How to change emojis on Xiaomi: from standard to iOS/Google/Samsung post 5 minute

Are you tired of the ugly square smileys on your Xiaomi that look like artifacts from 2010? Or do you want the emojis on your Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 to match your friend's iPhone? The problem isn't you -- it's MIUI's proprietary firmware that still uses outdated character sets. Fortunately, there are at least 5 working ways to replace them with modern versions from Google, Apple or Samsung -- and most of them don't require superuser rights.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods: from simple change of the font through the settings to install custom emoji packages with ADB. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for different versions of MIUI (13/14/15) and smartphone models - because what works on the Xiaomi 13 Pro may not be suitable for the Redmi 9A. And you will also learn why after updating the system, smileys are reset again - and how to avoid this.

Why are Xiaomi wearing such strange emojis?

It's all about licensing and optimization, and Xiaomi doesn't use Google's standard emoji sets (as it does on pure Android), but instead designs its own, with a focus on saving firmware space, resulting in simplified, sometimes distorted characters that don't sync with other devices. Like a smiley. 😂 iPhone and Xiaomi will look different, and some emojis (like the ones in the phone) 🧑🏽‍🤝‍🧑🏼) They may not be displayed at all.

Key reasons for "curve" smiles:

• 📦 Firmware compression: MIUI Remove some of the vector data from the emoji to save memory.
• 🔄 Updates without synchronization: New emojis from Unicode are added to the MIUI delayed 1-2 year-end.
• 🎨 Design solutions: Xiaomi simplifies graphics to reduce the cost of rendering on budget models.
• 📵 Regional restrictions: In some countries (e.g. China) emojis are censored.

Interesting fact: on the flagships of the Xiaomi 14 series, smileys look better thanks to hardware acceleration of graphics, but even there they do not reach the level of Google or Apple. And on the budget Redmi, the situation is even worse - emoji often pixelate as they zoom in.

Method 1: Replace the font through settings (without root)

The simplest method that works on 90% of Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12+. The bottom line: we install an alternative font that has Google or Samsung emoji embedded in it.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the font from the emoji: 🔗 Google Emoji (Noto Color) is the most complete set of products. 🔗 EmojiOne – a style close to iOS.

.ttf

Settings → Screen → Font

Settings → Additional → Font

Local font

Reboot your phone and your emojis will change.

Backup current settings | Download font from a trusted source | Check free space (minimum 50 MB) | Disable VPN (can block download)

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Important: On some devices (e.g. POCO M5), icons on the menu can fly off after you change the font. If that happens, return the standard font and try another method.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install fonts from unknown sites - they may contain malicious code. Use only verified sources such as: XDA Developers or DaFont.

Method 2: Install emojis via ADB (for advanced)

If the font replacement didn't work, you can go further and replace the system emoji files via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).This method requires a connection to a computer but doesn't need root rights. It works on MIUI 13/14 and most models except Xiaomi with MediaTek processors (there may be rights issues there).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap the assembly number → return to → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔗 Emoji Replacer (select the package for your Android version).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging.


2 Unpack the downloaded archive with the script.




3 Run the file replace_emoji.bat (for Windows) or replace_emoji.sh (for Mac/Linux).




4. Select the emoji style (Google/Samsung/iOS) and confirm the replacement.




5. wait for the process to be completed and restart the phone.

On Android 13+ devices, after replacing the emoji through ADB, some of the emojis in messengers (for example, in Telegram) may disappear. To return it, clear the app cache.

Method 3: Using a keyboard with custom emojis

If the first two methods seem complicated, there's a workaround to installing a keyboard that replaces emojis on the fly.

How to set up:

1. Install the keyboard from Google Play.
2. Activate it in Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
3. In the keyboard settings, select the emoji style (usually under "Themes" or "Skin").
4. In messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) when entering smileys will be replaced.

⚠️ Note: Keyboards only replace emojis when you type them in, and some messengers (such as Viber) ignore third-party keyboards and show their emojis.

💡

If the emojis are sloppy after you install the keyboard, try clearing the cache of the Android System WebView app in your phone’s settings.

Method 4: Rooting and Replacing System Files (for experienced)

This is the most radical method, which gives 100% replacement of emojis for any, but requires unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights. Suitable for Xiaomi based on Qualcomm Snapdragon (on MediaTek processors are harder to get), the advantage: emoji will change everywhere — in the browser, instant messengers and even in system notifications.

What needs to be done:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires the binding of the Mi Account).
2. Install custom recovery (e.g., TWRP).
3. Switch Magisk to get root.
4. Download the Emoji Replacer for Magisk.
5. Install the module through Magisk Manager and restart.

Risks:

• 🔴 Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• 🔴 Possible "brick" (turning the phone into a brick) with a firmware error.
• 🔴 Some banking applications will stop working (because of the root).

💡

Rooting is the only way to replace emojis in system applications (such as SMS or calendar), but before the procedure, make sure to backup through TWRP!

Method 5: Update MIUI to the latest version (sometimes helps)

Paradoxically, sometimes the problem is solved by... firmware updates. In the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 (based on Android 13/14) Xiaomi has started using more modern emojis close to Google. For example, in Xiaomi 13T Pro, smileys look almost like a Pixel.

How to update:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click "Check Updates."
3. If a new version is available, download it and install it.
4. After updating, check the emoji in any messenger.

If the update doesn't arrive:

• 🔄 Try changing the region to Settings → Additionally. → Region to India or Europe – where updates often arrive earlier.
• 📥 Download the firmware manually from the official site and install through Settings → Update → Three points. → Select a firmware file.

Important: On older models (e.g. Redmi Note 8), even after the upgrade, emojis may remain the same – there are restrictions on iron levels.

What to do if the emojis are reset after the update?

This is a common problem: after the MIUI update, all changes to the emoji (except the rooted ones) are reset, the reason is that the system restores the standard fonts and system files.

1. Repeat the procedure from Method 1 – set the font again.
2. For ADB-Method: Run the emoji replacement script again (commands remain the same).
3. For rooted devices: Update the Emoji Replacer module in Magisk.
4. Radical way: Reverse to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot (instructions here).

To avoid future resetting:

• 📵 Turn off automatic updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Update → Three points. → Update settings.
• 🔄 Before manually updating, back up your current emoji (for example, save the font you use to the cloud).

FAQ: Frequent questions about smileys on Xiaomi