How to Use iOS Emojis on Android

This guide shows you how to get the look of Apple’s emoji set on your Android phone. You’ll learn three practical methods—using a custom keyboard, changing the system font, or using a third-party launcher—so you can send and receive messages that display with iOS-style icons.

What You’ll Need

An Android phone running Android 7.0 or newer (most methods work on older versions too)
Enough storage space for the emoji font file (about 10–20 MB)
For the font method: a file manager app and a way to move files to system directories (like using ADB or a root file manager)
For the keyboard method: a third-party keyboard app that supports custom emoji fonts
For the launcher method: a custom launcher that allows icon pack changes

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Use a Custom Keyboard with iOS Emoji

Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.
Search for a keyboard app that explicitly offers iOS-style emoji, such as “iOS Emoji Keyboard” or “Apple Emoji Keyboard.” Read the description to confirm it includes the Apple emoji set.
Install the keyboard app of your choice.
Open the app and follow its setup instructions. Usually, you’ll need to enable the keyboard in your system settings: go to Settings > System > Languages & input > On-screen keyboard, then tap the new keyboard and toggle it on.
Switch to the new keyboard when typing by tapping the keyboard icon in the notification bar or holding the spacebar (depending on your Android version).
Open any messaging app and test the emoji. The icons should now match the iOS style.

Method 2: Replace the System Emoji Font (Root or ADB)

Download an iOS emoji font file (usually named AppleColorEmoji.ttf) from a trusted source online. Make sure it’s compatible with your Android version.
If you have root access, use a root file manager (like Mixplorer or Solid Explorer) to copy the downloaded font to /system/fonts/. Replace the existing NotoColorEmoji.ttf file (or similar).
If you don’t have root, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to push the font to a temporary location and then use the adb shell command to copy it to the system partition. This requires USB debugging enabled.
After replacing the font, reboot your device.
Open any app that uses emoji—the system should now display the iOS-style icons.

Method 3: Use a Launcher with Emoji Styling

Install a launcher that supports custom emoji fonts, such as Lawnchair or Nova Launcher (with a plugin).
Open the launcher’s settings and look for an option like “Emoji font” or “Font style.”
Select the iOS emoji font from the list (you may need to download it first).
Apply the change and restart the launcher if prompted.
Your home screen and app drawer will now show iOS-style emoji, but note that this may not affect emoji inside other apps unless they use the system font.

Common Mistakes

Using an incompatible font file: Some iOS emoji fonts are built for older Android versions and can cause crashes or missing icons. Always check compatibility.
Not backing up the original font: If you replace the system font without a backup, you may not be able to revert if something goes wrong.
Assuming the keyboard method affects all apps: A custom keyboard only changes the emoji you type, not the ones you receive. If a friend sends an emoji, your phone will still render it using the system font.
Skipping the reboot after font replacement: The system may cache the old font; a reboot is often necessary for the change to take effect.

Tips

For the font replacement method, use a TTF file that is specifically designed for Android. Many iOS emoji fonts are actually PNG-based and won’t work on Android.
If you don’t want to root your phone, the keyboard method is the safest and easiest option.
Keep your original font file in a safe place (like your Downloads folder) so you can restore it if needed.
Test the emoji in a messaging app like WhatsApp or Telegram, as they sometimes use their own emoji rendering.

Troubleshooting

Emoji still look like Android after using a keyboard: Make sure the keyboard is selected as your active input method. Also, some apps (like Snapchat) have their own emoji set that overrides the keyboard.
Font replacement causes boot loop: If your phone gets stuck on the boot screen, boot into recovery mode and restore the original font from a backup, or use ADB to push the original font back.
Emoji appear as blank boxes: This usually means the font file is corrupted or not compatible. Re-download a different version and try again.
Changes don’t apply to all apps: Some apps (like Gmail) use their own emoji font. This is normal—only apps that rely on the system font will show the change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this make my Android look exactly like an iPhone?

No, it only changes the emoji appearance. The overall interface, icons, and system design will remain Android.

Is it legal to use Apple’s emoji font on Android?

Apple’s emoji are copyrighted, but using them for personal, non-commercial purposes is generally tolerated. Distributing the font file may violate Apple’s terms, so download from a source that has permission.

Do I need to root my phone to change emoji?

No, you can use a keyboard app or a launcher without root. Root is only required for the system font replacement method.

Will the iOS emoji work in all messaging apps?

Most apps that use the system emoji font will show the change. However, apps like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp have their own emoji sets that may not be affected.

Can I switch back to Android emoji easily?

Yes, if you used a keyboard, just switch back to your original keyboard. If you replaced the font, restore the original font file and reboot.

Does this affect emoji I receive from iPhone users?

Yes, if the font replacement or keyboard method works system-wide, you’ll see iOS-style emoji for incoming messages too.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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