How to change the font on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: from standard settings to ADB-team

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 with its proprietary shell MIUI offers users a wide range of customization options, including changing the system font. However, not everyone knows that in addition to the standard themes of design in Settings → Theme, there are other ways - from installing third-party fonts through applications to manually editing system files. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, their pros and cons, as well as nuances that are important to consider before changing the fonts on your device.

The main problem faced by Redmi Note 9 owners (M2003J15SC/M2003J15SS models) is the system-level limitations of MIUI. For example, after upgrading to MIUI 14, some methods stopped working, and alternative solutions require unlocking the bootloader or root rights. We tested all methods on current firmware versions (including HyperOS for supported devices) and selected only working versions. If you want to not just resize the font, but install a completely new style (for example, Google Sans or Roboto Mono), read on.

1. Standard method: changing the font through MIUI themes

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI Themes tools, which do not require superuser rights and is suitable for most firmware versions, including MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS (if available).

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the Fonts section (may be called Fonts in English).
3. Choose your favorite font from the ones you like (e.g. Mi Sans, SF Pro or Noto Sans).
4. Click Apply and confirm the change.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require root rights or unlock the bootloader.
• ✅ All changes are reversible through the same section.
• ✅ The fonts are optimized for MIUI (No problems with display in system applications).

Limitations:

• ❌ The choice of fonts is limited to the official catalog (about 20-30 variants).
• ❌ Some fonts may not support Cyrillic or special characters.
• ❌ After updating MIUI font settings may be reset.

⚠️ Note: If the text is not displayed correctly after changing the font in some applications (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram), try to restart the device.

2. Install fonts through the iFont application

If the built-in fonts aren’t enough, you can use the third-party iFont app (available on Google Play), which allows you to install custom fonts in.ttf or.otf format without root rights, but with some nuances for the Redmi Note 9.

Instructions:

1. Download and install iFont from Google Play.
2. Download your favorite font (for example, from DaFont or Fontsquirrel sites) and save it to your phone’s memory.
3. Open iFont, click Local and select the downloaded font file.
4. Press Set and follow the instructions. The app will prompt you to select the installation method:

For Redmi Note 9 without root, we recommend the System (No Root) method, but be prepared for the fact that the font will not change in all applications (for example, Chrome or Instagram may remain standard).

⚠️ Attention: When using the method ADB Install in iFont on MIUI 13+ There may be a file to copy font error, due to the limitations of SELinux, which is to temporarily disable signature verification via the SELinux ADB (Adb shell setenforce 0, but it is not safe!

Download the font in.ttf/.otf| Install iFont from Google Play| Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings | Backup the current font (optional in iFont)

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3. Manual font change via ADB (for advanced)

If you are ready to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can replace system fonts manually.This method is suitable for Redmi Note 9 on any version of MIUI, but requires care - an error can lead to the crash of system applications or download in safe mode.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and check the connection with the command: Adb devices should display your device.
3. Download the archive with the fonts to replace (for example, Google Sans) and unpack it in a folder on your PC. You will need files: Roboto-Regular.ttf (main font) Roboto-Bold.ttf (grand) Roboto-Italic.ttf (emphasis added)

adb push Roboto-Regular.ttf /system/fonts/


adb push Roboto-Bold.ttf /system/fonts/




adb shell chmod 644 /system/fonts/Roboto-*.ttf

adb reboot

Warnings:

• ❌ Without a backup of the original fonts, you risk losing them forever.
• ❌ On some versions MIUI folder /system It's mounted in read-only mode. To fix this, you need a command: adb shell mount. -o rw,remount /system
• ❌ If after the reboot the phone is stuck on the Redmi logo, you will have to reset the settings or reflash the device.

4.Use of Magisk and FontManager module

For users with an unlocked bootloader and Magisk installed, there is a more flexible solution, the FontManager module, which allows you to install fonts globally, including support for Cyrillic and special characters.

How to determine:

1. Make sure your Redmi Note 9 has Magisk installed (instructions for unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk are available on 4PDA or XDA Developers).
2. Download the FontManager module (.zip file).
3. Open Magisk Manager, go to Modules and click Install from Storage.
4. Select the downloaded module file and wait for the installation to be completed.
5. Reset the device.
6. After the reboot, the FontManager section will appear in Magisk Manager, where you can download and apply any font.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Full font replacement in all applications, including system.
• ✅ Support for custom fonts with Cyrillic.
• ✅ The ability to roll back to the standard font in one click.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires unlocked bootloader and Magisk (risk of loss of warranty).
• ❌ On some versions MIUI The module may conflict with other modifications.

💡

Before installing the FontManager module, back up your current firmware via TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery to help you quickly restore your system in the event of a crash.

5. Alternative methods: TWRP and manual editing font.xml

For experienced users who are ready to work with TWRP (custom recovery), there is another way to edit the font.xml file, which is responsible for associating fonts to system styles. This method is suitable for the Redmi Note 9 on any version of MIUI, but requires caution.

Instructions:

1. Install TWRP Recovery for your model (see instructions in 4PDA in the Redmi Note 9 theme).
2. Download the archive with the desired fonts and unpack it on a memory card.
3. Boot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up when turned on).
4. Go to Advanced → File Manager and find the file: /system/etc/font.xml
5. Edit the file by replacing font paths with your own (example line: <font family="sans-serif">Roboto-Regular.ttf</font>
6. Save the changes, go back to the main TWRP menu and select Reboot → System.

Important:

• Before editing font.xml, make a backup copy of it!
• Wrong paths to fonts can lead to bootloop (locked loading).
• After the MIUI update, changes to font.xml will reset.

💡

Editing font.xml is the most powerful method, but also the riskiest. Use it only if you are confident in your actions or have a backup of the firmware.

6. Reset font to factory settings

If after experiments with fonts there are problems (incorrect display of text, color applications or freeze), you can return everything back in several ways:

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

1. Open the settings → Theme → Fonts.
2. Choose a standard font (usually Mi Sans or Roboto).
3. Reset the device.

Method 2: Using iFont (if you use it)

1. Open iFont and go to the Backup section.
2. Restore the original font backup (if you did it before the change).

Method 3: Complete reset (if the system is damaged)

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose Reset all settings (does not delete files) or Delete all data (complete reset).

⚠️ Note: If you change the font through ADB or TWRP The phone won't turn on, and the standard reset doesn't work, so you'll have to stitch the device through the Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool (M2003J15SC or M2003J15SS).

Comparison of font change methods on Redmi Note 9

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the font to Redmi Note 9