How to change the font on Xiaomi: all ways with instructions

Changing the font on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is a popular way to personalize the interface. Not everyone likes standard MIUI system font: some want a more modern design, some want improved readability, and some just get tired of the usual look. Fortunately, the manufacturer provides several official and informal methods for changing the style of the text.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways, from simple settings in MIUI Themes to install custom fonts through ADB or third-party applications. It is important to understand that not all methods are equally safe: some require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, which can affect the warranty and stability of the device, we will specify the risks and give recommendations for each method.

If you're a beginner, start with the official ways -- they don't require technical skills and they keep the warranty. And there are advanced, advanced, advanced solutions for the users. FAQ-block with answers to frequent questions.

1.Official method: change font through MIUI Themes

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI Themes app, available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 shell and later, and you can choose from dozens of free and paid themes, many of which include unique fonts.

How it works:

  • πŸ“± Open the Themes app (icon with brush on desktop).
  • πŸ” In the search bar, enter β€œfont” or β€œfontΒ».
  • 🎨 Scroll through the list of available font themes. Pay attention to the rating and number of downloads.
  • πŸ’Ύ Click on your favorite topic. β†’ Apply. The font will change automatically.

Advantages of the method:

  • βœ… Does not require root rights or unlock the bootloader.
  • βœ… All changes are reversible – you can return the standard font in one click.
  • βœ… New fonts are added regularly (especially in the Chinese version). MIUI).

⚠️ Note: Some font themes may contain ads or plugins. Read user reviews before installing them to avoid unexpected banners on the lock screen.

If you don't have a lot of fonts in your region, try changing your Mi Account region to China or India, where you have a wider choice.

  1. Go to Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ MIUI version (tap 7 times to turn on the developer mode).
  2. Go back to Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Region and select β€œChina”.
  3. Restart your phone and update the Themes app.
πŸ“Š Which typeface do you like better?
Classic (standard MIUI)
Modern sans-serif
Handwritten
Monospace (for programmers)
Other

2. Install fonts through.ttf files (without root)

If MIUI Themes doesn’t have a suitable option, you can manually download a.ttf or.otf font and install it through system settings.This method works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 11 and later, but requires pre-preparation.

Instructions:

  1. Download your favorite font (for example, from DaFont or Google Fonts sites) and save the file to your phone’s memory.
  2. Open the settings β†’ Screen β†’ Font.
  3. Select Local Font (or Add Font depending on the MIUI version).
  4. Specify the path to the downloaded.ttf file and confirm the installation.

Limitations of the method:

  • 🚫 Not all fonts are correctly displayed in MIUI β€” Possible artifacts or failures.
  • 🚫 System applications (such as Settings or Calls) may ignore custom font.
  • 🚫 After updating MIUI font may be dropped.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install fonts from unknown sources - they may contain malicious code. Before downloading, check files through VirusTotal or similar services.

If the font does not apply, try:

  • Rename the file to Latin (without Cyrillic and spaces).
  • Use fonts that support Unicode (e.g. Noto Sans or Roboto).
  • Reboot the phone after installation.

Download the font in.ttf or.otf format

Check the file for viruses

Rename the file to Latin

Save it to the root folder of the phone

Reboot the device after installation-->

3. Advanced method: change font through ADB (no root)

For users ready for experimentation, there is a way to change the system font through ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method doesn't require root rights, but it does require command line. MIUI 12/13/14 Most of the models are Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO.

What you need:

  • πŸ–₯️ Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot.
  • πŸ“± Initiated Debugging Mode USB on the phone (Settings) β†’ The phone. β†’ Version. MIUI β†’ 7 taps β†’ Developer settings β†’ Debugging by USB).
  • πŸ“ Font in.ttf format, renamed MiSans.ttf (for the first time) MIUI 12+) or MiLanPro.ttf (for the MIUI 14).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm debugging.


2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:




adb devices




(The serial number of your device should be displayed).




3. Copy the font into the system folder:




adb push MiSans.ttf /sdcard/




4. Transfer the file to the font folder:




adb shell




su




mount -o rw,remount /system




cp /sdcard/MiSans.ttf /system/fonts/




5. Change access rights:




chmod 644 /system/fonts/MiSans.ttf




6.Reset the phone:




reboot

If the font has not changed after the reboot, check:

  • File name correctness (MiLanPro-Regular.ttf may be required for MIUI 14).
  • The file permissions (should be 644).
  • System File Integrity (sometimes helps resetting settings).

⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB This can cause data loss or a device to "brick" you. If you're not sure what you're doing, use official methods.

What to do if the font is dropped after ADB?
After the update MIUI or reset the font back to standard, repeat the procedure through ADB. To avoid problems in the future, back up the original font with the command: adb pull /system/fonts/MiSans.ttf MiSans_backup.ttf This file can be restored at any time.

4. Use of third-party applications (with and without root)

Google Play has some typeface change apps, but they are limited in functionality on Xiaomi, most of which require root rights or only work on custom firmware.

AnnexNeed root?Support for MIUIFeatures
iFont❌ No.⚠️ Partially.Installs fonts for individual applications, does not change the system.
FontFixβœ… Yes.βœ… Complete.It changes the system font but requires Magisk or SuperSU.
ZFont 3❌ No.❌ No.It only works for Samsung and some other brands.
HiFontβœ… Yes.βœ… Complete.Supports backup of the original font, more than 1000 variants.

