The App Cloner feature in OnePlus’ Oxygen OS has seen a significant expansion with the release of Oxygen OS 14.1, allowing users to clone a broader array of applications than ever before. Initially introduced in 2017, this feature was limited to a select few social media and messaging apps, which often left users seeking alternative methods to manage multiple accounts. With the latest update, however, OnePlus is addressing this limitation head-on.
Enhanced Cloning Capabilities
During a recent exploration of the OnePlus Pad 2 in the United States, the new capabilities of Oxygen OS 14.1 were unveiled. Within the Settings app, a newly added option under the App Cloner settings, labeled Other apps, presents users with a comprehensive list of installed applications. This alphabetical arrangement includes a warning stating, “The following apps can be cloned, but their clones may not work properly due to adaptation issues.”
Previously, users were confined to cloning only a handful of applications such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This restriction persisted even as Oxygen OS integrated with OPPO’s Color OS, compelling users to either rely on third-party cloning applications or navigate complex ADB commands to install apps outside the system’s internal allowlist. The underlying mechanics of the App Cloner feature involved creating a new user profile for cloned apps, a process that was not straightforward for the average user.
With the advancements in Oxygen OS 14.1, the necessity for these workarounds has diminished significantly. Users can now clone a wider variety of apps directly through the system settings, although some applications, like Discord, remain absent from the cloning list. This selective availability raises questions about OnePlus’s strategy, as certain apps may not function correctly when cloned due to their design, which assumes they operate solely on the primary profile.
Looking ahead, the introduction of the Private Space feature in Android 15 may pave the way for developers to better accommodate multiple profiles, potentially enhancing the overall user experience with app cloning. While there were speculations that Android 14 would include a native app cloning feature, this functionality did not materialize in Google’s Pixel devices. Nonetheless, the code remains accessible in AOSP, leaving room for OEMs like OnePlus to innovate further.
As OnePlus gears up for the next major software release, Oxygen OS 15, it will be intriguing to see how the company continues to evolve its App Cloner feature in response to user needs and the capabilities of the Android platform.
