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.

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!

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) October 18, 2021

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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