How to install emoji from iPhone to Xiaomi: 3 proven ways

Why do Xiaomi emojis look different than iPhones?

If you’ve switched from an iPhone to a Xiaomi smartphone (be it a Redmi Note 12, Poco X5 or Mi 13), you’ve probably noticed that the Android and iOS emojis are very different, because Apple is developing its own emoji designs, which have become the de facto standard thanks to the popularity of the iPhone, while Xiaomi, like other Android makers, uses Google’s Noto Color Emoji or modified versions.

The difference is striking: Apple emojis have more rounded shapes, bright colors and unique details (for example, the famous “horn emoji” with horns" 😈 or "laugh-crying" 😂). On Xiaomi, these same characters look flatter and less expressive. Fortunately, there are ways to completely replace the system emoji with Xiaomi on the Apple version - without root rights and complex manipulation.

In this article, we will discuss three working methods for installing emojis from iPhone to Xiaomi, their pros and cons, and give recommendations on choosing the best option for your smartphone model. MIUI 14/15 HyperOS (2026 year).

Method 1: Installation of emojis via Magisk (without root rights)

This method is suitable for users who do not want root access, but are willing to use Magisk, a popular tool for modifying Android.

You'll need:

• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone on the MIUI 12+ or hyperos
• 🔗 Installed by Magisk Manager (version 26.0)+)
• 📁 iOS 16.4 Emoji for Android (you can download it) XDA Developers)
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 50%

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Magisk Manager (APK-file).
2. Download iOS 16.4 Emoji for Android (select the MIUI version).
3. Open Magisk Manager, go to Modules → Install from storage.
4. Select the downloaded module file and confirm the installation.
5. Reboot your smartphone. Once turned on, the emoji will be replaced by Apple versions.

Backup | Download Magisk Manager from the official website | Check the version of MIUI/HyperOS| Charge your phone at least 50%-->

⚠️ Note: After installing the module, some system applications (such as Messages or Contacts) may not work stable. If you notice lags, try clearing the cache of these applications in the settings.

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If the emojis have not changed after the reboot, check the status of the module in Magisk Manager – it should be marked as “Active”.

Method 2: Manual font replacement (requires unlocking the bootloader)

This method is suitable for advanced users who are ready to unlock the bootloader and get root access, it provides a 100% guarantee of performance, but requires more time and technical skills.

What needs to be done:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox)
3. Download the archive with the fonts AppleColorEmoji.ttf and AppleSDGothicNeo.ttf.
4. Replace system fonts in /system/fonts/ folder with TWRP.
5. Clear the cache and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 10C POCO M5), Unlocking the bootloader may not be possible without authenticating your Xiaomi account.

Method 3: Using a keyboard with an Apple emoji

The easiest but most limited method is to install an Apple-emoji keyboard, which won't replace the system characters, but will allow you to send them in messages, and is suitable for those who don't want to mess with system files.

The best applications for this task:

• 🎨 Gboard with iOS Emoji – requires additional installation APK.
• 📱 SwiftKey – supports emoji skins, including Apple style.
• 🔤 iFont Emoji Keyboard - a specialized keyboard with a set of emojis from iOS.

Instructions for Gboard:

1. Install Gboard from Google Play.
2. Download the iOS Emoji for Gboard module (available on XDA).
3. Install the module via Magisk (if you don’t have root rights, use SwiftKey).
4. In Gboard settings, select the iOS Style emoji theme.

Through Magisk (no root)| Manual font replacement (with root)| Keyboard with Apple emoji | Not yet decided-->

⚠️ Note: When using keyboard solutions, emoji will only be displayed correctly in your device, and the recipient will see them in the style of their device (unless their smartphone supports cross-platform characters).

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To determine the best way, assess your needs and technical capabilities:

Selection recommendations:

• 🔧 If you need a complete emoji replacement and are not afraid of experimentation, choose a manual font replacement (method 2).
• 🛡️ If you want to keep the warranty, but get an Apple emoji, use Magisk (method 1).
• ⌨️ If you just need to send emoji in the style of the iPhone, but not fundamentally their display in the system – install a special keyboard (method 3).

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For most Xiaomi users, the optimal balance between complexity and outcome is through Magisk (mode 1).

Solving problems after installing emoji

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems. Let's look at the typical problems and their solutions.

Problem 1: Emojis are displayed as black and white characters.

Solution: Make sure you have installed the AppleColorEmoji.ttf color font. If the problem persists, check for color emoji support in your version of Android (should be Android 8.0+).

Problem 2: After the reboot, the emojis reset to the standard ones.

Solution: For the Magisk method, check if the module in the manager is active. For manual replacement, make sure that the font files are 644 and have not been overwritten by the system.

Problem 3: Some apps (like WhatsApp) haven’t changed their emojis.

Solution: Some messengers (e.g. Telegram or Viber) use their own fonts, in which case only replacing system files (method 2) will help.

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If the emojis are too large or incorrect after installation, try clearing the Settings cache (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings → Clear the cache).

Bonus: how to return standard emojis to Xiaomi

If you don’t like the Apple emoji experiment, you can return the original characters in two ways:

For the Magisk method:

1. Open Magisk Manager.
2. Find the module with emojis in the list of installed.
3. Click on the basket icon and confirm the removal.
4. Reset the device.

For manual font replacement:

1. Download the original fonts for your version of MIUI/HyperOS (can be extracted from firmware).
2. TWRP or ADB replace files in /system/fonts/.
3. Clear the cache and restart the smartphone.

⚠️ Note: If after returning standard emojis, some characters are displayed incorrectly (for example, characters or rare emojis), reset the keyboard settings to Settings. → Additionally. → Language and input → keyboard → Resetting settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about emojis on Xiaomi