Yes, you can transfer airtime from one MTN Nigeria line to another using MTN Share. The current MTN Share service lets eligible MTN customers send airtime through USSD or SMS, and MTN says the service is free of charge. You need a four-digit MTN Share PIN before you can make a transfer. MTN Share
The quickest method is to use the MTN Share USSD menu. You can also send the transfer by SMS if you prefer texting. This guide explains both methods, how to create or change your PIN, the minimum and maximum amounts you can transfer, and what to do if the transfer fails.
How to Transfer Airtime on MTN
To transfer airtime on MTN, dial *321#, choose Airtime Share, select Transfer Airtime, enter the recipient’s MTN number, enter the amount, and enter your four-digit MTN Share PIN. MTN currently lists a minimum transfer of ₦50 and a maximum of ₦10,000 per transaction.
Quick steps
- Dial *321# from your MTN line.
- Select Airtime Share.
- Select Transfer Airtime.
- Enter the recipient’s MTN phone number.
- Enter the amount you want to transfer.
- Enter your four-digit MTN Share PIN.
- Confirm the transaction and wait for the successful-transfer message.
MTN states that the transfer service is available through MTN Share and that only the amount you transfer is deducted from your account; MTN does not charge a separate MTN Share transfer fee. MTN’s MTN Share information provides the current service details.
How to Transfer Airtime on MTN Using the Direct USSD Code
MTN’s current help page also documents a direct USSD format for transferring airtime:
*312*Recipient’s Number*Amount*PIN#
For example, if you want to send ₦1,500 to 08031234567 and your MTN Share PIN is 1234, the format shown by MTN is:
*312*08031234567*1500*1234#
Dial the code from your MTN phone and press send or OK. MTN’s help documentation says you should receive a message when the transfer is successful.
There is an important detail here: MTN’s main MTN Share page currently documents the direct format using *321*, while its help page also documents *312*. Because MTN’s own pages currently show both formats, the safer approach is to use the *321# menu method if the direct code does not work on your line.
How to Transfer Airtime on MTN via SMS
You can also transfer MTN airtime by SMS through MTN Share.
- Open your phone’s SMS or Messages app.
- Create a new SMS.
- Type Transfer Recipient’sNumber Amount PIN.
- Send the message to 321.
- Wait for the confirmation message from MTN.
- Reply YES to 321 when prompted to confirm the transfer.
For example, to transfer ₦1,500 to 08031234567 with PIN 1234, MTN gives this format: Transfer 08031234567 1500 1234. MTN says a confirmation SMS is sent after the initial request, and you must reply YES to complete the transfer.
How to Create or Change Your MTN Share PIN
You need a four-digit MTN Share PIN before transferring airtime. MTN says the default PIN is 0000 and that you should change it before using the service.
Change your MTN Share PIN by SMS
Send the following format to 321:
0000 NewPIN NewPIN
For example, if you want to change the default PIN to 1234, send:
0000 1234 1234
MTN says you will receive an SMS confirming that the PIN has been changed successfully.
Change your MTN Share PIN using USSD
You can also change the PIN by dialing:
*321*0000*1234*1234#
Replace 1234 with your preferred four-digit PIN. MTN’s current instructions say a confirmation SMS is sent after the PIN change.
How Much Airtime Can You Transfer on MTN?
MTN currently sets the MTN Share transfer limits at ₦50 minimum and ₦10,000 maximum per transaction. The daily cumulative transfer limit is ₦100,000. MTN also says there is no limit on the number of individual transactions you can make during the day, provided you remain within the daily cumulative limit.
| MTN Share limit | Current amount |
|---|---|
| Minimum per transfer | ₦50 |
| Maximum per transfer | ₦10,000 |
| Maximum cumulative transfer per day | ₦100,000 |
| Transfer fee | Free of charge |
| Amount format | Naira amounts only; no kobo |
For example, you can transfer ₦71, but you cannot transfer ₦71.99 because MTN Share accepts whole-naira amounts rather than kobo amounts.
Who Can Transfer Airtime on MTN?
MTN’s current Share documentation says the service is available to MTN customers, but its FAQ specifically excludes Yafun-Yafun and BetaTalk customers. MTN also states that both prepaid and postpaid customers can use the service, with conditions applying to postpaid accounts.
For postpaid customers, MTN says the account must be in positive balance. A postpaid account with a negative balance cannot use MTN Share to transfer airtime.
Do You Need Airtime Before Transferring?
Yes. The airtime you transfer comes from the available airtime on your MTN account. MTN says a prepaid transfer will not be completed if the account does not have enough airtime to cover the requested amount.
If you need to add credit first, you can load an MTN card before attempting the transfer.
If you would rather purchase airtime directly from a bank account, MTN also provides its On Demand service through *904#. MTN says the service can be used to buy airtime and data from supported bank accounts. MTN On Demand
Can You Transfer Airtime From MTN to Glo, Airtel or 9mobile?
No. MTN Share is designed for transferring airtime between MTN accounts. The recipient must therefore have an eligible MTN line for an MTN Share transfer.
If the person you want to help uses another network, buying airtime directly for that network is a different process. Do not enter a Glo, Airtel or 9mobile number into MTN Share expecting the MTN airtime-transfer service to move the credit across networks.
What Happens If MTN Airtime Transfer Fails?
1. You do not have enough airtime
Check your available airtime before attempting the transaction. MTN says a prepaid transfer will fail when the account does not contain enough airtime to cover the requested amount.
