Where is the number sign (#) on the Xiaomi keyboard: detailed instructions with pictures

You are trying to enter a hashtag in social networks, type USSD-A command to check balance or activate a hidden feature through an engineering menu, but can't find the number sign (#) on your Xiaomi keyboard? This problem is familiar to many users of the brand's smartphones - especially those who have recently switched from iPhones or devices from other manufacturers. The fact is that the location of the # symbol on Android keyboards often differs from the usual layout, and in some firmware MIUI It can be hidden behind the additional menu.

In this article, we will not only show you where to look for a grille on a standard Xiaomi keyboard, but also look at alternative ways to type it, from using Gboard to copying from the clipboard. And also look at the common errors that can cause the symbol to disappear from the screen, and give tips on how to configure the keyboard for easy access to special signs. If you are tired of searching for # manually, save this instruction bookmark!

1. Standard MIUI keyboard: where to look for the # sign

Most Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and others) have a MIUI keyboard installed by default. It usually hides the number sign behind the digital row, but its location depends on the current input language:

• 📱 Russian layout: switch to numbers (press?123), then tap the button =+ — In the drop-down menu you will see # in the second row.
• 🌐 English layout: after the transition to digital mode (?123) The # sign is on the same button as the 3 (you need to hold your finger 1-2 seconds).
• 🔢 Symbols Mode: If You Pressed =+ or!#1, scroll to the left – there may be an additional tab with special characters, including #.

Important: on some versions of MIUI (especially in firmware for the global market), the layout of the keyboard may differ. If you don't see # in the places described, try resetting the keyboard settings to the standard:

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Language and input.
2. Select the Current Keyboard → MIUI Keyboard.
3. Slip Reset and confirm the action.

2. Gboard (Google keyboard): quick access to #

If Xiaomi’s branded keyboard doesn’t suit you, install Gboard, which offers more flexible settings and a convenient arrangement of special characters. Here’s how to find # in Gboard:

• 🔤 The main way: go to digital mode (?123), then press and hold the button 3 - a pop-up with a symbol will appear #.
• 📌 In Gboard, you can add # to the top of the Quick Access panel:

1. Open any text field and call the keyboard.
2. Press on. ⚙️ (gear) → Keyboard settings → Toolbar.
3. Enable the option Number bar - now # will always be at hand.

The advantage of Gboard is that you can customize the layout to suit you, for example, you can transfer the number sign to the main keyboard:

1. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual Keyboard → Gboard.
2. Select the layout → Setting up the layout.
3. Drag # from the character menu to any convenient location (e.g., near a space).

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In Gboard, you can enable a gesture to quickly transition to the characters: swipe from the button 123 to the left or right to immediately open the desired tab.

3. Alternative ways to enter the mark #

If the keyboard stubbornly does not show the grille, use one of these methods:

Important for Xiaomi owners with custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS): in some builds, the # sign may not be on the keyboard due to localization errors, in which case only installing a third-party keyboard (Gboard, SwiftKey) or manual editing of layout files (requires root rights) will help.

4. How to enter # in the engineering menu and USSD-code

The number sign is especially important for accessing hidden smartphone features via an engineering menu or USSD-Here's how to use it in these cases:

• 📱 Engineering menu: to open it, dial the code ##4636##. Here # is entered in the same way as on the standard keyboard (hold the button with the number 3 or switch to characters).
• 📡 USSD-Operator codes: for commands like *100# (balance check *111*1# (activate services) use the call keyboard - there # always appears next to *.
• ⚙️ Xiaomi service codes: for example, for display test (##225##) or battery check (##4636##), the # sign is entered in the same way as in the engineering menu.

⚠️ Warning: Do not enter random service codes on Xiaomi - some of them can reset network settings, disable radio module or even lock the device. Use only verified commands from official sources.

If you often work with the engineering menu, add the Quick Codes widget to the home screen:

1. Keep your finger in the free screen space. → Widgets.
2. Find the Tools widget or MIUI Tools.
3. Drag it to the screen and select Service Codes.

5. Customize the keyboard for easy access to #

To avoid searching for a number sign every time, optimize the keyboard for your needs:

Add # to the Quick Access Panel (in Gboard)

Set up a gesture to move to symbols (swipe by?123)

Install an alternative keyboard (SwiftKey, Chroom)

Create a text template with # (Settings → Additional → Text templates)

Clear the keyboard cache (if # is missing)

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For Xiaomi owners, the “Text Templates” feature is available on MIUI 14/15, with which you can create an abbreviation for #:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → MIUI Keyboard → Text templates.
2. Press Add Template.
3. In the Abbreviation field, type, for example, #, and in the Text field, just #.
4. Now, when you enter ##, you automatically substitute one # character.

Another life hack: If you use hashtags on social media frequently (like #Xiaomi or #MIUI), create a keyboard macro in Gboard:

1. Open Gboard Settings → Dictionary → Personal Dictionary.
2. Add a new word, such as a hash, and substitute for #.
3. Now, when you enter the word “hash”, a hint with a symbol will appear.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Sometimes the number sign may disappear from the keyboard or not work in certain applications.

• 🔄 # disappears after updating MIUI: Reset your keyboard settings (see Section 1) or reinstall Gboard.
• 📵 Not working in SMS or calls: use the phone app keyboard – there # is always available on the digital bar.
• 🌍 The symbol is replaced by a character: it's a bug of some Chinese firmware. The solution is to change the keyboard language to English.
• 🔒 # not entered in passwords: some banking applications block special characters. Try inserting # from the clipboard.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi smartphones with a physical keyboard (e.g. Black Shark or Black Shark) POCO F1 in game mode) the # sign can be placed on a separate button or a combination of Fn + 3. Check the instructions for your model!

If none of the methods helped, check if special characters in the keyboard settings are disabled:

1. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
2. Choose your keyboard (MIUI Keyboard or Gboard).
3. Make sure that the options to Show special characters and Advanced Enter are enabled.

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If you use it often USSD-codes or engineering menu, add the Phone widget to the home screen – there is a # sign always at hand on the digital keyboard.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions