Install custom fonts on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the easiest ways to personalize your device to your liking. However, standard MIUI settings do not always allow you to replace the system font without additional manipulation. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, from the official method through themes to manual installation with unlocking developer rights.
It’s important to understand that the procedure differs depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13 or 14), the device model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T) and even the regional version of the software. We took into account all the nuances and collected universal instructions that work on 90% of modern devices of the brand. If you want to avoid risks, start with the first method, if you are ready for experiments, go to manual methods.
1.The official method: through the app “Themes”
The safest and easiest method is to use the built-in Themes app, which does not require root rights or unlock the bootloader, but has a limitation: only fonts from the official Xiaomi directory are available. However, some users manage to upload custom files there, as we will discuss below.
To install the font through "Themes":
- 📱 Open the Themes app (icon with brush on the home screen).
- 🔍 In the search bar, enter the request font or font (in English layout).
- 🎨 Choose your favorite option from the ones offered (for example, MiSans, Roboto, SF Pro).
- 📥 Click Apply - the font will install automatically.
An important nuance: some regional versions of MIUI (e.g. Europe) may not have a font section, so move on to the next one.
Installation through APK-file (no root)
If the desired font is not in the directory "Tem", you can try installing it through a third-party application.
- 📌 iFont (supports.ttf and.otf)
- 📌 FontFix (working on the MIUI 13/14)
- 📌 ZFont 3 (requires activation in settings)
Instructions for iFont (on the example of Redmi Note 11):
- Download and install iFont from Google Play.
- Download a font in.ttf or.otf format (for example, from DaFont or Fontsquirrel sites).
- Open iFont, click Local → select the downloaded file.
- Click Set → MiFont → Confirm the installation.
- Reset the device.
Download APK-Utility file (iFont, FontFix)
Download the font in.ttf/.otf format
Enable installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special access)
Restart the phone after installation
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⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 for POCO F5 Xiaomi 13 may require additional permission in Settings → Additionally. → Permits for special functions → Changes to system fonts.
Manual installation via ADB (for advanced)
If the previous methods didn’t work, the method is still through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge, but gives 100% result, suitable for all models, including the Black Shark 5 and Xiaomi Pad 6.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
- 📱 Included Developer Mode and Debugging by USB smartphone.
- 📁 Font in.ttf format, renamed to custom_font.ttf.
Step-by-step:
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
- Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
- Execute commands in order: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/custom_font.ttf /system/fonts/ chmod 644 /system/fonts/custom_font.ttf mount -o ro,remount /system reboot
- After the reboot, the font will appear in the Screen → Font settings.
| Xiaomi model | Support ADB-method | Need root? |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Yes. | No. |
| POCO X5 Pro | Yes. | No. |
| Xiaomi 13 Ultra | Yes (MIUI 14) | No. |
| Black Shark 5 | Yes (for system partitions only) | Yes. |
⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) after installing the font through ADB You can get your system applications localized, and then you can get the standard font back with the command:
adb shell rm /system/fonts/custom_font.ttf💡
Before using ADB, back up /system partition with the adb backup -f system.ab -system command to help recover data if you make an error.
4. Installation of font via TWRP (for stitched devices)
If your Xiaomi has custom TWRP recovery installed, the process is simplified, which is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader (for example, POCO F3 or Redmi K50 Gaming).
Instructions:
- Download the font in.ttf format and rename it to DroidSansFallback.ttf (this will replace the system font).
- Move the file to /sdcard/.
- Load to TWRP (clip Power + Volume Up).
- Select Advanced → File Manager.
- Go to /system/fonts/ and replace the original file.
- Set the license 644 (rw-r-----).
- Reset the device.
The advantage of the method is that the font is sewn into the system and does not reset after updating. The disadvantage is that if you make an error, you can loop the bootloop.
What if the phone does not turn on after installing the font?
5. Problems and solutions in font installation
Even when following the instructions, users encounter common errors.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The font is not displayed in the settings | Incorrect access rights to the file | Set up 644 rights via ADB or TWRP |
| Localization (hieroglyphs) is lost | The font does not support Cyrillic. | Use full character fonts (e.g. Noto Sans) |
| Apps are dyed after changing font | Conflict with System Libraries | Return the standard font or swipe the FontManager Magisk module |
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable (e.g. Xiaomi 11 Lite) NE) manual font replacement can result in Google Pay being blocked due to SafetyNet activation. Check status through the SafetyNet Test app before installation.
6. How to return the standard font to Xiaomi
If the experiment with fonts was unsuccessful, you can return everything in several ways:
- 🔄 Through Settings. → Topics → Fonts → By default.
- 📱 Using iFont: Choose Default Font → Apply.
- 💻 Through ADB: adb shell rm /system/fonts/custom_font.ttf
- 🔧 Through resetting settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings, but it will delete all data!).
For root-righted devices, you can use a Magisk module called ResetProp, which resets system settings, including fonts, without losing data.
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If the status bar icons (e.g., battery indicator) are missing after changing the font, this means that the font does not support symbolic glyphs. The solution is to install a font with a full set of icons (e.g., Material Icons).
7.The Best Fonts for Xiaomi in 2026
The typeface you choose depends on your preferences: chopped (no serifs) is good for reading, decorative is good for design, and thin is thin for battery saving. We tested dozens of options and selected the top of the list.-5:
- 🏆 Noto Sans is a universal font from Google with support for 100+ language.
- 📱 MiSans – Xiaomi’s standard font, optimized for MIUI.
- 🍎 SF Pro – font from Apple, gives the interface “iPhone” look.
- 🎨 Product Sans – used in Google logos, looks modern.
- 🔋 Roboto Thin - thin font, saves battery power on AMOLED-screen.
You can download them on official websites:
- Google Noto Fonts
- Apple SF Fonts (Developer Account Required)
- Google Fonts (Free Library)