You envy the bright and stylish emoji on iPhonewhen your Samsung offers standard Android emoji? This is not surprising: emoji from Apple look more detailed, with soft gradients and a unique design that has become the brand's calling card. Fortunately, owners of devices on Android do not need to purchase iPhoneto use these symbols. There are several ways to replace standard emoticons with iOS-style emoji —from simple applications to deep system customization.

In this article we will look at 5 proven methodsincluding installing alternative keyboards, using themes, and even manually changing system files (for advanced users). You will find out which method is right for you - depending on the model Samsung, version Android and readiness to experiment. We will also compare what emoji Apple and Samsung look like in popular instant messengers, and explain why your friends with iPhone may see them differently.

Why emoticons on iPhone and Samsung are they different?

The difference in emoji design is due to the fact that Apple and Google (as well as Samsung, Huawei and other manufacturers) develop own character sets. These sets comply with the standard Unicode, but are visually interpreted differently. For example:

  • 😂 Tears of laughter: on iPhone the eyes are closed, and on Samsung they are open.
  • 👍 Like: at Apple finger is yellow with a white nail, y Samsung is plain.
  • 🍕 Pizza: on iPhone the pieces are arranged chaotically, on Samsung - neat sectors.

In addition, Apple regularly updates the emoji design (most recently in iOS 17.4), adding new skin tones, gender options and animations. Samsung also makes changes, but less often and less radically. Because of this, users Android occasionally encounter a problem when the emoticons they send are displayed on iPhone in a “depersonalized” form (black and white squares or old versions).

⚠️ Attention: Emoji design may vary depending on the version Android i shell One UI. On the new flagships Samsung Galaxy S24 emoticons look different than on Galaxy A52 2021.
Smile Apple (iOS 17) Samsung (One UI 6) Google (Android 14)
😊 Smile with closed eyes, rosy cheeks Smile with open eyes, yellow tint Smile with an oval face, minimalist design
💔 Heart with a crack, realistic details Heart with a straight crack, bright red Heart with a zigzag crack
🤖 Robot with a square head, metallic shine Robot with a round head, plastic look Robot with an antenna, minimalistic

Method 1: Installation iPhone emoji keyboard

The simplest and safest method is to use alternative keyboard, which supports emoticons in the style Apple. Such applications do not require root access and work on any device Samsungincluding Galaxy S23, A73 and Z Flip5.

The best options:

  • 📱 Emoji Keyboard — iOS 17 Emojis: free keyboard with a full set of emoji Apple, including animated ones (Memoji not supported). There are themes and settings for the size of emoticons.
  • 🎨 Kika Keyboard: in addition to emoji iOS, it offers GIFs, stickers and voice input. Supports swipes for quick typing.
  • 🔍 Gboard with iOS theme: the official keyboard from Google allows you to install themes that imitate the design Apple (but emoticons will remain standard for Android).

How to install:

  1. Download the selected keyboard from Google Play.
  2. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
  3. Activate a new one keyboard and set it as default.
  4. In the keyboard settings, select a theme iOS or enable the "Apple Emoji" option.
⚠️ Attention: Some keyboards (for example Emoji Keyboard) may collect typing data. Please check your permissions before installing. c Google Play.

Download the application from the official store

Check reviews and ratings (not lower than 4.0)

Read the privacy policy

Make a backup copy of your current settings keyboards-->

Method 2: Applications for replacing emoji throughout the system

If you want emoticons iPhone to be displayed in all applications (not only in the keyboard), you will need special utilities. They work on the principle of intercepting system ones. fonts and replacement of emoji graphics. Popular solutions:

  • 🛠️ Emoji Font Changer: changes emoji fonts without root, but requires permission to install from unknown sources. Supports iOS 12–17.
  • 🔄 iFont (Expert): allows you to download custom fonts, including emoji packages. need rights ADB.
  • 📦 ZFont 3: automatically downloads and installs fonts Apple. There is a built-in backup of original characters.

Instructions for Emoji Font Changer:

  1. Download APK from the official website (not from Google Play).
  2. Allow installation from unknown sources in: Settings → Security data-i="140">or resetting emoji settings may return to standard. Save a backup copy of the original fonts in the application! Settings → Security.
  3. Launch the application and select a package iOS 17 Emoji.
  4. Click Apply and reboot your device.

Important: after update Android or resetting the settings, the emoji may return to standard. Save a backup copy of the original fonts in the application!

