How to change emoji on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways from A to Z

Are you tired of the standard emojis on your Xiaomi and want to install more modern or unusual emojis? we have prepared a complete guide to replacing emoji on shell devices. MIUI — From simple customizations to advanced root-access methods, in this article you will find current ways for all firmware versions, including the latest updates of 2026.

It's important to understand that changing system emojis is an interference with the operating system. Some methods require unlocking the bootloader or superuser rights, which can affect the warranty and stability of the device. We will take a detailed look at all the risks and offer safe alternatives for those who are not ready for radical changes.

Xiaomi’s standard emoji is often criticized for its outdated design, especially on older versions. MIUI. The manufacturer updates them periodically through global patches, but these updates don’t come to all users at once. Fortunately, there are several ways to get around this limitation, from installing third-party keyboards to completely replacing system fonts.

Why Xiaomi’s standard emojis look different

The fact is that Xiaomi uses its own implementation of emoji, which depends on:

• 📱 Versions MIUI — on new firmware, the design is updated, but not always synchronous with Android
• 🌍 Firmware regions – Global, Chinese and European versions may have different sets
• 🔄 Google Play Services Updates – Some emojis are downloaded through Google services
• 📦 Installed apps – messengers can replace the display of emojis

For example, on MIUI 14 emojis look different than on the MIUI 12.5, even if you have the same smartphone model. ROM) Unique emojis are often used that are not found in the global versions, creating confusion when the same emoji is displayed differently by the sender and the recipient.

On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 13 and later used hybrid emoji system, where some emojis are taken from Android 12+, And some of it comes from Xiaomi's own library, and that leads to visual inconsistencies across applications.

Method 1: Using third-party keyboards (the safest method)

The easiest way to change the appearance of an emoji is to install an alternative keyboard, which requires no root rights and works on all versions. MIUI. Popular options:

• 🎨 Gboard (Google Keyboard) – automatically loads up-to-date emojis from Google
• 🌈 SwiftKey – supports emoji themes and responsive design
• 🦄 Fleksy – offers unique styles of emoji and gifs
• 🔥 Chroom – keyboard with support for iOS-style emoji

To install a new keyboard:

1. Download the app from Google Play Market
2. Go to Settings. → System and device → Language and input → Current keyboard
3. Select the installed keyboard and activate it.
4. In the keyboard settings, find the "Emoji" or "Themes" section and select your favorite style.

Important: Third-party keyboards only change the display of emojis when typed, but do not affect how they look in the messages received.

Method 2: Installation of topics MIUI modified

Shell MIUI Supports the installation of topics that may include modified emojis, which work without root rights but requires:

• 🔓 Unlocked loader (on some models)
• 🌐 Connecting to Chinese theme servers (may be required) VPN)
• 📱 MIUI 12 or later (on older versions, support is limited)

Instructions for installing the theme with emoji:

1. Open the Themes app on your smartphone
2. In the search, type "emoji" or "emoji"
3. Choose your favorite topic (pay attention to ratings and reviews)
4. Click "Apply" and confirm installation
5. Restart the device to apply changes

Popular topics with emojis for MIUI:

⚠️ Attention: Some topics may contain ads or collect data. Before installing, check the permissions of the Themes app in your security settings. Be especially careful about topics from unknown developers.

Method 3: Manually modifying system fonts (requires unlocking the bootloader)

To completely replace the emoji system-level, you need to change the Android fonts.

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (fastboot oem unlock)
• 🛠️ Established TWRP or another custom Recovery
• 📦 Modified font files (can be found on forums) 4PDA or XDA)

Step-by-step:

1. Download the archive with modified fonts (e.g. NotoColorEmoji.ttf for Google emoji)
2. Rename the original fonts in /system/fonts/ (build a backup!)
3. Copy new font files into the same folder
4. Change access rights: chmod 644 /system/fonts/*.ttf
5. Clean the cache in the recavator and restart the device

Popular font packages to replace:

• 🍎 Apple Color Emoji – Emoji in the style of iOS
• 🤖 Noto Color Emoji – Google’s standard emoji
• 🌐 Twemoji - an open source emoji from Twitter
• 📱 Samsung One UI Emoji - emoji in the style of Samsung

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly replacing system fonts can lead to bootloop ( looped boot).Always create a full backup through TWRP On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro), this can cause problems with the display of text in system applications.

Method 4: Magisk Emoji Replacement Modules (for Advanced Users)

If you have Magisk installed, you can use special modules to replace emojis without manual editing of system files.

• 🎭 Emoji Replacer – allows you to choose from several styles
• 🔄 Emoji Switcher – Switching between different sets
• 🆕 MIUI Emoji Updater – Updates the Emoji to the latest version

Installation instructions:

1. Download the module in.zip format from the official Magisk repository
2. Open the Magisk app and go to the Modules section.
3. Click "Install from storage" and select the downloaded file
4. After installation, restart the device
5. In the module settings, select the desired emoji style

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ No need to change system files manually
• ✅ It’s easy to revert to the original emojis.
• ✅ Support for automatic updates

⚠️ Note: Some Magisk modules may conflict with root-sensitive banking applications and services. Check SafetyNet compatibility with the app before installing. YASNAC.

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Before installing the Magisk module, take a picture of the current firmware through TWRP. This will allow you to quickly restore the system if something goes wrong, especially for devices with Dynamic. RAM Expansion, where errors in modules can cause unstable operation.

Method 5: Use ADB-Teams (without root, but with limitations)

For users who don’t want to unlock the bootloader, there’s a way to change some emojis through the ADB. This method doesn’t work on all devices and has limitations, but it can be useful for partial replacement.

Conditions required:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot
• 🔌 Included debugging by USB smartphone
• 📄 Emoji files in.ttf or.otf format

Replacement commands (executed in the terminal):

adb push NotoColorEmoji.ttf /sdcard/


adb shell




su




mount -o rw,remount /system




cp /sdcard/NotoColorEmoji.ttf /system/fonts/




chmod 644 /system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttf




reboot

Limitations of this method:

• 🚫 It doesn't work on all versions. MIUI (starting MIUI 13 Protection strengthened)
• 🔄 Changes may be reset after firmware update
• 📱 Not all emojis will be replaced (systemic ones remain original)

Problems and solutions when replacing emoji with Xiaomi

Even if you follow instructions correctly, users often face problems, and consider the most common and ways to solve them:

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later, additional protection for system files is implemented. Attempting to change fonts without disabling dm-verity can lead to permanent reboots. For these versions, it is recommended to use only methods with Magisk or third-party keyboards.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing emoji with Xiaomi

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For most Xiaomi users, the best solution would be a combination of a third-party keyboard (such as Gboard) and theme. MIUI It's a 90 percent visual effect without the risk of damaging the system.