How to change the font on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: all working methods in 2026

Why do users want to change the font to Redmi Note 8 – and should they?

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 with factory-made MIUI firmware offers a limited choice of fonts — usually standard Roboto or branded MiSans. For many users, this minimalism becomes an annoying factor: small text tires the eyes, and the lack of stylistic diversity makes the interface boring, especially for people with visual disabilities or those who are used to customization on previous devices.

However, before you rush to change fonts, it is important to understand: MIUI is not designed for deep customization without consequences. Unlike Android in its pure form (for example, on the Pixel or Samsung One UI), here any changes to system files can lead to app malfunctions, loss of warranty or even a “brick” of the device (turning into a “brick”). Even official topics from MIUI Themes sometimes conflict with system updates.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to change the font, from safe (via built-in settings) to risky (using ADB and root rights), which methods work on the Redmi Note 8 in 2026 and which are better to abandon, and we’ll also analyze why some popular instructions from the Internet are no longer relevant and can harm your device.

Method 1: Official font change via MIUI Themes (no root rights)

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in Topics app (MIUI Xiaomi allows the installation of alternative fonts, but with a number of restrictions:

• 🔹 Only 5-7 free fonts are available (depending on the region).
• 🔹 Plugins for fonts often require payment (from 50 to 300 rubles per piece).
• 🔹 Not all fonts are correctly displayed in third-party applications (for example, in Telegram or WhatsApp).
• 🔹 After updating MIUI font chosen may be reset.

How to change the font through MIUI Themes:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the Fonts section (may be in the Profile menu → My topics → Fonts).
3. Select the font you like and click Apply.
4. Confirm the changes in the pop-up window.

If the Font partition is missing, then your version of MIUI does not support this feature. In this case, try updating the firmware to the latest stable version through Settings → About Phone → System Update.

Check the MIUI version (must be at least 12.0)

Make sure the “Themes” app is updated

Make a backup copy of important data

Connect to Wi-Fi (fonts can weigh up to 20MB)

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⚠️ Note: Some users complain that after using the font from the MIUI Themes are starting to slow down the animations on the interface. If you notice the lags, return the standard font and restart the device.

Method 2: Installation of fonts through APK-files (without root rights, but with risks)

If you don't have enough built-in fonts, you can try installing third-party.ttf files through special applications, which does not require root rights, but has serious limitations:

• 📱 It only works on MIUI 12–14 (on new versions, Xiaomi blocks such changes).
• 🔄 Font will reset after system update or reset settings.
• 🚫 Some applications (such as banking) may be unable to run due to "suspicious" system changes.

Popular applications for changing fonts:

Instructions for installation via iFont:

1. Download and install iFont from Google Play.
2. Download your favorite font in.ttf format (for example, from the Google Fonts website).
3. Transfer the font file to the Download folder on your phone.
4. Open iFont, click Local and select your file.
5. Click Set → Select Mi Font Installer.
6. Confirm the installation and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: Apps like iFont can collect data about your device (model, firmware version, font list) before using. → Annexes → iFont → Rights and disable unnecessary.

Method 3: Change the font through ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can try changing the font through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which doesn’t require root rights, but requires working with the command line and understanding the basic principles of Android.

On the Redmi Note 8, this method only works on MIUI 12.0–12.5. On the newer versions, Xiaomi blocks changes to system fonts via ADB.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Developer Mode and Debugging by USB phone-on.
• 📁 A font file in.ttf format (for example, custom_font.ttf).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and execute: adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
3. Copy the font to the system folder: adb push custom_font.ttf /sdcard/ adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/custom_font.ttf /system/fonts/ chmod 644 /system/fonts/custom_font.ttf mount -o ro,remount /system
4. Change the system font (example for Roboto): mv /system/fonts/Roboto-Regular.ttf /system/fonts/Roboto-Regular.ttf.bak cp /system/fonts/custom_font.ttf /system/fonts/Roboto-Regular.ttf
5. Reboot the device: reboot

If the font has not changed after the reboot, check:

• File name (should match the font to be replaced)
• Access to the file (chmod 644).
• MIUI version (on 13+ this method does not work).

adb pull /system/fonts/Roboto-Regular.ttf ~/backup_font.ttf

It will help to get it back if something goes wrong.-->

Method 4: Complete font replacement through Magisk and root rights (for experienced)

If you're willing to take risks and get root rights, you can replace the fonts at the system level, which is a method that maximizes customization, but it's not warranty, and it can lead to unstable device performance.

What needs to be done:

1. Unlock the bootloader on the Redmi Note 8 via the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Install Magisk to obtain root rights.
3. Download MagiskFont or FontManager from the XDA Developers repository.
4. Install the module via Magisk Manager and restart the device.

Advantages of this method:

• 🎨 Full freedom of choice of fonts (including custom fonts).
• 🔄 Fonts are not reset after updates (unless you reflash the device).
• 📱 It works on all versions. MIUI (including 14).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (Xiaomi blocks devices with unlocked bootloader).
• 🚨 Risk of "brike" with incorrect firmware.
• 🛡️ Some applications (for example, Sberbank Online or Public Services) may refuse to work on a rooted device.

💡

If you're unsure of your ADB or Magisk skills, it's best to focus on the first two. The risk of losing your phone's performance due to an incorrectly installed font isn't worth the potential benefit.

Method 5: Locally Replace Fonts in Individual Applications

If you only need to change the font in specific applications (for example, in a browser or messenger), you can do without system changes.

• 🌐 Browsers: Firefox and Kiwi Browser allow you to change the font through Settings → Registration.
• 📱 Readers: Moon+ Reader and FBReader have built-in font settings.
• 💬 Messengers: Telegram can change the font through Settings → Appearance → Type size (but the choice is limited).

Example for Firefox:

1. Open Firefox and go to ⋮ → Settings → Registration.
2. Select the Font and click System by default.
3. In the section Additional you can download your.ttf file.

For Moon+ Reader:

1. Open the book and tap the center of the screen.
2. Select Aa → Font.
3. Click Add Fonts and specify the path to the.ttf file.

This method doesn't affect system files, so it's completely secure, but it only works within a particular application, and the global font won't change.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change fonts to Redmi Note 8, users encounter common errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

If the device starts to overheat or discharge quickly after changing the font, it is likely that the new font will conflict with the GPU.

1. Return the standard font.
2. Clear the cache to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Themes → Storage → Clear the cache.
3. Reboot the phone.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions