Smartphone owners Xiaomi i Redmi often face a situation where it is necessary to enter a specific character, for example, a number sign №, when filling out addresses or completing documents. The standard virtual keyboard layout does not always display this character on the first screen, which causes confusion among users. The absence of a familiar symbol in a prominent place is due to the optimization of screen space and the priority of the most frequently used characters.
However, the system MIUI or HyperOSon which these devices are based provides several ways to access the full library of symbols. Understanding the logic of switching between digital, alphabetic and character modes allows you to quickly find any necessary characters. In this article, we will analyze in detail all possible methods for searching for a number sign on various types of keyboards pre-installed on Redmi devices.
Standard Gboard keyboard and its features
Most modern Redmi smartphones use the keyboard by default Gboard from Google. It's a powerful input tool that hides additional characters behind several levels of menus. To find the number sign, the user needs to switch to the number and symbol input mode. This is usually done by pressing the ?123button located in the lower left corner of the screen.
Once you enter digital mode, you will see a lot of punctuation and math symbols, but the № sign may not be on this page. In this case, you should press the =\\< or 1/2button, which is located next to the return to letters button. This action will open the second page of symbols, where the sign we need is hidden. The location may vary slightly depending on the firmware version.
Sometimes users confuse the number sign with a hash (#) or a pound sign (£). It is important to distinguish between these characters, since in official documents and addresses the combination of the letter "N" and the number "0" in upper case is required. If you don't find the symbol right away, try holding your finger on the button with the number "0" or the letter "N" - in some keyboard localizations, the number sign is available through a long press.
☑️ Search algorithm in Gboard
Specifics of the MIUI keyboard and SwiftKey
In some regions or on certain models Redmi can be pre-installed with a proprietary keyboard MIUI or a third-party solution from SwiftKey. The operating logic of these input tools has its own nuances. In the MIUI keyboard, symbols are often grouped into categories and accessed through a separate button with a smiley face or globe icon, and then through the symbols tab.
The keyboard SwiftKey is famous for its predictive system and flexible customization of the symbol panel. If the number sign is not displayed immediately after pressing the button 123, you should pay attention to the top toolbar. Sometimes predictive input suggests frequently used symbols contextually. Also in the SwiftKey settings, you can manually add a number sign to the quick access panel so that it is always at hand.
⚠️ Attention: The keyboard layout may automatically change depending on the selected input language. If you type in English, the set of available characters will differ from the Russian layout, where the No. sign is more common.
For users who often work with documents, it is recommended to activate the "Professional input" mode in the keyboard settings, if such an option is available. This will expand the set of available special characters, including currency symbols, mathematical operators and, of course, the number sign. Don't forget that updating the keyboard via Google Play Store can change the arrangement of interface elements.
Alternative methods for entering special characters
If standard methods of switching layouts do not produce results or the keyboard interface seems inconvenient to you, there are alternative ways to enter a number sign. One of the most reliable methods is to use the clipboard or a custom word dictionary. You can copy the sign once № from any source (browser, message) and paste it as needed.
A more advanced method is to create a text replacement. In the keyboard settings Gboard or SwiftKey there is a section "Personal Dictionary" or "Text Replacements". You can set a rule in which entering a combination of letters, for example, nomer or nn, will be automatically replaced by the symbol №. This significantly speeds up the work if this sign is used frequently.
You can also use voice input. By clicking on the microphone icon on your keyboard, clearly say "number sign" or "number." The speech recognition system Google will interpret this command quite accurately and insert the desired character into the text field. This method is especially convenient when your hands are busy or the smartphone screen is dirty.
Create a text replacement in the keyboard settings: set the “nr” trigger, which will automatically turn into the No. symbol. This will save time when typing addresses frequently.
Customizing a personal character panel
Many users do not know that the character panel on the Android keyboard can be customized. In the text input settings, you can pin frequently used characters to a visible panel so that you don’t have to go to second pages every time. This is especially true for those who regularly fill out forms with addresses or technical specifications.
To add a number sign to the panel, go to the keyboard settings, find the "Preferences" or "Character Panel" section. There you will see a list of available signs with switches. Activate the desired symbol and it will appear in the row above the numbers or letters as you type. The settings interface may differ depending on the version MIUI.
If your Redmi model runs on an older version of Android, customization options may be limited. In this case, it is more rational to install a third-party keyboard with advanced customization options, for example Hacker's Keyboard or TouchPal. These applications emulate a physical keyboard and provide access to all ASCII and Unicode characters without unnecessary switching.
| Keyboard type | Path to character No. | Customizability |
|---|---|---|
| Gboard | ?123 -> =\\< |
High |
| SwiftKey | 123 -> #+= |
Maximum |
| MIUI Keyboard | 123 ->character tab |
Medium |
| Google Voice | Voice command | No |
Solving problems with displaying characters
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the number sign is displayed incorrectly, turning into a square or a question mark. This indicates a problem with the text encoding or lack of support for this character in the application font used. In most cases, the problem is solved by updating the system or the application itself in which the input is made.
If the character is not entered by a specific application (for example, an old messenger or banking app), try copying it from the browser and pasting it through the clipboard. Some older versions of the software do not have built-in support for Unicode characters in their virtual keyboard, but display them correctly when inserted from outside.
It is also worth checking the device region. In some localized firmware for specific markets, the character set may be truncated. Changing the system language to Russian or English usually returns a full set of standard punctuation marks and special characters familiar to users in the CIS.
Why may the number sign not work in older applications?
Some legacy applications use their own font sets that do not include characters from the extended Unicode table. In this case, the No. character (U+2116) may not be displayed. Solution: Update the app or use an alternative spelling of "No." or "#".
Using Unicode and character tables
For the most demanding users who need guaranteed input of any existing character, there is a method of directly entering the Unicode code. The number sign has a code U+2116. Although smartphones do not have a direct key for entering codes, like on a PC, there are special character manager applications.
By installing an application like "Unicode Character Map" from the Play Market store, you get access to the complete table of characters. There you can find the number sign, copy it and use it anywhere in the system. This method is universal and does not depend on the version of the keyboard or the settings of the Redmi phone.
In addition, in modern versions Android i Gboard The "Handwriting" function has been implemented. By activating this mode, you can simply draw a number sign on the screen with your finger, and the system will recognize it and convert it into a printable character. This is a great way if you have forgotten where exactly the character you want is hidden in the keyboard menu.
⚠️ Attention: When using third-party applications to enter characters, make sure that you give them only the necessary permissions. Do not give access to reading all messages or contacts unless absolutely necessary.
The fastest way to get the number sign on any Redmi is to use a long press on the number 0 or the letter N in the Russian Gboard layout, or set up a text replacement.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why on my Redmi keyboard does not have a button with a number sign?
The number sign is not placed on the main screen of the keyboard to save space. It is on the second page of symbols. Click ?123and then the character page switch button (usually =\\<) to find it.
Is it possible to replace the # sign with a hash (#) in documents?
Technically, these are different characters. The sign No. (U+2116) is a ligature of the letters N and o. The hash mark (#) is the octothorp symbol. In official documents and addresses of Russia and the CIS countries, it is recommended to use the number sign, since automatic recognition systems may incorrectly process the hash mark.
How to add a number sign to the quick access panel in Gboard?
Go to Gboard settings -> Preferences -> Character panel. Find the number sign in the list and activate the switch next to it. Now it will be displayed in the top row when entering text.
The number sign is not displayed in WhatsApp, what should I do?
This is a rare problem related to fonts. Try updating the WhatsApp application and the Gboard keyboard itself via the Play Market. If it doesn’t help, copy the sign from the browser and paste it into the message.
Is there a difference in searching for the sign on Redmi Note and Redmi K?
No, the location of the symbols depends on the version of the Android operating system and the installed keyboard, and not on the smartphone model. The operating logic of Gboard is the same on all Redmi series devices.