How to return the old font to Xiaomi: all working methods

After the next MIUI update, many users of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO are faced with an unpleasant surprise: the system automatically changes the font to a new one that seems too bold, inconvenient or simply does not fit into the usual interface. This is especially true for owners of devices on MIUI 13/14, where the company is actively experimenting with typography. But the good news is that you can roll back the font to the previous version without resetting or reflashing it.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways, from standard MIUI tools to manual methods using ADB and third-party applications, how to return the original Mi Sans font (or other system font) even if it’s not on the list of available options, and how to avoid typical errors that lead to interface failures. All instructions are tested on models from 2022-2026 and are compatible with the latest firmware versions.

Why Xiaomi is changing the font without demand?

Changing the font after the update is not an accident, but part of Xiaomi’s strategy to unify the design. The company regularly updates the system fonts as part of its visual rebranding policy, with several goals in mind:

• 🎨 Modern look: new fonts (e.g. Mi Sans 3.0) are designed to accommodate flat design trends and better readability on high-resolution screens.
• 🌍 Localization: For some regions (e.g. India or Europe) fonts with improved support for local characters are selected.
• 📱 Optimization for new screens: fonts adapt to the new AMOLED-displays or high refresh rates (e.g. 120 Hz).
• 🔒 Security: Newer versions of fonts fix vulnerabilities associated with text rendering (e.g. bugs with special characters).

However, not all users like these changes, with the main complaints:

• 👓 Deterioration of readability: too bold or narrow font tires the eyes.
• 📏 Scale mismatch: New font can visually "eat" space in menus or messengers.
• 🎭 Disruption of the usual appearance: the interface seems strange, especially if you have used the device for years.

⚠️ Note: If the font becomes blurry or pixelated after the update, the problem may not be in the font itself, but in the rendering failure. Try restarting the device or resetting the screen settings in Settings → Display. → Additionally. → Resetting screen settings.

Method 1: Return the font through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which is suitable if:

• 📱 Your device is working on MIUI 12–14 (including HyperOS).
• 🔄 Previous font saved in the system (usually after a recent update).
• ⚙️ You have access to the theme menu (no locks from employer or parental controls).

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings → Display.
2. Select the font style (in some versions - Text and font).
3. Scroll down the list and click Download fonts (if the option is available).
4. In Systems, look for the old font version (e.g. Mi Sans 2.0 or Mi Lui).
5. Click on it and confirm the application.

If the previous font is not in the list, try resetting the theme settings:

1. Go to Settings → Themes.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset to a standard theme.
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5 Or Redmi Note 12) when you change the font, you can get lost in text scaling. To fix this, go to Settings. → Special facilities → Font size and return the slider to the standard position.

Method 2: Install custom font through APK

If the system fonts do not suit you, you can install any TTF/OTF-You'll need a hand typeface:

• 📱 Device with unlocked boot loader (not necessarily root).
• 🔧 Application for installing fonts (for example, iFont or FontFix).
• 📁 Font file in.ttf or.otf format (you can download from sites like DaFont or Google Fonts).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the iFont app from Google Play.
2. Download your favorite font (such as Roboto or Open Sans) and save it to your device memory.
3. Open iFont, click Local and select the downloaded file.
4. Press Set and confirm the replacement. The app will prompt you to restart the device.
5. After the reboot, the font will be applied to the entire interface.

If the font is not used:

• 🔄 Try re-installation after clearing the iFont app cache.
• 📌 Make sure the font file is not corrupted (open it to PC via Font Viewer).
• 🛠️ Some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro) require additional permission via the app. ADB (see method 4).

💡

Before installing custom font, check it for compatibility with Cyrillic alphabet – some Western fonts do not support Russian characters or display them curved.

Method 3: Resetting through theme reset (without data loss)

If a new font appears after installing a custom theme, it can be returned by resetting the design settings. This method does not affect user data (photos, messages, applications), but resets:

• 🎨 Desktop wallpaper and lock.
• 🔊 Notification sounds and signals.
• 📱 Icons and menu style.

How to reset the topic:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the My Subjects section.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset to a standard theme.
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

If the dumping didn't help:

• 🔍 Check if the theme is installed from a third-party developer (they can override fonts).
• 📦 Remove all downloaded themes manually: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 🔄 Update theme app to the latest version on Google Play.

Method 4: Manually modifying font through ADB (for advanced)

If standard methods don't work, you can manually replace the font via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that works for non-root devices but requires a PC connection.

• 🔧 Complete control over system fonts.
• 📁 The ability to install a font that is not in MIUI.
• 🔄 Reversibility (the original can be returned).

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📁.ttf font file, renamed MiSans-Regular.ttf (to replace the main font).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm access for debugging.
2. Open the command line (cmd) in the adb folder and do:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed).

1. Download the original font for backup:

adb pull /system/fonts/MiSans-Regular.ttf C:\backup\

1. Replace the font with your version:

adb push C:\your_font\MiSans-Regular.ttf /sdcard/


adb shell




su




mount -o rw,remount /system




cp /sdcard/MiSans-Regular.ttf /system/fonts/




chmod 644 /system/fonts/MiSans-Regular.ttf




reboot

If the font has not changed after the reboot:

• 🔍 Check the file name – it must match the original file name (MiSans-Regular.ttf, MiSans-Bold.ttf, etc.).
• 📌 Make sure the font supports all characters (including emojis and hieroglyphs if you need them).
• 🛠️ For MIUI 14 may require additional command:

adb shell cmd overlay enable-exclusive com.android.theme.font.misans

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly replacing system fonts can lead to bootloop ( looped reboot).If the device does not turn on after the reboot command, try booting into Fastboot and returning the original font via the command: fastboot flash system system.img (You need a firmware for your model).

💡

ADB-This is the most reliable way to get the old typeface back, but it takes care. Always back up the original typeface before you replace it!

Method 5: Firmware rollback (extreme case)

If the font changed after a major MIUI update (for example, from 13 to 14) and no other methods help, then the option of a firmware rollback remains.

• 🔄 Delete all data from the device (if you do not make a backup).
• 📱 This may lead to security issues (outdated versions) MIUI don't get patches).
• 🔒 On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) Pushback blocked by Anti-Rollback policy.

How to roll back firmware:

1. Download the desired version of MIUI for your model from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root folder of the device.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
5. Please specify the path to update.zip and confirm the installation.

If the rollback is blocked:

• 🔧 Use Fastboot Mode and Mi Flash Tool.
• 📌 Find firmware marked Anti-Rollback Bypass (for example, on the forum) XDA Developers).
• 🛠️ Devices with a locked bootloader will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool (can take up to 72 hours).

💡

Before rolling back the firmware, check if your model supports a double slot (A/B). If yes, you can install the old version in the second slot without losing data: fastboot. --set-active=other_slot

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to return an old font, users often face typical problems. Here's how to solve them:

• 🔍 Font does not change after installation:
• 📵 Hieroglyphs instead of text:
• 🔄 After rebooting, the font is reset:
• 🚫 ADB Error: Read-only file system":

If none of the methods worked:

• 📌 Check if the device has a font change app from a third-party vendor (such as Fontster or HiFont) that may conflict with system settings.
• 🔍 Make sure your model supports changing fonts. On some enterprise devices (e.g. Xiaomi Enterprise), this feature is disabled.
• 📡 Update. MIUI until the latest version - sometimes font bugs are corrected in patches.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions