Can I clone apps in Samsung without third-party software? The short answer is yes, we can do that. Samsung phones have a wonderful One UI operating interface, as there is more than one feature that can help you clone apps in Samsung without installing external programs.
Some apps already include the account switching feature, where you can register with more than one account in the same app at the same time and switch while when you want. This feature is available on apps like Google Play, Gmail, YouTube, Messenger, Snapchat, Amazon, Twitter, and more. But what about apps that do not provide the ability to register with more than one account or switch between them?
If you have two or three accounts on Facebook, you can switch between them easily through the computer, you can also on the phone, but it was not as smooth or easy as it is on the computer; Because you may miss some live notifications. Otherwise, it often requires you to enter the password every time you want to switch to an account other than the current account within Facebook. We want an easier and smoother way to switch between Facebook accounts with instant notifications.
Other apps such as Skype, Tinder, WhatsApp, and Zoom that we use almost daily, and most of us may have more than one account within the same app, how do we always keep in touch with our accounts within the same app?
If you have a Samsung phone, I think you are in luck. There are two wonderful features that can help you clone apps in Samsung without having to install third-party software and just in a few seconds. Let us explain each feature in detail and practically.
1) clone apps in Samsung using Dual Messenger
Dual Messenger is a feature exclusive to Samsung phones that allows you to clone social media apps to use two different accounts at the same time. This is useful if you have separate accounts for work, school, family, and your personal life. Dual Messenger feature allows you to clone applications that require registration with a phone number, such as WhatsApp.
Samsung has not released an official list of apps supported by the Dual Messenger feature, but from my experience, I will show you all the social media applications that you can clone using the Dual Messenger: –
- Telegram
- LINE
- Messenger
- Skype
- Snapchat
- Viber
- KakaoTalk
To clone one of the apps mentioned above, make sure to install it on your phone first. Then, follow these steps:-
- Open Settings.
- Go to Advanced features.
- Scroll down, Tap Dual Messenger.
- It will show you all the clonable apps on your phone, tap on the app you want to clone.
- A pop-up window will appear, click on Install to confirm the installation of another copy of the app on your phone besides the original one.
If you are using the Dual Messenger feature for the first time, it will show you a window with the usage policy and disclaimer, which you must agree to by clicking on the confirm button.
Within the Dual Messenger feature, there is an option that may be useful to some users. You will find the option to use separate contacts list, you can enable this option if you want to use a completely separate contact list for the apps you have cloned. This contact list is different from the original contact list that primarily installed apps depend on.
If the option to use separate contacts list is disabled as it was, this means that all the contacts saved on your phone are associated with the cloned apps just like the primary apps. If you enable the use separate contacts list option, you need to create a new contact list for the cloned apps.
Keep in mind that setting the Use separate contacts list option applies to all cloned apps that need to access contacts. You can disable or enable this feature by accessing the Dual Messenger feature, as mentioned above. You will find the option to use separate contacts list at the bottom of the screen.
- Enable use separate contacts list.
- Click on Add.
- Select contacts you want to use in cloned apps.
As usual, to clone any app, click on its name after entering the dual messenger, and then click on Install.
For cloned apps, they will be listed under the apps screen, and you can move them to your home screen just like any other app. The cloned app icon has an orange circle with two smaller white circles inside to distinguish it from the original.
Uninstall the app cloned by Dual Messenger
Still another important idea about the dual messenger feature, suppose you have cloned an app, but after a while you no longer need it, how do you uninstall it and stick to the main app only.? It’s very simple, I will explain to you two ways to uninstall any cloned app.
First Method:
You can uninstall the cloned app as if you were uninstalling the original app.
- Go to the cloned app icon on the apps screen or Home Screen.
- Long press the icon of the cloned app that you want to uninstall.
- Click on Uninstall.
- A pop-up window will appear, Click on Uninstall to confirm.
Second Method:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Advanced features.
- Scroll down, Tap Dual Messenger.
- It will show you all the cloned apps under the Dual Messenger Apps section, tap on the cloned app that you want to uninstall.
- A pop-up window will appear, Click on Uninstall to confirm.
