Xiaomi Mi 9, released in 2019, is still a popular smartphone thanks to the powerful βironβ and regular updates to MIUI. However, the standard font Mi Sans or Roboto (depending on the firmware version) not everyone likes: someone wants to return the usual Helvetica, someone is experimenting with handwritten fonts for originality, and someone just need to increase the size for comfortable reading.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the font to Xiaomi Mi 9, from standard MIUI settings to manually embed custom fonts through ADB or third-party utilities. We will focus on the nuances of working on MIUI 12/13/14, where the menu interface may differ, and we will also discuss why the font may reset after the update and how to avoid it.
1. Method: Standard MIUI settings (without root)
The easiest and safest method is to use built-in personalization options. MIUI has a basic set of fonts that you can change without installing additional apps.
- Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
- Go to the Font section (may be called Text in some versions).
- Scroll through the list of available fonts. MIUI 14 usually has 5-7 fonts, from classic Mi Sans to SF Pro (similar to iOS font).
- Click on the option you like and select Apply.
β οΈ Note: After changing the font through the Topics, some system applications (such as Settings or Calls) may display the text incorrectly - the letters "stick together" or crop. MIUI, fixable.
Back up important data | Check the MIUI version in Settings β About Phone | Connect to Wi-Fi (fonts download from the cloud) | Close all background apps-->
If there is no suitable font in the list, you can download additional options:
- π In the same Fonts section, click Get More (or Download).
- π A browser with the official Xiaomi theme catalog will open. Select the Font category.
- π₯ Download your favorite package and apply it through the Topics app.
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If the icons in the status bar (clock, battery) are gone after changing the font, go to Settings β Screen β Font size and set the value Standard, then return the same. This will reset the display cache.
2. Method: Installation of fonts via APK (without root)
If there are few built-in options, you can install a font from a third-party APK-It's gonna take a file:
- Download a font file in.ttf or.otf format (for example, from Google Fonts or DaFont sites).
- Install an application for font management, for example: π± iFont (supports) MIUI rootless). π± FontFix (for new versions of Android).
Install
Important: Not all apps work on the Xiaomi Mi 9 due to MIUI limitations. If the font hasn't changed after installation, try:
- π Reboot the phone.
- π οΈ Clear the application cache Themes in Settings β Annexes β Application management.
- π² Install the font through ADB (4).
Standard (Mi) Sans/Roboto)|SF Pro (like on iPhone)|Google Sans|Handwritten|Other-->
3. Method: Use of custom MIUI themes
Xiaomiβs ecosystem has so-called βfull themesβ (.mtz) that change not only wallpaper and icons, but also fonts, a method that is suitable if you want a comprehensive design.
Instructions:
- Download theme in.mtz format from trusted sources (e.g. official directory or MIUI Themes).
- Place the file in the MIUI/theme folder on the internal drive (create it if not).
- Open the Themes app, click My Themes β Import and select the downloaded file.
- Apply the theme. The font will change along with the other interface elements.
β οΈ Note: Some topics may contain malicious code or display Cyrillic incorrectly. Before installing, check for feedback on the topic on forums (for example, check for feedback on the topic on the forums, 4PDA).
| Source of the | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Official Xiaomi catalogue | Security, optimization under MIUI | Limited font choice |
| MIUI Themes | Large base of themes, regular updates | Risk of incompatibility with MIUI 14 |
| Forums (4PDA, XDA) | Unique fonts, Russification | Possible bugs or viruses |
4. Method: changing the font through ADB (for experienced)
If previous methods have failed, you can apply the font through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to a computer, but you don't need root rights.
Step-by-step:
- Enable USB Debugging on your phone: Settings β About Phone β MIUI Version (click 7 times) Settings β Additional β For Developers β Debugging on USB
- Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
- Connect Xiaomi Mi 9 to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
- Place a font file (such as custom.ttf) in the platform-tools folder.
- Run commands in the terminal (replace custom.ttf in your file name): adb push custom.ttf /sdcard/ adb shell "su -c 'mount -o rw,remount /system'" adb shell "su -c 'cp /sdcard/custom.ttf /system/fonts/'" adb shell "su -c 'chmod 644 /system/fonts/custom.ttf'" adb shell "su -c 'mount -o ro,remount /system'" adb reboot
On MIUI 14 with Android 12+, this method may not work due to security policy changes, which would require unlocking the bootloader or root.
What if the ADB canβt see the device?
5. Method: Root rights and Magisk (for advanced)
If you're willing to take drastic measures, getting root rights will give you complete control over the system fonts.
- π Unlock the bootloader (official instruction).
- π± Install custom recovery (TWRP).
- π οΈ Switch Magisk to Root Management.
- π₯οΈ Install FontManager or iFont module via Magisk.
β οΈ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader on the Xiaomi Mi 9 will reset all data on the phone, including photos and apps, and it will void the warranty (if it is still valid). MIUI 14 After unlocking, Google Pay and some banking apps may stop working.
Advantages of this method:
- π¨ Ability to install any typefaces, including animated.
- π Instant application without rebooting.
- π Backup of current fonts.
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root rights give you maximum customization freedom, but they increase the risk of disrupting the stability of the system, and use this method only if other methods have not worked.
6. Solving problems after changing font
Sometimes, when you change the font, you get interface glitches, and here are the typical problems and solutions.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Text is cropped or superimposed | Incompatible font size | Set the font size Standard in the screen settings |
| Hieroglyphs instead of Cyrillic | Font does not support Russian language | Download the Cyrillic version of the font (see Cyrillic description) |
| Font reset after update | MIUI resets custom settings | Repeat the font installation or use ADB/Magisk |
| Apps are dying | Conflict with System Libraries | Clear the app cache or return the standard font |
If after experimenting with fonts, the phone began to brake, try:
- Clean the cache in Settings β Memory β Cleaning.
- Return the standard font through the Topics.
- Reset the interface settings to Settings β Additional β Resetting (does not affect data).
7.The best fonts for Xiaomi Mi 9 in 2026
The choice of font depends on your preferences, but we recommend the following options optimized for MIUI:
- π± Mi Sans β Xiaomiβs standard font, clear and readable.
- π SF Pro β imitates the font of the iPhone, suitable for fans of minimalism.
- π °οΈ Google Sans β used by Android 12+, well-represented.
- π¨ Product Sans is round and modern, but may seem too βgame-friendlyΒ».
- βοΈ Caveat - handwritten font for informal style (not suitable for the main interface).
To work with documents or read books, it is better to choose serif fonts, for example:
- π PT Serif β free font with support for Cyrillic.
- π Lora β elegant and easy to read.
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Before installing custom font, check it on the Font Squirrel website - there is a tool for testing the display of Cyrillic alphabet and special characters.