How to replace the font on Android Xiaomi: from standard settings to custom solutions

Why and why can you change fonts to Xiaomi?

Standard MIUI fonts are not popular with all users of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO. Too thin characters, uncomfortable numerical typeling or just a desire to personalize the device - the reasons can be different. Fortunately, the manufacturer provides several official ways to change the font, and for advanced users, informal methods are available.

It’s important to understand that the procedure has nuances depending on the shell version (MIUI 12, MIUI 13 or MIUI 14) and the smartphone model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with Android 13, the algorithm may differ from what works on the Redmi Note 10 with Android 11. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from the simplest to the root rights that require.

Before you start, check your firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI. This will help you avoid errors when choosing a method. Also note that some methods can reset the text display settings in individual applications (for example, in Telegram or Chrome) – they will have to be reconfigured.

Method 1: Using the built-in MIUI themes

The safest and easiest method is to change the font through official themes. Xiaomi offers dozens of free and paid themes, many of which include unique fonts. This method does not require root rights and is suitable for all models, including the POCO F5, Redmi 12 and Xiaomi 14.

How it works:

🎨 Open the Themes app (icon with brush on desktop).
🔍 In the search bar, enter “font” or “font” – the system will show themes with custom fonts.
📥 Choose your favorite theme and click Apply. The font will change automatically.
🔄 If you don’t like the font in the topic, return the standard through Settings. → Display. → font.

Limitations of the method:

❌ It is impossible to use only the font without other elements of the topic (icons, wallpaper).
❌ The choice of fonts is limited by what it offers. MIUI (about 50 options).
❌ Some topics are paid (cost from 50 to 300 rubles).

📊 Which typeface do you like better?

Standard MIUI

Thick fonts (Bold)

Handwritten.

Monospace (for code)

Other

Method 2: Manually add fonts via “Display Settings” (MIUI 13/14)

Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi added the ability to download third-party fonts in.ttf or.otf format directly through settings.This method works on most modern devices, including the Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO X5 Pro.

Step-by-step:

Download a font file (e.g. from Google Fonts or DaFont sites). Importantly, only.ttf and.otf files are supported.
Move the file to the Download folder or the root directory of internal memory.
Go to Settings → Display → Font → Add font.
Select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
Use the new font in the same menu.

Download a file in.ttf or.otf format

Check the file for viruses (via VirusTotal)

Move the font to the root memory folder

Make sure the file name does not contain Cyrillic

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Important nuances:

⚠️ Not all fonts are correctly displayed in MIUI. For example, fonts with support for only Latin alphabets can “break” the display of Cyrillic.
⚠️ Font size in some apps (such as WhatsApp) can reset to standard.

Which typefaces work exactly on MIUI?

In practice, Google fonts (Roboto, Open Sans, Noto Sans) and standard Windows system fonts (Arial, Times New Roman) are best shown. Fonts with decorative elements (for example, “handwritten”) often appear incorrectly in the notification menu and on the lock screen.

Method 3: Using applications to change fonts (without root)

If the built-in methods don't work, you can use third-party applications.

📱 iFont supports the download of fonts from the cloud and local files. MIUI 12-14, It requires permission to change system settings.
🎨 FontFix – specializes in fixing broken fonts after unsuccessful changes.
🔧 ZFont – offers more than 1,000 fonts, but can display ads.

How to use iFont (Redmi 11 Prime):

Install the app from Google Play.
Open iFont and select the Online section (to download from the Internet) or Local (for your files).
Download your favorite font and click Set.
Follow the instructions of the application for application (usually a reboot is required).

💡

Before using third-party apps, back up your current font settings through Settings → Display → Font → Save the current one (if such an option is available).

Risks of the method:

⚠️ Some applications may request unnecessary permissions (e.g. access to the SMS Please refuse such requests.
⚠️ After updating MIUI The font may be reset to standard.

Method 4: Replace fonts via ADB (for advanced users)

If you're ready for more complex manipulations, you can replace system fonts through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that doesn't require root, but requires command line work. Suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the POCO M5 and Xiaomi 12 Lite.

What you need:

🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to press the version → return to additional settings → Developer parameters → Debugging by USB).
📁.ttf font files, renamed according to the table below.

File name in the system	Appointment	Example of substitution
Roboto-Regular.ttf	Principal font	NotoSans-Regular.ttf
Roboto-Bold.ttf	Fat type	OpenSans-Bold.ttf
Roboto-Italic.ttf	Italic	PT_Sans-Italic.ttf
fallback_fonts.xml	Typeface configuration	Don't cheat!

Step-by-step commands (executed in Command Prompt or Terminal):

adb backup -f backup.ab -shared -all -nosystem


adb pull /system/fonts/ ./fonts_backup/




adb push your font.ttf /sdcard/




adb shell




su




mount -o rw,remount /system




cp /sdcard/your font.ttf /system/fonts/Roboto-Regular.ttf




chmod 644 /system/fonts/Roboto-Regular.ttf




reboot

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Before replacing fonts through ADB, make sure to back up the original files with the adb backup command. This will allow you to restore the system in case of an error.

Warnings:

⚠️ Attention: Incorrectly changing fonts can lead to bootloop ( looped boot).If the phone does not turn on after rebooting, try going to Fastboot (clamp Power). + Volume down) and restore backup.

Method 5: Replace fonts with root rights (for experienced)

If your Xiaomi has Magisk or another root rights manager installed, you can replace the fonts at the system level, which gives maximum freedom, but also maximum risks, suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader, such as the POCO F4 GT or Xiaomi 12S Ultra.

Instructions:

Install Root Explorer or Mixplorer (with root support).
Go to /system/fonts/ folder.
Copy the original fonts to a backup folder (for example, on the SD-map).
Replace your font files with your own (names must match!).
Change the access rights to 644 (rw-r----).
Reset the device.

Popular modules for Magisk:

🔧 FontMagisk – allows you to install fonts through modules.
🎨 MiuiFont - a specialized module for MIUI.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 for Xiaomi 13) the system can automatically restore original fonts after updating.To avoid this, disable automatic updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make the choice easier, we will bring all the methods into one table:

Method	Difficulty	Need root?	Risks.	Suitable for
Built-in themes	⭐	❌ No.	Low.	All models.
Adding through settings	⭐⭐	❌ No.	Medium (may reset)	MIUI 13/14
Annex side (iFont)	⭐⭐	❌ No.	Medium (advertising, extra permits)	All models.
ADB	⭐⭐⭐	❌ No.	Tall (bootloop)	Advanced users
Root access	⭐⭐⭐⭐	✅ Yes.	Very high (loss of warranty)	Enthusiasts

Selection recommendations:

📱 If you want a fast and secure way, use built-in themes or add through settings.
🔧 If you want more options and are not afraid of risks, try iFont or ADB.
🛠️ If you already have root and experience, replace the fonts manually or through Magisk.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When replacing fonts with Xiaomi, users face typical errors.

The font remains unchanged after application Reason: System cache hasn't updated. Solution: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three dots → Reset application settings.
Symbols are displayed with squares Reason: The font does not support Cyrillic or special characters Solution: Set a font with full Unicode support (e.g. Noto Sans).
After the MIUI update, the font reset Reason: The system restored the standard files Solution: Repeat the replacement procedure or disable the automatic update.
The phone does not turn on after being replaced via ADB Reason: System files are damaged.Solution: Restore backup via Fastboot or reflash the device.

💡

If you lose your emoji after you change the font, install the Emoji Switcher app from Google Play, which will restore your standard emojis.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Can I return the standard font after replacement?

Yes. To do this: If you've used themes, apply the standard theme in the Topic app. If you've changed them through settings, select the default Font in Settings → Display → Font. If you've used ADB/root, restore the original files from the backup.

Why hasn’t the font changed on the lock screen?

Some system elements (lock screen, notifications) use separate font styles that don't always change with standard methods. Try: Reboot the device. Clear the cache in Settings → Memory → Clear the cache. Use the root-right method to replace completely.

Where to download safe fonts for Xiaomi?

Recommended sources: Google Fonts are free fonts with an open license. DaFont is a large library, but check files for viruses. FontSpace fonts are for commercial and personal use. ⚠️ Avoid sites with suspicious domains (such as.xyz or.top) – they often spread malicious files.

Will this method work for POCO?

Yes, all of the methods described are suitable for POCO smartphones (e.g., POCO X5 Pro, POCO F5), as they run on the same MIUI shell. Except for the POCO Launcher models (e.g., POCO M6 Pro), where some settings may be in different menus.

Can you change the font only in individual applications?

No, system font replacement is global, but some apps (like Telegram or VK) allow you to choose the font in your settings regardless of the system, and you can use applications like Font Changer for local changes, but this doesn't work well.