Where to find a number sign on Xiaomi keyboard: the complete guide

Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO They often face a problem that is not obvious at first glance: the inability to quickly find a number sign (grid) or an asterisk on a virtual keyboard. USSD-commands to check balance, activate tariffs or enter confirmation codes.GBoard standard layout or keyboard MIUI These characters can be hidden in additional tabs, which confuses inexperienced users.

To make matters worse, different applications and key input modes may have different key layouts, such as when calling, these characters are often displayed on a separate panel, while in messengers or browsers they hide behind the switch to the digital layout button. Understanding the logic of how a virtual keyboard works will help you save time and avoid mistakes when typing complex combinations.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible locations of the # and * characters in the MIUI and HyperOS shell. You will learn how to configure quick access to special characters, why they may disappear in certain applications and what alternative ways to enter if the standard keyboard behaves incorrectly.

Search for symbols in the phone application

The most common use case for a number sign is a set USSD-In a standard Xiaomi call developed by Google or the manufacturer itself, the dialing interface is usually fixed, but in some design themes or when using third-party launchers, the buttons may shift.

Usually, the * and # keys are located in the bottom row of the digital block, on the sides of zero. If you only see numbers, try pressing the layout switch button, which can look like the icon 123 or the arrow. In rare cases, when the interface is overloaded, these buttons can be hidden under the button for additional functions.

• 📞 Standard location: lower row, left and right of the button "0".
• 📞 Mode switch: icon 123 or +*# keyboard.
• 📞 Hidden Bar: Long tap on the call button sometimes opens the menu with characters.

Importantly, the updated versions of the MIUI 14 and HyperOS have made the keyboard design more minimalist, so if you don't see the right characters, check if the "numbers only" mode is activated, which sometimes happens randomly when you change the theme of the interface.

Set of special characters in messages and browser

When it comes to typing a number sign in text fields like Messages, Telegram or the browser address bar, the logic of the keyboard changes, using the GBoard system keyboard or MIUI Keyboard, where the characters are categorized to save space on the screen.

To access the number sign in text mode, you need to go to the tab with the numbers, usually by pressing the?123 or =\< button located in the lower left corner, and then open the panel with the numbers and the basic mathematical signs, where the grid is located.

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If you use it often USSD-codes, add them to notes or create a shortcut on your desktop so you don’t type characters every time manually.

In some cases, especially when you type in Wi-Fi passwords or complex codes, you need a third layer of nesting. Press the =\< or 1/2 button (located next to the space or in the bottom row) to open a page with special characters, and you will find not only the grille, but also other punctuation marks.

⚠️ Note: In some versions of the Chrome browser or Yandex when entering URL The number sign can be interpreted as the anchor of a link.

GBoard and MIUI keyboard settings

The layout and available characters are managed through system settings. If the number sign is missing or is acting strangely, the keyboard settings may have been lost. Xiaomi allows you to flexibly adjust the toolbar and input preferences.

To check the settings, go to the Settings menu, then select the Additional (or Advanced Settings) section and find Language and Enter. Here you need to select Current Keyboard and go to keyboard management. For GBoard, the path will be: GBoard → Settings → Preferences.

In the preferences menu, make sure the following options are activated:

• ✅ Display the digit panel (a number of digits at the top).
• ✅ Switch button to symbols.
• ✅ Autocorrection (sometimes interferes with the entry of codes, it is better to disable).

You can also look at the Replacement Text or Personal Dictionary section, where you can create your own abbreviation: for example, when you type "wash code", the keyboard will automatically offer a full combination with a grille and an asterisk, which greatly speeds up the work.

Table of the arrangement of symbols in different applications

So for ease of perception, we've created a pivot table that shows you where to look for a number sign based on the open application, and it's going to help you navigate the interface without having to search too much.

As you can see from the table, the layout logic is the same for most applications, but the nuances may differ. In older versions of Android (Android 10 and below), going to the character page may require double tapping, whereas in Android 13/14 the process is optimized.

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Knowing the exact location of characters in different contexts saves time and reduces the risk of error when entering important operator commands.

Display problems and their solution

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the number sign simply does not appear or the keyboard is not working correctly, this can be due to a software failure, conflicting design themes or errors in the operation of the keyboard application itself.

The first step in diagnosis is to clear the app cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find GBoard or MIUI Keyboard list. Select Clear and click Clear cache. This won't delete your dictionaries, but will fix temporary interface errors.

If the problem persists, try the following:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone (classic bug fixing method) MIUI).
• 🎨 Turn off third-party themes (go back to the standard Classic theme").
• ⌨️ Update the keyboard app through the Google Play Store.

⚠️ Warning: Third-party design themes may overlap system interface elements. If a problem occurs after you install a new theme, delete it first.

Alternative ways to enter symbols

In situations where the on-screen keyboard is unavailable or damaged (for example, a touchscreen at the bottom of the screen cracked), alternative input methods can be used, especially for people with disabilities or when the display breaks.

One of the most effective ways is to use voice input, and if you tap the microphone on the keyboard, you can clearly say "grid" or "number sign," and the system recognizes the command and inserts the right character. USSD-This method does not always work, since the caller may not perceive voice input in the dialing field.

Another option is to use the gaze control or Switch Access feature in special features, which allow you to control the cursor and click on interface elements without touching the screen using external buttons, a headset or head movements.

Settings → Advanced settings → Special. features → Switch Access

You can also use a computer: connect your phone to your PC, enable USB debugging, and send a dial command via ADB, although this is a method for advanced users. For the average user, the easiest way to use Google Assistant is with the command Dial *100#, if the phone supports direct integration with the call.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)