Smartphone users Xiaomi i Redmi often face the fact that their device does not display new emoticons that are already available on other gadgets. This is due to the fact that the shell MIUI or new HyperOS has its own visual style and set of icons, which is not updated as often as the standard one. Older versions of the system may show empty squares or outdated images instead of the fresh emoji added in the latest versions Android. Older versions of the system may show empty squares or outdated images instead of the latest emoji added in the latest versions Unicode.
The process of updating these graphic elements is not always as simple as pressing one button. Depending on the version Androidon which your firmware is based, and the availability root access, the methods may differ radically. Some methods only require changing the keyboard application, while others involve interfering with system files, which carries certain risks for the stability of the phone.
In this article we will examine in detail all the available options: from the safest methods using third-party applications to advanced methods of replacing system fonts. You will understand why your Redmi Note 11 or Xiaomi 13 does not see new characters and how to fix it without losing warranty or data.
Why there are no new emoticons on Redmi
The main reason for the lack of new emojis lies in the operating system update architecture. Smartphones Xiaomi use custom firmware, where the font Noto Color Emoji is replaced with its own set of icons, developed by the company's designers. This set is updated only with major updates MIUI or transition to a new version Android.
If your phone is based on Android 11 or Android 12, it physically cannot display the characters that appeared in the standard Unicode 14.0 or 15.0, since the system does not have a graphical description of them. Even if the other person sends you a new emoticon, you will only see an empty square or a question mark.
In addition, manufacturers often save resources and do not include support for the latest versions of emoji in mid-range and budget segment devices immediately after release. This means that owners of series models can wait longer to update the icon set than users of flagship series. "broken" icons or unstable interface operation. Always make a backup copy of your data before experiments. Redmi Note may wait longer for icon set updates than flagship users Xiaomi Mi or Xiaomi 13/14 series.
⚠️ Attention: An attempt to force install a system font from a newer version of Android onto an older firmware may result in broken icons or unstable interface operation. Always back up your data before experimenting.
The easiest way: changing the keyboard
The safest and fastest method to see new emoticons is to install a third-party keyboard, which has its own built-in set of emoji. In this case, the system does not use its own fonts for display, but substitutes graphics directly from the text input application.
The leader in this area is the keyboard Gboard from Google. It is regularly updated via Play Market and automatically receives support for new symbols Unicode immediately after they are approved by the consortium. You don't need to have root access or unlock the bootloader.
Simply download the application from the store, set it as the default input method and enjoy the current set. This solution is ideal for those who do not want to risk system stability for the sake of beautiful icons.
- 🟢 Install Gboard from the Google Play Store.
- 🟢 Go to your phone settings and select
Advanced settings → Language and input. - 🟢 Activate the keyboard and select it when typing.
An alternative is the keyboard Microsoft SwiftKey, which is also famous for its emoji library and predictive input function. However, it is worth remembering that when using a third-party keyboard, the new emoticons will only be visible to you while you are typing.
When you send a message to the recipient, he will see the emoticon that is supported by him the device. If your friend has an older iPhone or an older Android phone, they may still see a square instead of your new emoji, regardless of your keyboard.
To quickly switch between languages and emoji in Gboard, use the space bar to change layouts, and the smiley face icon is usually located to the left of the space bar or on the bottom row of keys.
Updating the system font without root access
For users who want new emoji to be displayed in all applications of the system (in messages, browser, social networks), and not just in the keyboard, there is a method for replacing the system font. On devices Xiaomi this can be done through the built-in application Themes.
Third-party packages of icons and fonts sometimes appear in the theme store, which contain an updated set Noto Color Emoji. You need to go to the application Themes → Profile → Fonts and look for options marked "Emoji" or "Color Emoji".
However, this method has limitations. Often such fonts only change the display style, but do not add technical support for new character codes. If the system does not have a code for a new emoticon, even the most beautiful font will not help display it.
⚠️ Attention: The Themes application interface may differ in different regions. In global versions of MIUI, the choice of fonts may be limited, and in Chinese versions it may be expanded.
If the built-in store does not offer the necessary options, you can try downloading the font file .mtz from reliable sources and install it manually through the theme engineering menu, but this requires some skill. An incorrectly selected font can result in hieroglyphs being displayed instead of letters.
How to install the font manually?
Download the font file with the .mtz extension. Rename it by adding the name of your regional theme at the end (for example, com.android.thememanager.default.mtz). Go to the Themes app, go to your profile and click on the file to apply it. This method does not work on all versions of MIUI.
Using Magisk to completely replace emoji
The most effective, but also the most difficult way is to use modules for Magisk. This method requires an unlocked bootloader and installed root access. It allows you to replace the system file NotoColorEmoji.ttf with the current version directly from the system kernel.
After obtaining superuser rights, you need to download a special module, for example Emoji Switcher or ready-made font packages for Magisk. These modules automatically replace the system library every time the device boots.
The installation process is as follows:
- Open the application Magisk Manager.
- Go to the section
Modulesand click the install button. - Select the downloaded zip archive with the emoji module.
- Restart your device to apply the changes.
The advantage of this method is that the new emoji will work natively throughout the system, including third-party applications that do not use their own fonts. You will get an experience identical to the device with the latest version Android.
☑️ Preparing for installation via Magisk
However, it is worth considering that unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi officially possible only after waiting for 7 days (168 hours) from the moment the account is linked. In addition, this procedure will completely void the warranty on the device.
⚠️ Attention: When installing modules through Magisk, always check their compatibility with your version of Android. The module for Android 13 may not work correctly on Android 12, causing a cyclic reboot (bootloop).
Using Magisk is the only way to get real system emoji of the latest version on an old Android, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and removing the warranty.
Manually replacing the file through the file manager
For advanced users who don't want to use Magisk, there is a way to manually replace the font file. To do this, you will need a file manager with access to the system partition, for example MT Manager or Root Explorer.
You need to find the file NotoColorEmoji.ttf in the directory /system/fonts/ or /system/font/. Then you need to download the current version of this file (for example, from a device running Android 14) and replace the old file with it, after saving the original.
/system/fonts/NotoColorEmoji.ttf
/system/font/NotoColorEmoji-Regular.ttf
After replacing, be sure to set the correct permissions for the new file. Usually this is rw-r--r-- (644). If the permissions are set incorrectly, the system will not be able to read the font and may not boot.
This method is extremely risky. A single byte error or incorrect access rights can cause the phone to stop turning on. Use this method only if you are confident in your actions and have a computer at hand for recovery via Fastboot.
Comparison of update methods
To make it easier for you to choose the appropriate option, we have compiled a summary table comparing the main methods in terms of complexity, security and efficiency.
| Method | root access is required | Risk to the system | Where new emoji are visible | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Changing the keyboard (Gboard) | No | None | Only when entering text | Low |
| Themes application | No | Minimal | Partially (depending on the font) | Low |
| Magisk Modules | Yes | Medium | Everywhere (system) | High |
| Manual file replacement | Yes | High | Everywhere (system) | Very high |
As can be seen from the table, for most ordinary users the optimal solution remains installation Gboard. This gives access to new symbols without the risk of turning your smartphone into a “brick.”
Methods with root access should be considered only by enthusiasts for whom it is critical that new emoticons are displayed correctly when viewing other people's messages in instant messengers that do not support their own icon sets.
What to do if the phone is gone in_bootloop_after replacing the font?
If after manually replacing or installing the module the phone does not boot, you need to enter Recovery mode. In TWRP, you can remove the problematic module or restore the font file from a backup. If there is no Recovery, you will have to flash the device via Fastboot on the computer, which will delete all data.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will emoji be updated after updating MIUI to a new version?
Yes, with a major shell update (for example, from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14 or HyperOS), which also upgrades the version of Android, the emoji set is usually updated to the current standard. However, in small security patches, new emoticons are rarely added.
Why are new emoji visible in WhatsApp, but not in SMS?
Messengers like WhatsApp i Telegram use their own sets of icons built into the application, and do not depend on the phone's system font. Standard SMS apps rely solely on the system file NotoColorEmoji.ttf.
Is it possible to update emoji on Redmi without a computer?
Yes, if you use the method of changing the keyboard on Gboard or installing the Magisk module (if you are already rooted). Manual replacement of system files is also possible from the phone if you have superuser rights and a file manager, but this is risky.
Does replacing emoji affect the operation of banking applications?
Replacing the font itself does not affect the operation of banking applications. However, if this required unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root access, then banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.) may refuse to work due to security violations until you hide the root via Magisk Hide or Zygisk.
Where to download the current NotoColorEmoji.ttf file?
Official files fonts can be found in the Google Fonts project repositories on GitHub or extracted from factory images for Pixel devices running the latest version of Android. Downloading files from random forums may be unsafe.