, created using 2Accounts, passed the built-in antivirus scan, and the personal account opened up to full functionality. With a client VTB 24 There were no problems either.

There were no problems with other applications from the test set: Telegram, Tumblr, Twitter, Skype, Periscope - they launched. The overall speed of work is higher than that of Parallel Space, despite the fact that both utilities allow you to fully use independent Google accounts inside the sandbox.

2Accounts is a free application without built-in advertising. No dubious functions were noticed either; the utility is focused on creating clones. The app's Google Play store page has information about in-app purchases, but there's nothing like that in the app. But there is a potential threat; anti-virus scanners detect . The malware is capable of penetrating deep into the system and changing the main system elements of the OS and applications installed on it. During testing, no negative impact was recorded; the utility probably has a delayed response mechanism built into it.

To install two (or more) identical applications on one phone, you need to change the value package in file AndroidManifest.xml , located inside the apk build.

For example, we have this:

In order to install this application again, you need to do something like the following:

After such a change, the newly compiled apk file will have to be signed with a certificate. Information on how to unpack, pack and sign apk files can be found in any search engine upon request SmartApkTool.

Possible problems

Problem 1

If next to AndroidManifest.xml the file is not created apktool.yml , then in the user's home directory find the folder apktool\framework and delete the file from it 1.apk .

Problem 2

Sometimes simply changing the package name doesn't help. Most often this happens in cases where the file AndroidManifest.xml Relative paths to various activities are specified. For example:

In such a situation, you need to specify the full path to all activities, that is:

Please note that you do not need to enter a new package name (that is, in our case, not ru.bamd.new), but the real path to the activity in the smali directory of the unpacked apk file. Naturally, in the general case, the path matches the old package name (in our case it is new ).

Problem 3

If in the file AndroidManifest.xml there is a tag provider , then in its attribute authorities you also need to add the symbols that we used as an addition to the parameter package (in our case this is .test). For example, it was:

Became:

As in Problem 2, the attribute value name no need to change.

Apple does not allow users to install two identical applications on their iPhone and iPad. However, in some cases such an opportunity would definitely be useful. For example, it would help not to switch between different profiles on social networks. But officially there is no such option. However, this does not mean that you cannot install two identical applications.

It’s worth noting right away that the solution proposed below has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, to implement it you need an Apple computer with Xcode installed. And secondly, users will have to repeat the entire installation procedure again once a week.

To install two identical applications on an iPhone or iPad you need:

1. Download the IPA file of the desired application to your computer.

1. Change the file extension from .ipa to .zip.

1. Double click on the new ZIP file and extract the folder from it.

1. In the application files, find a folder called Payload.

1. In the Payload folder, find the application file and, by calling the context menu, select Show package contents.

1. In the list of files and folders, find the info.plist file and open it in Xcode.

1. In the Xcode window that opens, find the Bundle Identifier line and change the Value value in it to something else, for example, to com.company.appname.

1. Save changes.

1. Close Xcode and archive the Payload folder.

1. Change the archive extension from .zip to .ipa.

1. Connect the mobile device on which you want to install two identical applications to your computer.

1. Launch Cydia Impactor on your PC.

1. Using Cydia Impactor, install the created .ipa file on your mobile device.

1. To run a copy of the application, you must first add the certificate to the list of trusted ones. This can be done in Settings – General – Profile.

Typically, the need for cloning applications arises when you have several accounts for some service or social network (for example, Skype, VKontakte, Facebook, etc.) and you want to use them simultaneously on one device.

Built-in function

Before using third-party applications, check the Android system in your device for the presence of a built-in cloning function. For example, in Xiaomi Redmi 4A with Android 6.0.1, in the system settings you can find the “Dual applications” option, which allows you to create duplicate applications. To make a copy of an application, you need to find it in the list of supported applications and activate the switch next to it.

The system will create a copy of the application and display an icon marked as a duplicate on the main screen of the phone.

Now you can log into the cloned application under a different account. The original application will remain unaffected.

Third Party Applications

If your gadget's Android system does not have such a function, you can use third-party applications.

Parallel Space – Multi Accounts

Parallel Space runs duplicate applications in its own shell. Select the applications you want to duplicate and click the "Add to Parallel Space" button.

Duplicate applications appear on the main screen in Parallel Space, from where you can launch them. If you wish, you can place the duplicate application icon on the main screen of your device. To do this, drag it to the "Create shortcut" item. The icon on the main screen of the Android device will be wrapped in the application's proprietary frame.

App Cloner creates a duplicate that is installed as a separate, full-fledged application. Applications that track the API key are not supported (for example, Google Maps and Google Cloud Messaging).

Before creating a clone, you can change the color of its icon, rotate or reflect it, and also add text on top of it to distinguish the duplicate from the original. You can replace the icon and create several clones of the application in the paid version.

If your device does not have permission to install applications not from the Play Market, you must activate it for App Cloner to work properly.

After generating a clone, you need to install it.

Detailed instructions for installing it yourself.

There are times in life when it becomes necessary to install two copies of one application on a device (iPhone or iPad). For example, you and your relatives use the same toy on a common tablet, and you can only create one account in the game. There may also be a need to use two accounts at once on the popular social network VKontakte. The ability to download copies of the desired application to your iPhone or iPad is the best way out of this situation.
If you are tired of switching between your accounts on social networks, then this issue can be solved.
At the moment, MacDigger will outline a method for installing two duplicates of one application on one device - iPhone or iPad. Let's get started!
You will need a laptop or computer running a Mac operating system with Xcode and iTunes and Cydia Impactor installed from the Mac App Store. If everything is at hand, then we can start.

1. You should find the IPA file of the application you want to duplicate. This file must be hacked. You can find it on the Internet on various sites.
2. Make a copy of the downloaded application, which needs to be duplicated, on the desktop of the machine and change the file extension from .ipa to .zip.
3. You need to double-click on the resulting file with the ZIP extension and extract the folder in it.
4. In the extracted folder you will see another folder called "Payload". Remove it and it will appear on the desktop.
5. Double-click on this folder, in it you will find the file of the desired application, right-click on it. Then use the “Show package contents” option.
6. You will see a list where there will be files and folders. Find a file called "info.plist". Then open it in Xcode.
7. Find the Bundle Identifier line and change the Value to something else, for example, this is com.company.appname.
8. While in Xcode, hover over "File", open it, then "Save" in order to save edits.
9. Exit Xcode, right-click on the folder called Payload, then you need to Compress it. A newly created file with a ZIP extension will appear on the desktop of the machine.
10. Again change the extension from zip to ipa. You can use whatever filename you want.
11. Connect your iPhone to your computer and use Cydia Impactor. Using the usual method, copy the IPA file you just made to your device.
12. In order for the application on your smartphone to start working, you need to find in the item Settings –> General. Then - Profile or General -> Device Management. In the final section, you need to add the certificate to the trusted ones.



That's all! Now you will be able to use two copies of one application on your device.
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