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

Are you used to stylish emojis from iOS, but you use a Xiaomi smartphone? The difference in emoji design between platforms is striking: Apple has more detailed, soft shadows and unique shades, whereas standard MIUI emojis often look simplistic. Fortunately, transferring emojis like an iPhone to Redmi, POCO or Mi is quite real - and it doesn't always require root access.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways: from installing custom fonts through TWRP Before using third-party keyboards with iOS emoji support, you will learn which method is right for your model (including Xiaomi). 13, Redmi Note 12 How to avoid errors when replacing system files, and how to distinguish emoji from different versions of iOS (from iOS) 14 iOS 17). We also tested each method for compatibility with the latest versions. MIUI 14/15 — results in the comparative table below.

Why do Xiaomi and iPhone emojis look different?

Emoji design is part of the corporate identity of the operating system. Apple has been developing its emojis since 2008, regularly updating them to suit trends (for example, iOS 17 has new hand gestures and animals). Xiaomi, like other Android manufacturers, uses Google's standard Noto Color Emoji set, which looks different:

• 👍 Details: Apple has more gradients and shadows (compare) 😂 iPhone and Xiaomi).
• 🎨 Color palette: iOS emojis are often brighter, with more saturated tones.
• 🔄 Animation: Some iPhone emojis support dynamic effects (e.g, 🎉 or 💥).

Apple is also the first to introduce new Unicode emojis, such as gender-neutral jobs or emojis of different skin colours, which appear later on Android (including MIUI) and can be displayed in a simplified form.

Method 1: Install iOS fonts via TWRP (for hardened devices)

This is the most reliable method, but it requires an unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP Recovery. Suitable for Xiaomi models on MIUI 12-15, including Redmi K50, POCO F5 and Mi 11.

You'll need:

• 📱 Smartphone with unlocked bootloader (instructions for unlocking your model is on the official website of Xiaomi).
• 🔧 Established TWRP Recovery (the version should support your model).
• 💾 Archive with fonts iOS (you can download on the XDA Developers – Search for themes like “iOS Emoji for Android").

Step-by-step:

1. Download the archive with fonts (for example, iOS16_Emoji_Font.zip) Put it in the phone’s internal memory.
2. Reboot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up).
3. Select Install → Find an archive with fonts → swipe for installation.
4. After installation, run Wipe Dalvik/Cache and restart.

Important: If after replacing the fonts, some apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) display emojis incorrectly, clear their cache in Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Memory → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Note: Not all files with fonts are compatible with MIUI 14/15. If after installation the phone is stuck on the load, return to the TWRP and restore the backup or reinstall the original font.

Method 2: Using a keyboard with support for iOS emoji

If you don't want to mess with TWRP, the easiest way is to install a keyboard that loads up the iOS emoji.

• 📱 Gboard (from Google): Supports emoji style change through settings (Settings) → Topics → Select "iOS" or "Twitter" (they are close to Apple's design).
• 🎨 SwiftKey (from Microsoft): allows you to download emoji packages, including stylized iOS 15/16.
• 🔄 Emoji Keyboard (applications like iFont or Emoji Switcher): Specialized in emoji replacements, but may require additional permissions.

How to configure Gboard for emojis like on iPhone:

1. Install Gboard from Google Play.
2. Open any field to enter text → tap on the icon ⚙️ keyboard → Choose "Settings".
3. Go to Topics → Emojis and select the style of “iOS” or “Twitter”.
4. Back to typing text – now when you click on the emoji, you’ll see a design close to Apple.

⚠️ Limitation: In some messengers (for example, Viber), emojis can be displayed in the original style. MIUI, If the application ignores the keyboard settings, it also does not change the emoji in notifications or system menus.

💡

If after changing the keyboard, emojis in chats show curves, try to turn off the function "Emoji Prediction" in the keyboard settings.

Method 3: Applications for replacing emoji without root (Emoji Font 3, iFont)

For users without TWRP, there are apps that change emojis at the overlay level (without changing system files).

How to install emojis through iFont:

1. Download iFont and open it.
2. In the Online section, look for the iOS Emoji package (e.g., iOS 16 Emoji).
3. Click "Set" → "Soft Install" (this is a rootless method).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (you will need to allow access to the "Special Features").
5. Reboot the phone.

Important: Apps like iFont create overlays on top of system emojis, so you’ll still see standard emojis on some menus (like MIUI settings).

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14/15 After installing emojis via iFont, some characters on WhatsApp or Instagram may disappear. To return them, clear the cache of these apps.

Method 4: Manual editing of system files (for advanced ones)

This method is suitable for those who have root access (for example, through Magisk), it allows you to replace the system fonts directly, but requires care - an error can lead to a bootloop ( looped boot).

Instructions:

1. Download iOS fonts in.ttf format (for example, AppleColorEmoji.ttf).
2. Use Root Explorer (or Mixplorer with root access) to go to /system/fonts/.
3. Find the NotoColorEmoji.ttf and EmojiCompat.ttf files – backup them (copy them elsewhere).
4. Replace the original files with downloaded iOS fonts (make sure the file names match!).
5. Change the access rights to new files: 644 (proprietor — read/write, group read, the rest read).
6. Reboot the phone.

If the emojis have not changed after the reboot, check:

• 🔍 File Names (Register is important!).
• 📁 File access rights (use the chmod command) 644 /system/fonts/AppleColorEmoji.ttf terminal).
• 🔄 System font cache (clean through Settings) → Memory. → Clear the cache).

Method 5: Update MIUI to the new emoji version (official method)

If you do not need to have iOS emojis, but just want more modern emojis, check if your version has been updated. MIUI. Xiaomi periodically updates system fonts, adding new characters from Unicode. MIUI 14 have appeared:

• 🧑🏽‍🤝‍🧑🏼 New combinations for gender-neutral couples.
• 🫠 Emoji "melting face" (thawing face).
• 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Hand gestures with different skin color.

How to update your emoji with a MIUI update:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on "Check Updates" and install the latest version of MIUI.
3. After the update, restart your phone – new emojis should appear automatically.

⚠️ Important: Update MIUI It won't make emojis identical to iOS, but they'll get more modern. If you want Apple style, use methods 1-4.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to decide, we have brought all the ways in a table with pros and cons:

If you're a beginner, start with the Gboard keyboard or the iFont app. TWRP is a complete system-wide emoji replacement, but it requires preparation. Advanced users can try manual font editing through Magisk.

💡

The most versatile method without root is to use the Gboard keyboard with the theme “iOS” emoji. It works on all Xiaomi models and does not require technical skills.

FAQ: Frequent questions about emojis on Xiaomi