Two efficient probes were presented for dual channel simultaneous distinguishing detection of ClO- and Cu2+. Strong color changes and fluorescent emissions driven by ClO- induce irreversible oxidation which liberates ring-opened rhodamine and the reversible metal-to-ligand chelation spirolactam ringopening process upon addition of Cu2+ both occurred rapidly. The successful detection of ClO- and Cu2+ in practical environmental water samples and living cells suggest the probes as promising candidates to exploit and elucidate the concentration and functions of ClO- and Cu2+ in environmental and biological processes.