How to update emojis on Xiaomi: 5 working ways

Xiaomi smartphones often look outdated compared to the latest versions from Google or Apple.This is because the manufacturer uses its own emoji sets in the shell. MIUI, They are updated less frequently than standard Android characters, if you are tired of square emojis or lack new emojis (for example, if you are not familiar with the new ones, 🫠 "melting face" or 🫰 "The heart with your hands... this article will help you update them.

We're going to look at all the current ways, from official MIUI updates to manual font replacements, and it's important to understand that the methods vary in complexity and risk, some requiring unlocking the bootloader or root rights, and start with the simplest and most secure options that will suit even beginners.

Note: Instructions are tested on Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra and POCO F5 models with MIUI 14/15 based on Android 13/14. For older devices (e.g. Redmi 4X or Mi A1), some methods may not work.

1. Update emojis through MIUI system software

The most reliable and recommended way is to wait for the official firmware update. Xiaomi periodically updates the set of emojis in new versions of MIUI, but does this irregularly, for example, in MIUI 14 there are emojis from Android 13, and in MIUI 15 — partial support for Android 14.

To check for available updates:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Update MIUI.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If a new version is available, download and install it.

⚠️ Note: Update firmware resets some settings (e.g. App Permits or Energy Saving).Before installing, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

If there are no updates but you urgently need new emojis, move on to the following methods. Remember that manually replacing emojis can cause keyboard or system applications (such as Messages or Contacts) to malfunction.

2.Installation of the keyboard with new emojis

A quick way to get current smileys is to use a third-party keyboard that supports the latest versions of Unicode.This method requires no root rights and is safe for the system.

The best keyboard options for Xiaomi:

• 📱 Gboard (Google) - automatically loads the latest emojis, even if they are not supported by the system.
• 🎨 SwiftKey (Microsoft) - offers alternative styles of emoji (including iOS-like) Available on Play Market.
• 🔄 Chroom (from developers) MIUI) — Optimized for Xiaomi devices, but emojis are updated less often than in Gboard.

How to set up Gboard to display new emojis:

1. Install the keyboard from Google Play.
2. Activate it in Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
3. Open any input field (like Messages), click on the smiley icon and select a category. New emojis will be highlighted.

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If after installing Gboard, smileys are displayed in squares, clear the cache of the Settings application → Apps → Gboard → Storage → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Note: Some messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) can replace emoji with their own sets, ignoring the system, in which case new emojis will be visible only in standard emojis. SMS or Communications.

3. Manual font update (without root)

If you don’t like system emojis, but don’t want to risk firmware, you can replace the emoji font with MIUI Themes.This method works on most Xiaomi devices without unlocking the bootloader.

Instructions:

1. Download a theme with fonts from MIUI Themes Store (e.g., "Emoji Font for MIUI" or "iOS Emoji Style").
2. Install the theme through the Themes app (brush icon on desktop).
3. Apply the font to Settings → Screen → Font.
4. Reset the device.

Popular themes to replace emojis:

• 🍎 iOS Emoji for MIUI — Imitate Apple emoji (requires) MIUI 12+).
• 🤖 Google Emoji (Android 14) – Google’s latest emoji.
• 🎭 Samsung One UI Emoji – a style of smiley from Samsung.

Download theme from the official store|Make a backup copy of the current font|Check compatibility with the version MIUI|Do not interrupt the installation process-->

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI Save the theme file (.mtz) in a safe place to quickly restore the emoji.

4. Replace emojis via Magisk (with root)

For advanced users who are ready to get root rights, there is a way to completely replace system emojis, which requires an unlocked bootloader and a Magisk installed.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 7 days).
2. Install TWRP and get root through Magisk.
3. Download the module to replace emoji, for example: Emoji Replacer (for Android 10+) iOS Emoji for Android (requires Magisk 24+)

Magisk Manager

Commands to check current emojis (via ADB):

adb shell


su




ls /system/fonts/ | grep -i emoji

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly replacing system fonts can lead to "bootloop" before experimenting with a full backup TWRP:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f /sdcard/backup.ab

5. Update via ADB (for experienced)

If you don’t want to root, but you’re ready to work with ADB, you can manually replace your emoji files, which is a method that works for Android 9+ devices.

Files required:

• 📄 NotoColorEmoji.ttf is the standard emoji font from Google.
• 📄 EmojiCompat.ttf – Additional Compatibility File.

Instructions:

1. Download the current font files from GitHub.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and activate USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the line with the version).
3. Open the command line and execute: adb push NotoColorEmoji.ttf /sdcard/ adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/NotoColorEmoji.ttf /system/fonts/ chmod 644 /system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttf reboot

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note) 10 Pro, POCO X3) The path to fonts may be different: /system/product/fonts/ or /vendor/fonts/. Check the right path through Root Explorer.

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Replacing fonts with ADB is the riskiest method without root. A mistake in commands can lead to the loss of some system functions, for example, the inability to enter text in some applications.

6. Alternative solutions: messengers and stickers

If you need new emojis just to communicate, consider alternative ways to:

1. Stickers in messengers

• 📲 Telegram: supports animated stickers with emojis. Install paki through @stickers.
• 💬 WhatsApp: Add stickers through chats → Smiley → +.
• 🎮 Discord: Use custom emoji servers (e.g.:thonk:).

2. Emoji applications

• 😊 Emoji Kitchen (from Google) – creates a combination smiley.
• 🎨 Bitmoji – personalized avatars instead of standard emojis.
• 🔄 Textra SMS — Supports alternative styles of smiley.

⚠️ Attention: Stickers and custom emojis are only visible to you and those with the same paki. SMS or on other devices, they may appear as text descriptions (e.g., [sticker: surprised face]).

Frequent problems and solutions

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

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔍 Compatibility of your model with the selected method (for example, POCO M3 Does not support Magisk on the MIUI 12.5).
• 📱 Free space in memory (at least 500 MB is required to install themes or modules).
• 🔄 Correctness of executed commands (typo on the way) /system/fonts/ may lead to errors).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions