Xiaomi emojis are often criticized for not being Apple’s style — they look less detailed, with different colors and proportions. If you’re used to iPhone emojis and want to migrate them to your Redmi, POCO or Mi, there are several working methods. Some require only an app installation, others require a deep system setup or even unlock the bootloader.
In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to replace emojis (including those without root), compare them in complexity and risks, and give recommendations for different versions of MIUI. Importantly, not all methods are equally safe - some can lead to messaging or even loss of warranty. So before changing system files, carefully consider the possible consequences.
Why are Xiaomi and iPhone emojis different?
The difference between emojis on Android and iOS is due to several factors:
- 📱 Fontmaker: Apple uses its own Apple Color Emoji set, while Xiaomi (like other Android devices) relies on Google’s Noto Color Emoji fonts or their modifications.
- 🎨 Design philosophy: Emoji iOS have more “smooth” contours, pastel colors and 3D-effects, whereas Android emojis often look flat.
- 🔄 Updates: Apple updates the design of emojis every 1-2 years, and changes to Android depend on the manufacturer (for example, Samsung and Xiaomi use different versions).
Interestingly, even within the Xiaomi ecosystem, emojis can be different: for example, on the POCO F5 with MIUI 14, they look different than on the Redmi Note 12 with the same firmware, which is due to the fact that the company sometimes tests new designs on individual models.
Method 1: Installation of the keyboard with iPhone emojis (without root)
The easiest and safest method is to use a third-party keyboard that supports iOS-style emojis, which requires no changes to system files and is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5 and the flagship Mi 13/14.
The best applications for this task:
- 🔹 iFont (with emoji font download) – allows you to install custom emoji sets through the add-on above the standard keyboard.
- 🔹 Emoji Keyboard – iOS 16 Style – imitates not only emojis, but also the design of the iPhone keyboard.
- 🔹 Gboard with manual font replacement (requires additional manipulation).
Example of installation via iFont:
- Download iFont from Google Play.
- In the app, go to the Emoji tab and select the iOS 16 Emoji set.
- Click Set → Apply and confirm the installation.
- Activate the iFont Emoji keyboard in your phone settings (Settings → System → Language and Input → Virtual Keyboard).
☑️ Preparation for keyboard installation
⚠️ Note: Some messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) can display emojis in their own style, ignoring the system settings. SMS and some annexes.
Method 2: Replace the emoji font with Magisk (with root)
If you have a bootloader unlocked and Magisk installed, you can completely replace the system emoji font with iPhone. This method works on MIUI 12-14, but requires caution: wrong actions can lead to a bootloop ( looped reboot).
Step-by-step:
- Download the archive with iOS Emoji fonts for Android (for example, from here).
- Transfer the.zip file to your phone’s memory.
- Open Magisk Manager and go to Modules → Install from Storage.
- Select the downloaded archive and wait for the installation.
- Reset the device.
After the reboot, the emoticons will change in all apps, including WhatsApp, Instagram and system SMS.
- 🔧 Some apps (like Viber) may reset the emoji style after an update.
- 🔄 After updating MIUI Magisk module may be turned off – it will have to be reinstalled.
What if the phone does not turn on after installing the module?
| Method | Need root? | Compatibility | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| third-party keyboard | ❌ No. | All models. | Limited display in messengers |
| Magisk module | ✅ Yes. | MIUI 12–14 | Possible bootloop |
| Manual font replacement | ✅ Yes. | Only for the experienced. | High risk of system failure |
| ADB-team | ❌ No, but you do. USB-debugging) | MIUI 13+ | They may be reset after the update. |
Method 3: Manually replace fonts via ADB (without root, but with risk)
If you don't want root rights but are ready to experiment, you can replace emoji fonts with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works on MIUI 13 and later, but requires USB debugging enabled.
Instructions:
- Download Platform Tools for ADB.
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: Adb devices (you should display your device).
- Download the archive with iOS Emoji fonts and unpack it in the folder with adb.
- Follow the commands in turn: 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
adb pull /system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttf NotoColorEmoji_backup.ttfThis will help to restore the emojis if something goes wrong.-->
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) The system can automatically restore standard fonts after rebooting, in which case you will need to disable the Mi Protect function in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Developer parameters → Disable Mi Protect).
Method 4: Using MIUI themes with custom emojis
Little-known fact: MIUI Themes have sets that change not only wallpaper and icons, but also the style of emojis. This method does not require root and works on most devices, but the choice of themes with iPhone emojis is limited.
How to find and apply this topic:
- Open the Themes app on your Xiaomi.
Advantages of the method:
- ✅ Does not require technical skills.
- ✅ You can go back to the standard theme in one click.
- ✅ It works even on blocked loaders.
Disadvantages:
- ❌ Emoji will only change in some applications (not all messengers).
- ❌ The theme may contain advertisements or additional widgets.
💡
MIUI themes are the safest way to change emojis, but they only have a partial effect. More radical methods will be needed to replace them completely.
Method 5: Flashing on custom firmware (for advanced)
If you're willing to go to extreme lengths, you can install custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, where the default emoji is closer to the iOS style. TWRP, like-minded:
- 📱 POCO F1 (beryllium)
- 📱 Redmi Note 7 (lavender)
- 📱 Mi 9 (cepheus)
Warnings:
- ⚠️ Loss of warranty – unlocking the bootloader will void the Xiaomi warranty.
- ⚠️ Risk of “bricking” – wrong firmware can make your phone inoperable.
- ⚠️ Absence MIUI-Features will disappear branded features like Second Space or Game Turbo.
If you decide to do this, follow the official XDA Developers guides for your model. For example, for the POCO X3 NFC (surya), ArrowOS firmware with support for iOS emojis is suitable.
Comparison of methods: which one to choose?
To facilitate the choice, we will summarize all methods in a comparative table on the key criteria:
| Criteria | keyboard | Magisk | ADB | MIUI themes | Custom firmware |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | ⭐ (1/5) | ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) | ⭐ (1/5) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) |
| Need root? | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| Works in all applications? | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| Risk to the system | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐ (middle-class) | ⭐⭐⭐ (high-end) | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (high-pitched) |
| Reset after MIUI update | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ❌ No (but firmware updates are more difficult) |
Important: If you use messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram, the emojis can be displayed in the corporate style of the application, ignoring the system settings, in which case a complete replacement of the emoji is possible only through Magisk or custom firmware.