How to put an emoji like on iPhone on Xiaomi: all the ways 2026

Whether you’ve moved from iPhone to Xiaomi or just want to make emojis in messages look as stylish as Apple users – this article is for you. iOS-style emojis have become the unspoken standard of beauty: they’re brighter, more detailed and just nicer to look at. But by default, Xiaomi smartphones (even flagship models like Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) use standard emojis from Google or their own versions of the MIUI, which to many seem pale and less expressive.

Fortunately, there are several ways to replace emojis with Xiaomi – from simple (without superuser rights) to advanced (with unlocking the bootloader and installing custom firmware). In this guide, we will look at all the current methods of 2026, their pros and cons, and give recommendations on choosing the best option depending on your smartphone model and level of technical training. A2 or POCO M6 Pro, others will require a deeper setup.

Before you start, consider that changing system fonts and emojis can affect the stability of the device. MIUI 14/15 (including HyperOS), but the result may vary depending on the firmware version and regional build. If you are not confident, start with the safest ways (sections). 2 and 3).

1.Why are the Xiaomi and iPhone emojis different?

The difference between Android and iOS emojis lies in three key aspects:

• 📱 System font: Apple uses proprietary font Apple Color Emoji, which is integrated into iOS at the core level. On Android, emoji are displayed through the font Noto Color Emoji (from Google) or its modifications from manufacturers (for example, MiSans from Xiaomi).
• 🎨 Design and palette: Apple's emojis have more saturated colors, smooth gradients and detailed contours. 😂 iPhones look bulky, while Android often flat.
• 🔄 Updates: Apple updates emoji design every year, adding new styles (like iOS) 17 On Android, updates depend on the manufacturer — Xiaomi sometimes delays them on the Internet. 1-2 year-end.

Interesting fact: even if you send emojis from your iPhone to Xiaomi, the recipient will see them in the style of their OS. This is because the emojis are not transmitted as images, but are encoded in Unicode, the universal standard. The device itself substitutes its display option. The exception is some messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), which can use their own emoji sets.

2. Method 1: Install custom font without root (the safest)

If you don't want to risk the stability of the system, you're whining about getting an iPhone-style emoji, this method is for you. It works on all Xiaomi smartphones with a single-phone phone. MIUI 12 and later (including HyperOS) and does not require superuser rights.The point is to replace the system emoji font through standard settings.

You'll need:

• 📲 Xiaomi’s unlocked bootloader (not to be confused with root!) is unlocked by default on most devices, but if you see a warning when you try to install a font, you’ll have to unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool.
• 💾 Archive with Apple Color Emoji font (can be downloaded here or here).
• 🛠️ Font Installer app (available on Google Play).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the archive with the font AppleColorEmoji.ttf (for example, the version from San Francisco Font).
2. Unpack the archive and move the font file to the Download folder on your phone.
3. Install the Font Installer app from the Play Market.
4. Open the app, press Local → select the downloaded typeface.
5. Click Install and confirm the system font replacement.
6. Reset the device.

Download the archive with Apple Color Emoji|Check the version. MIUI (should be 12.+)|Installation of Font Installer|Make a backup copy of the data|Charge your phone at least 50 times%-->

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5 Xiaomi 13T) After you install the font, some characters may disappear from the settings menu. MIUI It uses a typeface-based system icon, and the solution is to return the standard font through the same Font Installer app.

Pros of the method:

• ✅ Doesn't require root rights.
• ✅ It works on most Xiaomi models.
• ✅ It's easy to roll back change.

Cons:

• ❌ Not all emojis will be displayed correctly (for example, new emojis from iOS 17 may not be available).
• ❌ In some applications (such as Instagram or VK) Emojis will remain standard.

