How to completely remove the font on Xiaomi: from system settings to ADB

Why is the standard method of resetting fonts in Xiaomi not working?

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a problem: after installing custom font through themes or third-party applications, it is not possible to return the system font. → Theme → My subjects. → Reset leaves traces – some characters are displayed curved and the interface is displayed MIUI "It's all about architecture. MIUI: The system saves font files in protected folders, and there is no simple "delete" in the menu.

Worse still, the typefaces installed through ADB or Magisk modules, which affect system files in /system/fonts and not touch them without superuser permission, but root access also has nuances: incorrect deletion can lead to bootloop or loss of localization. This article covers all scenarios, from safe to extreme.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Model of the device (on Poco) F5 Redmi Note 12 and different paths to fonts)
• 🔢 Version MIUI (In the 14th version, the mechanism of the theme has changed)
• 🔓 root (without it, some methods will not work)

If you just want to get back the standard font after experimenting with the topic, start with the first method. If the font got stuck after manual patching, you'll have to use ADB or Fastboot.

Method 1: Reset via theme settings (no root)

The safest way, but only works if the font was installed through the official Theme app. Suitable for MIUI 12-14 on all devices, including the Xiaomi 13T and Redmi Note 11.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Theme.
2. Slip on the profile icon (top right) → My themes.
3. Find an active theme with font and click Reset.
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: If the font is left after reset, it was installed manually (e.g., iFont or FontFix) rather than through the themes.

Method 2: Delete via file manager (with root)

If the font was installed through applications like iFont or ZFont, its files are likely to be in /data/fonts or /system/fonts.

• 🔧 Root access (for example, via Magisk)
• 📁 File Manager with root rights (Root Explorer, Mixplorer)
• 🔄 Backup copy (required!

Step-by-step:

1. Open the file manager and go to /data/fonts.
2. Delete all files with the.ttf or.otf extension, except system files (their names begin with Noto or Roboto).
3. Move to the /system/fonts Check for custom fonts (usually they have non-standard names like custom_font.ttf).
4. Delete the files found and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: Deleting system fonts (e.g. NotoSansCJK-Regular.ttf) will lead to a crash of the interface on Chinese firmware. If you are not sure, first make a backup folder. /system/fonts!

Method 3: Recoil through ADB (without root but with debugging)

If root access is not available, but USB debugging is enabled, you can try resetting fonts via ADB. This method works on MIUI 13/14 and does not require unlocking the bootloader.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Return to the Extra → For developers → Debugging by USB)
• 🔌 USB-TypeC Cable (preferably original)

Commands for font resetting:

adb shell


su -c "rm -rf /data/fonts/*"




su -c "reboot"

If the first command doesn’t work (no root), try the alternative:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.tsm.client

⚠️ Note: pm clear com.miui.tsm.client will reset all theme settings, including wallpaper and icons!

💡

If ADB doesn’t see the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi ADB Interface drivers through Windows Device Manager. Mac/Linux may require the udev rule for Xiaomi.

Method 4: Fastboot Recovery (for experienced)

If the fonts have been modified at the firmware level (for example, through the Magisk patch or modified boot.img), you can only return them by flashing the system partition.

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (unlocked bootloader)
• 🖥️ Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot
• 📦 Original firmware for your model (download from the official website)

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware in.tgz format and unpack it.
2. Turn your phone into Fastboot mode: Turn off the device, then press Power + Vol-.
3. Connect to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash system.img
4. Upon completion, type in fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: Flashing the system will delete all data in the user section (/data). Pre-recruit backup via adb backup or TWRP!

💡

Fastboot flashing is the last chance to get the fonts back if other methods didn't work, but it'll also reset the system to factory settings.

Method 5: Manual editing fonts.xml (for advanced)

In MIUI, the font configuration is stored in /system/etc/fonts.xml. If the font has entered the system but the.ttf files are deleted, the problem may be in this configuration.

• 🔧 Root access or TWRP
• 📝 Text editor with support XML (Notepad++, VS Code)
• 🔄 The original backup fonts.xml

How to fix it:

1. Copy /system/etc/fonts.xml on your PC.
2. Open the file and find lines that mention custom font (e.g. <family name="custom">).
3. Delete or comment on (<!------->) these blocks.
4. Save the file and return it back to /system/etc/ with permissions saved (644).
5. Reset the device.

Critical information: If fonts.xml deletes or damages the <alias> section for system fonts (e.g. sans-serif), the phone will stop loading into the GUI. You can only restore the workflow through ADB or flashing.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users make mistakes when working with fonts in MIUI.

• 🚫 Removal of system fonts → It leads to "squares" instead of text, so you can either recover from the backup or reflash the system.
• 🔄 Incorrect file rights → Solution: set 644 for.ttf and 755 for folders.
• 📱 Ignoring the backup → Solution: Always do adb backup before changes.
• 🔧 Use of incompatible fonts → Solution: Test fonts on FontDrop before installing them.

If after all the manipulations the font has not reset, check:

1. Is there a Magisk module for fonts (for example, FontManager) installed?
2. Has the /vendor/build.prop file changed (sometimes custom fonts are prescribed there).
3. Does the font conflict with the MIUI update (after the update, you may need to reset).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions