Xiaomi emojis: where they are stored, how to add new ones and solve display problems

Xiaomi smartphone emojis are not just a decoration of correspondence, but a whole tool for expressing emotions, which often raises questions among users: Where are these pictures stored? Why are some emojis not displayed in the recipient? How to install additional sets or return deleted ones? If you have ever encountered such problems, this article is for you.

Unlike the iPhone or “pure” Android, firmware MIUI It's a very specific way of working with emojis, and it's integrated not only into the standard keyboard, but also into branded applications like Mi Messages or Mi Community, and the logic of storing and updating emojis depends on the version. MIUI, We'll go through all the nuances from basic settings to solving rare bugs.

It is important to understand that smileys on Xiaomi are divided into three categories: system (built-in) MIUI), downloadable (from the Theme Store) and third-party (installed through APK). Each of them has its pros and cons, which we'll talk about in more detail. And if you suddenly find that the usual emoji replaced with squares, don't panic: 90% of the time it is solved in 5 minutes.

Where to store emoji on Xiaomi: the way to system files

Systemic emojis in MIUI stored in a protected memory area, but can be found through a file manager with root or ADB. Main ways:

• 📁 /system/font/ — fonts, including NotoColorEmoji.ttf (the main emoji file for Android)
• 📁 /system/media/font/ — alternative location for some versions MIUI
• 📁 /data/font/ — custom fonts installed by the user
• 📁 /vendor/overlay/ — overlay MIUI, which can modify the display of emojis

Without root rights, you won’t be able to edit these files directly, but you can view them through the ADB-For example, to see a list of smiley fonts, do:

adb shell ls /system/font/Emoji

Important: on devices with MIUI 14+ Some of the emojis can be stored as vector images (SVG) It's in com.android.themes, which makes it harder to extract them, but it makes them more scalable on high-resolution screens.

How to add new emojis to Xiaomi: 4 working ways

If you don't have a standard set of emojis, there are several proven ways to expand it, and the options vary in complexity and stability:

1.Across the Theme Store MIUI

The safest method, but with limited choice:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the Font tab.
3. Choose your favorite set of smiles (usually the description says "Emoji").
4. Click Apply and confirm the change.

Disadvantages: Many themes require premium subscriptions (199)₽/month), and free sets often contain advertisements.

2. Install custom font through Magisk

For advanced users with root rights:

• 🔧 Install FontManager or iFont module via Magisk.
• 📥 Download. TTF-emoji file (e.g. Twitter Emoji or Apple Color Emoji).
• 🔄 Restart the device after application.

Xiaomi. 13T Pro and new HyperOS models may not work due to the changed structure of system files.

Make a backup of current fonts

Check the version. MIUI (Some modules do not work on HyperOS)

Download the font in format TTF or OTF

Disable antivirus (can block changes to system files)

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3. Keyboard apps with their emojis

Some keyboards (such as Gboard or SwiftKey) have their own emoji sets, which may differ from the system keyboards, to activate them:

1. Install the keyboard from Google Play.
2. Go to her settings. → Themes and emojis.
3. Choose an alternative style (e.g. Blob Emoji in Gboard).

4. APK smiley

Apps like Emoji Kitchen or ZFont allow you to install new sets without root rights, but:

⚠️ Attention: many APK emojis contain malicious code or show hidden advertising. Before installing, check the reviews and reputation of the developer on the site. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

Through the Theme Store

I've been setting up custom type.

Use it. Gboard/SwiftKey

Downloaded. APK emoji

I haven’t tried anything, I have enough standard ones.

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Why Xiaomi emojis are displayed in squares (□) And how to fix it.

The problem of empty squares instead of emojis is one of the most common on Xiaomi.

• 🔄 Reset fonts after updating MIUI (Especially important for the Redmi Note 11/12).
• 📱 Damage to system files due to incorrect firmware rollback.
• 🌐 Regional restrictions: some emojis hidden in firmware for China.
• 🔧 Magisk module conflict (if you have font modifications installed).

Decisions of the order:

1. Reset fonts to standard: Go to Settings → Additionally. → Fonts. Select the default System font. Reboot the device.
2. Cleaning the cache of the "Themes" application: Open Settings → Annexes → App management. Find themes, click Storage. → Clear the cache.
3. Reinstall Keyboard: Remove updates for Google Keyboard or Xiaomi Keyboard in Settings → Annexes.
4. Manual font recovery (for advanced): Download the original NotoColorEmoji.ttf for your version MIUI s 4PDA and replace it through ADB: adb push NotoColorEmoji.ttf /sdcard/ adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/NotoColorEmoji.ttf /system/font/ chmod 644 /system/font/NotoColorEmoji.ttf reboot

⚠️ Note: on HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14), manual font replacement can result in bootloop.Before experimenting, make a full backup using the Mi Flash Tool.