💡

If the emoji in WhatsApp has not changed after installing the font, clear the app cache in the settings (Settings) → Annexes → WhatsApp → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

3. Method 2: Using Magisk and iFont

If the first method didn’t work, or you want a deeper customization, you can use the iFont module for Magisk. This method requires an unlocked bootloader and an installed Magisk (instructions for installing it you can find here), but it allows you to replace emoji at the system level, which ensures that they are displayed in all applications.

What you'll need:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk (version 26.0 or later).
• 📦 iFont module (you can download it here).
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone on the MIUI 13/14 or hyperos.

Instructions:

1. Download the iFont module in.zip format.
2. Open Magisk Manager (or Magisk Delta if you use it).
3. Go to the Modules section. → Click Install from the vault.
4. Select the downloaded iFont file and confirm the installation.
5. After installation, restart the device.
6. Launch the iFont app (will appear after the reboot) and select the Apple Color Emoji set.
7. Apply the changes and restart the phone again.

⚠️ Note: On some HyperOS firmware (e.g. Xiaomi 14), the iFont module may conflict with system services. If you experience lags or overheating after installation, remove the module through Magisk and try an alternative method (section 4).

Advantages:

• 🌟 Full replacement of emojis in all applications, including Telegram, Viber and system SMS.
• 🔄 Ability to quickly switch between different sets of smileys.

Disadvantages:

• ⚙️ Requires Magisk and unlocked bootloader.
• ⚠️ Risk of conflicts with other modules (e.g., with ViPER4Android).

Method 3: Install custom firmware with iOS emoji

For the most advanced users who want not only an iPhone-style emoji, but other iOS chips as well, there's a radical way to install custom firmware. MIUI iOS or cMIUI includes not only smileys from Apple, but also animations, icons and even notification sounds like on the iPhone.

Important: This method is only suitable for experienced users, as it requires:

• 🔓 Fully unlocked bootloader.
• 🛠️ Established custom recaveri (TWRP Or OrangeFox).
• 💾 Backup of all data (firmware erases internal memory!).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware from the iOS emoji for your model (for example, MIUI iOS 17 for Redmi Note 12 Pro+). Sources: xiaomi.eu or 4PDA.
2. Transfer the firmware file (.zip) to your phone.
3. Download to the recavator (Switch off the phone → Press Power + Volume Up).
4. In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
5. Go back to the main menu and select Install. → specify the firmware file.
6. Wait until the installation is complete and restart the device.

⚠️ Castom firmware may contain bugs, especially on new devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 Ultra or other devices). POCO F6 Before installing, check the reviews on the forums and make sure the firmware supports your model. Also note that some features (such as Mi Pay or Widevine) L1 for Netflix HD) They may stop working.

Pros:

• 🎯 Complete interface conversion for iOS, not just emoji.
• 🔄 Regular updates from the community.

Cons:

• ⚠️ Risk of "bricking" of the device when installed incorrectly.
• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the bootloader has been officially unlocked, the warranty is retained).
• 🔋 Possible problems with autonomy (castomy firmware is sometimes worse optimized).

💡

Custom firmware is the most radical, but also the most effective way to get an iPhone-like emoji, but it is only suitable for advanced users who are prepared for potential stability issues.

5. Method 4: Keyboard applications with iOS emojis

If you don't want to mess around with system settings, but you want to send an iPhone-style emoji, you can use third-party keyboards. They don't change the way the emojis are displayed in your messages (the recipient will see them in their own style), but let you choose the emojis from Apple's typing.

The best keyboards with iOS emoji for Xiaomi:

• 🍎 iOS Emoji Keyboard – mimics the iPhone keyboard, including sounds and animations.
• 🎨 Kika Emoji Keyboard – Supports themes including iOS style 16/17.
• 🔍 Gboard with iFont plugin – allows you to load emoji sets (requires manual configuration).
• 📱 SwiftKey with Apple Emoji package (available in theme settings).

How to set up:

1. Install the selected keyboard from Google Play.
2. Activate it in settings: Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
3. In the keyboard settings, select the iOS theme or Apple Style.
4. If necessary, download an additional emoji package (for example, in Kika Keyboard this is done in the Emoji Store section).