Install a keyboard

Use the system application

Get root access to completely replace

Me standard emoticons are fine -->

Method 3: Root access and manual replacement of fonts (for advanced)

If you are ready for radical measures, you can manually replacing system fonts emoji to files from Apple. requires:

  • 🔓 Root access (for example, through Magisk or KingRoot).
  • 📂 A backup copy of the original fonts.
  • 🛠️ Utility for working with the file system (Root Explorer or Mixplorer).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Download the archive with fonts Apple Color Emoji.ttf and AppleColorEmoji@2x.ttf (available on the forums XDA Developers).
  2. Using Root Explorer go to the folder /system/fonts/.
  3. Create a backup copy of the files NotoColorEmoji.ttf and NotoColorEmojiLegacy.ttf.
  4. Replace them with files from Apple, setting the rights 644 (rw-r--r--).
  5. Restart the device.
⚠️ Attention: Incorrectly replacing fonts can lead to bootloop (loop loading) Before you start, check the compatibility of the files with your version. Android!
What to do if after replacing the fonts the phone does not turn on?

If the device is stuck on the logo Samsung, try going to Recovery Mode (buttons Power + Volume Up + BixbySelect Mount /system). connect the phone to the PC and return the original fonts via ADB or TWRP.

Method 4: Using themes (One UI 5/6)

On devices Samsung s One UI 5 and later (for example, Galaxy S22, S23, Z Fold4) you can apply design themes, which change not only icons, but also emoji. To do this:

  1. Open the application Topics (or download it from Galaxy Store).
  2. In the search, enter "iOS" or "Apple".
  3. Select a theme marked "Emoji Pack" (for example, iOS 17 Theme for Samsung).
  4. Apply the theme and restart the device.

Method limitations:

  • ❌ Emojis change only in system applications (Messages, Contact).
  • ❌ In messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) emoticons will remain standard.
  • ✅ But it is not required root and the method is reversible.

Method 5: Emulation via Magisk (for flashed devices)

If your Samsung has an unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk, you can use modules to replace emoji. Popular solutions:

  • 🧩 iOS Emoji Magisk Module: automatically replaces fonts on reboot.
  • 🔄 Emoji Replacer: allows you to selectively change individual emoticons.

Instructions:

  1. Download the module (for example, iOS_Emoji_Magisk.zip) from GitHub or XDA.
  2. Open Magisk Manager and go to the section Modules.
  3. Click Install from storage and select the downloaded file.
  4. Restart the device.

Advantages of the method:

  • ✅ It works on any version of Android.
  • ✅ Emojis change globally, including WhatsApp i Instagram.
  • ✅ It's easy to roll back to the original emoticons (delete the module in Magisk).
💡

Modules Magisk is the most reliable method for users with root access, since they do not directly affect system files, but work through layers.

Problems and solutions: why are emojis not displayed correctly?

Even after successfully replacing emoji, you may encounter problems:

Problem Cause Solution
Smileys are displayed in black and white Unsupported font format Install a font AppleColorEmoji.ttf with support colors
In WhatsApp the emoticons have not changed The application uses its own fonts Install the module WhatsApp Emoji Changer via Magisk
After updating Android emoticons reset The system has restored the original fonts Repeat the replacement or use Magisk-module

If you sent an emoticon iPhone to a friend with Android, he will see it in the standard form for his system. This is due to the fact that emoji are not pictures, but Unicode charactersthat are rendered by the recipient’s device. To ensure that the design is shown, send emoticons as Apple, send emoticons like stickers or images (for example, via Telegram).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about iPhone emoticons on Samsung

Is it possible to put emoji on iPhone without root?

Yes, using keyboards (Emoji Keyboard) or applications for replacing fonts (iFont). However, a global replacement throughout the system without root is impossible.

Will animated emoji (Memoji) work on Samsung?

No. emoji Apple (including Memoji and Animoji) require special software and hardware capabilities iPhoneOn Android they can only be seen as static images.

Why in Telegram emoticons have not changed?

Telegram uses its own emoji fonts. To replace them, you need to either use a keyboard that supports iOSemoticons, or install a module Magisk for Telegram.

Is it possible to return standard Samsung emoticons?

Yes. If you used an application (for example iFont), restore the original fonts from a backup. If you changed the files manually, return them via Root Explorer.

Is it safe to install an APK to replace emoji?

The risks depend on the source. (APKMirror, XDA) and check permissions. Some applications may contain advertising or collect data.