Where is the number icon (#) on the Xiaomi keyboard and how to enter it

You are trying to enter a hashtag in social networks, type USSD-command to check balance or activate hidden feature through engineering menu, but can't find number symbol (#) on your Xiaomi keyboard? this problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi smartphones, POCO And the thing is, the placement of the special characters on the virtual keyboard depends on the layout language, the version. MIUI even the model of the device.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can type in a # sign (also called a “grating,” “hashtag” or “number”) on a Xiaomi keyboard, including the standard Gboard, the branded Mi Keyboard, and third-party apps. You’ll learn why a character might disappear, how to return it through settings, and what to do if the keyboard doesn’t display a digital series at all. And for the most challenging cases, we’ve prepared alternative input methods, from copying from the clipboard to using the engineering menu.

Why Xiaomi doesn’t have a # icon on its keyboard and where to look for it

The main reason # is missing is automatic keyboard settings, and depending on the layout language you choose, the digital series may be hidden behind an extra menu or not on the main screen.

• 🇷🇺 Russian layout: the # sign is usually hidden in the second layer of digital keys (press?123, then =+ or simb.).
• 🇬🇧 English layout (UK): The symbol is on the same key as the number 3 (should hold the Shift).
• 🇺🇸 English layout (US): # available in the digital row (key to the right of 0).
• 🌍 Other languages: in Arabic, Chinese or Indian layouts, the symbol may be absent or require switching to the Latin alphabet.

Another common problem is MIUI updates, and once you install a new firmware version, the keyboard can reset to the factory, and the digital series will have to be turned on again, and the # symbol may be lost because of:

• 🔄 Keyboard failure (for example, after a forced application stop).
• 📱 Use of third-party keyboards with non-standard layout (for example, SwiftKey or Fleksy).
• 🔧 Disabled digital keys in settings (relevant to Mi Keyboard).

Method 1: Enter # via the standard Gboard keyboard

Gboard (Google keyboard) is the default on most Xiaomi smartphones with global firmware. To enter the # character, follow the following steps:

1. Open any application where you can type text (such as Notes or Messages).
2. Tap the input field so that the keyboard appears.
3. Click on the?123 (numbers and symbols) button in the lower left corner.
4. In the top row, find the key with the # (usually to the right of 0). If it is not, press =+ or simb to open the second layer.

If the # key is missing even after switching to a digital row, check the Gboard settings:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Virtual Keyboard → Gboard.
2. Select the layout → English (USA) or another language with Latin.
3. Make sure the setting Show digital series is enabled.

Important: On some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) in the Russian layout, the # symbol can be on the key with the number 3 - hold it so that a pop-up menu with alternative characters appears.

Method 2: Search # on the Mi Keyboard

The Mi Keyboard is installed on Xiaomi smartphones with Chinese or European firmware, where the location of the # character may vary depending on the version of MIUI:

If the symbol is not in any of the specified places, try resetting the Mi Keyboard settings:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and Enter → Current Keyboard → Mi Keyboard.
2. Select Resetting (may be called Reset by default).
3. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with POCO Launcher (e.g, POCO F3 or POCO X4 Pro) The keyboard can use a modified version of the Mi Keyboard, where the # character is hidden behind the *. Hold it for 2 seconds to see the alternate characters.

Method 3: Alternative methods of entering the #

If the standard methods do not work, use one of the alternative methods:

• 📋 Copying from clipboard: Find the # symbol on the Internet (for example, in this article), copy it and paste it in the desired field.
• 🔤 Voice input: Activate the microphone on the keyboard and say "hashtag" or "number sign".
• 🖥️ Computer usage: Type text with # on your PC, send it to yourself via Telegram or Email, then copy it on your smartphone.
• 📱 Special apps: Install a keyboard that supports all characters, such as AnySoftKeyboard or Hacker's Keyboard.

For Xiaomi root-right owners, there's another way to do this, which is to type through an engineering menu. USSD-commands (e.g. *#06# for verification) IMEI):

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination ##4636## (Engineering menu opens).
3. Return to the dialing field – now the digital row will always be displayed, including the # character.

Problem Solving: What to Do When # Never Appears

If none of these things work, the problem can go deeper, and here are the most common causes and solutions.

If the problem persists, try installing another keyboard from Google Play:

• 🔹 SwiftKey – supports gestures and flexible character settings.
• 🔹 Fleksy – Minimalist keyboard with quick access to special characters.
• 🔹 Chroom – keyboard with support for dark theme and an extended set of characters.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones Xiaomi with Chinese firmware (Redmi) K40, Mi 11 et al.) some keyboards from Google Play may not be installed due to regional restrictions. APK-Files from trusted sources (e.g. APKMirror).

💡

If you use it often USSD-commands (for example, to check balance), create a shortcut on the home screen: add the widget "Tags" → Choose "Phone" → Type a command (e.g. *100#) and you don't have to search for the # symbol every time.

How to set up the Xiaomi keyboard for easy entry

To keep the # symbol always on hand, optimize your keyboard settings:

For Gboard:

1. Open Gboard Settings → Layout → Setting up the layout.
2. Turn on the option Digital row always see.
3. Add the English layout (EN-US) if you don't have one.

For Mi Keyboard:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and Input → Mi Keyboard.
2. Select the layout → Customized.
3. Add the # character to the top row (if available).

You can also create a text template for quick input:

1. In the keyboard settings, find Text templates or Quick Answers.
2. Add a new template: in the “Reduce” field, enter ##, in the “Text” field, the # symbol.
3. Now, when you enter ##, you automatically substitute #.

💡

Customization in the Mi Keyboard is only available on MIUI 13 and later, and older firmware versions may not have this section.

Frequent questions about entering # on Xiaomi