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If the squares only appear in one app (like Telegram), the problem is not with the system emojis, but with the cache of that app. Clear its data in the settings.

How to transfer emojis from one Xiaomi to another

If you have changed your smartphone and want to keep the usual set of emojis, there are two reliable ways:

1. Through backup of topics

MIUI Allows you to export established themes (including fonts with smileys):

1. Open the Topic app.
2. Go to Profile. → Settings → Backup.
3. Select a theme with emojis and click Export.
4. Transfer the.mtz file to your new phone and import it.

Restriction: only theme downloaded from the official store works.

2. Copying fonts through ADB

For transferring custom emoji:

1. On the old phone, remove the font: adb pull /system/font/NotoColorEmoji.ttf C:\emoji_backup\
2. Connect a new phone and set the font: adb push C:\emoji_backup\NotoColorEmoji.ttf /sdcard/ adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/NotoColorEmoji.ttf /system/font/ chmod 644 /system/font/NotoColorEmoji.ttf reboot

Important: fonts must be compatible with the Android version, for example, emojis from the MIUI 13 (Android 12) may not be displayed correctly on the MIUI 15 (Android 14).

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Before transferring emojis, check if the new device allows access to system files. F5) First, you need to unlock the loader.

Hidden emoji on Xiaomi: how to find and activate

In the firmware MIUI There are emojis that don't appear on the standard keyboard, but are available through special combinations or applications:

• 🎭 Animated emoji: in Mi Messages, with a long press on the emoji, its animated version appears (does not work on all models).
• 🌍 Regional emojis: Some emojis (such as flags or dishes) are hidden in global firmware but are available in Chinese versions MIUI.
• 🔍 Secret combinations: type ##3664## (not working on HyperOS) to open the emoji testing menu.
• 📦 Archival kits: in a folder /system/media/theme/default/ Older versions of emojis can be stored.

To activate hidden emojis:

1. Install the Emoji Switcher app (root required).
2. Select Show Hidden Emoji in the settings.
3. Reset the device.

On Xiaomi 13 Ultra and flagships of 2023-2026, some hidden emojis can be seen through the Mi app. AI, If you request: “Show all available emojis".

How to change the style of smileys on Xiaomi without root

If you don’t like the design of standard emojis MIUI, But you don't want to get root rights, there are a few legal ways to do it:

1. Use alternative keyboards

Keyboards like Gboard or SwiftKey have their own emoji sets that replace the system when you type:

• 📱 Gboard supports Android (Google), Blob, iOS.
• 🎨 SwiftKey: allows you to download custom themes of emojis.
• 🌈 Chroomoji: Specialized keyboard with extended emoji.

2. Apply the topics of MIUI Theme Store

Some themes change not only the wallpaper, but also the style of smiley:

1. Open the Themes → Fonts.
2. Find themes tagged Emoji or Colorful Icons.
3. Use your favorite (for example, iOS Emoji for) MIUI).

3. Web applications for copying emojis

Sites like emojicombos.com or getemoji.com allow you to copy emojis into a clipboard, and then they are pasted as pictures.

💡

Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi blocks the change of system emojis without root at the core levels.This is done to prevent emoji swapping fraud in bank messages.

Frequent problems with emojis on Xiaomi and their solutions

In addition to the "quadratics", Xiaomi users are faced with other bugs emoji.-5 problems and ways of eliminating them:

1.Smileys change color when sent

Reason: Different platforms (Android/iOS) They're different ways of displaying emoji, 🍑 (A peach on iPhone looks like a real fruit, and on Android it looks like an abstract sign.

Solution: Use universal emojis (😊, ❤️) Or send emoji as pictures via Google Messages in mode RCS.

2.Recently added emojis have disappeared

Reason: Resetting the app cache Topics or update MIUI.

Decision:

1. Check in Settings → Annexes → Topics → Warehouse.
2. If the emojis were installed through the theme, use it again.

3.Emojis are not animated

The reason: animation works only in proprietary applications (Mi Messages, Mi Community).

Solution: Use Google Messages with enabled RCS Telegram (some emojis are automatically animated there).

4.The emojis are displayed in black and white.

The reason: damage to the file NotoColorEmoji.ttf or conflict with custom font.

Decision:

adb shell pm clear com.android.themes

Then restart the device.

5. emojis do not work in a particular application

Reason: The app uses its own emoji rendering (like WhatsApp or WhatsApp) VK).

Solution: Clear the cache of the problem app or update it to the latest version.

⚠️ Note: on HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 Pro), some of the problems with emojis are solved only through a full reset.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about smileys on Xiaomi