Face Moji Keyboard on Xiaomi: what is it and how to use it

If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or a smartphone POCO on MIUI 12/13/14, You may have noticed a mysterious Face Moji Keyboard item on your keyboard list, which often raises questions about what it does, how it turns on, and why it sometimes disappears from the menu. Unlike standard emojis or stickers, Face Moji Keyboard uses neural networks to create animated ones. 3D-avatars based on your face, which can be sent directly in messengers.

In this article, we’ll go into detail about what Face Moji is on Xiaomi, how to activate it (including hidden settings), what devices support the technology, and why it may not work even on compatible models. You will also learn how to create your own unique avatar, customize its appearance and use it in WhatsApp, Telegram or other applications. SMS.

What is the Face Moji Keyboard for Xiaomi and why is it necessary?

Face Moji Keyboard is a proprietary development of Xiaomi, integrated into the firmware MIUI Unlike static emojis, this feature allows for the:

• 👤 Create personalized 3D-Avatar (moji) that replicates your facial features and facial expressions in real time.
• 💬 Send animations with an avatar instead of text in instant messengers (supported WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger and standard ones) SMS).
• 🎭 Change the style of the avatar - from realistic to cartoon, with different hairstyles, accessories and even fantasy elements (horns, ears of an elf, etc.).
• 🔄 Synchronize facial expressions: Avatar repeats your smiles, blinks and head movements through the front camera.

It is essentially an analogue of Apple Memoji or Samsung. AR Emoji, but with unique features from Xiaomi. For example, Face Moji has voices for avatars (you can write your own phrase), as well as integration with the user interface. MIUI-Services like Mi Video Call or Xiaomi Community.

The main difference from the competition is that Xiaomi does not require a separate application, everything is built into the Mi Keyboard system keyboard, but this creates problems: if you use Gboard or SwiftKey, access to Face Moji will be limited.

What Xiaomi smartphones support Face Moji Keyboard

The Face Moji Keyboard feature is not available on all Xiaomi devices.

Important: Even if your smartphone falls under the requirements, the feature may be disabled in some regions (e.g., European firmware). MIUI It's often removed because of GDPR). Face Moji also doesn’t work on custom firmware devices like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.

If you’re not sure if your device supports Face Moji, check this out:

1. Open Settings → System → Language and input → Current keyboard.
2. Press Keyboard Control.
3. Scroll down the list – if there is a Face Moji Keyboard, your smartphone is compatible.

How to Enable and Configure Face Moji Keyboard

If the feature is available on your device, it is easy to activate it:

Open Settings → System system → Language and input|Select the Current Keyboard → Keyboard management|Activate the switch next to the Face Moji Keyboard|Return to the keyboard menu and select Face Moji-->

After activation:

1. Open any application to type text (such as WhatsApp).
2. Tap the emoji icon on the keyboard (usually in the lower left corner).
3. Select the Face Moji tab (the icon with a smiling face in the face). 3D-style).
4. Click Create an Avatar and follow the instructions on the screen.

At the first start, the system will offer:

• 📸 Scan your face (you need to look at the camera and turn your head).
• 🎨 Customize appearance: skin color, hairstyle, makeup, clothes.
• 🗣️ Record the voice (optional) for the voice of the avatar.

Tip: If the face scan failed (for example, due to poor lighting), repeat the process in a well-lit room, and make sure that your face is not wearing glasses or headgear, which may interfere with recognition.

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If Face Moji doesn’t appear in the keyboard list, try updating. MIUI until the latest version or reset the keyboard settings in the Settings menu → Annexes → Application management → Mi Keyboard → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Why Face Moji Keyboard May Not Work and How to Fix It

Even on supported devices, users are facing problems, and here are the most common reasons and solutions:

Critical error: If you create an avatar with a message that says "Face data error," it means that the neural network has failed to recognize your face.

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and repeat the scan.
• 📱 Clear the Mi Keyboard app cache.
• 🌍 Change region in your device settings to India or China (sometimes helps).

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If none of these methods worked, check if the feature is disabled at the firmware level. MIUI (Face Moji removed due to legal restrictions.

Another common problem is that the avatar looks different, because Xiaomi's algorithm simplifies facial features for animation, to improve the similarity:

1. After scanning manually adjust the shape of the nose, lips and eyebrows in the editor.
2. Add characteristic accessories (glasses, hat) that identify you.
3. Use a photorealistic style instead of cartoon style (available in the avatar settings).

How to use Face Moji in messengers and social networks

Face Moji can be sent in almost any app, but there are nuances:

• 💬 WhatsApp: Only static stickers are supported (animation is lost).
• 📱 Telegram: full support for animation, if sent as a video or GIF.
• 👥 Facebook Messenger: It only works in chat rooms, not stories.
• 📧 SMS: avatar is sent as GIF, It may not be on old phones.

To send Face Moji:

1. Open the chat in the messenger.
2. Activate the Face Moji keyboard (the icon with the 3D-face-to-face).
3. Choose a ready-made animation or record a new one (click Record and talk/move in front of the camera).
4. Click Send - the avatar will remain as GIF video.

Lifehack: If you want to save the animation to the gallery, send it to yourself in Telegram Saved Messages, then download the file. MP4 or GIF with an avatar that can be used anywhere (e.g. Instagram Stories).

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In some versions MIUI There's a hidden feature called Face Moji Live Wallpaper. To enable it, create an avatar, then go to Settings. → Wallpaper. → Live wallpaper and choose your moji.

Hidden chips and little-known features of Face Moji

Most users use Face Moji only to send stickers, but the feature has a lot more to do with it:

• 🎥 Video calls with avatar: in Mi Video Call you can replace your face with moji in real time (works only between Xiaomi devices).
• 🎮 Game mode: some games (for example, MIUI Game Turbo allows you to use an avatar as a character.
• 🔊 Voice commands: If you recorded the voice for the avatar, it can be used to voice notifications (included in Settings) → Sound. → Voice of the avatar).
• 🤖 AR-Masks: Xiaomi camera has effects with your moji (for example, you can “put it on” your face).

Another interesting feature is group mojis, and if your friends have Xiaomi with Face Moji, you can create a collaborative avatar (for example, for a couple or a family).

1. Open Face Moji in the keyboard.
2. Click on the + icon in the upper right corner.
3. Choose Create a Group Moji.
4. Scan the faces of all participants (maximum 4 people).

Limitation: Group mojis only work in Mi Messages and Xiaomi Community. In other messengers, they are sent as static images.

Security and privacy: What Xiaomi knows about your Face Moji

Many users worry that Xiaomi may use facial scan data for other purposes.

• 🔒 3D-The face model is stored only on the device and is not sent to Xiaomi servers.
• 📱 Avatar animations are generated locally (no cloud computing).
• 🌐 Exception: if you use a cloud backup MIUI, Moji models can sync with Xiaomi account (disables in backup settings).

But there are nuances:

⚠️ Note: In the Chinese version MIUI Face scan data can be transmitted to Xiaomi servers to “improve algorithms.” If critical, use global firmware or drop the feature.

To completely delete your Face Moji data:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Mi Keyboard → Warehouse.
2. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
3. Remove all saved avatars from the Face Moji menu → My moji → Delete.

If you want to disable data collection to improve the function:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Application permissions.
2. Find the Mi Keyboard and disable access to the Camera and Microphone.
3. In the Face Moji menu, opt out of the Improvement Program (if you request it).

Face Moji Keyboard Alternatives for Xiaomi

If your device doesn’t support Face Moji or you don’t like the feature, there are alternatives:

Advantages of alternatives:

• 🌍 Bitmoji works on any device and syncs with Gboard.
• 🎮 Zepeto allows you to create a full-fledged 3D-play-models.
• 🍎 Apple Memoji (via emulators like iEMU) gives access to iPhone-style avatars.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Most alternatives are not synchronized with the system keyboard (you have to switch between applications).
• ⚠️ The quality of animation in third-party applications is often worse than in the native solution from Xiaomi.

If you still want to use Face Moji, but it doesn’t work, try installing Chinese firmware. MIUI (It's usually available even on unofficially supported devices.

FAQ: Frequent Questions About Face Moji Keyboard