Are you tired of standard emojis on Xiaomi that look faded compared to bright iPhone icons? Good news: you can replace them even without deep technical knowledge. In this article, we will discuss three proven methods of installing iOS emojis on Redmi devices, POCO and other Xiaomi smartphones, from simple font change to manual patching of system files.
It's important to understand that Android and iOS emojis are stored differently, with the first built into the NotoColorEmoji.ttf system font, and the second using Apple's proprietary format. So you can't just copy files from an iPhone -- you need workarounds. We tested all the ways on MIUI 14/15 (including HyperOS) and only selected those that work in 2026.
Before you start, check: 1. Your firmware version (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version). 2. Having a data backup – some methods require a cache reset. 3. Access to your computer (for ADB or root methods).
If everything is ready, choose the right option below.
Method 1: Installation via Magisk (for root devices)
This is the most reliable method, but it requires an unlocked bootloader and a Magisk installed. If you already have root, follow the instructions:
- Download the module: 📱 Go to the Magisk repository and download iOS 16.4 Emoji for Android (or a new version if available). 📁 Save the.zip file to your phone’s memory (for example, in the Download folder).
- Install the module: 🔧 Open the Magisk app, go to the Modules section. 📤 Click Install from the vault → select the downloaded file. ⚙️ After installation, restart the device.
✅ Pros of the method: emoji will appear in all applications (including WhatsApp, Telegram), manual file editing is not required.
❌ Cons: Need root, which cancels the guarantee and can cause problems with banking applications.
Make a data backup|Check out the Magisk version (25.2)+)|Download the module from the official repository|Disable the antivirus (can block the installation)-->
If the emojis are unchanged: 1. Check if the module is activated in Magisk (Module section). 2. Clear the Settings app cache → Apps → App management → Google Play Services → Storage → Clear the cache. 3. Reinstall the module by selecting a different version of the emoji (e.g. iOS 15.4 instead of 16.4).
⚠️ Note: Some Magisk modules contain ads or malicious code. download only from trusted sources (e.g. pling.com or XDA Before installing, check the hash of the file via VirusTotal.
Method 2: Replace the font with ADB (without root)
If you don’t have root, but you have a computer, you can replace the system font with an emoji via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-15, but requires USB debugging enabled.
Step 1. Preparation: 1. Download ADB Tools and unpack into a folder on your computer. 2. Enable USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode) → Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB.
Step 2. Replace font: 1. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm debugging permission. 2. Download the archive with an iOS emoji font (e.g., from here) and unpack it. You need a NotoColorEmoji.ttf. 3 file. Open the command line in the ADB folder and do:
adb devices
adb shell
su -c "mount -o rw,remount /system"
su -c "cp /sdcard/Download/NotoColorEmoji.ttf /system/fonts/"
su -c "chmod 644 /system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttf"
su -c "reboot"Step 3. Check: After rebooting, open any application with emojis (like Messages). If the icons haven't changed, clear the keyboard cache (Settings → Apps → Gboard Keyboard → Storage → Clear the cache).
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If the su command doesn’t work, you don’t have superuser rights, in which case use the Magisk method or try an alternative method through the iFont app (described below).
| Method | Root is required. | Difficulty | Works for MIUI. | Coverage of applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magisk module | ✅ Yes. | Medium | 12–15, HyperOS | All applications |
| ADB-replacement | ❌ No, but you do. ADB) | Tall. | 12–14 | Most of the time. |
| iFont app | ❌ No. | Low. | 12–15 | Just the keyboard. |
Method 3: iFont application (without root and ADB)
The easiest, but also the most limited, way is to use the iFont app, which replaces the emoji only in the keyboard, but does not require technical skills.
Instructions: 1. Install iFont from Google Play. 2. Download the iOS emoji package directly in the application (section Online → search on iOS 16). 3. Press Set and select Gboard (or another keyboard). 4. Reset the keyboard: open any input field, swipe down the notification bar and click Gboard → Reset.
⚠️ Limitations:
Emojis will only change in the keyboard, but not in the apps themselves (for example, in Telegram they will remain standard).
Some characters may not display correctly (such as flags or new emojis from iOS 17).
After updating the keyboard, the settings may reset.
Installation via Magisk (with root)| Replacement font via ADB| iFont App (without root)| Not yet decided-->
Problems and Solutions: Why Do Emojis Not Change?
Even after installing the iOS emoji correctly, it may not show up, and here are some common reasons and ways to eliminate them:
- 🔄 Cash not cleared: Clear the cache for Google Play Services, Gboard and the app where you check emoji (Settings) → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
- 📱 Incompatible firmware: On some versions of HyperOS or MIUI 15 For the Redmi Note 12/POCO X5 You need an extra patch. Try the module. MIUI Emoji Changer for Magisk.
- 🔧 Incorrect access rights: If used ADB, Check the file rights of NotoColorEmoji.ttf with the command: adb shell ls -l /system/fonts/ Must be rw-r.--r-- (644). If not, repeat the step with chmod.
- 🖼️ Font conflict: Remove other Magisk font-related modules (e.g. Product Sans or OnePlus Slate).
Critical error: If the phone is stuck on downloading after replacing the font via ADB, then the NotoColorEmoji.ttf file is corrupted. Solution: reflash the device via Fastboot or restore the TWRP backup.
What if after installation, emojis became squares?
Comparison of iOS and Android Emoji: Which is Better?
Before you change emojis, you should understand how they differ, and here are the key differences between Apple and Google/Xiaomi:
| Characteristics | iOS (Apple) | MIUI (Xiaomi/Google) |
|---|---|---|
| Design | More detailed, 3D-The effect (starting with iOS 14) | Flat, minimalist (material you style) |
| Color scheme | Bright, rich colors | Muffled, pastel tones |
| Animation. | Support for animated emojis (e.g, 🎉, 💃) | Static (except Google emoji in some versions) |
| Skin support | 6 Skin Tone Options for Emojis with People | 5 options (no darkest shade) |
| Unique emojis | There are exclusives (for example, 🧑🏻🤝🧑🏼 — pair) | There are no unique options, but there are regional options (for example, the most common, 🚲 basket-basket MIUI for India) |
🔍 In iOS 17, Apple added emoji for people with prosthetic limbs and hearing aids, as well as an updated design for the device. 🤏 (Pick" gesture. MIUI 15 these characters are displayed as empty squares unless a compatibility patch is installed.
Security: Risks of changing system files
Any interference with system fonts or files can cause the device to malfunction, and here are the main risks and how to minimize them:
- 🛡️ Loss of warranty: Installing Magisk or unlocking the bootloader will void the Xiaomi warranty.Solution: Return the stock firmware via the Mi Flash Tool before visiting the service center.
- 🐛 Application errors: Some programs (such as SberBank Online or Tinkoff) may not run due to a modified font. Solution: add them to the Magisk exclusion list (MagiskHide module).
- 🔄 Loose when booting: If the phone doesn’t turn on after replacing the font, boot to Fastboot and flash the original fonts.img.
⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14, Redmi) K70) font-replacement ADB This can cause DM-Verity to reset, causing permanent reboots. In this case, be sure to install the Disable DM-Verity module for Magisk.
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If you are not sure about your skills, use the method with the iFont application - it is the most secure, since it does not affect system files.