App Clone

An app clone in Bubble is a full copy of an existing application, including its design, workflows, and data structure. Bubble creates it with one click from your app settings.

Cloning is useful when you want to test big changes, create a staging environment, or use an existing app as a starting point for a new project.

Key Takeaways

• Full copy: A Bubble app clone copies pages, workflows, plugins, and database structure from the original.
• Data is not copied: The clone starts with an empty database. No user records or live data are transferred.
• Safe for testing: Cloning lets you experiment with major changes without risking the live version.
• Used for staging: Many developers clone their app to create a test environment before pushing updates live.

What is App Clone in Bubble?

An app clone in Bubble is a duplicate of your application created through the Bubble editor. It copies the app's structure, logic, and design but not its live data. The cloned app is a separate, independent application you can edit freely.

Cloning is one of the most useful features in Bubble for teams that need to test changes safely.

• Structural copy only: Pages, elements, workflows, API connections, and plugins are all copied into the new app.
• Independent from original: Changes to the clone do not affect the original app in any way.
• New app name required: Bubble asks you to give the clone a new name before creating it.

Once cloned, the new app behaves exactly like the original but with a clean database ready for testing or new content.

How App Clone Works in Bubble

To clone an app in Bubble, go to your app's settings, scroll to the bottom, and click the clone option. Bubble will create a new app under the same account with all the same structure. The process usually takes less than a minute for most apps.

The steps are simple. Bubble handles the duplication process in the background.

• Access from settings: The clone option is inside the General tab of your app's settings panel.
• Automatic naming: Bubble names the clone with a suffix so you can tell it apart from the original immediately.
• Plugins included: All installed plugins and their settings are copied, though API keys may need re-entering.

After cloning, review the new app's plugin settings and API connections to make sure everything is properly configured.

Why App Clone Matters for No-Code Apps

Cloning protects your live app while you experiment. It is the simplest way to create a safe environment for testing updates, redesigns, or major feature additions without touching what your real users see.

Many teams without a cloning habit end up breaking live apps while testing. Cloning removes that risk entirely.

• Risk-free updates: Test database changes, new workflows, or redesigns in the clone before applying them to production.
• Onboarding new developers: Give new team members a clone to work in so they learn without touching the live app.
• Starting new projects faster: Clone a well-built app to skip repetitive setup when starting a similar project.

The few seconds it takes to clone an app can save hours of damage control later.

When to Clone a Bubble App

Clone your Bubble app before making major structural changes, adding new plugins, or redesigning core pages. It is also useful when you want to hand off a copy to a client or use your app as a personal template for future builds.

Knowing when to clone is as important as knowing how.

• Before major updates: Always clone before adding a new data type structure or reworking core workflows.
• When building a template: If you built a reusable app structure, clone it before customizing for each new client.
• Creating a demo version: Clone your live app and add sample data so prospects can see the app in action.

Regular cloning is a simple habit that makes Bubble development much safer and more organized over time.

Conclusion

App cloning is a straightforward but powerful feature in Bubble. It gives you a safety net for development and a fast way to reuse good work. At LOW/CODE Agency, we've helped 450+ clients build and scale apps on Bubble and other no-code platforms. Our clients include global brands like Medtronic, American Express, Coca-Cola, Zapier, and Sotheby's.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Does cloning a Bubble app copy the database data?

No. The clone copies the database structure, meaning data types and fields, but not any actual records or user data.

Will changes in my clone affect the original app?

No. The clone is completely independent. Edits to the clone do not change anything in the original application.

Can I clone a Bubble app on a free plan?

Yes. Cloning is available on all Bubble plans, though app limits per account vary by plan tier.

Do plugins carry over when I clone a Bubble app?

Yes. Installed plugins are included in the clone, but API keys stored in plugin settings may need to be re-entered.

How long does it take to clone a Bubble app?

Usually under a minute for small to medium apps. Larger, more complex apps may take a few minutes to copy fully.

Can I clone someone else's Bubble app?

Not directly. You can only clone apps in your own account unless the owner gives you editor access first.