How to enter the “#” sign on the Xiaomi keyboard: a step-by-step guide for all models

The “#” sign (also known as a hashtag, grille or number) is one of the most popular characters on a smartphone, but its location on the Xiaomi keyboard is often confusing. "Where's that number on the keyboard?" especially if you're coming from an iPhone or other brand, and the problem is compounded by the fact that depending on the version. MIUI, Smartphone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T) and the installed keyboard (standard from Xiaomi, Gboard, SwiftKey) the location of the symbol may differ.

In this article, we're going to not only show you where to look for # on your keyboard, but we're going to look at all the ways you can type it, from basic to obscure. And we're going to figure out why a sign sometimes disappears from the screen and how to fix it. If you're tired of switching layouts for a single character, read on.

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1. Xiaomi’s standard keyboard: Where is the # sign hiding?

On most smartphones Xiaomi default installed branded keyboard MIUI Keyboard. It's the settings that most often confuse users. Let's look at where to look for the # character in different input modes.

In the main English layout (EN) The # sign is usually on the key with the number 3:

1. Switch to English layout (if necessary, click on the icon of the globe in the lower row of the keyboard).
2. Press and hold the key 3 – a pop-up menu with the # character will appear.
3. Without letting go of your finger, drag it to # and let it go.

If you have a Russian layout (RU), The other algorithm is the # sign hidden behind the E key (top left corner). Hold it, and select the desired character from the pop-up menu.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 10A, POCO M4 Pro in Russian layout the # sign may not be available at all, in which case switch to English or use alternative methods (see section 3).

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2. Google Gboard: The universal way for all Xiaomi

If Xiaomi’s standard keyboard seems uncomfortable, many users install Google’s Gboard, a keyboard that has the advantage of being uniform: the character layout is the same on all devices, including Xiaomi, Samsung, and iPhone.

To enter # on Gboard:

1. Open any field to enter text (for example, in Messages or Notes).
2. Click on the?123 button (numbers and symbols) in the lower left corner.
3. In the top row you will see a # sign – just click on it.

If the symbol is not on the first screen, click =< (More symbols, he'll be there.

🔹 The Benefits of Gboard for Xiaomi:

• 🌍 Unified arrangement of symbols on all devices.
• 🎨 Possibility of customization (topics, key sizes).
• 🔍 Built-in search for emojis and GIF.
• 🔄 Automatic switching between languages.

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3. Alternative ways to enter the symbol "#"

If standard methods don’t work or you need to enter # as quickly as possible, use one of these methods:

📌 Method 1: Exchange buffer

1. Copy the # sign from this article (select and click Copy).
2. Insert it in the desired field (hold your finger in the input place). → «Insert»).

💡 This is handy if you need to enter the character repeatedly (for example, for hashtags on Instagram).

📌 Method 2: Voice input

1. Click on the microphone icon on the keyboard (if any).
2. Say out loud: "number sign" or "hashtag."

⚠️ Attention: Voice input may misrecognize commands if the environment is noisy or you have a specific accent.

📌 Method 3: Special symbols in MIUI

1. Hold the 0 key on the digital layout.
2. In some versions MIUI A menu with special symbols will be available, including #.

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4.Why isn't the # sign on Xiaomi's keyboard?

Sometimes users experience the # character disappearing from the keyboard, and the reasons are different:

🔧 Reason 1: Resetting keyboard settings

After updating MIUI Or resetting the keyboard can bring back factory settings, where the # sign is hidden deeper than usual:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Current Keyboard.
2. Select Settings next to your keyboard.
3. Find the layout section and turn on the display of all symbols.

🔧 Reason 2: Regional settings

Some Xiaomi firmware for the markets of India or China has different keyboard layouts. MIUI The # sign can be replaced by local symbols:

• Change the language of the system to English (USA) or Russian.
• Install Gboard – it doesn’t depend on regional settings MIUI.

🔧 Reason 3: Damage to system files

If the character goes missing after a phone crash or failed update, the keyboard files may be damaged.

• Reset the keyboard through Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• Reset the keyboard settings to standard.

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5. Keyboard comparison: where is the easiest place to type "#"?

Not all keyboards are equally convenient for entering special characters, and we tested popular options on Xiaomi smartphones and compiled a comparative table:

🔹 Conclusion: The fastest access to # is provided by Gboard - the character is on the first screen and does not require retention. MIUI loses due to the need to hold the key for a long time, which is inconvenient with frequent inputs (for example, for hashtags).

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6. Hidden chips MIUI: How to speed up the input «#»

If you use the # sign frequently (for example, for hashtags on social networks or for Telegram bots), these life hacks will save you time:

⚡ Tip 1: Create a text template

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Textual templates.
2. Add a new template with # and short code (e.g. ##).
3. Now, when you enter ##, you automatically substitute #.

⚡ Tip 2: Add # to the Quick Access Panel

Some keyboards (such as SwiftKey) allow you to add frequently used characters to the top bar:

1. Hold the # sign on the keyboard.
2. In the menu that appears, select “Add to the Quick Access Panel”.

⚡ Tip 3: Use gestures (for Fleksy)

In the Fleksy keyboard, you can assign a gesture to type #:

1. Go to the Fleksy settings → Gestures.
2. For example, assign a swipe to the left of the Space to enter #.

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✅ We switched the layout to English?

✅ Trying to hold the key 3 or E?

✅ Updated the keyboard through Google Play?

✅ Cleared the keyboard app cache?

✅ Try to enter # through the clipboard?-->

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced Xiaomi users sometimes make mistakes when searching for the # symbol.

❌ Mistake 1: Confusing # with other symbols

Many people are looking for #where it is located. $ or €. Remember:

• 💰 $ — usually on key 4 (EN) or E (RU).
• 💶 € — on key E (hold on).
• 🔢 # — only 3 (EN) or E (RU).

❌ Error 2: Not updating the keyboard

Old versions. MIUI Keyboard (up to 12.5) # may not be in Russian layout:

• Update the keyboard via Google Play.
• If there are no updates, install Gboard.

❌ Mistake 3: Ignoring alternative layouts

Xiaomi's keyboard features a hidden layout for characters that opens with a long tap on the?123 key.There are often duplicated rare characters, including #.

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💡

If you often need special characters (for example, for programming or design), install the Hacker's Keyboard from Google Play. ASCII-symbols, including #, *, %, and other.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions