Emojis Apple have long become the de facto standard for messengers: their design is more concise, their animation is smoother, and their colors the gamma is more universal than that of standard emoji Android. Owners Huawei (especially models P60 Pro, Mate 50 or Nova 11) often face a problem: when exchanging messages with users iPhone their emoticons are displayed in a “simplified” form - without gradients, with different proportions, or even in black and white. This is not just an aesthetic problem: mismatched emoji can distort the meaning of messages (for example, 😬 on iOS looks like a grimace, but on Android it looks like a smile).

In this article we will look into 5 proven methods transfer emoticons iPhone on Huawei, including methods without root access, using third-party keyboards and even manually replacing system fonts. We will pay special attention risks to each approach: from loss of warranty to conflicts with Huawei Mobile Services. We will also compare the results on different versions EMUI (12–14) and tell you why some methods stopped working after security updates Huawei in 2023–2026.

⚠️ Attention: Replacing system fonts with Huawei can lead to malfunctions AppGallery and notification banners. Before experiments, create a backup via Settings → System → Backup.

📊 Why do you need iPhone emoticons on Huawei?
I like their design and animation
I want to unify the display in chats
Friends with iPhones complain about “crooked” emoji
It’s just interesting to try

1. Method without root: third-party keyboards with iOS emoji

The safest and fastest method is to install a keyboard that emulates emoticons Apple. It is suitable for all models Huawei (including Mate X3 i Pura 70) and does not require unlocking the bootloader. Minus: emoji will be displayed correctly only in the input field, and the standard Androidversions will remain in received messages.

Best keyboard options:

  • 🔹 Emoji Keyboard — iOS 16 Style (available in AppGallery): supports animation and dark theme, but requires connection to Google Play for updates.
  • 🔹 Kika Keyboard: has an emoji pack iOS 17, but shows ads in the free version. The only keyboard that correctly displays country flags in style Apple.
  • 🔹 Gboard with iOS theme: in the keyboard settings, select Themes → iOS Style, but the emoticons will be simplified (without 3D effects).

How install:

  1. Download the keyboard from AppGallery or APKMirror (if the model does not support Google Play).
  2. Activate it in Settings → System → Language and input → Current keyboard.
  3. In the keyboard settings, select the emoji style iOS (usually in the "Themes" or "Emoji" section).

⚠️ Attention: Keyboards with emoji iOS may conflict with Huawei SwiftKeyif it installed by default. Before installation, disable autofill in Settings → Security → Advanced.

Delete Huawei standard keyboard cache|Disable keyboard auto-update in AppGallery|Check compatibility with EMUI version|Do screenshot of current input settings-->

2. Replacing the emoji font via Magisk (for firmware devices)

If your Huawei has an unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk, you can replace the system emoji font with files from iOS. This method works on EMUI 12–13, but on EMUI 14 it may require additional access rights to the section. /system.

Procedure:

  1. Download the archive with fonts iOS 16/17 (for example, iOS_Emoji_Fonts.zip) from the forum XDA Developers.
  2. Transfer the files NotoColorEmoji.ttf and EmojiCompat.ttf to the folder /system/fonts via Root Explorer.
  3. Change access rights to 644 (r-w-r--r--).
  4. Reboot the device.

Results on different versions EMUI:

EMUI version Animation support Display in instant messengers Risk of failures
EMUI 12 Partial (static only) Correct in 90% of cases Low
EMUI 13 Full (with Magisk 26+) Correct in Telegram/Viber Medium (lags possible)
EMUI 14 No (patch required) Distortion in WhatsApp High

⚠️ Attention: On Huawei Mate 60 Pro and new models with Kirin 9000S replacing fonts may lead to an error com.huawei.android.hsf. Before the procedure, disable Huawei Mobile Services in your account settings.

How to return standard emoji after an unsuccessful replacement?

If, after replacing fonts, emoji are displayed as squares or the device reboots, do the following:

1. Delete the font files via Magisk or TWRP.

2. Restore the original files from the backup /system/fonts.

3. Clear the application cache com.android.systemui and com.huawei.android.launcher via ADB:

adb shell pm clear com.android.systemui

4. (Power → Reboot → Safe Mode).

3. Using overlay applications (without root)

For users who do not want to risk system stability, applications like Emoji Changer or iFont. They overlay the style iOS on top of standard emoji through an overlay, without changing system files. Minus: they do not work in all instant messengers (for example, in WhatsApp emoji can be displayed in two styles at the same time).

Top 3 applications:

  • 📱 iFont (Exynos): supports Huawei on Kirin 990/9000, but requires manual installation of fonts via Settings → Display → Font style.
  • 📱 Emoji Changer by ZFont: automatically replaces emoji in SMS i Telegram, but does not work in WeChat.
  • 📱 Textra SMS: messenger with built-in support iOS-emoji, but only for SMS.

Instructions for iFont:

  1. Download iFont and font package iOS 17 (file .ttf).
  2. Install the font through the app and apply it in Settings → Display → Font style → Local.
  3. Restart the device.

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If emojis in iFont are displayed too large, reduce the system font scale in Settings → Special features → Font size to 85%.

4. Manual editing of emoji files (for advanced users)

This method involves editing files emoji.xml and emoji_compat.xml in the folder /system/etc. on Huawei s EMUI 10–12, but requires knowledge ADB and rights root. The only way to display iOS emoji in notifications and status bar.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Connect Huawei to the PC and activate USB debugging in Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times).
  2. Download the modified files emoji.xml for your version EMUI (for example, from GitHub repository huawei-emoji-ios).
  3. Move the files to /system/etc via ADB: 
    adb push emoji.xml /system/etc/

    adb shell chmod 644 /system/etc/emoji.xml

  4. Clear the cache com.android.systemui and restart the device.

⚠️ Attention: On Huawei P50 Pocket and devices with HarmonyOS this method may cause an error android.process.media. Before editing, create a partition dump /system via TWRP.

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Editing system XML files is the most effective way, but it irreversibly changes the behavior of the system. After updating EMUI, the procedure will have to be repeated.

5. Alternatives: themed icon packs

If you only care about the visual component and not the unification of display in chats, consider installing themes with emoji iOS:

  • 🎨 Themes for EMUI: in Huawei Themes find themes like iOS Emoji Pack or Apple Style Icons. They only change application icons, but not emoticons in messages.
  • 🎨 Launchers: Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher support icon packs iOS (for example, iOS 17 Icon Pack), but this does not affect emoji.
  • 🎨 Sticker packs: in Telegram or WhatsApp add sticker packs with emoji Apple (for example, iOS Emoji Stickers). This will not replace system emoticons, but will allow you to send them as stickers.

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In Huawei Mate Xs 2 and other folding models, themes with emoji iOS may be displayed distorted on the external screen. Before purchasing a theme, check its compatibility in the description.

Comparison of methods: what to choose?

The choice of method depends on your goals and risk tolerance. If you need Full unification emoji in chats (including received messages), the only reliable option is to replace system fonts via Magisk. For cosmetic changes, a third-party keyboard or themes will suffice.

Method Requires root Works in instant messengers Risk for systems Complexity
Third-party keyboard ❌ No Only when entering Low ⭐
Overlay applications ❌ No Partially Average ⭐⭐
Font replacement (Magisk) ✅ Yes Full High ⭐⭐⭐⭐
XML Editing ✅ Yes Full Critical ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⚠️ Attention: On devices with HarmonyOS 4.0+ (for example, Huawei Mate 60), most emoji replacement methods are blocked at the kernel level. The only working option is to use keyboards or sticker packs.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to transfer iPhone emoji to Huawei without root?

Yes, but with restrictions. Third-party keyboards (for example Kika Keyboard) will show emoticons iOS only in the input field, and in received messages they will remain standard. Applications like iFont overlay the style, but this does not work in all instant messengers.

Why do emojis appear as squares after replacing fonts?

This is due to an encoding conflict. Make sure that:

  • The font files have the correct permissions (644).
  • You have downloaded the version of Emoji for your architecture (ARM64 for Kirin 9000).
  • The application cache has been cleared com.android.systemui.

If the problem persists, return the original fonts via Magisk.

Will iOS emoji animation work on Huawei?

Animation is supported only when replacing fonts via Magisk to EMUI 13 and below. data-i="269">Animated emoji are rendered as static due to limitations on SVG rendering. EMUI 14 And HarmonyOS Animated emoji are rendered as static due to limitations Huawei for SVG rendering.

Is it possible to rollback changes if something goes wrong?

Yes, if you made a backup copy. To rollback:

  1. Restore the original font files from the backup.
  2. Clear the cache of all system applications via ADB.
  3. Reboot the device in safe mode.

If that doesn't help, reset via Settings → System → Reset (data will be saved if select "Reset settings").

Why are emojis displayed differently in WhatsApp than in Telegram?

WhatsApp uses its own emoji library, which ignores system fonts. To unify the display, you need to:

  • Install modified version WhatsApp (for example, FMWhatsAppwith support for iOS emoji.
  • Or use Telegram with the "System" option enabled emoji" in the chat settings.