When the value of Text is set in XAML, Text value is ignored on Android. Use this example: <telerikInput:RadAutoComplete x:Name="autoComplete" Text="Initial Text" Watermark="watermark" /> Observe that only the watermark appears (note: this issue happens with or without watermark). Workaround: Set the value of Text after view has loaded, for example in OnAppearing: protected override void OnAppearing() { base.OnAppearing(); autoComplete.Text = "OnAppearing"; }