Modern messaging is impossible to imagine without using emojis. However, the standard set that is pre-installed on Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI or HyperOS shell often seems boring or too similar to standard Android. There is a natural desire to personalize the device, making it unique not only visually, but also in terms of communication. Fortunately, the Xiaomi ecosystem provides flexible tools to customize the interface.
The process of changing a set of smileys can range from simple installation of the theme to more complex manipulation of system files. The choice of method depends on how deeply you are ready to penetrate the system settings and whether you have root rights. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from secure methods through the theme store to advanced techniques for experienced users.
Before you start taking action, it's important to understand that the system font and the emoji set are often related. Changing one element can affect the display of the other. In addition, some messengers, such as Telegram or WhatsApp, can use their own built-in sets, ignoring system settings, so the result can differ in different applications, and you need to be prepared for this.
Using the “Themes” app to change emojis
The easiest and safest way to change the look of an emoji is to use the built-in Theme app. Xiaomi has created a powerful board where users share their modifications. When you search for a store, you just type in queries like "Emoji," "iOS Emoji," or "Android 12 Emoji" to find hundreds of design options. This method does not require extended access rights and is completely reversible.
Once you find the right set, you have to click Download and then Apply, and the system will tell you which components of the theme will be activated. For our purpose, it is critical to make sure that the listing is System Emoji or similar. If you just apply the whole theme, you can change the icon, menu style and wallpaper, which is not always necessary for the user.
⚠️ Warning: Some topics may contain ads or require watching videos to activate.Always check the topic ranking and other users' reviews before installing to avoid installing malware or poor-quality graphics.
It's worth noting that once MIUI is upgraded to a new version, custom emojis can be reset to standard ones. This is normal system behavior that requires re-use of the theme. There are also paid themes that can offer better detail drawing than free ones.
Replacement of system font through settings
The second method is to install a special font that contains a modified character set, unlike the fonts affect the display of text throughout the system. To do this, go to Settings → Screen → System Font or open the Themes app and switch to the font tab. Here you can also find options called "Emoji".
Installing the font requires rebooting the device or at least restarting the interface. Once turned on, you'll notice that not only has the style of the letters changed, but the emojis themselves have changed in all applications that use the system render library. It's an effective way to globally change the visual style of the smartphone without deep file interference.
- 📱 Open the “Themes” app on the main screen.
- 🔍 Type “Emoji Font” or the name of a particular style.
- ⬇️ Download and apply the font, confirming the action.
- 🔄 Restart your smartphone to take effect.
It is important to understand that replacing a font can cause some characters to show incorrectly in third-party apps or websites. If you notice "crazy cherries" instead of letters, the font should be removed. Good fonts are usually marked with a "Safe" icon or have a high rating.
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Before installing a new font, take a screenshot of the current keyboard state and settings menu, which will help you quickly return to the original look if the new style is difficult to read.
Use of third-party keyboards for customization
Users often confuse system emojis with those offered by the keyboard. In fact, many modern keyboards have their own built-in set of emojis that they display on top of the system. Installing an alternative keyboard like Gboard, Facemoji or Kika Keyboard allows you to access huge libraries of stickers and emojis.
For example, the Facemoji keyboard allows you to create emoji avatars and use them in any application, which doesn't change the emojis.ttf system file, but gives the user the feeling of changing smileys, because when you type in, you see new images, which is the most flexible option for those who interact a lot on social networks.
To install a third-party keyboard, download the app from Google Play, launch it, and follow the activation instructions on the system. You will need to allow access to the clipboard and allow the display to be displayed on top of other windows. After that, any communication program will have a keyboard change button.
| Keyboard name | Type of emoji | Presence of stickers | Demands a Root. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gboard | Standard + Kitchen | There is. | No. |
| Facemoji | 3D Avatars | A huge base. | No. |
| AI Type | Thematically | There is. | No. |
| System MIUI | Depends on the topic. | Basic | No. |
Manual file replacement emojis.ttf (for advanced)
For users who want full control and have SuperSU or Magisk rights, a direct replacement of the system emoji font file is available. This method is the most effective, but also the riskiest. It allows you to install any set, even one that is not in the theme store, for example, current emojis from the latest versions of Android.
The essence of the method is to search for the emojis.ttf file (or NotoColorEmoji.ttf) from another firmware or special mode and replace the system file with it along the path /system/fonts/. Before starting the operation, be sure to create a full backup of the data, as the error can lead to a “brick” of the device or a cyclic reboot.
adb pull /system/fonts/emojis.ttf /sdcard/backup_emojis.ttfAfter copying the original file to a secure location, the new file is renamed to emojis.ttf and placed in the same directory with write rights.Permissions must be installed in rw-r.--r-- (644). After replacement, the cache must be cleaned. Dalvik/ART via the recavator or simply restart the device.
⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly replacing the system font can make the interface unreadable or lead to constant bootloop.If you are not sure about your actions, use the theme method.
☑️ Preparation for manual font replacement
Compatibility and Display Problems
Even after successfully installing new emojis, you may find that some apps display them and others don’t, which is due to how different apps handle graphics. Messengers like Telegram or Viber often use their own rendering libraries, ignoring Xiaomi’s system settings.
Also, when you send a message to a device with a different operating system (like an iPhone), the recipient will see the emoji in its standard version. The emoji is only a code (unicode), and the image is drawn by the recipient's device. When you change the emoji on your phone, you only change how you see them when you type or in system notifications.
Sometimes, after updating MIUI firmware, custom themes may stop working correctly. In such cases, theme developers usually quickly release patches. Keep an eye out for updates to the theme author profile. Also, problems can arise when using Chinese firmware versions on global devices and vice versa.
Why did the emojis turn black and white?
Recovery of standard emojis
If the experience with the look has led to unstable interface or just no longer you like, you can always go back to the factory settings. The easiest way is to remove the applied theme or font through the Themes app. In the Profile section, you can choose the "Subjects" or "Fonts" option, where you can choose the "Default" or "Classic".
If the interface is not able to enter the settings due to a display error, you can try to boot into Safe Mode. To do this, when you turn on the phone, press the volume button. In this mode, third-party themes do not load, which will remove the problem file. If this does not help, you will need to reset the settings through Recovery.
Remember that creating restore points regularly before any system changes is the golden rule of Android modification. This will save you hours of time and nerves in case of failure. Xiaomi standard emojis are constantly updated by the company, so in new versions of MIUI they can look more modern without any modifications.
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Returning to standard settings through the profile in the Themes app is the fastest and safest way to fix display errors after customization.