Android 12 supports native app clone profiles for certain apps
Android 12 is already official but some new details emerged via the official Android 12 Compatibility Definition Document (CDD) which reveals a new native app clone feature for Pixel users. This allows users to have separate instances of the same app say an instant messaging client for example.
I've been giving the Android 12 CDD a *very* thorough read, and I just discovered something quite interesting.
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) October 18, 2021
Looks like Android 12 quietly added a new profile type called "Clone." Android seems to finally natively add app cloning support, without the weird work profile hack!
As elaborated by Mishaal Rahman, the native cloning feature will allow users on stock Android to have more than one instance of the same app without having to go through making a separate work profile on their phone. Google’s CDD document describes the clone profile feature as “a user profile type used to run second instance of an otherwise single user App (e.g., messengers)". Only the primary user is allowed to have a clone profile.” It remains to be seen what apps will be compatible with this feature.
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Reader comments
- ABG Media
- 20 Oct 2021
- LT3
This feature did make its debut on Chinese androids skins first, so he is right!!!
- Anonymous
- 20 Oct 2021
- TLP
one ui and zen ui are chinese apparently lol
- Wayne Morellini
- 20 Oct 2021
- 7tn
I've been trying to get them to have different instances of the same app for years. So, I can launch the camera app setup in different configurations from different links. A link for photos. A link for macro photos, a link for video, a link f...