⚠ Old codes (*556#, *131#) now retired
Updated September 2026
MTN USSD Codes Nigeria 2026 — Complete List
All working MTN short codes for recharge, data subscription, balance check, number check, XtraTime borrow and more — updated for the NCC unified code system.
ℹ️ MTN New Codes — What Changed & Why
Why did MTN codes change? The NCC directed all four networks — MTN, Glo, Airtel and 9mobile — to adopt a single unified set of USSD codes. The goal: one set of codes works on any Nigerian network. MTN adopted these codes in 2023–2024.
| Service | Old Code (retired) | New Code |
|---|---|---|
| Recharge airtime | *556*PIN# | *311*PIN# USE THIS |
| Check airtime balance | *556# / *124# | *310# USE THIS |
| Buy data | *131# | *312# USE THIS |
| Data balance | *131*4# | *323# USE THIS |
| Check MTN number | *123*1*1# | *663# (fastest) |
| Borrow airtime (XtraTime) | *606# | *303# USE THIS |
| NIN linking | *785# | *996# (both work) |
| Customer care | 0803 123 3333 | 180 (both work) |
*556# and *131# no longer work. Dialling these will fail or redirect. Always use *310# for balance and *312# for data.
⚡ Essential MTN USSD Codes
| Function | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Check airtime balance | *310# NCC | Balance on screen + SMS. Replaces *556# and *124# |
| Recharge airtime | *311*PIN# NCC | e.g. *311*1234567890123456#. Replaces *556*PIN# |
| Buy data bundle | *312# NCC | All plans via menu. Replaces *131# |
| Check data balance | *323# | SMS shows MB/GB + expiry. Or text STATUS to 312 |
| Check my MTN number | *663# | Number on screen instantly. Also: *123*1*1# |
| Borrow airtime (XtraTime) | *303# | e.g. *303*100# borrows ₦100. Repaid on next recharge |
| Transfer airtime | *321# | To other MTN lines only. Default PIN: 0000 |
| Share / gift data | *321# | Share data to another MTN number |
| Customer care (free) | 180 | Toll-free from MTN line. Also: 0803 123 3333 |
| Bank recharge (GTBank) | *737# | GTBank. Access Bank: *901# |
| Link NIN to SIM | *996# | Also: *785# (MTN dedicated NIN code) |
| Do Not Disturb (DND) | *2442# | Stop promotional messages |
| Value-Added Services | *305# | Manage subscriptions, caller tunes |
| Mobile Number Portability | *3232# | Port MTN number to another network |
💳 MTN Recharge Codes
| Function | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recharge (NCC unified) | *311*PIN# | Primary code — always use this. Replaces all old codes |
| Recharge another MTN line | *311*Number*PIN# | Send airtime to any MTN subscriber |
| Bank recharge (GTBank) | *737# | Buy airtime from GTB account directly |
| Bank recharge (Access Bank) | *901# | Access Bank users |
| Confirm balance after recharge | *310# | Check new balance immediately after recharging |
How to recharge: Scratch card to reveal PIN → Dial *311* → Type 16-digit PIN → Type # → Press Call/Send → Wait for SMS confirmation.
📡 MTN Data Plans & Codes 2026
All MTN data plans are subscribed via *312#. Select from the menu — daily, weekly, monthly and mega plans all available.
How to subscribe: Load airtime → Dial *312# → Select plan → Confirm. You can also use the MyMTN app.
Daily & Weekly Plans
100MB
₦100
1 Day
*312#
200MB
₦200
3 Days
*312#
500MB
₦300
1 Day
*312#
750MB
₦500
14 Days
*312#
Monthly Plans
1.5GB
₦1,000
30 Days
*312#
3.5GB
₦2,000
30 Days
*312#
Popular5GB
₦2,500
30 Days
*312#
6.5GB
₦3,000
30 Days
*312#
12GB
₦5,000
30 Days
*312#
25GB
₦10,000
30 Days
*312#
60GB
₦20,000
30 Days
*312#
Dial *312# for the live current menu — prices and volumes update regularly.
📊 MTN Balance Check Codes
| What to check | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airtime balance | *310# | NCC unified — works on all networks. Replaces *556# |
| Data balance | *323# | SMS shows remaining MB/GB + expiry |
| Data balance via SMS | Send STATUS to 312 | Receive data balance via text message |
| Bonus balance | *559*61# | Check any bonus airtime or data |
| Account expiry | *310# | Balance SMS includes account validity date |
| Active data plans | *323# | Lists all active bundles and their expiry dates |
📞 How to Check Your MTN Number
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| USSD (quickest) | Dial *663# — your MTN number appears on screen immediately |
| USSD shortcut | Dial *123*1*1# — direct path to My Number |
| USSD menu | Dial *123# → Account Info → My Number |
| Android settings | Settings → About Phone → SIM Status → Phone Number |
| iPhone settings | Settings → Phone → My Number |
| Call any other phone | Your MTN number appears as caller ID |
Fastest method: Dial *663# — your MTN number shows on screen in seconds with no menu navigation.
