How to put emoticons like on iPhone on Xiaomi smartphone: 5 working ways

Why Xiaomi and iPhone Emojis Look Different – and Can We Fix It?

If you’ve moved from iPhone to Xiaomi (or just used to Apple emojis), you’ve probably noticed that Android and iOS emojis are dramatically different, with Apple’s more detailed, soft shadows and realistic colors, whereas standard MIUI emojis often look simplistic or even “childish,” the difference is particularly striking in messengers, where your interlocutors see emojis in the style of their OS, and you in yours.

The reason is licensing: Apple develops its own emoji, while Xiaomi (like other Android manufacturers) uses Google kits or creates its own based on open Unicode standards. However, this does not mean that you are doomed to unloved emojis! There are several ways to replace them with iPhone ones, from simple themes to deep modifications of the system. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, their pros, cons and risks.

⚠️ Important: Some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, which can lead to loss of warranty, unstable phone operation, or even a device breakage. We recommend first to try out safe methods (themes, keyboards), and only if they are not satisfied - to move to radical methods.

Method 1: Install theme with iPhone emoji via MIUI Themes

The easiest and safest way to do this is to download a pre-made theme from the official MIUI Themes store, where many designers create themes that change not only the wallpaper and icons, but also the fonts along with the emoji. Here's how to do this:

1. Open the Themes app on your Xiaomi.
2. In the search bar, type in the query: iPhone emoji or Apple emoji.
3. Choose your favorite theme (pay attention to the rating and number of downloads!).
4. Click Apply – the system will automatically replace the emoji.

✅ Pros: No root, free, reversible.

❌ Cons: Themes are often updated with a delay (new emojis from Apple may not be available), and some interface elements (such as keyboard) may remain unchanged.

Method 2: Third-party keyboards with support for iOS emojis

If the themes don't work, try third-party keyboards that emulate the iPhone emoji.

• 🔹 Gboard (Google) – in the settings you can enable the display of emoji in the style of iOS (path: Settings → Emoji → Apple Style).
• 🔹 SwiftKey (Microsoft) – supports emoji skins, including Apple skins".
• 🔹 Emoji Keyboard - iOS 16 Emoji (specialized application from Google Play).

💡 How to set up:

1. Download the keyboard from Google Play.
2. Activate it in your phone settings: Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
3. In the keyboard settings, find the option to change the style of the emoji (usually in the "Decoration" or "Themes").

⚠️ Note: Some keyboards (e.g. Emoji Keyboard) may request access to your messages to “improve predictions.” Quote: These permissions are not required for emojis to work and may threaten privacy.

Download the application from the official Google Play

Check reviews and rating (not lower than 4.0)

Refuse unnecessary permissions (SMS, contacts)

Test the keyboard in safe mode (for example, in a notebook)-->

Method 3: Manual font change (without root)

Some MIUI firmware (especially global ones) can replace fonts without obtaining root rights using the iFont app. This method does not work on all models, but it is worth trying:

1. Download iFont from Google Play.
2. In the app, select the Online section and find a font marked iOS Emoji (such as Apple Color Emoji).
3. Download the font and press Set.
4. The system will offer to install it through Settings → Screen → Font.

📌 Limitations:

• 🔸 It only works on MIUI 12+ user-friendly.
• 🔸 Emojis may not be displayed in all apps (for example, in WhatsApp or Telegram, they will remain standard).
• 🔸 After updating MIUI font may be dropped.

Method 4: Replace emojis with Magisk (for advanced users)

If you're ready to experiment and your Xiaomi bootloader is unlocked, you can replace the system-level emoji with the Magisk module. This method allows maximum integration: emojis will change in all applications, including system ones.

🛠 Instructions:

1. Install Magisk Manager and get root rights.
2. Download the iOS Emoji for Android module (available on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums).
3. Install the module via Magisk and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: After installing the module, do not update the system through OTA — This can lead to the loss of emojis or even bootloops. TWRP.

💡

Before installing the Magisk module, back up /system/font partition via TWRP to help restore the original fonts if something goes wrong.

Method 5: Firmware custom Recovery and modified MIUI

The most radical (and risky) way is to flash modified firmware with the iPhone’s already integrated emojis, which are often published on enthusiastic forums, such as:

• 🔹 MIUI by XIAOMI.EU (There are versions of iOS emoji).
• 🔹 Pixel Experience or LineageOS with patches for emojis.

🔧 How to sew:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Install TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery.
3. Download the firmware with support for iOS emoji (check compatibility with your model!).
4. Sweat through the Recovery, first making wipe dalvik/cache.

❗ Risks:

• 🔸 Loss of guarantee.
• 🔸 Possible bugs (not working) NFC, camera trouble).
• 🔸 Blocking of banking applications (due to a modified fingerprint device).

💡

Custom MIUI firmware is the only way to get an iPhone emoji in ALL apps without glitches, but it is only suitable for advanced users ready for potential problems.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make the choice easier, we put all the methods in a table:

💬 Tip: If you want an iPhone emoji just for beauty in instant messengers, you'll need a Gboard keyboard or theme. If you want a full replacement in all apps (including system notifications), you'll have to deal with Magisk or custom firmware.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change your emoji, Xiaomi users are faced with common mistakes.

1.Emojis don't change on WhatsApp/Telegram

🔹 Reason: These messengers use their own emoji sets that are independent of the system.

🔹 Solution: Use a keyboard with built-in emojis (like SwiftKey with an iOS theme) or install a Magisk module that forcibly replaces emojis even in these apps.

2.After the MIUI update, the emojis reset

🔹 Reason: System updates often overwrite custom fonts.

🔹 Solution: Before updating, back up the folder /system/fonts through TWRP Or Root Explorer. Once you update, manually restore your files.

3.Some emojis are displayed in squares

🔹 Reason: No support for new Unicode characters in your firmware.

🔹 Solution: Update MIUI Up to the latest version or install an extended support font (e.g. Noto Color Emoji).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions