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Parallel Apps lets supported OnePlus phones run a separate copy of an app, so you can sign in with a second WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram or other account. On these older OnePlus models, the setting is usually found at Settings → Utilities → Parallel Apps, although some OxygenOS builds place it under Settings → Apps → Parallel Apps.
Availability depends on your exact OxygenOS build, region and app. The feature is not a universal app duplicator.
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What Parallel Apps does
Parallel Apps creates an independent instance of a compatible installed app. The original and duplicate can use different account credentials, notifications and app data.
It is not the same as split-screen mode, Android multi-window or a second Android user profile. It also does not merge two accounts into one app, and it cannot normally duplicate an app that does not appear in the compatibility list.
OnePlus documented the feature as a way to duplicate supported social and messaging apps, including on the OnePlus 5T. See the OnePlus 5T product page and OnePlus documentation on supported Parallel Apps.
Before you begin
- Use an official OxygenOS build that includes Parallel Apps.
- Install the original app normally and complete its initial setup if required.
- Make sure the phone has enough free storage for another app instance and its data.
- Have access to the second account’s verification method, such as an SMS or phone call.
- Back up important messages, media and account data before disabling or removing a clone.
Parallel Apps became associated with Oreo-era OxygenOS 5 software on some OnePlus phones. Android 10 is not a requirement. Older firmware may not include the feature, particularly on the OnePlus 3 and 3T. OnePlus Community guidance for older builds is available here.
How to enable Parallel Apps
Primary menu path
- Open Settings.
- Tap Utilities.
- Tap Parallel Apps.
- Find the app you want to duplicate in the compatibility list.
- Turn on the switch beside that app.
- Wait while OxygenOS creates the second icon.
- Open the new icon and sign in with the second account.
Alternative menu path
If Utilities does not contain the option, try:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap Parallel Apps.
- Enable the switch for the supported app.
OxygenOS menu placement changed between versions and builds. OnePlus Community instructions show both locations: Utilities and Apps.
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Where is the second app?
The duplicate normally appears on the home screen or in the app drawer. It may have a small visual badge, although the badge design varies by launcher and OxygenOS version.
Open the icon with the badge, not the original app icon, and complete the second account’s login or phone-number verification there. If you cannot find it, check the app drawer, hidden-app settings and your home-screen layout.
Which apps can be cloned?
The list shown inside Parallel Apps is the authoritative answer for your phone. Supported apps vary by model, region, OxygenOS build and app version.
Historically supported examples include WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, Messenger and Snapchat, but this is not a fixed compatibility list. Banking, payment, enterprise, security-sensitive and some game apps may be unavailable or unreliable in cloned mode. OnePlus has also documented that support depends on the app and phone software.
Can you run two WhatsApp accounts?
Usually, yes—provided WhatsApp appears in your Parallel Apps list. The original and cloned WhatsApp installations are separate, allowing different accounts to be used.
Open the cloned WhatsApp icon and complete its own verification. You must be able to receive the relevant verification code or call. Separate SIM cards are not universally required; WhatsApp’s account and verification rules determine what is needed.
WhatsApp updates or OxygenOS changes can affect compatibility. If WhatsApp is not listed, it cannot normally be forced into Parallel Apps through the standard settings interface.
Model-specific notes
| Phone | What to check |
|---|---|
| OnePlus 6 | Look under Utilities and Apps; the exact location depends on the OxygenOS build. |
| OnePlus 6T | Use the same two menu paths and check the supported-app list. |
| OnePlus 5 | Oreo/OxygenOS 5-era software is important if the setting is missing. |
| OnePlus 5T | Built-in Parallel Apps was advertised as a feature for separate social and messaging accounts. |
| OnePlus 3 | Check the installed OxygenOS version before assuming the feature is supported. |
| OnePlus 3T | Do not assume every OxygenOS build exposes Parallel Apps; availability is build-dependent. |
How to disable or remove a clone
- Open Settings → Utilities → Parallel Apps, or Settings → Apps → Parallel Apps.
- Turn off the switch for the cloned app.
- Confirm if OxygenOS asks you to do so.
- Check the home screen and app drawer.
Back up the clone’s important data first. Because the cloned instance operates independently, disabling it should not be treated as a guaranteed way to merge or preserve its local messages, media, cache or settings.
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If Parallel Apps is missing
1. Check both menu locations
Search Settings → Utilities and Settings → Apps. Older OxygenOS releases used different locations.
2. Check the software version
Open Settings → About phone and note the Android and OxygenOS versions. If the phone is running early pre-Oreo software, use its official system-update mechanism before concluding that the model lacks Parallel Apps.
3. Check the exact model and region
Carrier and regional builds can differ. Advice that applies to one country or model variant may not apply to another.
4. Check the app list
If the Parallel Apps page exists but your desired app is absent, the issue is probably compatibility rather than a missing setting. The list on the phone is more reliable than a universal online app list.
5. Restart and update
Restart the phone, update the original app through Google Play and check the list again. These steps may help, but they are not guaranteed to add support.
A later OxygenOS feature called App Cloner replaced the Parallel Apps name in newer software and is generally located at Settings → Apps → App Cloner. The OnePlus 3, 3T, 5, 5T, 6 and 6T were not included in OnePlus’s published OxygenOS 12 rollout list, so older stock-phone owners should look for Parallel Apps first. See the OnePlus OxygenOS 12 FAQ and rollout information.
If the clone crashes or notifications are delayed
- Open notification settings and confirm notifications are enabled for the cloned app.
- Check battery optimization and background-activity restrictions.
- Verify that the clone has the permissions it needs.
- Confirm that the second account completed setup.
- Test the original app to determine whether the problem affects both instances.
- Keep sufficient free storage available.
- Update the app if a newer compatible version is available.
Cloned apps can use additional storage, memory and background resources. Historical OnePlus Community reports also describe lag or compatibility problems with some apps, so the clone may not behave exactly like the original.
Privacy and data separation
Treat the clone as a separate app:
- It may request permissions independently.
- Its files, cache and account data can consume additional storage.
- Its notifications and battery settings may be separate.
- Signing out of one copy does not necessarily sign out of the other.
- Disabling or deleting it may remove access to local clone data.
Review the cloned app’s permissions and use that app’s own backup system before removing the clone.
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The built-in feature is normally preferable because it is integrated into OxygenOS and requires no additional cloning application. Its main limitation is that only supported apps can be selected.
Tools such as Parallel Space may be a fallback when native Parallel Apps is unavailable, but they are not equivalent. They can add background usage, advertising, privacy concerns and another compatibility layer. Avoid installing random APKs or modifying system files to force cloning; those approaches can create security, update, banking-app and data-loss problems.
Bottom line
On a compatible OnePlus 6, 6T, 5, 5T, 3 or 3T build, open Settings → Utilities → Parallel Apps. If it is not there, check Settings → Apps → Parallel Apps. Enable a listed app, open the new icon and sign in with the second account. If the feature or app is missing, check the OxygenOS version and exact model rather than assuming every phone or application supports cloning.
Quick Recap
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