This method uses the Work profile feature os Android. You can use it for Dual WhatsApp, Dual Messenger, dual “any app you want” 🙂
We assume that you already installed on you PC/Mac android tools and you have adb working (you also have to activate Developer Mode on Android and, inside Developer options, activate USB debugging).
First of all, let’s verify the current list of users on the phone. We will use command adb shell pm list users.
adi@AdiT % adb shell pm list users
Users:
UserInfo{0:Adrian:4c13} running
adi@AdiT %
As you can see, there’s only one user, Adrian, with ID 0.
We will install Island app from Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oasisfeng.island). This is a temporary step, at the end we will uninstall it.
After the installation, walk through the initial configuration wizard. Now, with the app configured, we will check again the list of users, using adb shell pm list users.
adi@AdiT % adb shell pm list users
Users:
UserInfo{0:Adrian:4c13} running
UserInfo{10: Island :1030} running
adi@AdiT %
As you can see, a new user was created, Island, having ID 10. Please verify your new user ID. It is possible to be different and we have to use it in the next steps.
From f-Droid.org (or you can use any other source) download the Aurora Store APK. At the moment of writing, the latest version is 4.7.2. Aurora Store is an unofficial, FOSS client to Google Play with an elegant design. Aurora Store allows users to download, update, and search for apps like the Play Store. It works perfectly fine with or without Google Play Services or microG.
After download, install the app using command adb install –user 10 com.aurora.store_<version>.apk. Please watch out for the correct user ID and app version.
adi@AdiT % adb install --user 11 com.aurora.store_68.apk
Performing Streamed Install
Success
adi@AdiT %
Now, you have another store, from which you can install apps, on the Work Profile.
If there is an app that you cannot find it in Aurora Store, you can simply download its apk to your computer and install it via command adb install –user 10 com.<app_name>_<version>.apk. It will simply appear under your work profile.
