How to install other emoticons on Xiaomi: all ways from simple to complex

Standard emojis on Xiaomi smartphones often cause users to complain: they look too cartoonish, do not match the style of iOS or just outdated. Fortunately, they can be replaced in several ways, from elementary (through MIUI themes) to advanced (using ADB or root rights).

It’s important to understand that not all methods are universal: some require unlocking the bootloader or installing a customized backup, others only work on certain versions of Android, and we’ll highlight the limitations for each method, as well as provide security recommendations, such as how to avoid data loss when changing system files through Magisk.

If you've never modified a system, start with the first two (themes and keyboards) -- they don't require technical skills. For advanced users, ADB or Magisk patching are the best methods.

1. Replace emojis through MIUI themes (no root)

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in Themes app, and many users don't know that with the change of wallpaper and icons, you can also update the style of the emoji.

• 🔍 Open the Topics app (brush icon on desktop).
• 📱 Go to the Profile tab → My subjects. → Emoji.
• 🎨 Select your favorite pack (e.g. iOS, Samsung One) UI or Google Noto).
• 💾 Click Apply and Confirm Changes.

Advantages: no superuser rights, reversible (you can return standard emojis in two clicks), works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later. However, the choice of packages is limited - in the official store there are about 20-30 pieces.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI The emoji theme used may reset. To avoid this, save it to Favorites and check for relevance after updates.

2. Installation of a third-party keyboard (Gboard, SwiftKey, etc.)

If you don't have enough built-in themes, try third-party keyboards, like Gboard (from Google) or SwiftKey (from Microsoft) that let you choose your emoji style regardless of the system style.

1. Download the keyboard from Google Play (such as Gboard).
2. Activate it in settings: Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
3. In the keyboard settings, find the Emoji section or the emoji style.
4. Select your preferred pack (Google, Twitter and Blob options are available on Gboard).

The downside of the method: the emoji will only be displayed when you type through this keyboard. In messages received from other users, you will see their original style (for example, if you received an emoji from an iPhone, it will remain in the style of Apple).

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You can enable an iOS-style emoji display on Gboard, even on Android. Select Premium Style → iOS (requires an internet connection to download a pack) in your keyboard settings.

3. Change emojis via ADB (no rue but with debugging)

For users who are ready for more complex manipulations, the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method is suitable, which allows you to replace the system files of emoji without obtaining root rights, but requires the inclusion of USB debugging and work with the command line.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Platform Tools (or Minimal) installed ADB).
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with debugging enabled (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📁 Archive with emoji in.ttf format (can be downloaded from forums) XDA or 4PDA).

Step-by-step:

adb devices # Checking the connection of the device


adb shell # Going to the shell




su # Request for rights (if there is a rut)




mount -o rw, remount /system # Rewire the system to record




cp /sdcard/Download/emoji.ttf /system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttf # Copying a file




chmod 644 /system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttf # Assignment of rights




reboot #Reboot

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly changing system fonts can lead to bootloop ( looped reboot).Before executing commands, back up the original NotoColorEmoji.ttf file!

Download Platform Tools on PC|Enable debugging on USB Xiaomi|Download the emoji pack in.ttf format|Make a backup of the original font file|Connect your phone to your PC via cable-->

4. Replace emojis through Magisk (Rut required)

If your Xiaomi has Magisk installed (route via TWRP or Fastboot), you can use modules to replace emojis. This method is flexible and safe - all changes are rolled back by removing the module.

Popular modules:

How to determine:

1. Download the module in.zip format.
2. Open Magisk Manager and go to Modules.
3. Click Install from Storage and select the downloaded file.
4. Reset the device.

5. Manual editing of system files (for experienced)

This method is suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP. It allows you to replace the emoji at the firmware level, but requires caution - an error can lead to system failure.

Algorithm of action:

1. Download the emoji pack in.ttf format (like Nerd Fonts or iOS with XDA).
2. Rename the file to NotoColorEmoji.ttf (for MIUI) or EmojiCompat.ttf (for Android One).
3. Download to TWRP and mount /system partition.
4. Go to /system/fonts/ and replace the original file.
5. Change the rights to 644 (owner: root, group: root).
6. Reboot.

If the emojis have not changed after the reboot, check:

• 🔄 File name correctness (registrar is important!).
• 📁 The path to fonts (on some firmwares this is the way) /product/fonts/).
• 🔧 Access rights (must be rw-r)--r--).

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Before editing system files, always back up the /system partition in TWRP. This will restore the smartphone’s performance in case of an error.

6. Alternative methods: applications and launchers

If you don't want to mess with system files, consider apps that change the display of emojis on the fly.

• 📱 Textra SMS — It allows you to choose the style of emoji for SMS.
• 💬 WhatsApp with module WA Tweaks (via) Xposed/LSPosed).
• 🏠 Launchers like Nova Launcher or Hyperion with support for emojis.

These solutions don’t change emojis at the system level, but they can be useful for individual applications. For example, Textra can only enable displaying iOS or Samsung-style emojis in the same way as the ones in the app. SMS-chat without affecting the rest of the system.

The main plus is security: even if something goes wrong, just delete the application and everything will return to its original state.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing emoji with Xiaomi