⚠️ Note: Some keyboards (such as the iOS Emoji Keyboard) may collect data about your clicks. Before installing, check the permissions of the application in Google Play and turn off sending statistics in the keyboard settings.

Pros:

• ✅ No changes to the system are required.
• ✅ It works on all devices, including Redmi and POCO.
• ✅ You can quickly switch between emoji styles.

Cons:

• ❌ The recipient will see the emoji in their own style (for example, if you send a smiley from iOS, and he has Android, he will see the Google version).
• ❌ Some keyboards show ads.

💡

To make WhatsApp emojis appear like an iPhone, try using a modified version of the messenger – FMWhatsApp or GBWhatsApp. They allow you to choose the style of smileys in the settings.

Method 5: Manual editing of system files (for advanced)

This method is suitable for those who are not afraid to work with system files and have root access. It allows you to replace emoji at the Android level, but requires accuracy - an error can lead to a bootloop ( looped reboot).

What you'll need:

• 🔓 Root access (installed by Magisk or SuperSU).
• 📂 File Manager with support for root (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer).
• 💾 Archive of Apple emoji in.ttf format (can be found here).

Instructions:

1. Download and unpack the archive from the emoji. You need files: AppleColorEmoji.ttf NotoColorEmoji.ttf (backup copy of the original font)
2. Open Root Explorer and go to the folder /system/fonts/ (or /system/product/fonts/ on new versions of Android).
3. Back up your original files (copy them to another folder).
4. Replace your files with NotoColorEmoji.ttf → AppleColorEmoji.ttf EmojiCompat.ttf → AppleColorEmoji.ttf (if any)
5. Set 644 (rw-r----) rights for new files.
6. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 13 pro POCO X6 Pro) folder /system If you don't boot after you replace your files, restore the original fonts through the TWRP or re-flash the device.

Advantages:

• 🎯 Complete replacement of emoji at system level.
• 🔧 The ability to fine-tune (for example, replace only certain emojis).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ High risk of error.
• ❌ Does not work on devices with Dynamic Partitions (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T).

7. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To help you decide, we have compiled a comparative table of all ways.

Selection recommendations:

• 🆕 If you have a new smartphone (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13) and you don’t want to lose your warranty, use method 2 (castomy font) or method 5 (keyboard).
• 🛠️ If you have experience with Magisk and an unlocked bootloader, try Method 3 (iFont module).
• 🔧 If you are ready for experiments and want a complete conversion – install custom firmware (method 4).
• ⚙️ If you are confident in your abilities and want complete control, use manual font replacement (method 6).

💡

For most users, the best solution is a combination of 2 (castomy type) and 5 (iOS emoji keyboard), which will provide maximum coverage without risk to the system.

8. Frequent problems and their solutions

When replacing emoji with Xiaomi, there can be various errors, and we have collected the most common ones and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Emojis are displayed as squares or question marks

Decision:

• Check if your version of Android supports the selected set of emojis (e.g., the emojis from iOS 17 may not work on Android 11).
• Install the EmojiCompat app from Google Play – it helps to display new emojis on older versions of the OS.
• If you are using Magisk, check if the iFont module is in conflict with other modules (e.g. App Systemizer).

Problem 2: After installing the font, some characters in the menu are missing

Decision:

• This is because of the fact that MIUI Use a system font for icons. Return the standard font through Font Installer or manually replace the files in the image. /system/fonts/.
• Try using the MiuiSystemFontReplacer module for Magisk – it replaces fonts more neatly.

Problem 3: Emojis have changed, but in some applications they have remained the same

Decision:

• Clear the app cache where the emoji hasn’t changed (e.g. Settings) → Annexes → WhatsApp → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• If you are using Magisk, check if iFont is included in the active module list.
• Some apps (such as Facebook or Instagram) use their own em sets.