Memoji on Xiaomi: How to make an animated avatar like on iPhone – the full guide 2026

Have you ever envied iPhone owners who can send friends funny animated Memoji with facial expressions and gestures? Good news: on Xiaomi smartphones, too, you can create similar ones. 3D-Avatars, though not with the help of standard tools, in this article we will discuss all the working methods: from hidden functions. MIUI Up to third-party apps that will turn your face into an interactive digital twin.

The main difference between Memoji and iPhone avatars is that it doesn’t integrate deeply with the system. Apple uses a dedicated TrueDepth chip to scan the face, while Xiaomi relies on software algorithms and a camera. But that doesn’t mean the result will be worse: modern applications like Zepeto or Bitmoji can create avatars with realistic facial expressions that can be used in instant messengers or social networks. Next, you will learn how to do it as quickly as possible – even if you have a budget model like the Redmi Note 12.

What is Memoji and why it is not in the standard firmware Xiaomi

Memoji (me, "me" and emoji) are personalized. 3D-Avatars that replicate a user's facial expressions and movements in real time.The technology debuted on the iPhone X in 2017 thanks to TrueDepth's infrared camera, which scans more than 30,000 face points. Xiaomi does not have a similar hardware solution, so in the future, the technology is not designed to be used in the same way. MIUI There is no built-in tool for creating such avatars.

However, this does not mean that the owners of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO You'll have to be content with static emojis, and today's apps use neural networks to analyze your face through a conventional front-facing camera:

• 🔹 Zepeto – creates cartoon avatars with the ability to animation facial expressions (works even on Redmi) 9A).
• 🔹 Bitmoji (from Snapchat) – generates 2D-Avatars that can be animated in messengers.
• 🔹 Avatoon – specializes in realistic 3D-gesture-enabled.
• 🔹 Mi Avatar is an experimental feature in some versions. MIUI 14+ (not available on all devices).

It is important to understand that the quality of animation on Xiaomi will depend on two factors: the resolution of the front camera (at least 8 MP for an acceptable result) and the performance of the processor (on Snapdragon). 6xx Dimensity avatars will be smoother than on budget chips).

⚠️ Note: Memoji applications require access to a camera, microphone and storage, and install them only from official sources (Google Play or Mi App Store) to avoid data leaks, QQ Avatars can collect biometric information – check permissions before installation.

Method 1: Creating Memoji with the Zepeto app (the easiest method)

Zepeto is a Korean app that has become popular thanks to the ability to create cartoons. 3D-Avatars with realistic facial expressions. It works on all Xiaomi smartphones with Android 8.0+ It doesn't require heavy iron. Here's how to make Memoji with Zepeto:

1. Download Zepeto from Google Play or Mi App Store.
2. Sign up via Google, Facebook or phone number (account binding is required to save an avatar).
3. Click Create an Avatar and follow the instructions: the app will ask you to take a selfie and choose the floor.
4. Customize your appearance: hairstyle, skin color, facial features (more than 100 parameters!). For realism, use the Face Scan function - it will automatically match the proportions.
5. Save the avatar and go to the Animation section to record facial expression videos (like a smile or wink).

The finished avatar can be exported in format GIF or MP4 And send it to WhatsApp, Telegram or Instagram Stories, and Zepeto's main advantage is that it has free access to basic features (only premium stickers and avatar clothes are paid).

Good lighting (the face should be evenly lit)

Clean front camera (without dust and prints)

Neutral background (preferably a monochrome wall)

Disabled mode "Beauty" in the camera settings-->

If your avatar is different, try repeating the facial scan or manually adjust the features in the Edit section. For example, you can zoom in on your eyes, narrow your nose, or add freckles — Zepeto allows you to fine-tune even small things.

Method 2: Using Snapchat’s Bitmoji (for instant messengers)

Bitmoji is a 2D-It's an alternative to Memoji, which is ideal for chatting, and it's owned by Snapchat, but it works independently, and its key advantage is that it's integrated with popular messaging apps:

• 📱 WhatsApp and Telegram can send stickers with your avatar directly from the keyboard.
• 🎭 In Snapchat, the avatar is animated in real time (e.g., copies your head movements).
• 🖼️ In Instagram and Facebook you can use Bitmoji as a profile or in Storis.

To create an avatar:

1. Install Bitmoji from Google Play.
2. Sign in via Snapchat or create a new account.
3. Select the floor and watch for clues: the app will suggest taking a selfie to analyze facial features.
4. Customize the look (there are fewer options than in Zepeto, but the avatars look more cartoonish).
5. Save the avatar and sync it with messengers in the settings.

