How to put emojis like on an iPhone on Xiaomi: 3 working ways + mistake-making

Are you tired of standard emojis on Xiaomi that look pale in comparison to the bright emojis of the iPhone? no wonder - Apple spends millions on designing its emojis, making them more expressive and modern, POCO Mi or Mi don’t have to buy an iPhone to use its emojis. In this article, we’ll discuss three proven methods of replacing emojis with Xiaomi (including models on the phone). MIUI 14/15 HyperOS, evaluate their pros and cons, and tell you how to avoid typical errors.

It's important to understand that replacing emojis is an interference with system files, so you shouldn't start without a backup. Some methods require root rights, others work without them, but can conflict with updates. We tested all methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+, POCO F5 Xiaomi 13T — And the results are shown in the comparison table below, and if you're ready to experiment, let's get started!

Why emoji on iPhone and Xiaomi are different: technical details

Difference between iOS and Android emoticons (including: MIUI) Apple uses proprietary font Apple Color Emoji, which is updated with each new version of iOS. Xiaomi, like other manufacturers on Android, relies on the font Noto Color Emoji from Google — it is free, but less developed.

Key differences:

• 🎨 Design: Apple's emojis have smoother edges, realistic shadows and bright colors. emojis like 😂 iPhone looks bulky, and Xiaomi – flat.
• 🔄 Animation: Some iPhone emojis support microanimations (e.g., micro-animation, 🎉 or 💦), What is not in standard Android.
• 📅 Relevance: Apple is adding new emojis faster (for example, Apple is adding new emojis, 🫠 or 🫱🏽‍🫲🏼 IOS was launched a year earlier than Android).

And interestingly, even if you replace the emoji with Xiaomi, your interlocutors will see it in the style of their devices, so if you send a message from an iPhone emoji from your Redmi, it will show correctly on the recipient's iPhone, and it will show up as standard on another Android device, because the emoji are actually Unicode characters, and their visual display depends on the typeface on the recipient's device.

Method 1: Install an iPhone emoji without root (via Magisk or TWRP)

This method is suitable for users who do not want to get root rights, but are ready to take advantage of custom restoration. TWRP It runs on most Xiaomi models (except those on HyperOS with a locked bootloader).

What you need:

• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with unlocked bootloader (instructions for unlocking – in the spoiler below).
• 🔧 Established custom restoration TWRP (version no less than 3.6.0).
• 📄 File with Apple Color Emoji font (download here or here).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the archive with font iOS_Emoji_MIUI.zip (size — 15–20 MB).
2. Reboot the phone to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up).
3. V TWRP Choose Install → Find the path to the downloaded archive → Swipe through the swipe to confirm.
4. After installation, run the Wipe Dalvik/Cache and reboot the device.

Backup of data (via Mi Cloud or TWRP)

Check the version. TWRP (You should support your Xiaomi model)

Download the correct archive with font (for MIUI 14/15 or hyperos)

Charge your phone at least 50%

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Pros of the method:

• ✅ It does not require root (works through the TWRP).
• ✅ Retained after updates MIUI (unless you reset the settings).
• ✅ Supports emoji animation (if the archive has relevant files).

Cons:

• ❌ Risk of "brick" if installed incorrectly (if you choose the wrong archive).
• ❌ In some models (POCO X5, Redmi 12) may break the display of emoji in WhatsApp.
• ❌ Requires unlocking the bootloader (which voids the warranty).

💡

If the emojis are shown squares after installation, try clearing the cache of the Android System WebView app in the settings.

Method 2: Replace emojis through root (for power users)

This method is highly customizable, but requires root rights, and is suitable for those who already use Magisk or other tools to modify the system, with the advantage of choosing a specific version of the emoji (e.g., iOS 16 or 17).

Tools required:

• 🛠️ Root access (obtained via Magisk or SuperSU).
• 📂 Root-enabled file manager (such as Solid Explorer or Solid Explorer) FX File Explorer).
• 📎 Archive of Apple Color Emoji fonts (can be found here).

