Why is the # sign so important to Xiaomi owners and where is it hiding?
The lattice symbol (#), also known as the number sign, is one of the most popular special symbols on smartphones. USSD-querying (*100#), hashtags on social media, Wi-Fi passwords, and even hidden engineering menus, but many users are faced with the problem of the # key disappearing from the keyboard, then moving to unexpected places after the updates. MIUI.
In this article, you will find current ways to enter # for all versions of MIUI (12-14) and Xiaomi models (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark), as well as solutions for cases when the character is lost or replaced with characters.
Method 1: Standard Gboard keyboard input (Google)
Most Xiaomi users default to Gboard, a keyboard from Google, where the # sign is hidden on the second character screen to type it in:
- Open any field to enter text (message, browser, notes).
- Press the?123 key in the lower left corner of the keyboard to switch to the numbers.
- Now tap the =+ button (or \< on some versions) and an additional character bar will open.
- The # sign will be in the first row on the left (near the $ and %).
If you see a different character instead of # (e.g. ¥ or ¢), you have the wrong layout activated.
- 🔹 Click the space and select English (USA) or Russian.
- 🔹 Go to Settings. → System system → Language and input → Virtual keyboard → Gboard → Languages and leave only the necessary ones.
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If you use # frequently, add it to Gboard’s Quick Access: pinch the character on the extra bar and drag it to the top keyboard bar.
Method 2: Enter via Xiaomi’s standard keyboard (MIUI Keyboard)
The MIUI keyboard has a different interface, and the # sign can be hidden here depending on the firmware version. For MIUI 13-14:
- Open the keyboard in any application.
- Press the 12# button (it is to the left of the space on the main layout).
- In the window that appears, select # and it will be in the first row.
On older versions (MIUI 12 and below), the path is different:
- 🔹 Press? 123. → =+ → Find # in the top row.
- 🔹 If the symbol is not, update the keyboard via Settings → Annexes → Application management → keyboard MIUI → Update.
What if a character is displayed instead of #?
| MIUI version | The path to the # symbol | Features |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 14 | 12# → Choose # | The symbol is available on the main layout |
| MIUI 13 | ?123 → =+ → # | May require a keyboard update |
| MIUI 12 | ?123 → \< → # | Often disappears after resetting settings |
| POCO Launcher | Long press on * | It only works on some models. |
Method 3: Use USSD-codes and engineering menus
If you need to enter # for USSD-query (e.g. *100# for balance check), but the keyboard does not display the character, use workarounds:
- 📱 Copy from the buffer: copy # from this text and paste in the dialing field.
- 🔧 Engineering menu: enter ##4636## → In the menu, the # symbol will be available on the virtual keyboard.
- 📋 Creating a shortcut: add USSD-code to contacts with the # symbol (for example, keep the contact Balance with the number *100#).
For Redmi Note models 10/11 and POCO X3 There is a special feature: when recruiting USSD-The # sign can automatically be converted to * (asterisk:
⚠️ Attention: Before recruitment USSD-switch the system language to English (Settings) → Additionally. → Language and region. This eliminates the character swapping bug on Chinese firmware.
Method 4: Alternative keyboards (SwiftKey, Microsoft)
If standard methods don't work, install a third-party keyboard. For example, in Microsoft SwiftKey, the # sign is:
- Switch to the digital keyboard (button 123).
- Press and hold the key 5 – a pop-up with the symbol # will appear.
Advantages of alternative keyboards for Xiaomi:
- 🔄 Automatically switching layout by context (e.g., # appears when you enter hashtags).
- 📱 Signs support: swipe from? to 1 to enter #.
- 🔒 No problem with Chinese characters on global firmware.
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models 12T redmi K50 s MIUI 14 third-party keyboards can block access to system USSD-codes (e.g. *#06# for IMEI). In this case, temporarily switch to the standard keyboard.
☑️ Check before installing a new keyboard
Method 5: Hidden Combinations and Gestures (for Advanced)
On some Xiaomi models (such as Black Shark 5 or Mix Fold 2), you can type the # sign without the keyboard:
- 🎮 Game mode: in games hold Volume Up + Power – a virtual keyboard with #.
- 📱 Gesture on the lock screen: swipe two fingers from the top right corner down → A menu with symbols will open.
- 🔧 ADB-Command (for developers): connect your phone to your PC and do: adb shell input text '#'
For owners of the POCO F4 GT and Redmi K60, there is a unique feature: if you enter ##6484##, the test menu opens, where # is available on all screens.
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On devices with MIUI for POCO, the # sign is always available through a long press on the 0 key in the phone app.
Problem Solving: # is lost or replaced with other characters
If the # sign suddenly disappeared or turned into a character, use this instruction:
- Resetting the keyboard: 🔄 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Gboard/MIUI Keyboard → Warehouse → Clear the data. 🔄 Reboot the phone.
- Checking regional settings: 🌍 Set the US or UK region in Settings → Additionally. → Language and region. 🌍 Remove Chinese, Japanese or Korean from the keyboard list.
Firmware update
- 📲 Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI.
- 📲 For the Redmi Note 9/10 current-age — MIUI 14.0.4+ (In older bugs with # not fixed).
This feature is not available on MIUI Keyboard.