Smiley as on the iPhone on Xiaomi: how to install Apple emoji on the smartphone Xiaomi

Are you used to stylish emojis on your iPhone and want the same on your Xiaomi? Is it real! Apple emojis look more detailed, with soft shadows and a unique design that many users consider to be the reference. But by default Xiaomi uses Google's standard emojis or its own variants - they are brighter but less "premium."

In this article, we’ll look at three working ways to replace smileys on your Redmi, POCO or Mi with iPhone ones: from a simple app to manually changing fonts (for advanced ones). You’ll also learn which Xiaomi models support this feature without root rights, and where you will need to unlock the bootloader. Importantly, some methods can affect the stability of the system – we will warn you about the risks in advance.

Before you start, check the version of MIUI on your device. Current firmware (starting with MIUI 14) is better compatible with alternative fonts. If you have an older version, update first through Settings → About Phone → System Update.

Why are iPhone and Xiaomi emojis different?

Emoji design is part of the company's corporate identity. Apple has been developing its emojis since 2008, and they have become the hallmark of iOS.

• 🎨 3D-effect - thanks to gradients and shadows, faces and objects look voluminous.
• 🖌️ Minimalism – less detail, but more smooth shapes (e.g., emojis don’t have sharp corners).
• 🔍 Unique details - for example, in emojis 👍 Your finger is bent at a different angle than Google’s.

Xiaomi (like most Android devices) has emojis based on the open Unicode standard, but with Google’s refinements, which are brighter, with richer colors and simplified shapes.

Important: the design of emojis is copyrighted by Apple, so it is impossible to “officially” replace them with Android – only through informal methods.

Method 1: Applications for emoji replacement (without root)

The easiest way is to use third-party apps from Google Play. They do not change the system fonts, but instead replace the display of emoji in instant messengers. Minus: they do not work in all applications (for example, on WhatsApp or Telegram, emojis can remain standard).

The best applications for this task:

• 📱 Emoji Changer – Supports iOS Emoji 16/17, I have a preview. MIUI 12-14 lagless.
• 🎭 iFont (Ex Font Installer) – allows custom fonts, including iPhone emoji packages, to be installed from unknown sources.
• ⚙️ ZFont 3 – has an Apple emoji library built in, but may conflict with some Xiaomi shells.

Installation instructions via Emoji Changer:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and select the iOS 17 Emoji package.
3. Click Apply and confirm permissions.
4. Restart your phone – the emojis will change in supported apps.

Make a backup chat in messengers

Check the space available (need ~50 MB)

Disable battery optimization for the application

Restart the phone after installation-->

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. ZFont) may request permission to access the Android Accessibility Service.Do not provide it unnecessarily - this is a potential security vulnerability.

Method 2: Manual font modification (requires unlocking the bootloader)

To completely replace emojis at the system level, you will need:

1. Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi (the procedure erases all data!).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
3. Swipe a modified font with an Apple emoji.

This method works on all Xiaomi models, but it is risky: if you make a mistake, the phone may stop loading.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool (you need a Xiaomi account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install TWRP for your model (see instructions on 4PDA or XDA Developers).
3. Download the archive with font iOS_Emoji_Font.zip (like, from here: XDA).
4. Reboot to TWRP, select Install and file.
5. Clear the cache (Wipe) → Dalvik/ART Cache and reboot.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (such as Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13) may break the Cyrillic display in some apps after replacing the fonts!

Method 3: Using Magisk modules (for root devices)

If your Xiaomi already has root rights (via Magisk), the safest way is to install a dedicated module.

• 🔄 It’s easy to fall back on standard emojis.
• 🛡️ Does not break system fonts (module works as an overlay").
• 📱 Compatible with most models on MIUI 13/14.

Instructions:

1. Install Magisk Manager and check root status.
2. Download the iOS Emoji Magisk Module (for example, here).
3. In Magisk, select Modules → Install from storage and add the downloaded file.
4. Reboot the phone.

Once installed, the emoji will change in all applications, including system ones. To return standard emojis, simply uninstall the module in Magisk.

App without root| Manual firmware fonts |Magisk-module |I won't risk-->

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

For most users, the Magisk module is the best choice, and it provides a complete replacement of the emoji without the risk of damaging the system if done correctly, and it is suitable for those who do not want to mess with root, but are willing to put up with limited compatibility.

💡

Hand-held firmware is the riskiest method, and only use it if you are confident in your skills or ready for a possible phone repair.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you replace your emoji with Xiaomi, users are faced with common mistakes.

Problem 1: After installing the app, the emojis didn’t change on WhatsApp or Viber.

• 🔹 Check if the app supports your messenger (the list is usually in the description).
• 🔹 Clear the messenger cache in Settings → Annexes.
• 🔹 Try another app (e.g. iFont instead of Emoji Changer).

Problem 2: After the firmware of fonts, Russian letters or hieroglyphs disappeared.

• 🔹 Install an additional font with Cyrillic support (e.g. NotoSansCJK).
• 🔹 Scroll the original font back through TWRP.
• 🔹 Check if the module is in conflict with other system modifications.

Problem 3: The phone stopped loading after the fonts were replaced.

• 🔹 Load to Fastboot (clip the power supply) + Volume down) and run the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔹 If there's a backup in TWRP — restore it.
• 🔹 Contact the service if you are not sure of your actions.

💡

Before any typeface manipulation, make a full backup via TWRP or Mi Cloud. This will save your data if something goes wrong.

Compatible with Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are equally well supported by replacement emojis, here is the compatibility table for popular models:

For new models (such as the Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13), the data may vary. Before experimenting, check reviews on thematic forums, such as 4PDA or XDA.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions