How to change the font on the phone Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones due to its reliability and flexibility of setting. However, the standard MIUI font is not popular with everyone — someone wants to make the text larger for ease of reading, someone lacks originality, and some are just tired of the tired Roboto. Fortunately, you can change the font on this device in several ways, both through built-in tools and with the help of third-party solutions.

In this article, we will discuss all current methods of changing the font, including hidden functions. MIUI, Install custom fonts without root rights and even radical options for advanced users, especially the nuances that are often overlooked in standard instructions: Why some fonts don't apply to individual applications, how to avoid system failures, and what to do if text is displayed in characters after the changes. MIUI Redmi Note 5, which is not published on official forums.

1. Method: standard MIUI settings (without additional programs)

The easiest and safest method is to use built-in shell tools. Xiaomi gave Redmi Note 5 users the ability to choose from multiple preset fonts, as well as adjust their size and boldness, a method that does not require superuser rights and works on all firmware versions, starting with MIUI 9.

To change the font through system settings:

1. Open the Settings menu (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the Screen section. → Type size and style.
3. In the Font Style block, select one of the available options: By default, Mi Sans, Roboto or SF Pro (the name may vary depending on the firmware version).
4. To apply the changes, press Ready and restart the device.

Note: System fonts apply to all application standards (Messages, Contacts, Settings), but some third-party programs (such as WhatsApp or Instagram) may ignore these settings. You can also adjust font size (small to very large) and boldness (the option Fat text).

⚠️ Note: If after changing the font in some applications appeared squares or characters - this means that the selected font does not support Cyrillic or special characters. Return settings to Default or install a font with full Unicode support (read about this in the section about custom fonts).

2. Method: Installation of custom fonts through MIUI themes

The MIUI shell allows you to install full-fledged themes that change not only wallpaper and icons, but also fonts. This method is suitable for those who want to radically change the appearance of the phone, but are not ready to mess with manual font installation.

Instructions for installing font through topics:

• 📱 Open the Themes app (icon with brush on the home screen).
• 🔍 In the search bar, type a “font” query or the name of a specific font (for example, “Montserrat»).
• 🎨 Choose your favorite topic from the search results. Pay attention to the ranking and number of downloads – this will help to avoid low-quality topics.
• 📥 Click Download, then Apply. The font will change along with other design elements.

The downside is the limited choice of fonts, most of which offer standard fonts (Roboto, Open Sans), and unique fonts are rare, and the themes often change not only the font but also the color scheme, which may not be popular.

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Before installing the theme, check other users’ reviews – some fonts may not display well on high-resolution screens (e.g., on the Redmi Note 5 with Full HD+).

3. Method: Manual font installation via iFont application (without root)

If system fonts and themes are not enough, you can install any custom font in.ttf or.otf format using a third-party iFont application. This method does not require superuser rights, but has limitations: the font applies only to system applications, and some programs (for example, Google Chrome) can ignore it.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the iFont app from Google Play.
2. Start iFont and select the Online section (to download fonts from the library) or Local (if the font is already downloaded to the device).
3. Find your favorite font and click Download (for online library) or select the.ttf/.otf file in your phone’s memory.
4. After downloading, click Set → select the option Apply without root.
5. Confirm the installation and restart the phone.

Important nuances:

• 🔄 Not all iFont fonts are compatible with the MIUI. If the text becomes unreadable after application, return the standard font.
• 📱 The application creates a backup copy of the original font, which can be restored at any time.
• ⚙️ To work properly, iFont may need to disable battery optimization for this application in AutoRun settings.

Download the font in.ttf or.otf format|Make a backup copy of the current font|Disable battery optimization for iFont|Check the compatibility of the font with MIUI-->

4. Method: changing the font through ADB (for advanced users)

If you are willing to take more radical measures, you can replace the system font through the ADB-This method requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge, but it allows you to install any typeface even without root permissions. The main advantage is that the changes affect all applications, including those that ignore the settings. MIUI.

What you'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB Redmi Note 5 (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📁 Font in.ttf format, renamed Roboto-Regular.ttf (this is important!).

Instructions for replacing the font through ADB:

adb devices # Checking the connection of the device


adb shell # Going to the shell of the phone




su # Request root rights (if any)




mount -o rw, remount /system Rewire the system to write mode




cp /sdcard/Download/Roboto-Regular.ttf /system/fonts/Roboto-Regular.ttf




chmod 644 /system/fonts/Roboto-Regular.ttf




reboot

If you do not have root rights, use an alternative method with temporary mounting:

adb shell


pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution # Disable protection MIUI




mount -o rw,remount /system




cp /sdcard/Download/Roboto-Regular.ttf /system/fonts/




chmod 644 /system/fonts/Roboto-Regular.ttf




reboot

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause data loss or a cyclical reboot of your phone, and if you're not sure what you're doing, use more secure methods (e.g. iFont). MIUI System fonts can be reset to standard.

5. Method: Complete font replacement via Magisk (root required)

For those who are ready to get root rights, there are almost limitless options for customizing fonts. With the help of the Magisk module and the special FontManager plugin, you can install any font globally, including support for all applications and even system notifications.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Magisk Manager and get root rights (instructions for Redmi Note 5 are available on XDA Developers).
2. Download the FontManager module from the Magisk repository (Magisk → Modules → Download).
3. Download the font in.ttf format and place it in the /sdcard/Fonts folder (create it manually if it doesn’t exist).
4. In Magisk Manager, activate the FontManager module and restart your phone.
5. After the reboot, open the FontManager app (will appear in the menu) and select the desired font.

Advantages of this method:

• 🎯 Full support for all apps, including Google Apps.
• 🔄 Ability to quickly switch between multiple fonts.
• 🛠️ Automatic backup of original fonts.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ The risk of losing the warranty (if the phone is warranty, it is better to use other methods).
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Reactivation of the module may be required.

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Magisk is the most reliable way to install custom font, but it's only suitable for root-right users, and without it, functionality will be limited.

Comparison of font change methods on Redmi Note 5

To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have compiled a table comparing all methods by key parameters:

As you can see from the table, the safest way is to use system settings or themes, but they provide minimal customization. You'll have to use ADB or Magisk to control the fonts, but that requires experience.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When changing fonts to Redmi Note 5, users often encounter common errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: After installing custom font, some applications display squares or characters.

Solution: This means that the font does not support Cyrillic or special characters. Install a font with full Unicode support (for example, Noto Sans or DejaVu Sans). Also check that the font file is not corrupted - download it again.

Problem 2: The font has only changed in system applications, but WhatsApp/Chrome has remained the same.

Solution: Most third-party applications use their own fonts. To replace them globally, you need Magisk or manual file editing via ADB. The alternative is to use MIUI themes, which sometimes affect third-party programs.

Problem 3: After the reboot, the font reset to the standard.

Solution: This is typical of root-free methods. Try:

• Install the font via iFont with the option of Apply on boot (if any).
• Use ADB to replace the font in /system/fonts/.
• Turn off automatic memory optimization in MIUI settings.

Problem 4: The phone got stuck after changing the font through ADB.

Solution: If the device does not respond, try:

1. Press the power button for 10+ seconds to force reboot.
2. If the phone turns on but the font is broken, return the original file via ADB:

adb shell


mount -o rw,remount /system




cp /system/fonts/Roboto-Regular.ttf.bak /system/fonts/Roboto-Regular.ttf




reboot

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions