How to put emojis like on an iPhone on Xiaomi Redmi 9 with NFC: 3 proven ways

iPhone-style emojis have long been the standard of beauty for many Android users — their neat design, smooth animations and universal readability compare favorably with standard MIUI emojis. Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 (including the NFC version) often face the problem: how to transfer these icons to your smartphone without losing functionality and security? In this article, we will discuss three working methods — from simple tweaking the font to installing custom firmware — and also explain why the presence of the NFC module does not affect the process, but can complicate the choice of software.

It's important to understand that Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot) runs on the MediaTek Helio G80 processor and has a closed bootloader, which limits the possibility of modifying the system. However, even without unlocking the bootloader or super-user rights (root), you can achieve visual similarity with the iOS emoji. We tested all methods on the firmware MIUI 14 (Android 12) and highlighted key nuances, including compatibility with messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and social networks.

Why do Xiaomi and iPhone emojis look different?

The difference between Android and iOS emojis lies in the system fonts and graphic libraries. Apple develops its own icons (Apple Color Emoji) that are integrated into the San Francisco font, while Xiaomi uses standard emojis from Google (or their modified versions in MIUI), these sets are updated independently: for example, in 2023, Apple added 21 new emojis, and Google only 15 with a different design.

On Redmi 9, emojis are stored in.ttf or.otf files along the /system/fonts/ path. You can’t replace them directly without root rights, but there are workarounds:

• 📱 Add-on apps: only change the display of emojis in their interface (for example, Gboard or SwiftKey keyboards).
• 🔄 Replacement of font through ADB: temporary solution, reset after system update.
• 🛠️ Custom firmware: Complete replacement of emojis, but requires unlocking the bootloader and risks voiding the warranty.

The NFC module in Redmi 9 (model M2004J19C) does not affect the display of emojis, but can create conflicts with some modified firmware, especially if they are optimized for other versions of the chipset. For example, the Pixel Experience firmware for Redmi Note 9 (with Snapdragon) is not suitable for the Helio G80.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI with regional firmware (e.g. Global or EEA), Some methods may not work due to Xiaomi's restrictions on modifying system files. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Method 1: Install the keyboard with an iOS emoji (without root)

The easiest and safest method is to use an alternative keyboard that supports iPhone-style emojis.We recommend Gboard (from Google) or SwiftKey (from Microsoft), as they work consistently on the iPhone. MIUI and not in conflict with NFC-module.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Gboard or SwiftKey from Google Play.
2. Go to Settings → System → Language and Input → Current Keyboard and select the installed application.
3. Open the keyboard in any messenger, click on the emoji icon and hold it for 2 seconds - the emoji style menu will appear.
4. Choose the iOS or Apple option (in Gboard this may be called "iPhone emoji").

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require root rights or unlock the bootloader.
• ✅ It works on any version. MIUI (including MIUI 14 for Redmi 9).
• ✅ Compatible with NFC and other modules.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ The emojis only change in the keyboard interface. In the messages received, they will be displayed in the standard Android style.
• ❌ Some messengers (for example, Viber) ignore the style of the keyboard and show their emojis.

Method 2: Replace the font with ADB (without root, but with limitations)

This method allows you to temporarily replace the system font emoji to the iOS version without obtaining root rights. It works thanks to a vulnerability in Android that allows you to modify some system files through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB Redmi 9 (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press the line; then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📁 NotoColorEmoji.ttf font file (modified for iOS).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and execute the command:


adb devices




(Serial number device should appear)





2. Copy the modified font 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




reboot

After the reboot, most apps will display emojis in the style of an iPhone, but there are nuances:

• 🔹 Some apps (like Instagram) use their own fonts and ignore system.
• 🔹 The method doesn't work on firmware. MIUI 13.0.5 due to tightening of security policy.
• 🔹 After updating the system, you will have to repeat the procedure.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone stops loading after the commands are executed, press the Power. + Volume Up to log in to Recovery Mode and select Wipe Cache Partition.This won't delete data, but will reset temporary files.

Method 3: Install custom firmware (for advanced users)

If you need an iPhone emoji on a permanent basis and you are willing to sacrifice the warranty, you can install custom firmware with pre-integrated emojis. Redmi 9 will suit:

• 🍎 Pixel Experience (based on Android 13) – includes Google emojis, but they can be replaced with iOS via Magisk modules.
• 🔧 LineageOS (official build) – requires manual font replacement.
• 📱 MIUI EU (Unofficial firmware - already contains alternative emojis.

Step-by-step process:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (it will take 7-14 days to wait for confirmation).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi 9 (version 3.6.2 or later).
3. Download firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) and Magisk module with iOS emoji (e.g., Pixel Experience, iOS15_Emoji_Magisk.zip).
4. Through TWRP, run the firmware, then the Magisk module.

Risks and limitations:

• ⚠️ Warranty is cancelled (unless the original firmware is restored).
• ⚠️ Module NFC It may work unsteadily on some custom firmware.
• ⚠️ Bank applications (for example, Sberbank Online) will cease to work without Magisk Hide.

Problems and Solutions: Why Do Smooths Not Change?

Even after you successfully install an iOS emoji, you may run into problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

1. emojis are displayed correctly only in some applications

This is because messengers (like WhatsApp or VK) use their own fonts.

• 🔧 For WhatsApp: Install WhatsApp iOS Emoji module via Magisk.
• 🔧 For Telegram: Enable the option "Use system emojis" in the chat settings".

2.After the MIUI update, the emojis reset

System updates overwrite modified files.

• 🔄 Repeat the procedure of replacing the font through ADB.
• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

3.NFC stopped working after custom firmware installation

This is a typical problem for firmware not optimized for the MediaTek Helio G80.

• 🛠️ Return to the original firmware via Fastboot.
• 🛠️ Try the firmware. MIUI EU — It is better compatible with Xiaomi iron.

💡

Before installing custom firmware, back up the NFC partition through TWRP: Backup → Select Partitions → NFC to help restore it in the event of a failure.

What to choose for Xiaomi Redmi 9?

The choice of method depends on your technical skills and willingness to take risks. Below is a comparison table with the specifics of the Redmi 9 (including the model with NFC):

Critical information for owners of Redmi 9 with NFC: if you use the phone for contactless payments (for example, through Google Pay), installing custom firmware may disrupt the service due to changes in security certificates.

💡

For most users, the best solution would be to combine the Gboard keyboard (with iOS style) and the Magisk module for WhatsApp, which gives 90% of the visual similarity without risk to the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about iOS emojis on Xiaomi