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This is how to make the Android font look like your own handwriting

androidpit esp android ifont 4
© nextpit

This is the reason I love Android. Did you know that you can use your own handwriting for all Android menus, app names and even WhatsApp conversations? Find a printer and a black marker pen and get ready to make your Android even more personal.

Before we begin, you should know that changing every individual character on your Android device isn't something that people do every day and, in order to do so, some priveledges are required. The system font is stored within the device's system files and to modify these, you must have root permissions.

Further, you must have Xposed Framework installed on your handset to make use of the particular module that lets you achieve this awesome trick. 

AndroidPIT xposed framework modules 4267
Xposed Framework is often the first component in serious Android customization. / © ANDROIDPIT

How to digitize your handwriting

For Android to use your own handwriting as a font, you must first give it a reference point. To do this you can use an online tool called My Script Font. Go to the website and download the template – it's available in PDF or PNG formats.

Carefully fill in the template but avoid following the guidelines shown in each box. Instead, try to write each letter true to how you normally would in your everyday life.

It's best to use a fine-tipped black marker pen because it offers both visibility and versatility (the boxes are quite small, so thicker pens can be unwieldy). If you want a great finish, try using a pencil first and then go over it again with pen.

Make sure you do not leave the box or your letters won't appear correctly when they later arrive on your Android phone. 

AndroidPit IFont tipografia 02
Make sure you stay within the little squares. / © NextPit

Once you have all of your beautifully shaped letters filled out, scan the document at a decent resolution (between 300 and 600 dpi should be fine). You can even scan with your smartphone using an app like Tiny Scanner.

After you've saved the image file, navigate back to My Script Font to upload it. Give it a suitable name and hit start. When it's finished processing you will see a sample of the text; below will be a link to the download file which looks like <your filename>.ttf. Download it to your smartphone in a memorable location.

How to change the font of your smartphone

To change your Android system font you need to first install the iFont (Expert of Fonts) module with the Xposed Installer app. You may be asked for a number of permissions when you install it, but if you want to make use of this feature, you'll have to accept them.

Before changing your Android font, you may wish to make a backup copy of the original system typeface. Do this in the iFont module at My > Factory Font > Backup font section.

AndroidPit IFont tipografia 01
Navigate to your saved .ttf file. / © ANDROIDPIT

Now, enter the iFont module and navigate to My > My Font. As indicated in the image above right, tap the red 'click this' area on the following page. Now navigate to the location of the .ttf file you saved earlier. Select it, and when it's loaded, tap 'Set'.

Your device may restart and afterward your smartphone will show text in your own handwriting. Really.

As a final measure, go to Settings > Display > Font Size and increase or decrease it to suit your personal taste. 

androidpit android handwriting
Homescreen (left) and lockscreen (right). / © ANDROIDPIT
androidpit android handwriting 2
The settings menu (left) and app drawer (right). / © ANDROIDPIT

You can also use other .ttf files to customize your Android font, they don't have to be your own. Just follow the same steps above with a font.

Have you always wanted your own handwriting on your smartphone? Are you going to give this a try? Let us know in the comments. 

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Luis Ortega

Luis Ortega
Editor

Luis is an editor and moderator of the forum. He was born and raised in Granada where he studied Geology and Education. After many professional experiences, he landed at AndroidPIT in 2015. A confessed geek, Luis likes open source software and, of course, Android. He loves apps that manage bad memory and make life easier. He loves the sea and enjoys his free time on any kind of board.

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15 comments
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  • Yahya 8
    Yahya Dec 15, 2016 Link to comment

    Thanks for writing article about it 😃😃


  • 1
    Lynn Meetze Oct 26, 2016 Link to comment

    Are all of you just super young, don't live in the USA or plain stupid? Yeah...go ahead & upload YOUR handwriting. Do you KNOW who will have access to it?? Really?? Doubt it but you should care!


  • 32
    Deactivated Account May 25, 2016 Link to comment

    Awesome, i am going to try this out right now.


  • Yogesh Gosavi 1
    Yogesh Gosavi May 25, 2016 Link to comment

    Thanks for writing article about it 😃😃


  • Mark G. 28
    Mark G. May 22, 2016 Link to comment

    My Excellent Samsung Galaxy S5 allows me to change the font using the app HiFont. It has hundreds of different fonts including a number of handwriting types.

    Peace ✌


  • Diptangshu M. 15
    Diptangshu M. May 20, 2016 Link to comment

    This is cool beyond words. However, my handwriting is..... (meh)!

    Yogesh GosaviAnna S.


  • 3
    Srinivas May 20, 2016 Link to comment

    This type of articles always make me feel that my buying an android phone and rooting it were the best decisions taken by me...
    Going to try this feature right away........

    Yogesh Gosavi


  • 31
    Deactivated Account May 20, 2016 Link to comment

    this is the sort of simple and cool customising I would like to do without having to root, not to have my own unintelligible handwriting, but a simple choice of font style and colour... along with a basic theme engine I'm hoping Google could introduce with N

    Yogesh GosaviDeactivated AccountScott Adam Gordon


    • Scott Adam Gordon 31
      Scott Adam Gordon May 20, 2016 Link to comment

      Completely agree with this ^

      Deactivated AccountDeactivated Account


    • Mark G. 28
      Mark G. May 22, 2016 Link to comment

      Buy a Samsung Galaxy and use HiFont


  • 46
    Deactivated Account May 20, 2016 Link to comment

    I like the idea. I have only one problem with it. If I made it to look like my hand writing nobody would be able to read it.

    Deactivated AccountScott Adam Gordon


  • Alex 17
    Alex May 19, 2016 Link to comment

    this is one of the best and the coolest article that I had ever seen in this site so far!!!!

    Yogesh GosaviScott Adam Gordon


  • McNeil 9
    McNeil May 19, 2016 Link to comment

    can someone please tell how to root my xperia m2? I feel like i am missing out on the real beauty of Android *sad face*

    Scott Adam Gordon


    • Scott Adam Gordon 31
      Scott Adam Gordon May 20, 2016 Link to comment

      Yeah I really like this tip too but my personal device isn't rooted also. I'm going to keep searching for a way around it.


      • Mark G. 28
        Mark G. May 22, 2016 Link to comment

        Buy a Samsung Galaxy and use HiFont app for hundreds of different font styles.

        Peace ✌

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