Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where correspondence with iPhone users displays standard black and white or old color characters instead of modern colorful images, this is due to the fact that the emoji set is rigidly tied to the version of the Android operating system and the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS. To see the actual facial expressions, flags and objects, you need to bring the system fonts in accordance with the latest Unicode standards.
The update process isn’t always obvious, as there’s usually no separate “Update emoji” button in the settings menu. Most of the time, new images come along with global firmware updates, but there are workarounds for those looking to get fresh emotions right now. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the legal and safe methods to replace system fonts, and discuss the risks associated with installing third-party modules.
Before you start taking action, it's important to understand that system emojis are part of the device's font package, and replacing them requires either updating the entire software or embedding new font files into the system partition.
Why emojis are outdated and how to fix it
The main reason for the appearance of “old” or incorrectly displayed emojis lies in the version of Android installed on your gadget. Each new version of the operating system brings support for new Unicode code points, which are responsible for the appearance of new characters. If your Xiaomi smartphone has not received major updates in a long time, it does not physically know how to display the symbol released by the Unicode consortium in 2023 or 2026.
Xiaomi also often uses its own graphics set in the MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 and HyperOS shells. Even if the base Android supports new emojis, the visualization may remain the same due to caching or the features of the design theme. Sometimes the problem is solved by simply changing the theme in the Themes app, but more often requires deeper intervention.
There is a common misconception that downloading a picture from the Internet will replace a smiley face in all applications. This is not true: to display correctly in Telegram, WhatsApp and the system keyboard, it is necessary to update the EmojiCompat system font or the entire NotoColorEmoji.ttf file. Without this, you will only see squares with codes instead of images.
Official method: Updating MIUI and HyperOS
The safest and most reliable way to get new emojis is to wait or force the official firmware update. Xiaomi engineers regularly release patches that include updated graphic character packs, a method that ensures the device is stable and there are no errors in the display of text.
To check for updates, you need to go to your device settings. Usually the path is: Settings → About Phone → MIUI (or HyperOS) Version. If the system finds a new version, it will prompt you to download and install it. Once you restart, the phone will contain the current set of emojis corresponding to the version of Android.
Sometimes automatic updates don’t come immediately because of a rollout, so you can try manually checking for updates by clicking on the tri-point icon in the corner of the screen and selecting “Select Update File” if you have access to official firmware packs from the MIUI bootloader site.
☑️ Checklist before system update
It’s worth noting that switching from one major version of Android to another (like Android 11 to Android 12) almost always brings a new smiley design. If your phone has stopped receiving Android updates but continues to receive MIUI security patches, new emojis may not appear officially, in which case you will have to use alternative methods described below.
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Before installing a major firmware update, be sure to back up important data to the Mi Cloud cloud or your computer to avoid losing information in the event of a crash.
Changing the theme of design to change the style of emoji
MIUI has a powerful customization tool called Themes, and many users don't know that some themes have their own icon sets and emojis that replace the system ones, and it's an easy way to change the visual style without getting root rights or risk to the system.
To find such a theme, open the Themes app and enter keywords like “Emoji,” “iOS,” “Samsung” or “New Emojis” in the search bar. The search results will feature themes that change not only the app wallpaper and icons, but also the system fonts with emojis. Choose your favorite theme and click “Download” and then “Apply.”
After applying the theme, the smartphone interface will change, new emoticons should be displayed in all applications that use system rendering, but be prepared for the fact that some themes may not be optimized for your phone model, which may lead to incorrect display of some interface elements, in which case the theme can be easily removed by returning to the standard look.
⚠️ Note: Third-party themes may contain advertisements or require access to personal data. Only download themes from the official Theme Store inside your smartphone, avoiding third-party themes. APK-Files from unverified sources.
Using the zFont 3 app to install new fonts
One of the most popular solutions for replacing system fonts and emojis on Xiaomi devices without root rights is the zFont 3 app. This tool allows you to install fonts that are usually only available on other devices (for example, emoji from Samsung or Google Pixel), by creating a special font profile.
The process of installing new emojis through zFont 3 is as follows:
- 📲 Download and install the zFont 3 app from the Google Play Store.
- 🔍 Search inside the app for “Emoji” or a specific version, such as “iOS 17 Emoji».
- ⬇️ Click Download and then Apple to start the installation process.
- ⚙️ Follow the instructions on the screen: Select your phone model (Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO) version MIUI.
- 🔄 The application will suggest installing a special font and may ask you to restart the device or apply the theme.
After completing all the steps, which may include installing the font through the About Phone menu» → «Device name" (where the set font is selected), your emojis will change throughout the system.This method works on most modern models, but on new versions of HyperOS, the algorithm may differ due to the enhanced system protection.
What to do if zFont 3 doesn’t work?
Comparison of emoji update methods
The choice of upgrade method depends on your technical skills and the version of the operating system. Below is a table that will help you compare the main methods and choose the most suitable for your situation. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered before starting the procedure.
| Method | Security | Difficulty | Root presence | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Updating the system | Tall. | Low. | Not required | 100% (officially) |
| Change of subject | Tall. | Low. | Not required | Medium (depending on the topic) |
| Annex zFont 3 | Medium | Medium | Not required | Tall. |
| Root + Modules | Low. | Tall. | Required. | Maximum |
As you can see from the table, most users prefer to use the zFont 3 app or wait for an official update. Methods that require root access give full control over the system, but carry the risk of loss of warranty and possible failure of the device if mishandled.
Advanced method: Root rights and system file replacement
For power users with unlocked bootloader and superuser (Root) rights, a direct method of replacing the font file is available, which allows you to install any emoji available in XDA Developers repositories, including betas from Google.
The method is to replace the system file /system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttf (the path may vary depending on the Android version).
- 🔓 Get root access through Magisk.
- 📂 Install a file manager with access to a system partition, such as Root Explorer or MixPlorer.
- 💾 Download the desired emoji font file (format.ttf) from a verified source.
- 📝 Copy the file into the system font folder, replacing the original (pre-made backup!).
- 🔄 Reset the device to apply changes.
Using a Magisk module is a safer alternative to direct file replacement. Modules such as the Emoji Switcher make changes to the system partition virtually, making it easy to roll back changes in case of problems.
⚠️ Warning: Directly replacing system files without creating a full backup can result in a cyclic bootloop.Make sure you know how to restore the system via Fastboot or Recovery before you start this method.
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Using Magisk modules to replace emojis is safer than replacing files directly, as it makes it easy to roll back changes in the event of a system failure.