How to put emoji as on iPhone on Xiaomi: all ways with pros and cons

You're used to the bright and detailed emojis on the iPhone, but after switching to Xiaomi, standard emojis in MIUI seem faded and inexpressive? It's a common problem: many users note that iOS-style emojis look more modern and their animations are smoother. Fortunately, you can replace standard emojis with iPhone ones in Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones in several ways, from installing alternative keyboards to deep customization of system fonts.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, including:

• 🔹 Install keyboards with iOS emojis (including Gboard and SwiftKey)
• 🔹 Manual replacement of fonts through ADB (for advanced users)
• 🔹 Use of the themes MIUI with integrated iPhone emojis
• 🔹 Configure the display of emoji in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)
• 🔹 Hidden HyperOS chips for new Xiaomi models 14/13

Important: Not all methods are equally secure. For example, changing system fonts can cause MIUI to malfunction, and some keyboards collect input data. We noted the risks in each section - read carefully!

1. The easiest way: keyboards with iOS emojis

If you’re not ready to experiment with system files, start by installing an alternative keyboard.This method works on all Xiaomi models (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra) and does not require root rights.

The best keyboards with support for iPhone smileys:

• 📱 Gboard (Google) – In the settings there is an option “Emoji style” with an iOS option (available in all regions).
• 📱 SwiftKey (Microsoft) – supports emoji themes, including Apple style (you need to download a separate pack).
• 📱 Emoji Keyboard — Cute Emoticons, GIF — specialized keyboard with an iOS emoji 16/17, but a lot of advertising.

How to install and configure (as an example of Gboard):

1. Download Gboard from Google Play.
2. Open the app and go to Settings → Themes, Emojis and GIFs → Emoji Style.
3. Select iOS (if you don’t have an option, upgrade your keyboard or change your region in Google Play settings).
4. Activate the keyboard in system settings: Settings → System and device → Language and input → Current keyboard.

Cons of the method:

• ⚠️ In some instant messengers (for example, Viber), emojis can be displayed in a standard style. MIUI.
• ⚠️ Keyboards like SwiftKey require additional packets to be downloaded, which takes up space in memory.

💡

If Gboard doesn’t have an “iOS” option, try changing the keyboard language to English (USA) – sometimes this will unlock hidden settings.

2. Replace system fonts through ADB (for advanced)

This is a method that works for those who are ready to manually edit system files, and it replaces MIUI-level emoji fonts, so that emojis will show up the same across all applications, and only works on devices with the bootloader unlocked and USB debugging enabled.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with enabled debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers).
• 📁 Archive with iOS fonts (can be downloaded here).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and check the connection:


adb devices




2. Copy the fonts into the system folder:




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




3. Reset the device:




reboot

Warnings:

⚠️ Attention: Incorrectly replacing fonts can lead to bootloop ( looped load). TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Note: HyperOS (new Xiaomi models) 13/14) The path to fonts may be different. Use the command adb shell ls. /system/fonts/, specifying the location.

3. MIUI themes with integrated iOS emojis

Few people know, but MIUI Themes have hidden packages that change not only wallpaper and icons, but also the style of emojis. This method is safer than ADB, but does not work on all firmware.

How to find and install:

1. Open the Themes app on your Xiaomi.
2. In the search bar enter the requests: 🔍 «iOS Emoji» 🔍 «Apple Style» 🔍 «3D Emoji (sometimes this is how iPhone emojis are masked)

Download your favorite theme and apply it. Emojis will change automatically.

Pros of the method:

• ✅ Does not require rooting or ADB.
• ✅ It works on most devices, including POCO F5 redmi K60.
• ✅ You can return standard emojis by changing the subject.

Cons:

• ❌ Topics are often paid (from 50 to 300 rubles).
• ❌ Not all themes change emojis in all apps (for example, Instagram may have standard emojis).

💡

MIUI themes are the safest way to change emojis without risking the system, but the effect may not be complete (not in all applications).

4. Set up the display of emoji in messengers

Some messengers (like Telegram or WhatsApp) use their own emoji packages, ignoring system settings, and to make them show iPhone emojis, you need to act inside each application.

Instructions for popular messengers:

Important: Modified versions of instant messengers (e.g. GBWhatsApp) violate Meta's rules and may result in account suspension. Use them at your own risk!

5. Hidden HyperOS chips for the new Xiaomi

If you have a HyperOS smartphone (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi K70 and later), you can use customization tools to replace emojis. Unlike MIUI, HyperOS allows you to customize the interface more deeply without root.

How to activate iPhone emojis:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Display Style.
2. Select the option "User Style".
3. In the "Emoji" section, tap on Download additional packages.
4. Find the package “iOS 17 Emoji”** (may be called “Apple Style”).
5. Apply the changes and restart the device.

Features of HyperOS:

• 🔹 Emojis are changing globally – in all applications, including system applications.
• 🔹 No need to ADB root.
• 🔹 On some firmware, the option is hidden – to activate it, you need to change the region to India or Europe in the settings.

💡

If HyperOS doesn’t have an emoji option, try upgrading to the latest version of the firmware. In builds after April 2026, the feature is available by default.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to determine, we have compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:

Selection recommendations:

• 📱 If you have Xiaomi 13/14 HyperOS → Use the built-in settings (section) 5).
• 📱 If you need a quick and safe way → Install Gboard or SwiftKey (Section 1).
• 📱 If you are ready for experiments and want a global replacement → try ADB (section (2) or topics MIUI (section).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When replacing emojis, Xiaomi users often encounter common mistakes, and we have collected the most common ways to correct them:

⚠️ Note: If you have replaced the fonts through ADB Some applications (e.g. Banking) have stopped running, return the standard fonts with the command: adb shell su cp /system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttf.bak /system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttf chmod 644 /system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttf reboot (pre-backup the original file!)

Problem 1: WhatsApp’s emojis haven’t changed.

Solution: WhatsApp uses its own emojis. Install a modified version (FMWhatsApp) or replace system fonts (Section 2).

Problem 2: After installing the MIUI theme, the emojis only changed in SMS.

Solution: Try another theme or clear the theme app cache (Settings → Apps → Topics → Storage → Clear the cache).

Problem 3: Telegram emojis display gnarly (blurred, no animation).

Solution: Turn off the “Use system emoji” option in Telegram settings (Settings → Topics → Use system emojis).

Problem 4: After the MIUI update, the emojis reset.

Solution: Updates often reset customization. If you've used ADB, repeat the procedure. If you've used a theme, re-apply it.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions