Apple emojis have long been the standard of quality among emojis β their bright colors, detail and unique style attract users around the world. Owners of Xiaomi Android smartphones often wonder whether it is legal or semi-legal to transfer these icons to your device? The answer is yes, but with reservations. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to install iOS emojis on Redmi, POCO or Mi, from the simplest (via apps) to radical (flashing the system).
Itβs important to understand that replacing system emojis is an interference with Android that can cause messaging or even loss of warranty. Weβll detail the risks of each method so you can choose the best option. And weβll also explain why some methods (such as root rights) on new Xiaomi models with MIUI 14/15 work differently than on old ones.
1. Method without root rights: keyboard replacement applications
The safest and fastest method is to use iOS-enabled keyboards, which don't change system fonts, but simply replace emojis when typing, and is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 11.
The best applications for this task:
- π± Kika Keyboard - has an embedded emoji pack from Apple, supports themes and gestures.
- π¨ Emoji Keyboard allows you to choose between iOS, Samsung and Google styles.
- π Gboard with custom stickers β the official keyboard from Google, where you can download iOS stickers through third-party services (for example, Emoji Kitchen).
How to set up:
- Download the selected keyboard from Google Play.
- Go to Settings β System β Language and input β Virtual keyboard.
- Activate the new keyboard and set it by default.
- In the keyboard settings, find the βEmojiβ or βThemesβ section and select the iOS style.
β οΈ Note: In some instant messengers (such as Telegram or Viber), smileys will only be displayed correctly on you.
2. Install iOS fonts via Magisk (root required)
If you're ready for a deeper system modification, you can replace Android system fonts with those from iOS. This method requires unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk (analogous to root rights). Suitable for devices on MIUI 12-15, but MIUI 16+ may have display problems in some applications.
Step-by-step:
- Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi through the official Mi Unlock tool (you need a Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
- Install custom Recovery TWRP For your model (for example, for Redmi Note) 10 Pro use the version twrp-3.7.0_12-vayu-mauronofrio).
- Sweep Magisk through TWRP (download the latest version from GitHub).
- Download the iOS Emoji Font module for Magisk (for example, iOS16.4_Emoji_Font.zip) Install it through the module manager.
- Reset the device.
Once installed, the emojis will change across all apps, including WhatsApp, Instagram and system notifications.
- π΄ Some applications (such as banking) can block work on rooted devices.
- π΄ Nana MIUI 14/15 Artifacts may be available in the system menu (e.g. in Settings) β The phone).
- π΄ After updating MIUI module will have to be re-installed.
Loader unlocked|Data backup created|Download the right one TWRP model|Charged. β₯50% battery|Check's off. MIUI integrity-->
3.Use of ADB-Teams (without rue, but at risk)
For users who donβt want to get root rights but are ready to experiment, there is a way through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) that allows you to replace fonts without completely flashing, but requires care β an error can lead to a βbootloopβ ( looped download).
What you need:
- π₯οΈ Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot.
- π± Included debugging by USB on Xiaomi (Settings) β The phone. β Version. MIUI β 7 times to tap, then additionally β For developers β Debugging by USB).
- π Archive with iOS fonts in.ttf format (for example, AppleColorEmoji.ttf).
Instructions:
adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
cp /sdcard/Download/AppleColorEmoji.ttf /system/fonts/
chmod 644 /system/fonts/AppleColorEmoji.ttf
rebootβ οΈ Attention: MIUI 14+ The system can automatically restore standard fonts after rebooting. To avoid this, execute the command adb shell settings put global before copying. miui_optimization_disabled 1 (shuts down MIUI).
If the smartphone does not turn on after the restart, try to go to Fastboot and perform:
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
fastboot reboot4. Custom firmware with iOS smileys
For advanced users who want not only smileys but other iOS chips, there are custom firmware like iOS Launcher or MIUI with patches. For example, MIUI iOS firmware from the XDA Developers community offers:
- π Complete replacement of emoji on iOS-style.
- π± Animations and transitions like on the iPhone.
- π Optimized energy consumption (compared to standard energy consumption) MIUI).
How to determine:
- Download the firmware for your model (for example, for POCO F3 fit MIUI_iOS_v12_alioth.zip).
- Reboot to TWRP and back up the current system.
- Select the firmware via Install β Select ZIP.
- Clear the cache (Wipe) β Dalvik/ART Cache).
- Reset the device.
Cons of this method:
- π¨ Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
- π There may be bugs in the camera or sensors (especially on new Xiaomi models).
- π Increased battery consumption due to unoptimized animations.
What if the sensor doesnβt work after the firmware?
5. Alternative method: stickers in Telegram and WhatsApp
If you only need iOS emojis to communicate in instant messengers, you can do without complex modifications. Telegram and WhatsApp have a feature to download custom stickers that are visually indistinguishable from emojis.
How do I add:
- π In Telegram: Open any chat and tap on the sticker icon. Select "Add stickers." Search for "iOS Emoji Pack" and install any pack you like.
- Download. APK-sticker file (e.g, iOS_Emoji_Stickers.apk) from Sticker.ly.
- Install the file and add stickers to WhatsApp via the emoji menu.
β οΈ Attention: B VK Telegram stickers and Instagram stickers will not show up, these platforms block third-party graphics packages, and for them you will have to use other methods (for example, the Kika keyboard).
6. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?
To make the choice easier, we have compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:
| Method | Difficulty | Risks. | It works on all applications. | Demands a root |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Substitute keyboard | β (simple) | No. | β (only when inserted) | β |
| Magisk + fonts | βββ (middle-of-the-road) | Bootloop, blocking banking applications | β | β |
| ADB-team | ββββ (difficult) | High (brick possible) | β | β |
| Custom firmware | βββββ (difficult) | Loss of warranty, bugs | β | β |
| Stickers in messengers | β (simple) | No. | β (chat-only) | β |
On Xiaomi devices with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 or Redmi K60 Pro), the Magisk method may not work due to the locking of the /system partition at the kernel level, in which case the only reliable option is a custom firmware or keyboard.
π‘
For most users, the best choice is a Kika keyboard or an Emoji Keyboard, which delivers 90% of the visual effect without risk to the system.