Are you the owner of Xiaomi Redmi 9S and envious of stylish emojis on iPhones? Standard MIUI emojis seem boring and expressionless compared to bright animated icons from Apple? You are not alone - this problem worries many Xiaomi users, especially those who actively communicate on instant messengers or social networks.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to replace emojis with Redmi 9S, from simple applications to deep system modifications. In this article, we will analyze all current methods (including those that work without root rights), evaluate their pros and cons, and give step-by-step instructions based on the features of your device’s firmware.
Before you start, check the MIUI version on your Redmi 9S. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. This depends on the choice of method: some applications may not support older firmware versions (below MIUI 12), and root methods will require unlocking the bootloader.
1. Method without root: applications for replacing emojis
The easiest and safest method is to use specialized applications from Google Play. They do not require superuser rights and work on most versions of MIUI, including Redmi 9S. The principle of operation is simple: the application replaces the display of emojis in messengers (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram) with the style of iOS, without affecting the system fonts.
Among the popular solutions stand out:
- 📱 Emoji Changer – supports animated emojis, works with most instant messengers, but may conflict with some versions MIUI.
- 🎨 iFont (Ex Font Installer) – allows you to install custom fonts, including packages with iOS emojis.
- 🔄 ZFont 3 – specializes in replacing emojis, has a built-in style gallery of Apple and Samsung.
Importantly, these apps don’t change emoji globally – the effect will only be visible in supported messengers. In system applications (such as Messages or Contacts), emojis will remain standard.
⚠️ Note: Apps like Emoji Changer can request permission to access notifications, which is necessary for proper operation, but be careful – only give access to proven programs with high ratings.
Make sure your phone has enough memory (minimum 200MB)
Update Google Play Services to the latest version
Turn off battery optimization for the selected application
Restart the phone after installation
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Replacement of fonts through MIUI themes (official method)
Xiaomi offers a legal way to change the appearance of emojis – through MIUI Themes. This method does not require root rights and does not violate the warranty, but has limitations: the selection of emoji styles is not as wide as in third-party applications, and some themes may be paid.
To change emojis through themes:
- Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
- Go to the Font section (may be in the Customization submenu).
- In the search box, type iOS or Apple.
- Select your favorite theme and click Apply.
Among the popular topics for emojis:
- 🍎 iOS 15 Emoji – an exact copy of emojis from the iPhone with animation support.
- 🖌️ Apple Color Emoji is a classic Apple style with bright colors.
- 🎭 3D Emoji Pack – voluminous emoji, similar to the style of iOS 14.
The downside of the method: MIUI themes change all the fonts on the device, not just emojis. If you don't like Apple San Francisco's system font, this can be inconvenient. In addition, some themes require a subscription to the MIUI Theme Store (costs between 50 and 300 rubles a month).
| Method | Root is required. | Global replacement | Risks. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applications (Emoji Changer) | ❌ No. | ❌ Only in messengers. | Minimum (Conflicts with applications) | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ |
| MIUI themes | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (fonts) + emoji) | No (official method) | ⭐☆☆☆☆ |
| Ruth Method (Magisk) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (full replacement) | High (brick risk) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
3. Complete emoji replacement via Magisk (for advanced)
If you don’t like half-measures and want to completely replace system-level emojis (including Messages, Contacts, and other standard apps), root access is required, a method that is more complex but has the most enduring results. We’ll look at the option using Magisk, a popular tool for modifying Android without losing it. OEM-unlock.
Warning: Incorrect actions can lead to a "brick" (turning your phone into a "brick"). If you're a beginner, it's best to reach out to more experienced users or choose one of the previous methods. For the Redmi 9S, the process includes the following steps:
- Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (can take up to 7 days).
- Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
- Squeeze Magisk through recovery.
- Download the Emoji Replacement Module (like the iOS Emoji Magisk Module) and install it through Magisk Manager.
- Reset the device.
Critical: Before you start, create a full backup through TWRP or an app like Swift Backup. On Redmi 9S, /system and /vendor are particularly vulnerable - their damage can make the phone inoperable.
⚠️ Note: After installing Magisk, some banking applications (such as SberBank Online or Tinkoff) may block work due to root detection. To get around this, use the MagiskHide Props Config module or Universal SafetyNet Fix.
What if the emojis have not changed after the installation?
4. Manual font editing (for experienced users)
This method is suitable for those who are ready to dive into technical details and have experience with ADB or Android file system. We will replace the system emoji files manually, without using Magisk.
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 📁 iOS emoji files in.ttf format (you can download from sites like emojipedia.org).
- 🔧 Unlocked bootloader (not necessarily root, but write rights are required) /system).
Instructions:
- Connect Redmi 9S to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on the version, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
- Download the archive from the iOS emoji and unpack it. You need files: AppleColorEmoji.ttf NotoColorEmoji.ttf (optional, for compatibility)
- Open the command line in the folder with ADB and execute: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/AppleColorEmoji.ttf /system/fonts/ chmod 644 /system/fonts/AppleColorEmoji.ttf reboot
If the emojis have not changed after the reboot, check the font paths in /system/etc/fonts.xml. Some versions of the MIUI for Redmi 9S may require editing this file with priority for AppleColorEmoji.ttf.
adb pull /system/fonts/ /backup/fonts/This will help you quickly recover everything if something goes wrong.-->
5. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?
The choice of method depends on your technical skills and goals. If you need iOS emojis only in messengers, you will also need apps from Google Play. If you want a complete replacement without risks, use MIUI Themes. Magisk or manual font replacement is suitable for maximum customization.
We evaluate each method according to the key criteria:
| Criteria | Annexes | MIUI themes | Magisk | Hand-substituted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | ⭐☆☆☆☆ | ⭐☆☆☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Global replacement | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Risk to the system | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Compatibility with banking applications | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No, no MagiskHide) | ❌ No. |
For most Redmi 9S users, the best solution would be to combine MIUI Themes (for global replacement) and Emoji Changer (for instant messengers where the themes don’t work). If you’re ready for experimentation and want full control, learn the method with Magisk, but don’t forget to back up!
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On the Redmi 9S with MIUI 13+, some methods (such as manual font replacement) may not work due to /system partition protection, in which case only Magisk or a rollback to older firmware will help.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after successful emoji replacements, Redmi 9S users face typical problems, and consider the most common and ways to address them:
Problem 1: Emojis have changed, but in some applications are displayed with squares.
- 🔹 Reason: The app uses its own emoji render (like Viber or Facebook).
- 🔹 Solution: In the application settings, find the option "System Emoji" or turn off the built-in graphics.
Problem 2: After installing the Magisk module, the phone stopped booting.
- 🔹 Reason: Module conflict or incompatibility with version MIUI.
- 🔹 Solution: Boot in TWRP, Remove the problem module in /data/adb/modules and reboot.
Problem 3: The emojis are displayed correctly in the messages, but when sent, the recipient sees the standard ones.
- 🔹 Reason: SMS use Unicode standard, and your custom emojis are converted into system.
- 🔹 Solution: Use instant messengers (like Telegram) where emojis are sent as graphic files.
If none of the methods worked, check:
- 📋 Version MIUI — Some methods do not work. MIUI 14 due to changes in system protection.
- 🔄 Availability of updates for the application or module used.
- 🛠️ Integrity of emoji files (damaged.ttf files can cause crashes).