Users of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face visual dissonance when communicating with Apple owners. The standard set of emojis in the shell of MIUI is significantly different from what iOS users are used to seeing. It is not only about the appearance of specific icons, but also about supporting new characters that come out with each update of the operating system. The desire to unify the visual style of correspondence is quite understandable and easy to implement with the help of modern tools.
There are several proven ways to transform the keyboard interface: You can use third-party keyboard apps that mimic Apple’s style completely, or you can implement system fonts that replace standard Android characters with their iOS counterparts. Each method has its own setup features and impact on the system. It is important to understand that replacing system files requires more care than installing an app from a store.
In this article, we will take a look at all the options available, from the simplest to the most advanced. You will learn how to safely change the appearance of the emoji without losing the guarantee and stability of the device. We will look at the nuances of working with root rights, installing themes and setting popular keyboards. Ready to experiment and carefully following the instructions will allow you to achieve the desired result.
Using third-party keyboards to emulate iOS
The safest and easiest way to get an iPhone-like emoji is to install an alternative keyboard from the Google Play Market, which doesn’t require superuser rights or make changes to Android system files. A popular solution is the Facemoji Keyboard or Emoji Font 3 app, which offers themes that fully replicate Apple’s style.
Once you install the app, you need to activate the new keyboard in the system settings. Usually, the process takes no more than a couple of minutes. You go to the language and input section, select the app you just installed and allow it to be accessed, then within the application itself, select the theme "iOS" or "Apple Style".
The advantage of this method is that it is reversible. If you don't like the font or functionality, you can always go back to the standard Gboard keyboard or the Gboard keyboard. MIUI Keyboard with one switch.In addition, such keyboards often offer additional features, such as predictive set, GIF-Animation and enhanced personalization capabilities.
- 🍏 Download the keyboard app with support for iOS themes from the official store.
- ⚙️ Activate the new keyboard in the Settings section → Additional settings → Language and input.
- 🎨 Select a theme within the app that mimics Apple’s style.
- 📱 Switch between languages and keyboards via space or globe button.
It is worth noting that some third-party keyboards may collect input data to improve predictive set, and that the privacy policies of such applications should be studied in advance, and if you work with sensitive information, it is better to use time-tested solutions with good reputation.
Replacement of system font through MIUI settings
The MIUI shell has a built-in font change toolkit that can sometimes change the set of emojis, which doesn’t work on all models and firmware versions, but it’s worth trying first, because it’s native. You’ll need the Theme app preinstalled on every Xiaomi smartphone.
Search inside the application for "iOS emoji" or "Apple font." There are many free and paid fonts created by enthusiasts. Once you load the font, you need to apply it and reboot the device. If the font supports replacing emoji at the system level, they will change in all applications, including WhatsApp and Telegram.
⚠️ Note: Not all fonts from the store are so correctly display Cyrillic.Be sure to check the preview of the text in Russian before using, so as not to get incomprehensible characters instead of letters.
If a standard theme store doesn’t work, you can use third-party font managers like zFont 3. This app can find compatible fonts for your Redmi or Poco model. It automatically detects the Android version and offers suitable installation options.
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Use the font backup feature in the zFont 3 app before installing new versions to quickly roll back in case of display errors.
The installation process through zFont 3 is a bit more complicated than through a standard store. You need to download the selected font, click the "Apply" button and follow the instructions on the screen. The application can offer several installation methods depending on the version of MIUI. Often you need to manually install the font through the "My Pages" section in the Topics app.
Installation of fonts using the zFont 3 application
The zFont 3 app is one of the most powerful tools for customizing the Android interface, allowing you to install not only fonts, but also emojis and even icons. To install iPhone emojis, you need to select the appropriate category in the app menu. The algorithm of actions here is more detailed than when using standard themes.
After selecting an emoji set (such as iOS 16 or iOS 17), the app will offer several installation methods. Xiaomi users usually use the "MIUI" method. Follow the step-by-step instructions that appear on the screen. These can include downloading a special plugin or changing the settings in the developer menu.
| Method of installation | Difficulty | Demands a Root. | Risk of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (MIUI) | Low. | No. | Minimum |
| Through ADB | Tall. | No. | Medium. |
| Systemic replacement | Medium | Yes. | High-pitched |
| No root (Old method) | Medium | No. | Medium. |
It is important to read pop-up prompts carefully. Sometimes the system can block the installation of fonts from unknown sources. In this case, zFont 3 will tell you which security menu to go to and allow installation. After successful installation and reboot, you will see new emojis anywhere in the system.
☑️ Checking before installing font
Advanced method: Replace system files (Root)
For users with SuperSU or Magisk rights, the most advanced customization method is available, which involves directly replacing the emoji.sys file or similar file in the system partition, which guarantees 100% results and performance of the emoji even in system applications where third-party keyboards may not display correctly.
To implement this method, you will need a file manager with access to root folders, such as Root Explorer or MiXplorer. You need to find the original emoji font file (usually located in /system/fonts/ or /system/media/) and replace it with a modified version of iOS.
/system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttfThis file is most often responsible for color emojis in Android, and if you replace it with an Apple analog, you get the desired result. However, an error in the file version or access rights can lead to a bootloop (cyclic reboot) of the device, so this method is recommended only for advanced users.
⚠️ Warning: Direct replacement of system files may disrupt the work OTA-After receiving firmware updates over the air, your changes will be reset, and in the worst case, the phone may stop loading if the file versions do not match.
Application Solutions and Compatibility
Once new emojis are installed, users may find that some apps (like WhatsApp) display emojis correctly and others (like Telegram, Viber) don’t, because many messengers use their own emoji libraries and ignore the system font. Telegram, for example, can enable the display of system emojis in the application settings, but this does not always work consistently.
If you see "squares" instead of emojis, it means that the new font does not have the codes for certain characters that the old system has, the solution is to find a fuller version of the font or go back to the standard set, and problems can arise when updating the applications themselves.
Why do emojis look different in the interlocutor?
Another common problem is desynchronization after the MIUI update. The system can overwrite the changed files with its standard versions. In this case, the installation of fonts or themes will have to be repeated. To automate the process, you can use Magisk modules that save the changes even after flashing.
Comparison of methods and final recommendations
The choice of method depends on your goals and your level of training. If you just need to diversify your correspondence and you don't want to risk the stability of the phone, use third-party keyboards. It's fast, safe and functional. If you're a perfectionist and you want the whole interface to look like an iPhone, you'll have to mess with fonts.
For owners of the new Xiaomi 13, 14 models and flagships of the Ultra series, it is recommended to be especially careful with replacing system files, as the security mechanisms in the new versions of Android (13, 14) have become stricter.
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The optimal balance between security and visual style is to use the zFont 3 app with a no-root installation method, which is suitable for 90% of Xiaomi users.
Remember, visuals are just part of the smartphone experience, so you want your device to work quickly and predictably, and experiment with themes and fonts, but always have a plan to get back to factory settings.