The visual component of the smartphone interface plays a huge role in the perception of the device, and many Xiaomi users are striving to bring the experience of using MIUI or HyperOS to the Apple ecosystem. One of the most noticeable details that give off the Android operating system are standard yellow emoticons, which are radically different from the design of iOS. Replacing them with familiar “Apple” emoji allows not only to refresh the appearance of the keyboard, but also to make correspondence in messengers more recognizable and aesthetic for those who are accustomed to the style of the iPhone.
The process of replacing standard characters on Xiaomi devices does not require superuser rights or complex system flashing. The main method is to use the built-in Themes app or third-party launchers that replace the system emoji font, which is a safe procedure, reversible at any time, making it ideal for customization experiments.
However, it is worth noting that the result can vary depending on the version of MIUI and the model of your smartphone. In some cases, the replacement affects only system applications, and messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp can display their own character sets, which can also be customized separately, we will consider the most effective ways to implement iOS stylistics in your interface.
The principle of replacing emojis with Android
To successfully change the look of emojis, you need to understand the technical side of the process. In the Android operating system, unlike iOS, fonts and character sets (emoji) are often stored in separate system files that can be accessed or overridden with themes. When you install a theme that supports iOS Emoji, it actually replaces the font file responsible for displaying Unicode characters with a modified version from Apple.
It’s important to note that not all apps are globally replaceable, and the system keyboard and standard notes are usually the first to respond to changes, but giants like Telegram or Viber often use their own built-in emoji sets, ignoring system settings, requiring additional customization within the apps themselves or the use of special plugins.
⚠️ Note: Before installing any themes or fonts from unverified sources, make sure the author is reliable. Although the themes in the official Xiaomi store are moderated, third-party files may contain display errors.
There are two main ways to solve the problem: using the official Xiaomi theme store and using third-party launchers or fonts. The first method is easier and safer, the second gives more options for fine-tuning, but requires more care when installing.
Search and install themes with iOS emojis
The easiest and most popular way to get the desired result is to use the built-in Theme app. Xiaomi Store contains thousands of designs, many of which include a replaced set of emojis. To begin, open the app and enter key queries such as "iOS Emoji", "iPhone Font" or "Apple Style" in the search bar.
When choosing a topic, pay attention to the screenshots in the description. Authors often demonstrate how emojis will look in different applications. Once you have found the right option, click on the Download button and then Apply. The system can suggest choosing which components of the theme to activate. It is important to highlight the Font or System Emoji, if this option is available separately.
If standard search doesn’t work, try changing the region in your phone settings. Sometimes thematic packages are only available for specific countries, such as India or Indonesia. Change region in Settings menu → Additional settings → Region can open access to hidden content.
- 🍏 Open the “Themes” app on the main screen.
- 🔍 Type “iOS Emoji” into search and select “Fonts” or “Themes” category».
- ⬇️ Download your favorite package and click "Apply».
- 🔄 Restart the device to display changes correctly.
Use of third-party fonts and launchers
In cases where standard themes don’t work or get bored quickly, specialized applications come to the rescue. One proven solution is to use.mtz fonts, which can be found on developer forums or on Telegram channels dedicated to customizing MIUI. These files are installed through the themes menu along the path Profile → Theme → Local.
An alternative and more flexible option is to install a third-party launcher that completely mimics the iOS interface, including a dock bar, widgets and, of course, emojis. Launchers like Launcher iOS 16 or Control Center iOS often come bundled with their own icon and font sets, creating a complex presence in the Apple ecosystem.
Risks of using third-party launchers
When installing fonts from the outside, Xiaomi’s security system can issue a warning about a potentially dangerous file.This is the standard MIUI Security response to files not signed with a Xiaomi developer certificate. If you are sure of the source of the file, you must confirm the installation by ignoring the warning.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official themes | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| Third-party fonts (.mtz) | Medium | Tall. | Medium |
| Launchers (iOS Style) | Low. | Maximum | Tall. |
| Root modifications | Tall. | Complete. | Low. |
Setting up the Gboard and SwiftKey keyboard
Even after changing the system font, the keyboard can continue to show old emojis if it uses its own set. For Xiaomi owners, Google's Gboard keyboard is the most relevant one, which allows you to flexibly adjust the display style. Go to the keyboard settings, select Settings, and find the Style or Theme section.
Some versions of Gboard have the option to choose a different style of emoji than the system. However, most often the keyboard simply broadcasts what the system offers it. If the emojis in the input field have not changed after installing the theme, try clearing the keyboard cache. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Gboard → Memory → Clear the cache.
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If the emojis have turned black and white or squared, it means the theme is corrupted or incompatible with your version of Android.
SwiftKey users can also count on success.This keyboard often updates its emoji packages, and in some cases it automatically adjusts to system changes faster than standard solutions. Make sure the SwiftKey settings include the "Use system emoji" option if your version has one.
Solving compatibility and display issues
A common problem with customization is partial application of changes. For example, in the menu settings, emojis can become “apple”, and WhatsApp will remain Android. This is due to the fact that WhatsApp and Telegram use their own rendering libraries. For Telegram, the situation is solved easier: in the application settings (Settings → Chats → Media Size and Quality or simply search by the word “emoji”), you can choose the display style if the version of the application supports this feature.
Things are more complicated on WhatsApp, the app is tightly tied to the system font, but sometimes ignores third-party replacements, in which case only a complete reinstallation of the theme or waiting for the messenger itself to update, which will add support for new Unicode characters, and it is also worth checking whether the system includes a mode of "Energy Saving", which can block the work of some visual effects of the themes.
☑️ Post-installation verification
If you encounter broken characters (squares instead of pictures), this is a sure sign of conflict versions. Maybe the theme is created for Android 11 and you have Android 13 installed. MIUI Android.