Why are iPhone emojis so popular among Xiaomi owners?
Apple's emojis have long been a benchmark for visual style: their vibrant colors, detailed images and versatile readability set them apart from standard Android sets. -- Xiaomi smartphone owners (including the Redmi lineups, POCO And Mi) often encounter that native emojis MIUI They look faded or incorrectly appear in messengers when communicating with iPhone users, such as the popular smiley "tears of laughter" (π) iOS is animated and has a three-dimensional design, while Xiaomi it can look flat.
Aside from aesthetics, there is a practical reason: some emojis (such as new flags, professions or gender-neutral options) appear on iOS earlier than on Android, which creates display problems β instead of the expected smiley, the user sees an empty square (β‘) In this article, we're going to look at three proven installation methods that work on all current versions. MIUI 14/15 (including HyperOS, and how to avoid common errors.
Before we get to the instructions, it is important to understand that replacing smileys is an interference with system files. Even when using secure methods (for example, through apps from Google Play), there are risks of conflicts with updates. MIUI. Therefore, we recommend backing up important data before starting.
Method 1: Installation via iFont (without root)
The easiest and safest method is to use the iFont utility (available on Google Play), which allows you to replace system fonts, including emoji, without having to obtain root rights. The method works on most Xiaomi devices with Android 10 and higher, but there are nuances:
- π± Supported models: Redmi Note 11/12/13, POCO X5/F5, Xiaomi 13/14 etc. (full list on the appendix page).
- βοΈ You need to activate the option to Install unknown sources in the security settings.
- π After replacing the smileys, it may be necessary to restart the device.
- β οΈ Some messengers (e.g. Telegram) ignore system fonts and use their own emojis.
Step-by-step:
- Download and install iFont from Google Play.
- Open the application and go to the Online tab (online directory).
- In the search box, type iOS 16 Emoji or iOS 17 Emoji (depending on the desired version).
- Choose your favorite pack and click Download (download), then Set (install).
- Confirm the font replacement in the system window. If the option is inactive, go to Settings β Screen. β Font and select the downloaded pack manually.
Download iFont from the official store|Activate the installation from unknown sources|Check the vacant space (minimum 50 MB)|Create a recovery point in MIUI (Settings β The phone. β Backup)|Restart the phone after installation-->
Advantages of the method:
- β Doesn't require root rights.
- β It works on most Xiaomi models.
- β You can return your standard emoji at any time.
Disadvantages:
- β In some applications (such as WhatsApp), emojis may not be displayed correctly.
- β After updating MIUI Re-installation may be required.
π‘
If the emojis haven't changed after installing, clear the cache of the Android System WebView app in your phone's settings. This often solves the display problem.
Method 2: Manual copying of fonts (requires) ADB)
This method is suitable for experienced users who are ready to work with the ADB (Android Debug Bridge allows you to replace system font files directly, which ensures that the emoji display correctly in all applications, including WhatsApp and Viber:
- π₯οΈ Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot.
- π Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) β The phone. β Version. MIUI β 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings β Additionally. β For developers β Debugging by USB).
- π Unlocked bootloader (not necessary, but recommended to avoid problems).
Instructions:
- Download the archive with iOS fonts (for example, with XDA Note the version: for Android 12+ Suitable pack NotoColorEmoji.ttf, for older β AppleColorEmoji.ttf.
- Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
- Enter the commands in turn: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/Download/NotoColorEmoji.ttf /system/fonts/ chmod 644 /system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttf reboot
- After the reboot, check the display of smileys in any messenger.
What if the ADB canβt see the device?
| Method | Difficulty | Required. root/ADB | It works on WhatsApp. | Risk of failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iFont | β (simple) | β No. | β οΈ Partially. | β (low-key) |
| ADB (manual replacement) | βββ (middle-of-the-road) | β ADB | β Yes. | ββ (middle-class) |
| Magisk module | ββββ (difficult) | β Root | β Yes. | βββ (high-end) |
β οΈ Note: When replacing fonts manually through ADB There is a risk of damaging system files, leading to "bootloop". Always check the file paths and back up the original fonts with the command: adb pull /system/fonts/ NotoColorEmoji.ttf.bak
Method 3: Installation via Magisk (for stitched devices)
If your Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader and Magisk is installed (to obtain root rights), you can use special modules that automate emoji replacement.This method guarantees 100% compatibility with all apps, including Instagram and Facebook Messenger, where display problems often occur.
Popular modules:
- π iOS Emoji Magisk Module (supports iOS 17.4 versions).
- π¨ Emoji Replacer (allows you to selectively replace individual emojis).
- π Emoji Switcher (fast switching between sets).
Instructions:
- Open Magisk Manager and go to the Modules section.
- Press. + and select the downloaded module file (usually has the.zip extension).
- Confirm the installation and restart the device.
- After downloading, check the emojis in Google Keyboard or any messenger.
Advantages:
- β Complete replacement of emojis in all applications.
- β Possibility of rollback through Magisk.
- β Support for animated emojis (if the module provides for it).
β οΈ Note: Using Magisk may result in a loss of warranty on the device.In addition, some banking applications (such as SberBank Online) may block work on root phones. MIUI forum 4PDA.
π‘
Magisk modules are the most reliable way to completely replace emojis, but are only suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and experience with custom firmware.
Problems and Solutions: Why Haven't Your Smileys Changed?
Even after a successful installation, you may find that emojis are not displayed correctly. Let's consider the typical causes and ways to eliminate them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Smileys haven't changed on WhatsApp | The app uses its fonts | Install WhatsApp Emoji Changer via Magisk or use GBWhatsApp |
| Squares (β‘) smiley | Incompatibility of font versions | Update the font to the latest version or return the standard |
| Emojis are displayed in black and white. | Incorrect access rights to the font file | Follow the command chmod 644 /system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttf through ADB |
If none of the methods worked, check:
- π Android version and MIUI (Some emoji packs do not support Android 13+).
- π Updates for iFont or Magisk.
- π Conflicts with other modules (disable all modules in Magisk and check one at a time).
Advice POCO and Redmi: On some devices (e.g, POCO F4 GT) keyboard MIUI In this case, install an alternative keyboard, such as Gboard, and activate the option to Show iOS-style emoji in its settings.
Comparison of iOS emojis and MIUI: better?
Before you change your smileys, itβs worth understanding which differences youβre not comfortable with. Below is a comparison of the key emojis in the latest versions of iOS 17 and iOS. MIUI 15 (based on Android 14):
| Emoji | iOS 17 | MIUI 15 (Android 14) | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| π (Tears of laughter) | π‘ Animated, voluminous | π’ Static, flat. | Apple added animation in 2021 |
| π (lik) | π‘ Yellow, shadow. | π’ Gray, no shadows. | On iOS, it looks more "live" |
| π (Fireworks) | π‘ Dynamic, sparked. | π’ Static, simplified | The difference is particularly noticeable in Telegram. |
| πΊπ¦ (Flag of Ukraine) | π‘ Maintained from 2022 | π’ Appeared in Android 13 | On the old Xiaomi may not appear |
As you can see from the table, the main differences are in detail and animation. If aesthetics are critical to you, replacing smileys is justified, π For confirmation, the difference may be insignificant.
π‘
To see how the emoji will look on iOS before installing, use an online viewer like Emojipedia to help avoid frustration after being replaced.
Safety and Risks: What to Know Before Replacing Your Smiley
Any interference with Android system files carries potential risks, and even a seemingly harmless process like replacing fonts can lead to:
- π¨ Loss of warranty (if you use root or unlock the bootloader).
- π¨ "Bootloop (locked boot) when an error is made ADB-team.
- π¨ Conflicts with updates MIUI (After the update, the emoji can be reset).
- π¨ Problems with banking applications (due to Magisk or root).
How to minimize the risks:
- Always back up through Settings β The phone. β Backup.
- Use proven sources to download fonts (for example, XDA Developers).
- Before installing modules in Magisk, read reviews from other Xiaomi users.
- If you use ADB, Check commands for syntax errors (for example, through ShellCheck).
β οΈ Note: On devices with HyperOS (new firmware from Xiaomi), some methods of replacing emojis may not work due to the changed structure of system files.