How to enter the number (#) on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways from MIUI 12 to HyperOS

Symbol of the number (โ„–) โ€” One of those signs that you don't need every day, but you can't do without them when you fill out documents, make lists or work with accounting programs. Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the problem: where is this mysterious "grid" on the virtual keyboard? Unlike a PC, where the number sign is entered by a simple combination. Shift+3, On mobile devices, it is not so obvious.

It is especially difficult to find this symbol for users who have recently switched from iPhones or devices of other brands - the location of special characters in MIUI and HyperOS has its own peculiarities. Moreover, depending on the firmware version, the layout language and even the model of a smartphone (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 14), the input methods may differ. In this article, we will analyze all current methods, including hidden chips of the Gboard keyboard and the proprietary Mi Keyboard, as well as alternative solutions for those who often work with characters.

If you've tried to find a number sign before, but you haven't succeeded, don't rush to install third-party keyboards. 90 percent of the time, the problem is solved by standard MIUI, you just need to know where to look. And for those who prefer maximum convenience, we've prepared a hotkey and life hack table for quick access to special characters.

1. Standard way: where to look for a number sign on Xiaomi keyboard

On most Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12-14 or HyperOS firmware, the number sign is hidden on the second page of the digital keyboard. Here is a step-by-step guide to how to find it:

1. Open any application where you can enter text (such as Notes or Messages).

2.Tap the input field to make the keyboard appear.

3. Switch to the digital layout (click on the button?123 or 123 in the lower left corner).

4. Click the =+ button (or \< on some models) โ€“ this will open the second page of special characters.

5. find among the signs โ„– (usually in the first row on the right or next to the paragraph symbol ยง).

If you have a Mi Keyboard, the appearance of the buttons may be slightly different, but the principle remains the same. The main thing is to remember the second page of characters, which many users simply do not notice.

๐Ÿ“Š What keyboard do you use on Xiaomi?
Branded Mi Keyboard
Gboard (Google)
SwiftKey
other

2. Alternative method: copying from the clipboard

If you need to type in a number once (for example, to fill out a form), the easiest way to do this is to copy it from this paragraph and paste it in the right place.

โ„–

How it works:

  1. Select the symbol โ„– above (clasp your finger for 1-2 seconds).
  2. In the menu that appears, select Copy.
  3. Go to the input field and hold your finger until the Insert option appears.

This is especially useful for users of POCO F5 or Redmi 10C, where the small screen makes it difficult to get exactly the right button on the keyboard, and copying eliminates errors when searching for a character in the menu.

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Create a bookmark in the browser with this page โ€“ so you can always quickly copy the number sign or other rare characters.

3.Using Gboard (Google keyboard) for quick access

Googleโ€™s Gboard keyboard offers more flexible settings and easy access to special characters, and if you have one installed (or are ready to install one), follow these steps:

1. Install Gboard from Google Play if you haven't already done so.

2. Switch to it in the settings:

  • Open Settings โ†’ System and device โ†’ Language and input.
  • Select Virtual Keyboard โ†’ Keyboard Management.
  • Activate Gboard and make it the default keyboard.

3. Now, when you enter the text:

  • Go to the digital layout (?123).
  • Click on the =+ button (second page of characters).
  • Number sign โ„– It will be in the front row, usually between ยง and ยถ.

The advantage of Gboard is that you can add a number to the Quick Access Panel.

  1. Press the button?123 (or 123) on the keyboard.
  2. Select Settings โ†’ Personalization โ†’ Quick Access Panel.
  3. Find the symbol โ„– In the list and add it to your favorites.

Install Gboard from Google Play|

Make it the default keyboard |

Add โ„– quick-access panel|

Check the display on the second page of characters-->

4. Enter the number sign via Unicode (for advanced users)

If you're a professional text user (e.g., Microsoft Word or Google Docs on your smartphone), you can use the Unicode symbol code. For a number sign, it's U+2116. Here's how to type it:

1. Install an application to enter Unicode characters (e.g. Unicode Pad or Symbol Keyboard).

2. In the input field, dial 2116 (without spaces and characters).

3. Convert the code to a character using the app.

This method is suitable for Xiaomi Pad 6 or other devices where the accuracy of entering special characters is important, and Unicode is useful if you need other rare characters, such as ยฉ, ยฎ or โ‚ฌ.

List of useful Unicode characters for Xiaomi
โ„– โ€” U+2116 ยง โ€” U+00A7 (paragraph) ยฉ โ€” U+00A9 (copyright) ยฎ โ€” U+00AE (registered) โ‚ฌ โ€” U+20AC (euro) โ€ข โ€” U+2022 (marker)

5 Problems and Solutions: Why the Number Sign Is Not Displayed

Xiaomi users sometimes find that the number sign is either missing from the keyboard or replaced with another character.

Problem.Possible causeDecision
No sign. โ„– second-page charactersObsolete version of MIUI or keyboard failureUpdate the firmware in Settings โ†’ About the phone โ†’ System update
Instead โ„– display another symbol (for example, #)Incorrect language layout (e.g. English)Switch to Russian layout or add it in the keyboard settings
The keyboard is โ€œhungโ€ and does not open the second pageMi Keyboard's malfunctionClear the keyboard cache in Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Application management โ†’ Mi Keyboard โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Clear the cache
Symbol โ„– enters but is displayed as a square or question markProblems with font in the annexTry pasting the character into another application (such as Notepad) or updating problematic software

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the keyboard settings:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ System and Device โ†’ Language and Enter.
  2. Select your keyboard (such as the Mi Keyboard).
  3. Click Reset Settings or Restore Default Values.

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If the MIUI update has left the number mark missing, check the regional settings, and sometimes resetting the system language to Russia solves the problem.

6 Hidden Chips: How to Add a Number Sign to Text Templates

If you often have to type in a number sign (for example, to number items in documents), you can automate the process using text templates. MIUI:

1. Open Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Text templates (on some models, the path may differ: Settings โ†’ System and device โ†’ Language and input โ†’ Text templates).

2. Click Add Template.

3. Enter the text field โ„–, a) In the label field, specify a short combination, for example, //n.

4. Save the pattern.

Now, when you type //n in any application, you automatically insert a number sign, which is especially useful for the Xiaomi 13T or Redmi K60, where typing speed is important.

An alternative is to use apps to create custom keyboards, such as:

  • ๐Ÿ”น AnySoftKeyboard โ€“ allows you to add your characters to the panel.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Fleksy โ€“ supports gestures for quick input of special characters.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Chroom โ€“ keyboard with support for custom layouts.

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Create a separate template for the combination ยซโ„– pp/p (number in order) โ€“ this will save time when preparing documents.

7. Features of input on different models Xiaomi

Depending on the smartphone model and firmware version, the location of the number sign may vary, and this is what owners of popular devices need to know:

For Redmi Note 11/12/13 and POCO X4/X5:

  • Symbol โ„– It is on the second page of the digital keyboard (=+).

For Xiaomi 12/13/14 and Mix Fold:

    For the Xiaomi Pad 5/6:

    • Because of the big screen, the symbol โ„– It can be on the third page of the keyboard (button). 1/3 top-right).

    On older models (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3), the number sign may not be present in the standard layout, in which case the installation of an alternative keyboard or the use of the Unicode method will help.

    ๐Ÿ’ก

    On Xiaomi tablets, the number sign is often hidden on the third page of characters - do not forget to flip through the tabs!

    Frequently asked questions

    Why is my Xiaomi not wearing a number on the keyboard?
    There are a number of reasons: If you use English, switch to Russian. If you have an outdated version of MIUI, update your firmware. If the keyboard resets, try adding the character manually through text templates. If the problem persists, install Gboard or another alternative keyboard.
    Can I enter a number sign with a voice?
    Yes, but with reservations: At Google Assistant, say "number sign" or "number symbol." At Mi AI (Xiaomi voice assistant), the team may not work - it's better to use manual input. Voice input is suitable for rare occasions, but does not guarantee 100% accuracy.
    How to enter a number sign in Excel or Word on Xiaomi?
    In mobile versions of Microsoft Office: Tap the text input field. Go to the digital keyboard (123). =+ and find โ„–. If the character doesnโ€™t appear, copy it from this article or use the Unicode Pad.
    Is there a difference between the sign โ„– and lattice #?
    Yeah, they're different symbols: โ„– โ€” number sign (used for numbering, for example, ยซโ„– 1). # is a grille (used in hashtags, music notation, programming) and is placed in different places on Xiaomi's keyboard: โ„– โ€” on the second page of the characters, and # - on the main digital layout.
    Can I reassign the button on the keyboard for quick input? โ„–?
    The standard Mi Keyboard doesnโ€™t have this feature, but there are workarounds: Use text templates (see section 6). Install AnySoftKeyboard, which allows you to customize your own layouts. On some firmware (such as HyperOS), you can add a character to the Gboard Quick Access Panel.

    If you often work with documents or accounting programs on a Xiaomi smartphone, we recommend adding a number sign to your favorites or customizing text templates. This will save time and eliminate the need to search for a character in the menu every time. For most users, a standard MIUI or Gboard keyboard is enough, but if you need advanced features, look for alternative keyboards with customization support.

    Remember that when you update your firmware, the character location may change. If the number sign suddenly disappears, check your language and region settings, and update your keyboard via Google Play.

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    For maximum convenience, combine Xiaomiโ€™s standard keyboard with text templates and Unicode input.