Change the font on Xiaomi Mi 8 can be at least five ways – from basic settings MIUI before manual intervention through ADB. But not all methods are equally safe: some require superuser rights, others can cause system failure if you do something wrong. In this article, we will analyze each option based on the firmware version, explain how to avoid typical errors, and give recommendations for choosing the best fonts for the best type. AMOLED-smartphone-screen.
Xiaomi Mi 8
dipper
MIUI
LineageOS
Before proceeding, make sure that:
- 🔋 Battery charge above 50% (when used) ADB reinstatement).
- 📱 Backup of data created (fonts may affect the display of some applications).
- 🔍 You know the exact version. MIUI (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI).
1. MIUI Standard settings: limited font selection
The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI options. It does not require root rights or additional programs, but offers only 3-5 font options (depending on the firmware version).
How to change the font through the menu:
- Open Settings → Screen → Font size and style.
- Slip on the font style item.
- Choose one of the available options (e.g. MiSans, Roboto or SF Pro).
- Confirm the changes and restart the device.
⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 12+ This item may not be available due to Xiaomi's policy of unifying the interface.
💡
If after changing the font, some applications (for example, banking) display text incorrectly, return the standard MiSans or clear the app cache.
2. Apps for changing fonts: iFont and ZFont
Third-party utilities extend the font selection to hundreds of options, including Cyrillic ones, the most reliable ones are iFont and ZFont, which run rootless on most versions of MIUI. However, they require permission to install from unknown sources.
Step-by-step instructions for iFont:
- Download iFont from the official website (not from the Play Market, as the version is outdated there).
- Install APK by pre-allowing installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security.
- Launch the application and select the Online section (for downloading fonts) or Local (if the font is already downloaded in.ttf format).
- Click Set next to your favorite font and confirm the installation.
- Reboot the Xiaomi Mi 8.
Advantages of the method:
- 🎨 More than 1,000 fonts to choose from, including Russian-language.
- 🔄 The ability to return a standard font in one click.
- 🛡️ Does not require root or unlocking the bootloader.
Disadvantages:
- ⚠️ Some fonts may not support Cyrillic (check in preview).
- 🐢 The installation process takes up to 5 minutes (depending on the font size).
What if iFont doesn’t see the downloaded fonts?
3. Manual copying of fonts through ADB (for experienced)
This method is suitable if you want to install custom font, which is not in applications like iFont, but are not ready to get root rights. It requires connecting the Xiaomi Mi 8 to a PC and using ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
- 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the assembly number → Go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
- 💾 A font file in.ttf format (e.g. Inter or Manrope).
Instructions:
adb push font.ttf /sdcard/
adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
cp /sdcard/font.ttf /system/fonts/
chmod 644 /system/fonts/font.ttf
mount -o ro,remount /system
reboot⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If the phone doesn't turn on after you reboot, try Recovery Mode. + Volume Up and roll back changes via Mount → System.
Download ADB Tools on PC|Enable debugging on USB Xiaomi Mi 8|Download the font in.ttf format|Create a backup copy of the data|Check the battery charge (>50%)-->
4. Install fonts via TWRP (requires an unlocked bootloader)
If your Xiaomi Mi 8 has custom recovery installed TWRP, You can use the font as ZIP-This method is suitable for enthusiasts who have already unlocked the bootloader and are familiar with the firmware.
How to Switch the Font through TWRP:
- Download the archive with a font in.zip format (for example, from the XDA Developers forum).
- Reboot your phone to TWRP (Power + Volume Up buttons).
- Click Install and select the downloaded archive.
- Swipe to confirm the firmware.
- Reset the device.
Advantages:
- 🔧 Ability to flash fonts systemically (not only for the interface, but also for applications).
- 🔄 Easy pullback through the backup to TWRP.
Risks:
- ⚠️ Incompatible ZIP-The archive may cause a system failure.
- 🔐 Requires an unlocked bootloader (which resets the phone to factory settings).
Standard settings MIUI|Apps like iFont|ADB-team|TWRP/Custom firmware|I haven't tried it yet.-->
5. Custom firmware: maximum freedom (but also risks)
Installing alternative firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience or HavocOS) opens up access to Android system fonts without the limitations of MIUI. However, this method is only suitable for advanced users, as it requires:
- 🔓 Unlock the loader (erase all data!).
- 📥 Installations TWRP or other custom recovery.
- 🛠️ Firmware of the OS and GApps (if you need Google services).
Popular firmware with support for Xiaomi Mi 8:
| Firmware | Android version | Font support | Complexity of installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LineageOS | 11–13 | Full (via Font Manager) | Medium |
| Pixel Experience | 12–13 | Limited (systemic only) | Tall. |
| HavocOS | 10–12 | Extended (including animations) | Tall. |
| MIUI EU | 12–14 | Like standard MIUI, but without bloat. | Low. |
⚠️ Warning: Custom OS firmware voids Xiaomi warranty and could lead to Widevine issues L1 (Downgrading streaming quality at Netflix, Disney+ etc.).
💡
Custom firmware gives maximum freedom of configuration, but requires unlocking the bootloader and carries risks for system stability.
6. Restoration of the standard font
If after experimenting with fonts, the interface of Xiaomi Mi 8 began to be displayed incorrectly (hieroglyphs, no symbols), you can return everything back in several ways:
Method 1: Through the MIUI settings
Go to Settings → Screen → Font size and style → Font style and select MiSans (standard MIUI font).
Method 2: Through ADB (if the font is manually installed)
adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
rm /system/fonts/castom font.ttf
mount -o ro,remount /system
rebootMethod 3: Resetting settings
If the font has damaged system files, reset via Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset → Reset. Attention: this will delete all data from the device!