2. Your MTN Share PIN is incorrect
Make sure you are using the four-digit MTN Share PIN rather than another PIN from your phone, bank account or SIM. If you have never changed the default Share PIN, create your own PIN before attempting a transfer.
3. The amount is outside the permitted range
Keep the transaction between ₦50 and ₦10,000. A transfer above ₦10,000 should be split into separate transactions, subject to the ₦100,000 daily cumulative limit.
4. You entered the recipient’s number incorrectly
Check the recipient’s MTN number carefully before confirming the transaction. A wrong number can send the airtime to the wrong customer, so verify the digits before submitting the request.
5. You are using an excluded tariff or service
MTN’s FAQ specifically identifies Yafun-Yafun and BetaTalk as exceptions to MTN Share eligibility. If your line falls under an excluded plan, the transfer service may not be available.
Is MTN Airtime Transfer Free?
Yes. MTN currently says MTN Share is free of charge. The amount you choose to transfer is deducted from your airtime balance, but MTN says there is no separate MTN Share transfer charge.
Can Someone Request Airtime From You on MTN?
Yes. MTN’s Share help information also provides an option for requesting airtime from another person. MTN says you can dial *321*1#, choose the request option, enter the person’s number and specify an amount of at least ₦50.
This is useful when you need airtime but do not have enough credit to transfer yourself. The other person can then decide whether to send the requested airtime.
What If You Need Airtime but Do Not Want to Transfer It?
If the problem is simply that you need airtime on your own MTN line, you do not necessarily need another person to transfer airtime. You can recharge your line or purchase airtime through a supported banking channel.
For example, if you use Access Bank, you can use its Access Bank USSD service for supported banking transactions, including airtime purchases.
You can also explore other ways of getting MTN airtime if you have eligible rewards or points. For example, this guide explains how to convert MTN Pulse points to airtime.
MTN Airtime Transfer vs Buying Airtime Directly
| Method | Best use | Internet required? |
|---|---|---|
| MTN Share | Sending existing MTN airtime to another MTN customer | No |
| SMS MTN Share | Transferring airtime through text messages | No |
| MTN On Demand | Buying airtime from a supported bank account | No |
| Recharge card | Adding fresh airtime to your own line | No |
The important difference is that MTN Share moves airtime that is already available on the sender’s MTN account, while an airtime purchase adds new credit to a line. MTN’s On Demand service is specifically designed for buying airtime and data from supported bank accounts.
Buying Guide
For this topic, there is no product to buy. The practical choice is between MTN Share’s available transfer methods. If you already have airtime on your MTN line and need to send some to another MTN customer, the *321# MTN Share menu is the simplest route because it guides you through the recipient, amount and PIN instead of requiring you to remember the entire command. MTN officially documents this menu-based process.
If you prefer a direct command, MTN’s help page currently documents the *312*Recipient*Amount*PIN# format, while the main MTN Share page documents the corresponding direct format with *321*. Because the official pages currently contain both instructions, using the *321# menu is the most straightforward way to avoid relying on a disputed direct-code format.
SMS is useful when you prefer text messaging. The process requires you to send the transfer details to 321 and then reply YES to the confirmation message. Regardless of the method, keep the transfer within MTN’s current ₦50 minimum, ₦10,000 per-transaction maximum and ₦100,000 daily cumulative limit.
If you do not have enough airtime to send, recharge your line first or use a supported airtime-purchase method instead. If the recipient is not on MTN, MTN Share is not the appropriate transfer method because the service is for transferring airtime between eligible MTN accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the code to transfer airtime on MTN?
The current MTN Share menu code is *321#. Select Airtime Share, choose Transfer Airtime, enter the recipient’s MTN number, amount and four-digit PIN. MTN’s help page also documents direct transfer formats using *312* and *321*.
What is the minimum amount I can transfer on MTN?
The minimum MTN Share transfer is ₦50.
What is the maximum airtime I can transfer on MTN?
You can transfer up to ₦10,000 in one transaction and up to ₦100,000 cumulatively per day.
Does MTN charge for airtime transfer?
No. MTN says MTN Share is free of charge. Only the airtime amount you transfer is deducted from your account.
Can I transfer ₦20 on MTN?
No. The current minimum MTN Share transfer is ₦50.
Can I transfer airtime from MTN to Airtel?
No. MTN Share is for transferring airtime to eligible MTN customers.
Do I need a PIN to transfer MTN airtime?
Yes. MTN requires a four-digit MTN Share PIN. If you have not created your PIN, MTN instructs customers to create one before using the service.
Can I transfer airtime without internet?
Yes. MTN Share can be used through USSD or SMS, so you do not need a mobile-data connection to initiate the transfer.
Can I transfer airtime from a postpaid MTN line?
MTN says postpaid customers can use MTN Share when their account is in positive balance. A negative postpaid balance cannot be used for an airtime transfer.
Final Thought
If you want to transfer airtime on MTN Nigeria, start with *321# and use the Airtime Share option. You need your four-digit MTN Share PIN, the recipient’s MTN number and the amount you want to send. MTN currently allows transfers from ₦50 to ₦10,000 per transaction, with a ₦100,000 daily cumulative limit.
If the transfer does not work, check your airtime balance, PIN, recipient number and transfer amount first. If you need more airtime before sending, you can load an MTN card or use another supported airtime-purchase method.