💰 MTN XtraTime — Borrow Airtime & Data
| Function | Code | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow airtime (XtraTime) | *303# | Select amount from menu. Or *303*100# to borrow ₦100 directly |
| Borrow data (XtraByte) | *303# | Dial *303# → select data bundle option from menu |
| Customer care for borrow issues | 180 | Toll-free from any MTN line. 24/7 |
Borrowed amount plus a service fee is automatically deducted from your next recharge. Eligibility requires active subscription for at least 3 months with consistent recharge history.
🔄 MTN Airtime Transfer & Data Sharing
| Function | Code | How to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer airtime | *321# | Dial *321# → Transfer Airtime → enter recipient MTN number and amount. Default PIN: 0000 |
| Direct transfer | *321*Number*Amount*PIN# | e.g. *321*08031234567*200*0000# |
| Share data (gift) | *321# | Dial *321# → Share Data → enter recipient MTN number |
| Change transfer PIN | *321*0000*NewPIN*NewPIN# | Replace 0000 with current PIN and NewPIN with new 4-digit PIN |
Transfer is only between MTN lines. Minimum: ₦50. Maximum: ₦5,000 per transaction.
🪪 MTN NIN Linking & SIM Services
| Function | Code | How to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Link NIN (NCC unified) | *996# | Dial *996# → enter your 11-digit NIN when prompted. Mandatory |
| Link NIN (MTN dedicated) | *785# | MTN's own NIN code — also works |
| Retrieve NIN via MTN | *346# | Dial *346# to retrieve linked NIN. Note: ₦20 airtime charged |
| SIM swap | Call 180 | Call customer care with valid government-issued ID |
| Number portability | *3232# | Port your MTN number to another network |
❓ FAQs — MTN USSD Codes
Following the NCC harmonisation, the current MTN USSD codes are: Recharge *311*PIN#, Airtime balance *310#, Buy data *312#, Data balance *323#, Borrow airtime (XtraTime) *303#, Share data *321#, Check number *663#, Link NIN *996#, Customer care 180. The old codes *556*PIN# (recharge) and *131# (data) have been retired.
Dial *310# to check your MTN airtime balance. The balance will appear on screen and be sent via SMS. This is the NCC-unified code that replaced the old *556# and *124# codes. It works on all phones with no internet connection needed.
Dial *323# to check your MTN data balance. You will receive an SMS showing your remaining MB/GB and the expiry date of your active plan. You can also text "STATUS" to 312 to receive your balance via SMS.
The new MTN recharge code is *311*VoucherPIN#. Replace VoucherPIN with the 16-digit PIN on your recharge scratch card. Example: *311*1234567890123456#. The old *556*PIN# code is retired and will not work.
Dial *663# to see your MTN number on screen immediately. You can also dial *123*1*1# as a direct shortcut or dial *123# → Account Info → My Number. Your number also appears when you call any other phone.
Dial *303# to borrow airtime on MTN — this service is called XtraTime. Select the amount from the menu, or dial *303*100# to borrow ₦100 directly. The borrowed amount plus a fee is deducted automatically from your next recharge.
No. *131# has been replaced by *312# as the new unified MTN data code following the NCC harmonisation directive. Dialling *131# will result in an error or redirect. Always use *312# for data subscription.
Dial *321# and select "Transfer Airtime" then enter the recipient MTN number and amount. You need a 4-digit transfer PIN (default: 0000). To change PIN, dial *321*0000*NewPIN*NewPIN#. Transfer is only between MTN lines.
Dial *996# to link your NIN to your MTN SIM. You can also dial *785# which is MTN's dedicated NIN linkage code — both work. To retrieve your NIN via MTN, dial *346# (note: ₦20 airtime is charged for this service).
Dial *312# to buy any MTN data plan. A menu appears with daily, weekly, monthly and mega data plans. Select your plan and confirm. You can also use the MyMTN app for easy browsing and purchase of all available plans.
Disclaimer: MTN USSD codes and data prices may change without notice. Confirm by dialling *312# or calling 180. Visit mtn.ng for official information. Not affiliated with MTN Nigeria. Last updated September 2026.