Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but the standard MIUI font is not popular for everyone. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to change it, from built-in themes to custom solutions. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including hidden settings and circumventing the limitations of the system.
It's important to understand that changing the font is not just aesthetics, it's also a way to influence text perception. For example, sans-serif fonts (like Roboto or San Francisco) are better read on high-resolution screens, while monowidth fonts (like Consolas) are more convenient for programmers. 9 his HD+-display (720×1600) It is especially important to choose a version with good readability.
Before you make any changes, make sure your device has an up-to-date MIUI (at least MIUI 12) version installed. In older firmware, some features may be missing or not working properly. Also remember that some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, which will void the warranty.
1. Change font through standard MIUI themes
The easiest and safest way to do this is to use a built-in theme store. Xiaomi offers dozens of free and paid fonts that can be installed in two clicks, the main advantage of the method is that you don’t need to download anything from third-party sources or risk the stability of the system.
To change the font:
- Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
- Go to the Font tab in the lower menu.
- Scroll through the list and select the one you like. Click on it.
- Apply at the bottom of the screen.
Among the popular fonts in the MIUI store:
- 🎨 MiSans – Xiaomi’s standard font, optimized for smartphone screens.
- 📱 Roboto is a classic from Google, perfect for Android.
- 🖋️ Handwriting – imitation of handwritten text (suitable for notes).
- 💻 Monospace is a mono-width font for code.
⚠️ Note: After applying a new font, some system applications (such as Settings or Phone) may display text incorrectly. MIUI. Resetting the device is solved.
2. Installation of fonts through APK-files without root)
If the theme store doesn’t have a suitable option, you can manually install the font via a.ttf or.apk file.This method works on Redmi 9 without superuser rights, but requires you to enable the Install option from unknown sources.
Instructions:
- Download the.ttf font from a trusted source (e.g. Google Fonts or DaFont).
- Transfer the file to the phone’s memory (for example, to the Download folder).
- Install the iFont app from Google Play.
- Open iFont, select Local → find the downloaded font → click Set.
- Follow the app's hints for application.
Popular fonts for manual installation:
- 📌 Open Sans – a universal font with excellent readability.
- 🎯 Poppins – a geometric font popular in design.
- 🔤 Fira Code - font for programmers with support for ligatures.
☑️ Preparation for the installation of font through APK
⚠️ Note: Some fonts may contain malicious code, especially if downloaded from unverified sites. Always use an antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky) to scan files before installing.
3. Using ADB to change font (advanced method)
If the standard methods don't work, you can change the font through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to a PC and basic command line knowledge, but allows you to install any typeface without root rights.
Step-by-step:
- Download and install Platform Tools on your computer.
- Turn on USB Debugging on Redmi 9: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable debugging.
- Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode).
- Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and do:
adb devicesIf the device appears in the list, continue:
adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
cp /sdcard/Download/yourfont.ttf /system/fonts/
chmod 644 /system/fonts/yourfont.ttf
rebootOnce rebooted, the new font will be applied to the entire system, but this method has risks:
- ⚠️ Possible errors when downloading if the font file is corrupted.
- ⚠️ Some applications (e.g. banking) may block work on “modified” devices.
What to do if the phone does not boot after ADB?
4. Change font through TWRP and Magisk (for power users)
If you have a bootloader unlocked and you have a custom TWRP recap, you can replace the font at the firmware level, which is a method that gives you maximum freedom, but requires technical skills.
Algorithm of action:
- Download the archive with a font in.zip format (for example, from the XDA Developers forum).
- Reboot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up).
- Select Install → specify the path to the archive with font → swipe for installation.
- After completion, press Reboot System.
Advantages of the method:
- 🔧 Replacement of system fonts, including emoji.
- 🛡️ Possibility of recoiling through backup in TWRP.
- 🎛️ Support for custom patches (for example, changing font size in a status bar).
Disadvantages:
- ❌ Risk of "bricking" in case of an error in the archive.
- ❌ Requires unlocking the loader (data reset).
💡
Before installing the font through TWRP, back up the /system partition in the Recovery itself, which will quickly restore functionality when a failure occurs.
5. Change the size and style of the font without replacement
If you don’t need a new font, but only an adjustment to the existing one (size, boldness, line spacing), MIUI has built-in tools.
How to set up:
- Go to Settings → Display → Text Size.
- Move the slider to scale (from Small to Very Large).
- For fine-tuning style, open Settings → Additional → Special features → Font size.
Additional parameters:
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Bold text | Increases the saturation of the font | On (for better readability) |
| Line-to-line interval | Regulates the distance between the lines | 1.2-1.5 (depending on font size) |
| Colour of text | Changes the color of system inscriptions | Black (for) AMOLED-screens -- dark gray) |
| Font outline | Adds a sleeve for better visibility | Off. (may worsen clarity) |
⚠️ Note: When you increase the font size above 120%, some interface elements (such as buttons in Google Maps) may crop or overlap.
6. Solving problems after changing font
Even if installed correctly, a new font may not work properly, so let's look at the common mistakes and how to fix them.
Problem 1: The font has changed, but some applications have remained standard.
- 🔹 Reason: Apps (like WhatsApp or Instagram) use their own fonts.
- 🔹 Solution: Install FontFix for Magisk or use the FontChanger app (requires root).
Problem 2: After the reboot, the font reset.
- 🔹 Reason: The font file does not have permission to write to the system folder.
- 🔹 Solution: Repeat installation through ADB with the command chmod 644 or use TWRP.
Problem 3: The text is displayed in hieroglyphics or Krakozabra.
- 🔹 Reason: A damaged font file or incompatible encoding.
- 🔹 Solution: Re-download the font from a reliable source and check its integrity.
💡
If the phone starts to brake after changing the font, return the standard version through Settings → Themes → Fonts → MiSans. Castom fonts can increase the load on the processor when rendering text.