iPhone emojis have long been the standard of beauty among emojis: their design is more detailed, the animation is smooth, and the color palette looks more modern than the standard Android characters on Xiaomi. But can these icons be transferred to devices with MIUI without losing functionality? The answer is yes, and we will tell you how to do it without root rights and with them, assessing each method for speed, security and stability.
In this article you will find:
- 🔹 5 Proven Ways to Install iOS Emojis on Redmi, POCO and other Xiaomi smartphones (including models from 2023 to 2026).
- 🔹 Comparative table of methods by complexity and risks – choose the best one for your model.
- 🔹 Step-by-step instructions with screenshots and commands for the terminal (where required).
- 🔹 Solving problems if emojis are displayed in squares or disappear after updating.
Warning: some methods require unlocking the bootloader or the rights of the superuser. If you are a beginner, start with the simplest options (sections 2 and 3).
1.Why are iPhone emojis better than standard ones on Xiaomi?
Apple’s emojis are updated annually, while Google and Xiaomi often borrow designs with a delay of 1-2 years.
| Characteristics | iPhone emojis (iOS) | Xiaomi Smiley (MIUI) |
|---|---|---|
| Design of faces | More realistic shadows, 3D-effect | Flat, less detailed |
| Color scheme | Saturated hues, gradients | Muffled tones, less contrast |
| Animation. | Smooth transitions (e.g., the 😂) | Static or abrupt |
| Support for skin tones | 6 shades + neutral | 5 shades (sometimes curved) |
| New symbols | Appears in the year of release (for example, 🫠 2021) | Delayed 1-2 MIUI updates |
In addition, iOS emojis are better optimized for instant messengers: on WhatsApp or Telegram, they take up less space on the screen, but look clearer. And also, only iPhone emojis correctly display animations in iMessage if you correspond with iPhone owners.
But there are downsides: once replaced, some system applications (like Messages or Contacts) can show squares instead of characters. This is solvable – read about this in Section 6.
2. Method 1: Installation via Magisk (without root, but with bootloader unlocking)
This method is suitable for users who do not want to get root rights, but are ready to unlock the bootloader. Using the iOS 16 Emoji for Android module for Magisk.
Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi (instruction below)
Install Magisk (version 26.0+)
Download the iOS Emoji module (link in spoiler)
Make a backup of data (in case of failure)
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Step-by-step:
- Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (the official Xiaomi utility: 🔗 Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi account. 🔗 Enable Developer Options (7 times tap on the Version) MIUI phone). 🔗 Activate Unlocking. OEM and debugging. USB. 🔗 Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool (download from the official website).
- Install Magisk with fastboot: fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img File. magisk_patched.img Created through the Magisk app from the original boot.img your firmware.
- Download the iOS 16 Emoji module (proven version – here) and install it through Magisk: 📱 Open Magisk. → Modules. → Install it from the vault. 📱 Select the downloaded.zip file and confirm the installation. 📱 Reboot the phone.
After the reboot, the emojis should change in all apps. If this does not happen, clear the cache in Settings → Apps → App Management → Google Play Services.
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If some symbols (such as flags) are missing after installing the module, try installing the Emoji Replacer module from the Magisk repository.
Method 2: Substitute applications (without root and unlock)
The simplest, but also the most limited, method is to use third-party keyboards or apps that replace emojis on the fly, suitable for beginners and those who do not want to risk the stability of the system.
Top.-3 smiley-substitution:
- 🔹 Emoji Changer (iOS 16) - replaces characters in real time, works without root.
- 🔹 Textra SMS — Keyboard with support for iOS emoji. Plus, you can choose the style of iOS 15 or 16.
- 🔹 Kika Emoji Keyboard – More than 3,000 iPhone-style emojis but contains ads.
How to set up:
- Install one of the apps (e.g. Emoji Changer) from Google Play.
- Open the app and select the style of iOS 16 (or another version).
- Activate the keyboard in Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
- In the keyboard settings, enable the option to replace emojis.
Why do some smileys appear in squares?
⚠️ Warning: Substitute applications may conflict with system updates. MIUI They'll have to be re-installed.
Method 3: Manual font replacement (requires root)
This method provides 100% replacement of emojis in all applications, but requires root rights and accuracy. Error when editing system files can lead to bootloop.
What you need:
- 🔧 Root access (for example, via Magisk).
- 🔧 Root-enabled file manager (Root Explorer or Mixplorer).
- 🔧 iOS Fonts (you can download here).
Instructions:
- Download the archive with the fonts AppleColorEmoji.ttf and AppleColorEmoji@2x.ttf.
- Open Root Explorer and go to /system/fonts/.
- Backup the original NotoColorEmoji.ttf and NotoColorEmojiLegacy.ttf files (copy them elsewhere).
- Delete the original files and paste the downloaded Apple fonts.
- Change access rights to 644 (long press) → Permissions).
- Reboot the phone.
If the phone does not turn on after restarting:
⚠️ Note: Connect the device to the PC and through ADB Return the original fonts: adb push NotoColorEmoji.ttf /system/fonts/ adb shell chmod 644 /system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttf
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The root method is a complete replacement for smileys, but it requires caution. If you are not sure about your skills, use Magisk or substitute apps.
5. Method 4: Firmware custom recaveri (for advanced)
This is a good way for users who want not only iPhone smileys but other modifications to the system. We will use TWRP and custom firmware with iOS emoji preinstalled.
Supported models: Xiaomi 11/12/13, Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5. For other devices, check compatibility on the XDA Developers forum.
Steps:
- Install TWRP Recovery for your model (instructions are available on the official website).
- Download custom firmware with iOS emoji, for example: 🔹 Pixel Experience (with iOS Emoji). 🔹 LineageOS + Magisk module. 🔹 MIUI EU emoji-patched.
TWRP
Power + Vol Up
Wipe → Advanced Wipe
Dalvik, Cache, System, Data
Install
Reboot.
⚠️ Note: Castom firmware may take you out of warranty and cause problems with Google Pay, Netflix (due to Widevine's lack of coverage) L1). Before installing, check the firmware reviews for your model.
6. Method 5: ADB-teams (for MIUI 14/15)
In recent versions of MIUI, Xiaomi has added protection against modifying system files, but there is a workaround through ADB. This method does not require root, but does not work on all devices.
What do you need?
- 🖥️ PC with installation ADB Tools.
- 📱 Included Debugging by USB phone-on.
- 📱 iOS font files (same as method 3).
Instructions:
- Connect your phone to your PC and check the connection: Adb devices (your device should appear).
- Copy fonts into the system folder: adb push AppleColorEmoji.ttf /sdcard/ adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/AppleColorEmoji.ttf /system/fonts/ chmod 644 /system/fonts/AppleColorEmoji.ttf
- Reboot the phone.
If the su command doesn’t work, you don’t have root rights, in which case use Magisk (mode 2) or substitute applications (mode 3).
7. Solving problems after replacing smileys
Even after a successful installation, bugs can occur, and here are the most common solutions:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Squares instead of smileys | Not all fonts are replaced | Remove the cache of the Android System WebView app |
| Emojis are knocked off after update | MIUI overwrites system files | Re-install the Magisk module |
| Animation doesn't work | Messenger uses his emojis | Install the Emoji Kitchen module for Magisk |
| Phone's off. | Error in editing /system | Restore the backup via TWRP |
If the emojis are displayed correctly but WhatsApp or Telegram are old, clear the cache of those apps and restart the phone. Instagram may need to reinstall.