How to dial the number icon (#) on the Xiaomi smartphone: step-by-step instructions for all models

You try to enter a Wi-Fi password, activate a USSD-command, or simply type a hashtag on social networks, but you can’t find the number icon (#) on your Xiaomi keyboard? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones — especially those who have recently switched from iPhones or other brands, the fact that the location of the # character in MIUI depends on the firmware version, layout language and even the phone model.

In this article, we will explore all the possible ways to enter a number icon on Xiaomi, from standard to hidden. You will learn where to search for # in different versions of the keyboard, how to add it to quick access, and what to do if the character disappears from the menu at all. And we will also reveal a unique bug in MIUI 14, which can cause the icon to “hide” when switching to the English layout.

Warning: If you use a third-party keyboard (like Gboard or SwiftKey), the character search algorithm will be different, but for these cases we have separate instructions.

1. Standard method: where to search # on the MIUI keyboard

In most cases, the number icon on Xiaomi is hidden on the second page of the characters.

1. Open any field to enter text (for example, notes or a message in Telegram).
2. Tap the?123 key in the lower left corner of the keyboard to switch to the digital layout.
3. Click the key =< (or \< in some versions) and it will open the second page of characters.
4. Here in the upper right corner you will see #.

If you have MIUI 12/13/14 in Russian, that's the way it's going, but the English layout may be different, and you can read about that in the next section.

2. Features of the English layout: why # disappears

Many users find that when you switch to English, the number icon disappears from the keyboard. MIUI:

• 🔹 In Russian layout # is on the second page of characters (as described above).
• 🔹 In English, it is replaced by the symbol of the pound (£), And the # itself moves to the third page.
• 🔹 In some versions MIUI 14 for the Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5 The icon is not in the English layout at all - it is a confirmed bug that is corrected only by updating the firmware.

To return # on the English keyboard:

1. Switch to English layout (prolonged pressing on the space or swipe on the tongue key).
2. Press?123, then =<.
3. If the second page does not have a #, click again =<, it should appear on the third page.

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If you use it often USSD-commands (e.g. *100#), add English layout to the Quick Access Panel. To do this, press the language key on the keyboard and select Settings → Input languages → English (USA)"

3. Alternative ways to enter # without the keyboard

If standard methods don’t work (for example, because of a firmware bug), use these options:

The most universal way is to copy. But if you need to type # regularly (for example, to work with a computer). USSD or AT-commands, it is better to configure the keyboard according to the instructions from the following sections.

4.Setting up the MIUI keyboard for quick access to #

If you are tired of searching for a room icon every time, add it to the Quick Access Panel:

Go to Settings → Additional → Language and Input → Current Keyboard (MIUI) → Layout and Enter

Select "Tunestable characters" or "Additional keys" (name depends on the version of MIUI)

Find the # in the list and drag it to the top panel.

Save the changes and restart the keyboard (close and open any type application)

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This method works on MIUI 13 and later, and older versions (e.g. MIUI 12.5) may require firmware updates or an alternative keyboard.

If your version of MIUI doesn’t have the option of character customization, try this workaround:

1. Install Gboard from Google Play.
2. Switch to it in the language settings.
3. In Gboard, the # icon is always on the second page of the characters (click?123 → =<).

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Setting up quick access to characters is only available in the standard MIUI keyboard. In third-party keyboards (Gboard, SwiftKey) this functionality is absent.

5 Problem Solving: What to do if # is lost or not displayed

Sometimes the number icon may disappear from the character menu, and here are the most common reasons and solutions:

• 🔄 Reset keyboard settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → keyboard MIUI → Warehouse → Clear the data. ⚠️ Warning: This will remove all your custom words and auto-replace settings!
• 📱 Firmware update: B MIUI 14.0.3 and earlier versions were a bug with the disappearance of # in the English layout. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🌐 Change of region: If you use an informal firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu), the symbol may be missing due to the wrong region. → Additionally. → Language and region.
• 🔧 Factory keyboard rollback: If you installed third-party keyboards and then deleted them, the standard keyboard may not work properly. Return it via Settings → Annexes → Show all applications → Three points. → Show system-based → keyboard MIUI → Turn it on.

If none of these methods worked, check your phone for viruses (e.g., Mi Security) – some malware modifies the keyboard system files.

6. USSD-Teams and #: How to Enter Service Codes on Xiaomi

The number icon is most often required for entering USSD-Teams, such as checking balance (*100#) or activating operator services, may be difficult to do at Xiaomi due to the interface of the phone:

• 📞 Using the Phone app: Open the standard Phone app. Go to the Keyboard tab (not "Contacts" or "Log"). Enter USSD-code (e.g. *100#) and press the call button.

Through the engineering menu

Enter the phone app: ##4636##


Select "Phone Information" → "Perform a ping test"




In the input field, you can use # without restrictions.

If after recruitment USSD-code with # nothing happens:

⚠️ Note: Some operators (e.g, Tele2 Virtual operators like Tinkoff Mobile are blocked. USSD-# requests on devices with unofficial firmware. Check if your tariff supports these commands.

7. Hidden MIUI features: how to enter # in Safe Mode and Recovery

In rare cases, a number icon may be needed in Safe Mode or even in the Recovery menu (for example, to enter a password from Mi Account after a reset).

• 🔒 Safe Mode: Press the power button and select "Safe Mode." In any text input box, use gestures MIUI: swipe your finger from the letter G to Kommersant on the Russian layout - this will display a hidden menu with a #.
• 🛠️ Recovery Menu: Xiaomi’s standard Recovery doesn’t have a keyboard, but if you have one installed TWRP, plugged in OTG-keyboard Shift+3 enter #.