How to install font on Xiaomi with MIUI 12: all ways from A to Z

Changing the font on Xiaomi’s MIUI 12-shelled smartphones is one of the easiest ways to personalize a device to your liking. Standard system fonts, despite being readable, often seem boring or inconvenient for long-term use. Fortunately, MIUI 12 offers both built-in typography change tools and customization options, from elegant handwritten to rigorous monowire options.

However, not all users are aware that the process of installing fonts can be radically different depending on the chosen method.The official method through the Themes is limited to the collection from Xiaomi, whereas manual installation through the method is limited to the one from Xiaomi. TTF/OTF-Files provide access to thousands of options from the Internet, and in this guide, we will examine both approaches, and we will focus on the nuances of compatibility with different models. 10 Pro, Mi 11, POCO X3 etc.), and also caution against typical errors that can lead to system failures.

The article focuses on security: improper installation of fonts through ADB or modified firmware can disrupt the interface or even cause bootloop.We will explain in detail how to avoid such situations and offer alternative solutions for devices with a locked bootloader.

If you want to not only change the font, but also optimize its display to save battery power or improve readability in a dark topic, at the end of the article you will find tips for setting up scaling and smoothing.

Official method: change the font through the application "Themes"

The safest and easiest method is to use the built-in Themes app. Xiaomi regularly updates its font collection, adding both free and paid options. Here's how it works:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on the home screen or in the app menu).

2. Go to the Fonts section – it is usually located in the lower menu or in the Personalization category.

3. Scroll through the list of available fonts. Free options are marked with a green FREE label, paid ones are marked with a price tag in Mi Coins.

• 🔍 Style Search: Use filters at the top of the screen – for example, Manuscript, Minimalist or Readable.
• 📱 Preview: Click on your favorite font to see how it will look in messages, menus and browser.
• 💾 Installation: Apply button will appear after selection. Some fonts require downloading (up to 10 MB).
• ⚙️ Reset: You can return the standard font in the same section by selecting the default option.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ There is no way to upload your.TTF/.OTF-File – only a selection of the proposed Xiaomi.
• ❌ Paid fonts require Mi Coins that are bought for real money.
• ❌ Not all fonts are correctly displayed in third-party apps (for example, in Telegram or Chrome).

Informal method: install custom fonts through TTF/OTF files

If you don't like the built-in MIUI 12 collection, you can install any typeface from the Internet, which requires a.TTF or.OTF file and one of the specialized applications. We recommend iFont (available on Google Play) - it supports most Xiaomi models and does not require root rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the font. We recommend verified sources: 🌐 Google Fonts (free open-license fonts). 🌐 DaFont (large collection, but check the license!).
2. Install iFont from Google Play or download APK from the official website (for devices without Google services).
3. Import the font to the app: Open iFont → click Local → select the downloaded file. Press Set → confirm permissions.

Apply the font

• Once installed, an Apply button will appear. Some devices will require a reboot.

Important: On devices with MIUI 12.5 and later it may be necessary to disable the verification of the signature of applications through ADB-team:

adb shell pm grant com.kapp.ifont android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

Download the font in TTF/OTF|Install iFont or FontFix|App Backup (in case of a crash)|Check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone |Deactivate the antivirus (may block the installation)

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Installation of font through ADB (for advanced users)

If iFont doesn’t work on your model (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3), you can apply the font via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) which requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📁 Font in format.TTF, Renamed DroidSansFallback.ttf (for system font) or Roboto-Regular.ttf (for main font).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (CMD) in the ADB folder and execute: adb devices (should display your device’s serial number).
3. Copy the font to the system folder: adb push DroidSansFallback.ttf /sdcard/ adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/DroidSansFallback.ttf /system/fonts/ chmod 644 /system/fonts/DroidSansFallback.ttf reboot

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly changing system files may result in loss of warranty or device failure.Be sure before executing commands: You have a backup of data. Battery charge of at least 50%.You understand the consequences (possible artifacts in the interface or application failures).

Compatibility of fonts with different models Xiaomi

Not all fonts work equally well on different Xiaomi devices, and below is a table of compatibility of popular models with installation methods:

If your model is not in the table, check it for compatibility as follows:

1. Install iFont and try to apply the test font.
2. If you have a “Font not applied” error, try the ADB method.
3. On MIUI Lite devices (e.g. Redmi 8A), font changes are often blocked at the firmware level.

💡

Before installing the font, check its license! Many fonts from sites like DaFont are prohibited for commercial use or modification. For personal use, fonts with a SIL Open Font License (OFL) license are suitable, and they can be freely installed and modified.

Solving common problems

Even if installed correctly, fonts can work incorrectly. Consider typical errors and their solutions:

Problem 1: Font is not used in some applications

Many apps (like WhatsApp or Instagram) use their own fonts, ignoring system settings.

• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes changes only apply after a reboot.
• 📌 Install Force System Font in Magisk (requires root).
• 🖥️ Use it. ADB, to force the font to be replaced in the folder /system/fonts/.

Problem 2: After installing the font, the phone began to brake

Some custom fonts (especially serifs or high detail) can load the processor when rendering.

• 📉 Choose a lighter font (e.g. Roboto Thin instead of Playfair Display Bold).
• ⚡ Turn off animations in Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Scale of animation (off.).
• 🔄 Return the standard font and check if the lags have disappeared.

Problem 3: Font is displayed crooked or with artifacts

This is due to font incompatibility with screen resolution or MIUI version.

• 🔍 Check the font on another device (for example, on a PC).
• 🛠️ Use Font Editor (from Google Play) to tweak kerning or interlining.
• 📱 Update. MIUI to the latest version - in new builds improved support for custom fonts.

⚠️ Note: If, after changing the font, ADB The phone stopped loading (hung on the logo) MI), In most cases, the reset via Fastboot: fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot helps if it doesn't work, you'll have to refashion the device via the Mi Flash Tool.

Optimizing the font for saving charge and convenience

Not only does the right typeface look beautiful, it can also extend battery life. Here are some tips:

1. Choice of font for AMOLED-screen

On devices with AMOLED-Displays (Mi 11, Redmi) K40) Dark fonts on a light background consume more energy than light ones on a dark one:

• 🌑 Use a dark theme in MIUI (Settings → Screen. → Dark subject).
• 🔤 Choose fonts with thin lines (like Roboto Light or Open Sans ExtraLight).
• 📏 Reduce font size by 10-15% – this will reduce the number of lit pixels.

2. Smoothing (Anti-Aliasing)

In MIUI 12, you can improve font readability by enabling smoothing:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 taps according to the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the option Smallest width and set the value 360dp or 400dp (depending on the screen size).
4. Turn it on. GPU-acceleration (Force) GPU rendering).

3. Font scaling for the visually impaired

If the standard font size is too small:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Screen. → Type size.
• 📏 Move the slider to the right (maximum 150%).
• 🔤 For even greater increase, use Lupu (Settings) → Special opportunities → Lupa).

💡

Sans-serif fonts are better for mobile screens because they take up less space and read faster. Avoid high contrast fonts (such as Times New Roman) as they tire your eyes when used for long periods.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing fonts on MIUI 12