Instructions:

1. Download and unpack the font archive. You need files: AppleColorEmoji.ttf AppleColorEmoji@2x.ttf AppleColorEmoji@3x.ttf
2. Open the root file manager and go along the way: /system/fonts/
3. Find the NotoColorEmoji.ttf files and back them up (copy them elsewhere).
4. Delete the original NotoColorEmoji.ttf files and insert Apple files instead.
5. Change the permissions to access new files: chmod 644 AppleColorEmoji.ttf
6. Reset the device.

Warnings:

⚠️ Note: Incorrectly changing files in the folder /system This can lead to a cyclic reboot. before you start, check that you have a backup of NotoColorEmoji.ttf.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 15 for Xiaomi 14) the system can automatically restore deleted fonts after rebooting. In this case, you will need to disable dm-verity via Magisk.

Pros:

• ✅ Full control over the emoji version (you can even put beta versions from iOS 18).
• ✅ It works on all applications, including Telegram and VK.
• ✅ You can return the original emoji at any time.

Cons:

• ❌ Root requires, which could disrupt Google Pay and banking apps.
• ❌ After updating MIUI You have to repeat the procedure.
• ❌ HyperOS may not work due to a modified system file structure.

Method 3: Applications for Emoji Replacement (without root and TWRP)

If the first two methods seem too complicated, you can use special applications that change the emoji at the keyboard level, which is the safest way, but it has limitations.

Top.-3 Apps to replace emojis on Xiaomi:

How to use (for example, Emoji Font 3):

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Download the iOS 17 Emoji Emoji package right in the app.
3. Activate the Emoji Font Keyboard in your phone settings (Settings) → System system → keyboard).
4. Choose it as the main keyboard.

Limitations of the method:

• 🔹 Emojis change only when typing, but not in the messages received.
• 🔹 Some messengers (such as WhatsApp) may display a standard set of.
• 🔹 Applications often contain advertising and require premium subscriptions for full functionality.

💡

Emoji replacement apps are the safest way, but they don't change the system fonts.Emoji will only appear in the style of iPhones when typed, and in the messages received will remain standard.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to determine, we have collected the key parameters of each method in one table:

Selection recommendations:

• 🔧 If you are a skilled user and are willing to take risks, choose root. + It's a manual replacement. It gives you maximum control.
• 📱 If you have Xiaomi on the warranty, but there is TWRP — Use the first method (without root).
• 😊 If you don’t want to mess with the settings, install the app (e.g. Emoji Font 3).

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions.

1.Emojis are displayed in squares (□□□)

Reason: System cache is not updated or font files are corrupted.

Decision:

• Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Clear the cache of all applications.
• If it doesn’t work, delete the emoji files and install them again.

2. V WhatsApp/Telegram Emojis haven't changed.

Reason: Some messengers use their fonts.

Decision:

• For WhatsApp: Clear the app data (Settings) → Annexes → WhatsApp → Warehouse → Clear the data).
• For Telegram: Enable the option to Use System Emojis in the chat settings.

3.After the update MIUI Emojis dropped off

Reason: The update overwritten system fonts.

Decision:

• If you've used TWRP — re-set the archive.
• If you have root, return your emoji files to the /system/fonts/.

Bonus: How to back up an emoji before replacing

Important: Without a backup of system fonts, you risk losing your emoji after a failed replacement.

Method 1: Through TWRP

1. Download to TWRP.
2. Go to Backup. → Select Partitions to BackUp.
3. Only mark System Image (do not select Data to avoid copying the extra one).
4. Press Swipe to Back Up.

Method 2: Through ADB (without root)

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging.
2. Enter in the command line: adb pull /system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttf C:\Backup\
3. Repeat for all NotoColorEmoji files@2x.ttf etc.

Method 3: Manual backup (with root)

Just copy the folder. /system/fonts/ any safe place (for example, at any SD-map).

💡

A backup emoji takes less than 10MB, but can save your phone from serious problems. Always back up before changing system files!

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing emoji with Xiaomi