How to make emoticons like on iPhone on Xiaomi: guide to install iOS Emoji

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face visual inconsistencies when communicating with users of iOS devices. The standard set of emojis in the shell of MIUI or HyperOS differs significantly from the recognizable style of Apple, which sometimes leads to misunderstanding or simply causes aesthetic discomfort. Fortunately, the modern Android ecosystem allows you to adjust the visual design quite flexibly, including system fonts, which contain images of emojis.

The process of replacing standard icons with their Apple-like counterparts does not require deep programming knowledge, but still involves working with system files or third-party keyboards. It is important to understand that emojis are part of the system font, so their global replacement (to display them in the same Telegram, Viber, and system notifications) will require changing the font file of the device. There are several proven methods, each of which has its own characteristics and level of complexity.

In this guide, we will discuss the most effective ways to transform your interface. We will look at both secure methods through the installation of Gboard, and more advanced options using zFont 3 or manually replacing files through Root rights.

Why Android and iPhone emojis look different

The fundamental difference lies in the text display architecture. While Unicode specifies a single code for each character (like the code for a smiling face), the visual representation of that code is rendered in a font installed in the operating system. Google uses its Noto Color Emoji font set, which looks flat and minimalistic, while Apple develops its own graphics solutions with gradients and volume.

When you send a message from Xiaomi to an iPhone, the recipient sees an Apple-style emoji because the device renders the code in its font. However, you see an image on your screen generated by MIUI. To change that, you need to replace the system font file with a modified version containing iOS graphics.

⚠️ Warning: Replacing system fonts without backing up can cause text to be displayed incorrectly in menus or individual apps. Always have the option to roll back changes.

Some people think that changing emojis requires Root access, but not quite. MIUI and HyperOS shells have a built-in font theme that allows you to legally implement third-party character sets through the Theme app or special intermediary tools, but full integration, including display in system dialogues, sometimes requires deeper interventions.

The easiest way: Using the Gboard keyboard

The safest and fastest method that doesn’t require replacing system files is to install a third-party keyboard from Google.The Gboard app has built-in support for emojis that are visually very close to the Android standard, but when properly set up and updated can display new characters added in the latest versions of Android.Although this won’t give a 100% copy of Apple’s style in all apps, in messengers using native renderers (like Telegram or Viber), the difference will be minimal.

To start, you need to download the app from Google Play Market. Once installed, go to the language and input settings, select Gboard and activate it as the main keyboard. Inside the keyboard settings, you can find the Emoji section, where character database updates are often available, which is ideal for those who are afraid to make changes to system files.

The advantage of using Gboard is stability. Even if the keyboard app freezes, the system will remain functional. Google also regularly updates the emoji database by adding new characters approved by the Unicode consortium, making this method relevant for many years to come.

• 📱 Download Gboard from the official app store.
• ⚙️ Activate the keyboard in the Settings section → Additional settings → Language and input.
• 🎨 Include the theme "Material" or "Emoji Kitchen" for advanced features.
• 🔄 Regularly update the app through the Play Market to get new emojis.

Install iOS Emoji via zFont 3

The zFont 3 app is the most popular tool for customizing fonts on Xiaomi devices without the need for superuser rights. It works as an intermediary: downloads the font from the iOS emoji, packages it in a format that is understandable to the MIUI system, and applies it through a standard theme mechanism.

The process starts with downloading and installing zFont 3 from Google Play. After launching the application, go to the Emoji section and select the iOS 16/17 version (or current at the time of reading). The application will offer several installation methods; Xiaomi usually chooses the MIUI or Android System method.

The key is to follow the instructions inside the application. zFont 3 may ask you to back up the data, then apply the font, after which the system will ask for a reboot. In some cases, especially on newer versions of HyperOS, an additional step may be required: after applying the font, you need to go to the standard Theme app, go to the profile, then to the Fonts and apply the zFont font from there again.

⚠️ Note: Some versions of firmware (especially China) ROM or global betas, the system can block the installation of third-party fonts, in which case try the Safe Folder method or change the region in the phone settings to India or Singapore.

If the standard method didn’t work, zFont 3 offers alternative paths, including using developer mode or applying through ADB. However, for most users, a basic algorithm is enough. Once installed successfully, all emojis on the system, including WhatsApp, Viber and system notifications, will look like iPhones.

Manual System Font Replacement (requires Root)

For advanced users with an unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk or SuperSU, the most reliable method is available - direct replacement of the NotoColorEmoji.ttf file. This file is responsible for rendering color emoji throughout the system. Direct intervention guarantees 100% result, but carries risks.

Before starting the procedure, you need to find a quality font port for iOS Emoji in.ttf format. These files are often distributed on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums. It is important to download a file that corresponds to the version of your Android, as the font structure in Android 11, 12, 13 and 14 may differ.

The path to system font:


/system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttf




or




/system/fonts/EmojiCompat/




(The path may vary depending on the Android version)

Using a file manager with Root support (e.g., Root Explorer or Root Explorer) MT Manager, follow the path indicated. Make a copy of the original file by renaming it, for example, NotoColorEmoji.ttf.bak. Then copy the downloaded iOS file to this folder and rename it NotoColorEmoji.ttf. Set Permissions rw-r--r-- (644) for a new file.

Once you replace the file, be sure to restart the device. If it's successful, you'll see updated emojis in all applications. The good thing about this method is that it doesn't depend on application updates and it works at the kernel level of the display system.

Comparison of methods of installation of emojis

The choice of method depends on your skills and goals. Below is a table to help you determine the best option for your situation. Each method has its limitations and advantages, which should be considered before starting a system modification.

As you can see from the table, the zFont 3 method is the middle ground, it doesn't require breaking the system's security, but it gives you a wide range, and manual replacement is only suitable for enthusiasts who are ready to reanimate the device at any time via Fastboot.

It’s also worth noting that some apps, such as Instagram or Facebook, use their own built-in emoji sets and ignore the system font. In such cases, you can’t change the emoji in any of these ways, since the rendering takes place inside the code of the application itself.

Possible problems and solutions

Errors can occur during the installation process. Often users are faced with a situation where, after applying the font through zFont, some characters turn into squares or question marks. This means that the font version is not fully compatible with your version of Android.

Another common problem is the refusal of the Topic app to use font. Global firmware Xiaomi sometimes requires you to log in to your Mi Account and enable a region other than Russia or the EU (e.g. India) to unlock the font functionality. Also helps to clean the Topic app data through the App menu → All Apps → Topics → Clear data.

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Before installing any third-party font, take screenshots of important dialogs or copy texts if you have rare fonts installed, as after changing the system file, some characters may temporarily display incorrectly until the services are fully rebooted.

If you use the Root-rights method and your phone stops turning on, don't panic. Get in Recovery mode (pressing the power and volume button). If you have customized recaps (TWRP), you can connect your phone to your PC and, through the file manager, restore the original font file from a previously made copy.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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The most stable and secure way to get an iPhone emoji on Xiaomi is to use the zFont 3 app, which requires no Root rights and makes it easy to roll back changes at any time.