How to make emoticons on Xiaomi smartphone like on iPhone: all ways

Xiaomi owners are often jealous of iPhone users because of their branded emojis — bright, detailed and recognizable. Fortunately, you can change standard MIUI emojis to iPhone ones without root rights and complex manipulation. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven methods, including installing custom fonts, changing the keyboard and even system tricks for advanced users.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi uses Google’s emoji (or its own in newer versions of MIUI) that are visually different from Apple. But with third-party tools, you can achieve identical display in both instant messengers and system applications.

Why are Xiaomi and iPhone emojis different?

The difference in emojis between Xiaomi and iPhone is the system fonts and graphics libraries, and here are the key reasons:

• 📱 OS Manufacturer: Apple is developing its own emoji for iOS, and Xiaomi (like other Android devices) uses a set from Google or modified versions.
• 🎨 Design philosophy: Apple’s emojis are more “cartoon” and round, whereas Google’s emojis are more realistic (for example, the face of the emoji on the iPhone is yellow circle, and on Android – with shadow and texture).
• 🔄 Apple updates its emoji design every year, and Xiaomi depends on Google updates or its own patches MIUI.

Interestingly, even within the Xiaomi ecosystem, emojis can be different, for example, on the Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14, they look different than on the Xiaomi 13 Ultra with the same firmware, due to different versions of the Noto Color Emoji system fonts.

In addition, some messengers (such as Telegram or WhatsApp) use their own sets of emojis, which can overlap the system, which complicates the task – after all, replacing emojis not only in the keyboard, but also in applications.

Method 1: Install the keyboard with an iPhone emoji

The easiest and safest method is to change the standard MIUI keyboard to a third-party, Apple-enabled emoji.

• 🔹 Gboard (from Google): You can enable the “iOS” theme for emojis in your settings (not all versions support it).
• 🔹 SwiftKey: Has an emoji package that is visually similar to Apple, but not identical.
• 🔹 Emoji Keyboard - iOS 16 Style (from Google Play): Specialized keyboard with exact copy of iPhone emojis.

Installation instructions:

1. Download the keyboard from Google Play (e.g. Emoji Keyboard - iOS 16 Style).
2. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
3. Activate the new keyboard and set it by default.
4. In the keyboard settings, select the iOS emoji theme.

⚠️ Note: Some keyboards (e.g. Gboard) may only show Apple emojis in their interface, not in the messages sent.

Download keyboard from official store | Check the feedback on compatibility with MIUI| Make a backup copy of the settings of the current keyboard | Test the new keyboard in safe mode-->

Method 2: Replace system fonts (without root)

For Xiaomi users on Android 10+ and MIUI 12+, there is a way to replace system emojis without obtaining root rights - through the Magisk module (even without activating it).

• 📲 Smartphone with unlocked bootloader (not on all Xiaomi models it is possible).
• 💻 Computer with ADB and Fastboot.
• 📦 iFont or Emoji Switcher.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the archive from Apple emojis (e.g. AppleColorEmoji.ttf) from a trusted source (we recommend XDA Developers).
2. Install the iFont app from Google Play.
3. In iFont, select Local → Set the font and specify the path to the downloaded file.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO X3 or Redmi 9) this method can lead to the collapse of system applications. Before replacing fonts, make a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup.

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Before replacing your fonts, check your model’s compatibility on the 4PDA or XDA forum. Some MIUI firmware blocks changes to system files even through Magisk.

Method 3: Magisk and Emoji Replacer

For users with an unlocked bootloader and Magisk installed, there is a reliable method – the Emoji Replacer module. It replaces system emojis at the OS level, so emojis will be displayed everywhere, including WhatsApp, Instagram and system notifications.

Instructions:

1. Install Magisk (if not already installed).
2. Download the Emoji Replacer module from the Magisk repository or from GitHub.
3. Place the module file (.zip) in the phone’s memory.
4. Open Magisk, go to Modules → Install from storage and select the downloaded file.
5. Reset the device.

Once the reboot is complete, the emojis will change globally, and to get back the standard emojis, you just need to turn off the module in Magisk.

Important: The Emoji Replacer only works on Magisk-enabled firmware. Some Xiaomi devices (such as those with a MediaTek processor) may require additional kernel customization.

Method 4: Manual editing of system files (for advanced ones)

This method is suitable for advanced users who are ready to work with ADB and edit system files, and allows you to replace emoji at the /system/fonts/ level, but requires caution.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📁 Apple font files (AppleColorEmoji.ttf, AppleSDGothicNeo.ttf).
• 🔧 Root or patched rights boot.img.

Replacement commands (executed in ADB Shell):

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




cp /sdcard/AppleColorEmoji.ttf /system/fonts/




chmod 644 /system/fonts/AppleColorEmoji.ttf




reboot

⚠️ Note: Incorrect editing of files in /system On Xiaomi models with Dynamic Partition (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) This method may not work due to system partition protection.

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Manual font replacement is the most reliable method, but also the riskiest, and is recommended only for devices with an unlocked bootloader and firmware backup.

Method 5: Using MIUI design themes

A lesser-known but working method is to set MIUI design themes that change emojis, and some of the themes from Xiaomi's official Themes store include alternative emoji sets close to Apple.

How to apply:

1. Open the Themes app on your Xiaomi.
2. In the search, type “iOS emoji” or “Apple style”.
3. Select your favorite theme (e.g., “iOS 16 Emoji Pack”) and click Apply.
4. Reset the device.

Limitations of the method:

• 🔸 Emoji will only change in system applications (in WhatsApp or Telegram will remain the same).
• 🔸 Not all themes support replacing emojis on new versions MIUI (13+).
• 🔸 There may be bugs displaying some symbols (for example, flags or emojis with skin tones).

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To determine the best way, evaluate your skills and requirements:

For most Xiaomi users, the best solution is a combination of method 1 and 5: installing a keyboard with an Apple emoji + theme design, which will give maximum coverage without risk to the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions