iPhone emojis have long been a benchmark for many users — their design is concise, the animation is smooth, and the set is regularly updated. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones often wonder whether it is possible to transfer these emojis to MIUI without losing functionality? The answer is yes, but with nuance.
In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to install emojis like iPhones on Xiaomi devices, including methods without superuser rights (root) and with them. You’ll learn which apps really work on MIUI 14/15, how to avoid installation errors, and how iOS 17 emojis differ from standard ones on Android. We’ll also analyze the risks of each method and offer alternatives for those who do not want to change the system fonts.
Spoiler: The most reliable way is to use an iOS-emoji keyboard, but it's not going to replace instant messenger emojis. It's going to require rooting or custom firmware to replace it completely. Ready to get into all the details? Let's go!
Why are iPhone and Xiaomi emojis different?
The difference between the iPhone and Xiaomi emojis is not just in design, but also in technical implementation.
- 🎨 Design and animation: Apple has been developing its emojis since 2008, updating them annually. In iOS 17, emojis have become more voluminous, with smooth transitions and details (for example, emojis, 😊 Xiaomi uses Google emojis (in newer versions) MIUI) Or their own, they are simpler and less detailed.
- 📱 System font: The Emoji in Android is part of the system font Noto Color Emoji or Google Emoji. iPhone uses the font Apple Color Emoji, which can not be easily copied to Xiaomi.
- ⚙️ Support for messengers: Apps like WhatsApp or Telegram can load their emojis without ignoring the system emojis. For example, on Telegram, emojis are displayed the same on all devices unless the option "Use system emojis" is enabled".
Interesting fact: in MIUI 12 and older Xiaomi has started using Google emojis instead of their own, but their appearance is still different from iOS. 😂 iPhone Cries With Tears, Android Just Smiles Big.
Important: a complete replacement of emoji at the system level is possible only with root rights or through custom firmware. Without this, you can change emojis only in individual applications (keyboard, instant messengers).
Method 1: Install the keyboard with an iPhone emoji
The easiest and safest method is to use a keyboard that supports Apple emojis, which won’t replace emojis throughout the system, but will allow you to send them in instant messengers.
The best keyboards for Xiaomi:
- 🔹 Gboard (Google): You can include the style of iOS emojis in the settings (but these are not real emojis from Apple, but imitation of them). MIUI 13/14/15.
- 🔹 SwiftKey: Similar to Gboard, but with better text prediction. emoji here closer to Android, but there are themed packs.
- 🔹 Emoji Keyboard — iOS 17 Emojis (from Google Play): Specialized keyboard with emojis copied from iPhone.
- 🔹 Kika Emoji Keyboard: Supports animated iOS-style emojis, but can brake on weak smartphones (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3).
How to install and configure:
- Download the keyboard from Google Play (e.g. Emoji Keyboard - iOS 17 Emojis).
- Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Current Keyboard.
- Activate the downloaded keyboard and set it by default.
- In the keyboard settings, select the style of the iOS 17 or Apple emoji.
⚠️ Note: Some keyboards (e.g., Emoji Keyboard) may collect typing data. Check permissions in Google Play before installing and disable unnecessary ones in the settings MIUI (Settings → Annexes → Permits).
☑️ Preparation for keyboard installation
Method 2: Replace the system font (Magisk required)
If you're prepared for more radical measures, you can replace the Noto Color Emoji system font with the Apple Color Emoji.
- Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
- Installed by Magisk (to obtain root rights).
- Backup copy of the system (required!).
Step-by-step:
- Download the archive with iOS fonts (for example, iOS_Emoji_Font.zip) from a verified source (e.g, XDA Developers).
- Copy the archive into your phone's memory.
- Open Magisk Manager and go to the Modules section.
- Click Install from storage and select the downloaded archive.
- Reset the device.
After rebooting, the emoji in the system (including SMS, WhatsApp in system emoji mode) should be displayed in the style of iOS.
- 🔄 Some apps (such as Instagram) ignore system emojis and show their own.
- 🛠️ After updating MIUI The module can fly off - you have to reinstall.
- ⚠️ Risk of "brick" (system failure) in case of incorrect installation.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 15 and newer versions of Android 14, this method may not work due to changes in security policy (4PDA, XDA).
What if the emojis have not changed after the font change?
Method 3: Using MIUI Themes
MIUI has a built-in theme feature that allows you to change the look of the system, including emojis. Unfortunately, there are no official themes with emojis from Apple, but there are workarounds.
How to install the theme with an iPhone emoji:
- Open the Themes app on your Xiaomi.
- Go to the section My topics → Online.
- Type in iOS emoji or Apple style.
- Download and use your favorite theme (e.g., "iOS 17 Emoji Pack").
The problem is that these themes usually only change icons and wallpapers, not system emojis. However, some themes (such as "MiuiMix") involve replacing fonts - check the description before installing.
Alternative: Use APK-Theme files from third-party sites (such as MiuiThemes), but beware – they may contain malicious code.
💡
Before installing themes from unverified sources, create a restore point in TWRP (if installed) or back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
Method 4: Apps to replace emoji without root
If you don't want to risk the system, you can use apps that put iOS emojis on top of the standard ones.
| Annex | How it works | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emoji Changer | Substituting emojis in the clipboard | No need for root, simple interface | It only works when you copy. |
| Textra SMS | Replaces emoji in SMS | Support for iOS-style, customization | SMS only, does not work in messengers |
| ZFont 3 | Installs fonts without root (for older versions of Android) | Wide selection of emojis | Not working on MIUI 14/15 |
The most reliable of these is Textra. SMS. It completely replaces the standard. SMS-App and allows you to choose the style of the emoji iOS in the settings. Minus - does not affect WhatsApp or Telegram.
⚠️ Note: Apps like ZFont 3 iFont may not work on new versions MIUI Due to the limitations of Android 13/14. Before installing, check compatibility on the developer’s website.
Method 5: Custom firmware (for advanced)
If you're willing to go to extreme lengths, you can install custom firmware with Apple's emoji, which is only suitable for power users, because it requires:
- Unlocked bootloader.
- Installed TWRP or other custom recaveri.
- Know the basics of working with ADB and fastboot.
Popular firmware with iPhone emoji:
- 📱 Pixel Experience: Includes Google emojis, but they can be replaced with iOS via Magisk.
- 📱 LineageOS + iOS Emoji Module: Requires additional customization.
- 📱 MIUI EU Patched: Some builds include alternative emojis.
The process of installing firmware is beyond the scope of this article, but the overall scheme is as follows:
- Unlock the bootloader via fastboot oem unlock.
- Set up TWRP.
- Make a full backup of the current firmware.
- Sweat the custom firmware and module with emoji.
⚠️ Warning: Installing custom firmware will void Xiaomi's warranty and may result in data loss.On some models (Redmi Note) 12, Xiaomi 13) Unlocking the loader requires waiting. 7-15 days after the account was attached to the Mi.
💡
Custom firmware is the most powerful, but also the riskiest way. If you only want emojis, try the root-free methods first.
Comparison of methods: what to choose?
To make it easier for you to determine, we have compiled a comparative table of all ways:
| Method | Difficulty | Need root? | Replaces emoji everywhere? | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keyboard with iOS emoji | ⭐ (simple) | ❌ No. | ❌ Only on the keyboard. | Minimum |
| Replacement of font through Magisk | ⭐⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (except for some applications) | Medium (brick risk) |
| MIUI themes | ⭐ (simple) | ❌ No. | ❌ Partially. | Minimum |
| Applications without root | ⭐⭐ (easily) | ❌ No. | ❌ Only in individual apps | Low. |
| Custom firmware | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | High (loss of warranty) |
Selection recommendations:
- 🔹 If you need an iPhone emoji only for beauty in instant messengers – use the keyboard (method 1).
- 🔹 If you want to replace emojis throughout the system and are ready for risks, try Magisk (Tack 2).
- 🔹 If you have an old Xiaomi (on Android) 9-11) — Try ZFont (the method) 4).
- 🔹 If you are an experienced user and want full control, consider custom firmware (method 5).
Frequent problems and their solutions
When replacing emoji with Xiaomi, users often face the following problems:
1.Emojis do not change after font installation
Possible causes:
- The module in Magisk is not activated (check in the Modules section).
- The cache of the system is not cleared (try Settings → Applications → All Apps → [Title] → Clear the cache).
- Incompatible with MIUI (many modules do not work on MIUI 15).
2.After the font change, the phone stopped turning on
This means that the module was installed incorrectly.
- Download to TWRP (hold Power + Volume Up when enabled).
- Remove the module from /data/adb/modules.
- Reset the device.
3.The WhatsApp emojis haven't changed.
WhatsApp uses its default emoji to make it show system:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Move to the ⋮ → Settings → chat → Emoji style.
- Select System (if the option is available).
⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. the EU), WhatsApp may ignore system emojis due to privacy policies, in which case only replacing the typeface at the system level (method 2 or 5) will help).