I think it is difficult to find a modern Samsung phone that does not have the Dual Messenger feature. So make sure that Android version on your phone is updated to the latest version. To update your phone, follow these steps:-
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down, and Click on Software Update.
- Click on Download and Install.
- If you find any update available for your device, install it immediately.
The Dual Messenger feature is supported on the following Samsung phones:-
- Samsung Galaxy S7 or newer version.
- Samsung Galaxy Note 8 or newer version.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold or newer version.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip or newer version.
- Samsung Galaxy A3 or newer version.
- Samsung Galaxy J5 or newer version.
2) Clone apps in Samsung using Secure Folder
If you do not prefer to clone social media apps with the dual messenger feature as we mentioned above. There is still another feature that can help you to clone apps in Samsung. Or even if your phone model is too old and does not have the dual messenger feature, we still have another chance to clone apps in Samsung using another feature.
The feature we are talking about is called Secure Folder, and it is exclusive to Samsung phones only. Through this feature, you can clone apps in Samsung, not only that, but also the cloned apps are hidden away from the main apps screen, and you can access the apps cloned by the secure folder only after unlocking the protection layer that you previously selected, whether entering the pattern or fingerprint or face id.
I think that the Secure Folder feature will appeal to many users; Because it allows you to clone apps in Samsung and at the same time save these cloned apps in a secure folder away from intruders. The Secure Folder feature uses the Knox security platform to protect the folder that is isolated from your main usage, so you will be required to set up a Pattern, Password or PIN Code to unlock the Secure Folder. Also, you can set up your fingerprint or face id as a layer of protection.
If you set up a pattern or PIN Code for the Secure Folder lock, it is completely separate from the main pattern or PIN Code for locking your phone.
Another important property that is unique to the Secure Folder feature is you can clone all apps, unlike the dual messenger feature that allows you to clone only social media apps.
Enable the Secure Folder feature on Samsung phones
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down, and Click on Biometrics and Security.
- Scroll down, and Click on Secure Folder.
- A window will appear, Click on Agree button.
- Then Click Continue.
- Wait a few minutes till the secured folder has been created on your phone.
- Select Secure Folder lock type, you can set up pattern, PIN or password, you can also use fingerprint or face id. For me I would choose a pattern set.
- Enter any pattern you want to lock the Secure Folder, then press Continue.
- Enter the same pattern again, then click Confirm.
How to clone apps in Samsung using Secure Folder
After enabling the Secure Folder feature on your phone as we mentioned above, you can clone apps and keep them inside the Secure Folder, and the cloned apps do not appear on the main apps screen, unlike the dual messenger feature.
- After enabling the Secure Folder as mentioned above, when you go to the main apps screen, you will find that the Secure Folder icon has been included there, click on the Secure Folder.
- Unlock by entering your pattern or fingerprint.
- Click on Plus Sign at the top.
- Then it shows you a list that includes all the apps installed on your phone, select any app that you want to copy.
- Then press Add button below.
Then you will notice that the app you selected has been cloned, and you will find it inside the secure folder.
In addition to being able to clone apps that are already installed on your phone, you can also install apps from within the Google Play Store or from within the Galaxy Store. Apps cloned into the Secure Folder, are marked with a Secure Folder icon so the cloned apps are distinguished from the originals.
The Secure Folder feature is available for most Samsung phones, especially for newer phones. This feature works with Samsung phones running Android 7.0 or later. If you don’t see the Secure Folder on your phone, you can install it through the Google Play Store or Galaxy Store. The Secure Folder feature is available for the following phones:-
- Samsung Galaxy S6 or newer version.
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 or newer version.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold or newer version.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip or newer version.
- Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) or newer version.
- Samsung Galaxy J5 Pro or newer version.
Conclusion
In this guide, we mentioned two methods that, in my opinion, are the easiest and fastest ways when you want to clone apps in Samsung without installing third-party software. There are still other options for cloning apps. For example, you can use the popular Parallel Space app to clone apps on any Android phone, whether it is Samsung – Huawei – Oppo – Realme – Redmi, or others. You will find the Parallel Space app in the Google Play Store.
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