For installation via iFont (without root):

  1. Download and install iFont from Google Play.
  2. Select a font from the directory or download your.ttf.
  3. Click Set β†’ select MIUI Theme (if available).
  4. Apply the theme through the standard Theme app.

For FontFix or HiFont (with root):

  • Install the application and provide root access.
  • Select the font and confirm the installation.
  • Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Root-access applications may conflict with MIUI Optimization – Disable it in the developer settings (Settings) β†’ Additionally. β†’ For developers β†’ Turn off optimization MIUI).

πŸ’‘

If after installing the font through the application, some characters are displayed in squares, try a font with Cyrillic support, such as Noto Sans CJK or Roboto Slab.

5. Change of font on custom firmware (TWRP, LineageOS)

If your Xiaomi runs on custom firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or HavocOS), the process of changing the font is simplified. Most of these firmware supports font installation through Magisk modules or built-in settings.

Instructions for Magisk:

  1. Download a font module (such as FontManager or TypeFace) from the XDA Developers forum.
  2. Install the module through Magisk Manager (Modules β†’ Install from storage).
  3. Select the font in the module settings or through the FontManager app.
  4. Reboot the phone.

For firmware based on Android 12+:

  • Go to Settings β†’ Design β†’ Font.
  • Select Download fonts and specify the.ttf file.
  • Apply the changes and restart the device.

Advantages of custom firmware:

  • βœ… Full freedom in font selection (including Google Fonts).
  • βœ… There are no restrictions on font size or style.
  • βœ… Ability to backup original files.

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ Loss of official warranty (if bootloader unlocked).
  • ❌ Risk of unstable work (especially on beta versions of firmware).

πŸ’‘

Custom firmware gives you maximum freedom in type setting, but it requires technical skills. If you're a beginner, start with official methods or MIUI Themes.

6. Restoration of the standard font

If after experiments the font is displayed incorrectly or you want to return the standard look, use one of the ways:

Method 1: Through MIUI Themes

  • Open Topics β†’ Mine. β†’ Standard.
  • Apply the theme by default.

Method 2: ADB (if the font was changed manually)

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




rm /system/fonts/MiSans.ttf




cp /system/fonts/MiSans_backup.ttf /system/fonts/MiSans.ttf




chmod 644 /system/fonts/MiSans.ttf




reboot

Method 3: Resetting settings

If the font β€œflys” after each update, reset through Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Reset β†’ Reset the theme settings. This will not delete your data, but will return all visual settings to the factory.

⚠️ Note: If after changing the font the phone stopped booting (bootloop), try to go to the TWRP and delete the font file manually from the folder /system/fonts/. If TWRP No, you will have to refashion the device via Fastboot.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change your font to Xiaomi, users experience common mistakes, and we've collected the most common and corrective ways to do this:

Problem.Reason.Decision
Font doesn't change.Incompatible file format or nameRename the file to MiSans.ttf and check the permissions (644).
Squares instead of lettersThe font does not support Cyrillic.Use fonts that support Cyrillic (e.g. PT Sans).
Font resets after updateMIUI overwrites system filesRepeat the procedure through ADB or use the Magisk module.
Apps don't see new fontMIUI restrictions for third-party applicationsSet the font through iFont separately for each application.

If the problem is not resolved:

  • Check out the MIUI version – some methods only work on certain versions.
  • Clear the cache to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management β†’ Themes β†’ Storage β†’ Clear the cache.
  • Make sure the font file is not corrupted (try opening it on a PC).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

❓ Can I change the font to Xiaomi without root?
Yes, there are three official ways: Through the Themes app (font section); Set up local font in Settings β†’ Screen β†’ Font; Use ADB to replace the system file (without root but with USB debugging); The side of the apps without root is limited to only individual programs.
❓ Why some characters are not displayed correctly after changing the font?
This happens if the font does not support: Kirrillic (for Russian), special characters (emoji, hieroglyphs), bold/italic type. Solution: choose fonts marked "Full Unicode" or "Cyrillic Extended" (for example, Noto Sans, DejaVu Sans).
❓ How to return the standard font if the phone does not turn on?
If you have bootloop after you change the font: Boot to TWRP (if installed). Go to Advanced β†’ File Manager. Delete or rename the font file to /system/fonts/ (usually MiSans.ttf). Reboot your phone. If TWRP is not available, run your phone through Fastboot with official firmware (instructions on en.miui.com).
❓ Does this method work for POCO redmi?
Yes, all of the described methods are suitable for: POCO F3/F4/F5, POCO X3/X4/X5; Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/11; Xiaomi 11/12/13 series. Exception: some budget models (for example, Redmi A1) may not support local fonts in the settings.
❓ Can I install a font from iOS or Windows on Xiaomi?
Technically, yes, but: San Francisco (iOS) and Segoe UI (Windows) fonts are copyrighted. They can be rendered incorrectly due to different DPIs and character support. To install, you need to convert files to.ttf and rename them MIUI. Legal alternative: Inter, Manrope or JetBrains Mono fonts (free and optimized for mobile devices).