How to install iPhone emojis on Xiaomi Redmi 9: the complete guide

Xiaomi Redmi 9 — popular budget smartphone with MIUI, But many users don't like Xiaomi's standard emoji, which look less modern than the iPhone. SMS We've seen it look like an iPhone, and there are a few ways to do it, from simple (via apps) to complex (with root rights). 9 (including Redmi models 9A/9C/9T), their pros, cons and possible risks.

It is important to understand that replacing emojis is an interference with system files, so some methods require caution. APK-False virus or informal firmware, and focus on working solutions for MIUI 12/13/14 Android-based 10/11/12. If you are ready to experiment, let’s start!

Why iPhone emojis are better than standard ones on Xiaomi?

Apple’s emojis have long become the de facto standard in instant messengers, and here are their key advantages over Xiaomi emojis:

• 🎨 Design: more modern, detailed icons with smooth gradients (for example, the face of the emoji on iOS has a volume, and on the other hand, the face of the emoji is not the same. MIUI — flat).
• 🔄 Animation: Some iPhone emojis support dynamic effects (e.g, 🎉 or 💥).
• 📱 Compatibility: If you communicate with iPhone users, your emoticons will be displayed correctly (not as “squares").
• 📅 Relevance: Apple regularly updates emojis (for example, added the following: Apple 🫠 — "The “melting emoji” in 2021, while Xiaomi often lags behind.

However, there are downsides: iPhone emojis take up more memory space (due to high resolution), and some apps (like Telegram) can ignore system emojis and use their own.

Method 1: Installation through applications (without root rights)

The easiest and safest method is to use third-party apps that replace keyboard-level emojis.Call for Redmi 9 on any version of MIUI and don't require unlocking the bootloader.

The best applications for this purpose:

• 📲 Emoji Kitchen (from Google) – allows you to mix emojis, but does not replace the system completely.
• 🎨 iFont (Ex Font Installer) – installs fonts with iPhone emojis (you need to download a separate file.ttf).
• ⚙️ Emoji Switcher - changes the style of the emoji through the keyboard settings (does not work on all firmware).
• 📱 Textra SMS — messenger with support for customization of emoji (suitable only for SMS).

Step-by-step instructions for iFont:

1. Download iFont from Google Play.
2. Download a font file with iPhone emojis (such as AppleColorEmoji.ttf) from DaFont or FontMeme.
3. Open iFont, click Local and select the downloaded file.
4. Click Set → Select Emoji → Confirm the installation.
5. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as WhatsApp or Viber) ignore system emojis and use their own. SMS, browser and some messengers (for example, Telegram X).

Method 2: Replace the system font (requires unlocking the bootloader)

If you're willing to take more drastic measures, you can replace the system font NotoColorEmoji.ttf with iPhone. This method works at 100% (changes emoticons in all applications), but requires:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 📱 Root rights (via Magisk).
• 🛠️ Ability to work with ADB file manager with root access (e.g., Root Explorer).

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader on Redmi 9 via Xiaomi’s official tool (can take up to 7 days to wait).
2. Install Magisk to obtain root rights.
3. Download the archive with iPhone emojis (for example, from here) and unpack it.
4. Copy the files of AppleColorEmoji.ttf and AppleColorEmoji@2x.ttf in the folder /system/fonts/ (pre-backup the original files!).
5. Change the access rights to 644 (rw-r----).
6. Reset the device.

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




cp /sdcard/AppleColorEmoji.ttf /system/fonts/




chmod 644 /system/fonts/AppleColorEmoji.ttf




reboot

⚠️ Warning: Replacing system fonts incorrectly can lead to bootloop. If the smartphone doesn't turn on after the reboot, you'll have to reflash it through Fastboot. MIUI Emojis can be reset to standard.

Method 3: Using custom firmware with iPhone emojis

Some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience, LineageOS, or Havoc-OS) already include iPhone emojis out of the box.

• 🔄 Want not only emojis, but also a pure Android without shell MIUI.
• 📱 Are willing to sacrifice some functions (for example, IR-Xiaomi blaster or branded chips).
• 🛠️ You can use your smartphones through TWRP.

IFROM with iPhone emojis for Redmi 9 (codename Lancelot):

Firmware instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader (as in Method 2).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi 9 (e.g., from here).
3. Download firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).
4. Download to TWRP, make Wipe (except Internal Storage).
5. Swipe the firmware, then GApps and Magisk (if necessary).
6. Reboot.

💡

Before you run your Redmi 9, check the model with ##4636## → Phone information. If the Product model line says M2003J15SC, it's a Redmi 9C, not a standard Redmi 9!

Method 4: Magisk modules to replace emojis

If you already have root through Magisk, you can install a special module that replaces the emoji without manually editing system files.This is safer than editing /system manually, and makes it easy to roll back.

Popular modules:

• 🍎 iOS Emoji Magisk Module – replaces the emoji on the latest iOS 16.
• 🎨 Emoji Replacer – allows you to choose a style (iOS, Samsung, Google).
• 🔄 Emoji Switcher – Switches emojis between different styles.

How to determine:

1. Download the module (for example, iOS Emoji Magisk Module).
2. Open Magisk Manager, go to Modules → Install from storage.
3. Select the downloaded.zip file and confirm the installation.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Some modules may conflict with MIUI, causing interface lags or problems with the display of text in applications. XDA Developers for your model.

💡

Magisk modules are the safest way to replace root-right emojis, as they can be easily disabled or removed without any system consequences.

Method 5: Changing emojis through ADB (without root)

If you don’t want to root but are ready to use ADB, you can replace the emoji with pm override.This method works on Android 10+ and doesn’t require unlocking the bootloader, but only works until the first reboot.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm override com.android.systemui com.google.android.gms This will force the system to use emojis from Google Play Services (they are closer to iPhone than standard MIUIs).
3. To return to the original emoji, do: adb shell pm override com.android.systemui --user 0

This method is temporary and will reset once it is rebooted, but it is completely safe and does not require superuser rights.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When replacing emoji with Redmi 9, the following difficulties may arise:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📋 Version MIUI (Some firmware blocks the change of system fonts).
• 🔒 Antivirus (can block font installation).
• 📱 Smartphone model (on Redmi) 9A The methods may differ due to a different processor).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions