How to install font Xiaomi with MIUI 12: 3 working methods

Introduction: Why MIUI 12 fonts are not good for users

Xiaomi’s MIUI 12 shell offers users a wealth of visual settings, but a standard font set often seems boring or unreadable. Many owners of Redmi, Poco or Mi smartphones find system fonts too small, bold or simply don’t fit their aesthetic preferences. Fortunately, MIUI 12 allows you to change fonts without having to get root rights – the main thing is to know the right methods.

In this article, we will analyze three proven ways to install custom fonts: through built-in themes, manual downloading. TTF-file-use ADB-Each method has its own nuances, so it is important to choose the right one for your model (Redmi Note 9 Pro, Mi). 10T, Poco X3 and firmware versions, for example, on some devices with MIUI 12.5 Additional permissions may be required.

Before you start, make sure that your smartphone has enough free space (at least 50-100 MB in the System section) and a backup of important data is made. Changing system fonts through ADB can cause the interface to crash if the font file is corrupted or incompatible with the Android version.

Method 1: Installation of font through MIUI themes

The easiest and safest way is to use the built-in MIUI theme store.This method does not require technical skills and is suitable for most devices, including the Redmi 9, Mi 11 Lite and Poco F3. However, the choice of fonts is limited, and some themes may be paid.

To change the font through the themes:

• 📱 Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter a font or font request.
• 🎨 Select your favorite theme with font and click Apply.
• ✅ Confirm the changes – the system will automatically update the fonts in all menus and applications.

Note that some themes change not only the font, but also icons, wallpapers or animations. If you only need to change the font, look for themes marked Font Only or Font Only.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI through OTA Some custom fonts from the themes may be reset to standard. To avoid this, save your favorite theme to My themes.

Method 2: Manual installation of the font through TTF-file

If the built-in themes are not enough, you can install the font manually using a.ttf file.This method works on most devices with MIUI 12, but requires a file manager with access to system folders (for example, MiXplorer or Solid Explorer).

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Download your favorite font in.ttf format (for example, from DaFont or Fontsquirrel sites). Make sure the file is less than 10 MB.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC or move the font file to your device’s memory (for example, to your Download folder).
3. Open a file manager with root rights (if any) or use standard Explorer.
4. Go to /system/fonts/ or /product/fonts/ (depending on the model).
5. Copy your.ttf file into this folder by replacing existing files (e.g., Roboto-Regular.ttf).
6. Reset the device.

If you don’t have root rights, you can try to circumvent the restrictions with the iFont app (available on Google Play), which allows you to install fonts without manually copying files, but may not work on some versions of MIUI 12.5.

Download.ttf file (up to 10 MB)

Check the space in memory (minimum 50 MB)

Install a file manager with root access (optional)

Backup system fonts (recommended)-->

⚠️ Note: Replacing system fonts without root rights can result in bootloop if the file is corrupted or incompatible with the Android version. /system/fonts/.

Method 3: Install font through ADB (no root)

For advanced users who don’t want root rights but are willing to work with ADB, there’s a way to change the font over the command line.This method works on MIUI 12 and newer versions, but requires connecting the smartphone to a PC.

What you'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools (you can download from the Android Developers website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📁 A.ttf font file renamed to custom_font.ttf.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (cmd) and enter:

adb devices

(Make sure your device is listed.)

1. Copy the font into the system folder:

adb push custom_font.ttf /sdcard/


adb shell su -c "mount -o rw,remount /system"




adb shell su -c "cp /sdcard/custom_font.ttf /system/fonts/"




adb shell su -c "chmod 644 /system/fonts/custom_font.ttf"

1. Reset the device:

adb reboot

If the font hasn’t changed after the reboot, check if your MIUI 12 model supports this method. On some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro), an additional command may be required to change the file owner:

adb shell su -c "chown root:root /system/fonts/custom_font.ttf"

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Before using ADB, check if USB debugging is blocked in the MIUI security settings. Go to Settings → Password and Security → Privileges → USB debugging and enable the Allow Debugging option.

Comparison of methods: what way to choose

Each of these methods has its pros and cons, and to make it easier to choose, we have compiled a comparative table:

For most users, the best solution is to install a font through themes — it's fast, it's safe, it doesn't require technical knowledge. If you want a unique font, try the method with a unique font. TTF-file, but make sure to backup. ADB It is suitable for experienced users who are willing to take risks for the sake of full customization.

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On devices with MIUI 12.5 and later, some system folders can be protected from writing, in which case manual font installation will require unlocking the bootloader or using Magisk modules.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When installing custom fonts, users often encounter common mistakes, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 Font unchanged after rebooting: Make sure the font file has the correct name (e.g. Roboto-Regular.ttf) and is placed in the correct folder (/system/fonts/ or /product/fonts/). On some devices (Poco) X3 NFC) You may need to clean the cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Systemic UI.
• ⚠️ The smartphone does not turn on after replacing the font: This means that the font file is incompatible with the system.The solution is to reflash the device via Fastboot or restore the backup through TWRP (if established).
• 📱 The font has changed only in some applications: Some apps (like WhatsApp or Instagram) use their own fonts.To apply the changes globally, you may need to install a Magisk module (like FontManager).

If you use MIUI 12 on MediaTek-enabled devices (e.g. Redmi 9A or Poco C3), be careful: on these chipsets, replacing system files is more likely to cause failures, in which case it is recommended to use the theme method or ADB without replacing the original files.

Additional tips for font customization

In addition to replacing the font, MIUI 12 can also customize the font to improve readability.

• 🔍 Change the font size: Go to Settings → Screen. → Font size and select the appropriate option. Some devices (e.g. Mi 11) have a display scale setting that affects the size of all interface elements.
• 🎨 Fat tweak: The same screen settings can enable the Fat option, but note that this can impair readability on smaller screens.
• 🌈 Color schemes: C Settings → Topics → Colors can be selected for a dark theme that automatically adapts fonts for better visibility.

If you work with text often, try installing custom font reading apps like Moon+ Reader or FBReader, which allow you to choose fonts regardless of your system settings.

For Poco owners F2 Pro or Mi 10 Ultra with AMOLED-screens are recommended to use fonts with thin lines (for example, Roboto Thin), as they look clearer on dark backgrounds and save battery power.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions