Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the desire to transfer familiar interface elements from other platforms. Redmi Note 8 T is a popular model, which, despite its age, remains relevant due to good optimization. However, the standard set of emoji in the shell of MIUI visually different from that used by iOS owners.
There are several proven ways to change the display of characters on the device. Some methods require the installation of third-party keyboards, others involve deeper intervention in the system through ZTheme. It is important to understand that replacing the system fonts can affect the display of text in some applications.
In this article, we will take a look at all the personalization techniques available, learn how to change the style of typing and how to implement Apple's system emojis, and explore the nuances of working with and without superuser rights. Complete replacement of the system font without root rights is possible only through special themes in the Themes app, which will allow you to get the desired visual effect without complex flashing.
Analysis of the differences between Android and iOS emoji
The fundamental difference is how operating systems render Unicode characters. Unicode is a universal character encoding standard that assigns each emoji a unique number. However, the appearance of this number is determined by the operating system itself or the font installed in it. Google and Apple use different artistic styles to render the same codes.
The Redmi Note 8 T uses the default Noto Color Emoji font, or Xiaomi's version of it. These characters look flat and have Android-like geometry. At the same time, iOS offers gradient, three-dimensional images with high detail, which is the visual style most users want to see on their Android smartphones.
It's worth noting that you can't just copy emojis. The symbol must be embedded in the system font.ttc or.ttf. If the recipient uses an iOS device, they'll see the emojis they're born with, regardless of what you send, but for those on Android, your font replacement will become visible.
⚠️ Note: Installing third-party system fonts may cause characters or characters to appear incorrectly in the settings menu. Before installing, make sure that the theme or font is compatible with your version MIUI.
Using third-party keyboards to change style
The easiest and safest way to change the look of characters you type is to install an alternative keyboard. Google's or Faciemoji's GBoard app lets you change skins and emoji sets. This method does not require Root rights and does not change the Redmi Note 8 T system files.
After installing the Play Market app, you need to activate the new keyboard in the settings. Usually the path is: Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Keyboard management. Here you need to switch the switchboard against the installed application. Then, from the input method selection menu, you should select a new default keyboard.
Many modern keyboards have built-in emoji libraries stylized to iOS. The keyboard settings often have a "Style" or "Theme" section where you can download the iOS Emoji package, which allows you to see and send Apple-style characters when you type in. However, the style will remain the same in the messages you have received from other users, as it depends on the font of the system.
- 🍏 Download the Faciemoji or GBoard app from the official app store.
- ⚙️ Activate the new keyboard in the "Language and input" section in the system settings.
- 🎨 In the keyboard settings, select the theme “iOS Emoji” or similar.
- 📱 Check the work of emojis in any messenger, for example, in Telegram.
☑️ Checking the keyboard settings
Replace fonts through the zFont 3 app
zFont 3 is a powerful tool for customizing Xiaomi's interface, allowing you to install fonts that include emoji sets. The Redmi Note 8 T doesn't require superuser rights to run, although it's more functional with them. It's based on swapping system font files by backing up and restoring them with modified data.
The process begins with finding the right font within the application. In the zFont 3 search box, you need to type in the query "iOS Emoji" or "Apple Font." After downloading the file, the program will offer several installation methods. For Xiaomi devices, the most common method is "MIUI" or "Old MIUI." Follow the on-screen instructions, which may include rebooting the device.
An important step is to use the font through the standard theme menu. After zFont 3, you need to go to the Topic app, then to the profile and select "Fonts." There should appear a newly installed font with an emoji, its application will take a few seconds, after which the device will restart or update the interface.
What to do if the font is not used?
⚠️ Note: When using the zFont 3 method, keep a close eye on the versions MIUI. On new versions of the shell, the installation algorithm may differ, and the program itself will prompt the current order of action.
Install themes with iOS emoji from the Mi Store
The official Xiaomi theme store contains thousands of modifications, including those that change the system fonts and emojis. This is the most stable way for the Redmi Note 8 T, as the themes are tested for compatibility.
Many themes are paid, but there are free ones. When downloading a theme, note the description: it should indicate that the system font changes. After downloading the theme, you need to apply it. In some cases, you need to turn on Safe Mode when installing third-party themes if the Mi Account region is set to Russia or Ukraine.
To change region to India or Singapore, go to Settings → Settings → Region. Once you change region, open the Topic app, find the theme you want, and click Download. Once you apply the theme, the emojis throughout the system, including settings and browser, will look like an iPhone.
| Parameter | Description | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Mi Store (official) | Minimum risk, stable work |
| Difficulty | Low. | Requires a change in the region of the account |
| Root rights | Not required | Safe for the guarantee. |
| Coverage | Systemic | Changes the view everywhere |
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If the theme store blocks the installation of third-party fonts, try to turn off the Internet before using the theme. This sometimes helps bypass the license check for free themes.
System Replacement through Root Rights and Files
For advanced users with an unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk or SuperSU, a direct replacement of the system file NotoColorEmoji.ttf is available. This method gives 100% result, but carries high risks. Any error in the permissions (permissions) can lead to a cyclic restart of the device (bootloop).
The essence of the method is to replace the font file in the directory /system/fonts/. You need to download the archive from the emoji for iOS, unpack it, and put the font file in the system folder, replacing the original. Before that, you must make a full copy of the original file.--r-- (644).
Magisk modules are a safer alternative to direct replacement. The module automatically replaces files when you boot the system without affecting the system partition directly. This makes it easy to roll back changes in case of problems. For the Redmi Note 8 T, there are ready-made modules "iOS Emoji Magisk", which can be found on profile forums like 4PDA or XDA.