How to clone apps on an OPPO phone with ColorOS

Using two WhatsApp, Telegram, or any other compatible service account doesn't necessarily require you to log out every time you want to switch profiles. OPPO phones incorporate a feature in ColorOS called Application clonerdesigned to run two independent accounts of the same app.

This tool is especially useful for separate personal conversations from professional onesManage multiple social media profiles or use two phone numbers from the same device. Unlike external cloning apps, this feature is integrated into the system and doesn't require installing platforms from unknown sources.

How to clone apps on an OPPO phone

The App Cloner creates a second instance of a compatible app. The clone works independently, has its own icon, and allows you to log in with a different account without logging out of the one used in the original app.

In ColorOS 14, ColorOS 15 and ColorOS 16, the usual path is as follows:

1. Open the Settings from the phone.
2. Enter the section Applications.
3. Click on Application cloner.
4. Select one of the compatible applications that appear in the list.
5. Activate the option Create application clone or the equivalent switch.
6. Return to the home screen and open the new icon to set up the second account.

The names of some options may vary slightly depending on the model and version installed. If you can't find the section, use the Settings search bar and enter "App Cloner" or "App Cloner".

The copy is usually identified by a small mark on the icon. Some versions of ColorOS also allow change the clone nameThis is recommended to quickly distinguish between your personal and professional accounts.

How to use two WhatsApp accounts on OPPO

One of the most common uses of this feature is to set up two WhatsApp profiles. Before you begin, you need to have two different phone numbersbecause each account must be verified independently.

It's not essential that both SIM cards remain installed in the OPPO, but you must be able to receive the verification SMS or call on the second number. If your phone supports dual SIM, completing the process will be easier.

1. Activate the WhatsApp clone from Settings > Apps > App Cloner.
2. Open the duplicated icon from the home screen.
3. Accept the terms of service.
4. Enter the number corresponding to the second account.
5. Complete the verification and set up your profile.

Conversations, photos, preferences, and notifications are managed separately for each account. Even so, it's a good idea to check the icon before replying to avoid sending messages from the wrong profile.

WhatsApp also has its own system for adding multiple accounts on some devices and versions. If the option appears in the app's settings, you can use it instead of the native account cloning tool.

Which apps can be cloned?

ColorOS does not necessarily allow duplicating all installed applications.The cloning menu only displays those functions that are compatible with that system model and version.

Compatibility typically focuses on messaging and social media services, though the list may vary depending on the country, phone, and updates received. Apps that may appear include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Telegram, and other similar services.

There is no single, universal list that applies to all OPPO phones. An app available on one model may not appear on another, and an update may add or remove compatibility. For this reason, the most reliable way to check is to go to [link to OPPO website/app store]. Application cloner and review the list displayed by the phone itself.

Banking apps, services that link the session to a single device, and certain corporate tools may prevent duplication for security reasons. System applications are also typically unavailable.

Storage, notifications, and updates

The cloned app retains its own user data, login information, cache, and settings. Therefore, the storage space used will increase as the second account downloads conversations, photos, videos, or other content.

This does not necessarily mean that ColorOS installs the entire application package twice. The system may share certain components, but the Data generated by each account remains separate.

Updates to the original app are usually also applied to the clone, since both instances rely on the same package. It's uncommon for the clone to be manually updated separately. However, a major app or ColorOS update can cause temporary incompatibilities.

You should also take these aspects into account:

• Notifications: Both accounts can send notifications, although you can configure them separately from the system settings.
• Battery: Maintaining two active sessions can increase background activity.
• Permissions: Check the access to contacts, camera, microphone and files requested by the cloned application.
• Backups: Each account must set up its own backup system when the application allows it.
• External launchers: The clone icon may not display correctly if you are not using the ColorOS launcher.

How to delete a cloned app

If you no longer need the second account, you can delete the clone from the same menu used to create it:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > App Cloner.
2. Select the corresponding application.
3. Disable clone creation.
4. Confirm that you want to delete the duplicate instance.

Doing so will delete the local data associated with the clone, but the original app and your account should remain intact. Before deactivating it, save any conversations, photos, or documents you want to keep.

Do not uninstall the original application thinking that the clone will continue to function independently. The copy depends on the main installation and will usually disappear if the main installation is removed.

Differences between Application Cloner and System Cloner

You shouldn't confuse the App Cloner with the System clonerThe first option simply duplicates a compatible app for use with a second account. The second option creates a complete and separate space within the phone, with its own apps, files, and settings.

When available, the System Cloner is usually located in Settings > Security and Privacy > System ClonerYou can use a different password or fingerprint, and it's more appropriate when you need to completely separate your personal and professional environments.

However, this feature is not available on all OPPO devices. Additionally, when you install an app on the cloned system, its data is not automatically copied from the main system.

Block or hide cloned apps

If you want to prevent someone else from opening an application, ColorOS has a feature Application blockingIn recent versions, it is usually found within Settings > Security and privacy > App lockalthough the route may vary.

This tool requires your privacy password, fingerprint, or facial recognition before granting access. Check the list to see if ColorOS allows you to independently select the clone and the original application.

You can also use Hide apps To remove certain icons from the home screen and app drawer. On models that use a passcode from the dialer, it must begin and end with a pound sign (#), for example, #1234#.

Hiding an app is not the same as locking it or deleting its data. For more comprehensive protection, combine hiding the app with app locking and use a privacy password that's different from your main PIN.

Cloning apps is not the same as using Clone Phone

Clone Phone It's a different tool. It doesn't create a second instance of an application, but rather is used to transfer data from an old phone to a new OPPO device.

The usual process involves opening Clone Phone on both devices, indicating which is the old phone and which is the new one, and scanning the QR code displayed on the screen. The phones then establish a direct wireless connection to transfer the selected items without using mobile data.

When the source device uses Android, the migration may include:

• Contacts, messages, and call logs.
• Photographs, videos, music, and documents.
• Calendar events and notes.
• Compatible applications.
• Some application settings and data.

The amount of data transferred depends on the brand of the original phone, the Android version, and the restrictions of each application. Banking apps, protected accounts, authenticators, and numerous chat histories may require separate setup or restoration.

If your old phone is an iPhone, the migration is more limited. OPPO states that items such as contacts, calendar events, photos, and videos can be transferred, but not all apps or their data due to differences between iOS and Android.

What to do if the App Cloner doesn't appear

If the feature is unavailable or a specific application is missing, try these checks:

• Search for “App Cloner” using the Settings search bar.
• Update ColorOS and installed applications.
• Make sure you are using the main profile and not a guest user.
• Temporarily activate the original ColorOS launcher.
• Restart your phone after installing an update.
• Check if the application itself allows you to add multiple accounts without cloning it.

If the app isn't listed, it means that the specific combination of application, model, and version isn't supported. Installing third-party clones can introduce advertising, stability issues, and privacy risks, so carefully review their permissions and source.

OPPO's App Cloner is a convenient solution for managing two compatible accounts on the same phone. Combined with ColorOS's independent notification settings, backups, and privacy tools, it allows you to separate your personal and professional activities without constantly switching sessions or using external apps.