The main disadvantage of Bitmoji is the lack of full-fledged 3D-But stickers are updated weekly, and you can always find relevant reactions (for example, an avatar in a mask or with New Year's accessories).

Zepeto (3D-avatar)

Bitmoji (chat stickers)

Avatoon (realistic models)

Mi Avatar (if available on my Xiaomi)-->

Method 3: Experimental function of Mi Avatar in MIUI 14+

In some firmware MIUI 14 and newer (for example, on Xiaomi 13 or Redmi) K60) There's a hidden feature called Mi Avatar that lets you create animated avatars right in the system settings. It's not as advanced as Memoji on the iPhone, but it works without third-party apps.

To find her:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. A few times tap the version. MIUI, To activate the developer mode (if not already activated).
3. Go back to the main settings menu and find the section Additional → Mi Avatar (on some devices it may be called Xiaomi Avatar).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen: the app will offer to take a selfie and choose the style of the avatar (cartoon or semi-realistic).

The Mi Avatar feature is still in testing, so:

• 🔧 Not available on all devices (even within a single line, for example, it may be on the Xiaomi 13 Pro, but not on the Xiaomi 13 Lite).
• 🎭 Facial animation works only in some system applications (for example, in Camera or Contacts).
• 📱 Exporting the avatar to GIF or MP4 You can only use it as a profile in MIUI.

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Avatar partition is not in the settings, do not try to activate it through the ADB This can cause a failure in the camera or facial recognition system (for example, Face Unlock will stop working).

Memoji on Xiaomi and iPhone: Which is better?

If you are choosing between Xiaomi and iPhone for the sake of Memoji functionality, you should consider the key differences:

Memoji on Xiaomi will never be as smooth as on iPhones, due to the lack of hardware facial scanning. However, for most users, the difference is not critical - especially if you use avatars only for social networks or instant messengers.

Xiaomi has the advantage of being flexible, and you're not tied to the same avatar style: you can create a cartoon character in Zepeto today, a realistic model in Avatoon tomorrow, and use the Mi Avatar system the day after tomorrow (if it comes in your firmware), while on iPhone, all Memoji look the same and are tied to the Apple ecosystem.

How to improve the quality of Memoji on Xiaomi: 5 professional life hacks

Even on Xiaomi’s budget smartphones, you can achieve realistic Memojis if you follow these tips:

1. Use an external camera. if your phone's front camera is weak (e.g. 5MP on a Redmi) 9C), Connect an external webcam through OTG-Adapters. Apps like Zepeto let you pick the source of your video.
2. Adjust the lighting. Avoid contrasting light (such as the sun in the window behind you), the ideal option is an annular lamp or two light sources in the front at an angle of 45.°. This will help the app to more accurately recognize facial features.
3. Turn off beauty filters. In camera settings (Camera settings) → Beauty, turn off all the anti-aliasing effects. They distort the proportions of the face, and the avatar is different.
4. Experiment with styles. Avatoon has a Hyper-Realistic mode that creates avatars that are almost indistinguishable from photos. And in Zepeto, you can choose the Anime style for the cartoon look.
5. Use extra accessories. Most apps can add glasses, headgear, or even tattoos to the avatar, which will help make it more recognizable.

If your avatar doesn't look the way you want it to, try combining apps.

1. Create a basic model in Zepeto.
2. Export it to Photoshop or PicsArt for further development.
3. Animate the result in CapCut or Adobe Premiere Rush.

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To make Memoji on Xiaomi look more alive, record video avatars with voice. Zepeto and Avatoon have a lip sync with speech feature - just speak the text while recording.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you create Memoji on Xiaomi, users encounter common mistakes. Here's how to fix them:

• 🚫 Solution: Make sure the camera is not covered with a cover or film. Try a different angle of light or clean the camera lens with a microfiber wipe.
• 🚫 Solution: Manually adjust facial features in the app editor. Zepeto has sliders for this: Head shape, eye distance, etc.
• 🚫 Solution: Close the background apps (especially games or social networks) and repeat the recording. If the problem persists, try lowering the video resolution in the app settings.
• 🚫 You can't export Memoji to video.Solution: Use screen recording (Settings) → Additionally. → Screen recording) for animation capture.

If none of these things worked, check to see if your device supports ARCore, Google’s augmented reality platform that many Memoji apps use. A list of Xiaomi compatible devices can be found here, POCO F5 Xiaomi 12T They support ARCore and Redmi. 10A — no.

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On Xiaomi smartphones without ARCore support (e.g. Redmi 9, POCO M3) Memoji will be less detailed, and animation will be less smooth. 2D-avatars in Bitmoji.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about Memoji on Xiaomi