How to put the “#” sign on Xiaomi phone: step-by-step instructions for all models

You try to enter a password from Wi-Fi, type USSD-A team to check the balance or just want to put a hashtag in social networks, but the number sign (#) somewhere disappeared from the keyboard of your Xiaomi, POCO and Mi, especially after the update MIUI Unlike iPhones or Samsungs, where the # character is always visible, Xiaomi devices may vary depending on the firmware version, the phone model, and even the input language they choose.

In this article, we will not only show you where the number is on Xiaomi, but also reveal all the possible ways to enter it, from the standard to the hidden. You will learn why the character can disappear from the keyboard, how to return it, and what to do if none of the methods work. And also deal with the frequent errors that cause users to lose hours in search of a simple solution. For example, did you know that in some versions of MIUI 14 the "#" sign hides behind a long press on the "&" key?

Why Xiaomi doesn’t have a # sign on its keyboard: 3 main reasons

Before you look for a solution, it’s important to understand why your Xiaomi number sign is missing, and 80% of the time, the problem is due to one of three reasons:

• 🔄 Resetting keyboard settings after update MIUI (especially relevant for transitions from MIUI 12 on MIUI 13/14).
• 🌍 Incorrect language layout: on the English keyboard, "#" is usually visible, and on the Russian keyboard - hidden behind additional characters.
• 📱 Use a third-party keyboard (e.g. SwiftKey or Yandex Keyboard) where the character arrangement differs from the standard keyboard.

Another nuance: on some Xiaomi models (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro), the "#" sign can only be displayed in the numerical keyboard mode. If you try to type it into the text box, the symbol simply won't appear. It's not a bug, it's a feature of the firmware that few people know about.

⚠️ Note: If you have recently installed custom firmware (such as Pixel Experience or LineageOS), the problem may be due to incorrect localization.

Method 1: Standard keyboard input (MIUI Keyboard)

On most Xiaomi smartphones with the standard MIUI Keyboard, the "#" sign is hidden behind the extra characters.

1. Open any field to enter text (for example, notes or a message in Telegram).
2. Switch to English layout (if you use Russian).
3. Press the 123 key in the lower left corner to go into numerical mode.
4. Hold your finger on the key & (ampersand) – in a second a pop-up with the # sign will appear.

If you have MIUI 14 or newer, the algorithm may be slightly different.

• 📱 On Redmi Note 12 and Xiaomi 13: the “#” sign is on the second page of characters (click on the graph below). =/+ after the transition to numerical regime).
• 🔢 Nana POCO F4 and POCO X5 Pro: Hold key 1 – alternate symbols are hidden there, including «#».

Switched to English layout

Activated numerical mode (123)

Trying long pressing on &, 1 and =/+

Checked input in different applications (not only in SMS)

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Important: If you use a dark theme in MIUI, the characters on the keyboard can merge with the background. Try temporarily switching to a light theme in the settings (Settings → Screen → Dark Mode).

Method 2: Enter via Gboard (keyboard from Google)

Many Xiaomi users install Gboard instead of a standard keyboard, in which case the algorithm for finding the “#” sign is simpler:

1. Open any text box and call Gboard.
2. Press the key?123 (transition to numerical mode).
3. The # sign will be located on the first page of the characters at the top right (near $ and %).

If there is no symbol:

• 🔄 Update Gboard to Google Play (sometimes the sign disappears after automatic updates).
• 🌐 Check the input language: in some languages (e.g. German) the character layout is different.
• ⚙️ Go to the Gboard settings (Settings) → System system → keyboard → Gboard) and reset to standard.

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If you use the # sign often, add it to the Gboard clipboard. To do this, hold the character, select Copy, and then save to the Clipboard via the keyboard toolbar.

Method 3: Use USSD-commands (for calls and calls) SMS)

If you need to enter a “#” for USSD-commands (e.g. *100# to check balance), the problem may not be in the keyboard, but in the phone app:

1. Open the phone application (green handset).
2. Go to the keyboard tab (usually at the bottom of the screen).
3. The # sign will appear by default in the lower right corner (near *).

If there is no symbol:

• 📞 Try entering a command through the Messages app (SMS).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes the glitch of the phone application is solved with a simple reboot.
• 📲 Install an alternative call app (like Google Phone) where character layout is standardized.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI for Redmi 9A redmi 8A The phone app may not display # because of a bug, so the solution is to upgrade to the latest version of the firmware or use Google Phone.

Method 4: Copying from clipboard or special characters

If neither of these methods works, you can copy the # sign from another source.

1. Open this article section on your phone and hold your finger on the # symbol.
2. In the menu that appears, select Copy.
3. Insert the symbol in the desired field (hold your finger → Insert).

Alternative sources for copying:

• 📄 Any text document (e.g. Google Docs or Google Docs) WPS Office).
• 💬 A message on WhatsApp or Viber where someone has already used «#».
• 🌐 Page in the browser with a symbol (for example, hashtags on Instagram).

Method 5: Reset keyboard settings (if nothing helps)

If the "#" sign is missing after updating or changing the settings, resetting the keyboard to the factory will help.

1. Go to Settings → System → Language and input.
2. Select your keyboard (such as MIUI Keyboard or Gboard).
3. Click Reset Settings (or Clear Data in Application Information).
4. Reboot the phone.

After discharge:

• 🔄 The keyboard will return to the standard layout, where the "#" will be in place.
• 📲 You may need to reconfigure your auto-replacement and dictionary.
• ⚠️ If you use Gboard, check that the settings have enabled the option to Show characters on the top panel.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 12.5 and below, resetting the keyboard can cause you to lose custom words in the dictionary.Before reset, export them through Keyboard Settings → Dictionary → Exports.

Standard MIUI Keyboard

Gboard (Google)

SwiftKey

Yandex Keyboard

other

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Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Xiaomi users make the same mistakes when searching for a # sign. TOP-5 The wrongs and how to get around them:

• ❌ Error: Search for "#" in Russian layout in text mode. Solution: Switch to English or numerical mode.
• ❌ Mistake: Thinking the sign is gone forever after the update.Solution: Reset the keyboard or reinstall MIUI Keyboard via Google Play.
• ❌ Error: Try to type "#" through voice input. Solution: Voice assistants (like Google Assistant) don't recognize characters - use manual input.
• ❌ Error: Ignore additional character pages (only press 123, but not) =/+). Solution: Flick through all available tabs with symbols.
• ❌ Error: Do not check auto-replace settings, which can replace "#" with another character.Solution: Open keyboard settings and disable auto-replacement for special characters.

On Xiaomi models with a physical keyboard (such as the Black Shark 4 Pro), the “#” sign may not be on the screen, but is entered via a Shift + 3 combination.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

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If you use it often USSD-teams, add the phone widget to the main screen – this will speed up access to the keyboard with the symbol «#».