MTN Share lets you send airtime from your MTN line to another MTN line through USSD, SMS or the myMTN NG app. You need a 4-digit PIN first, the minimum is ₦50, and MTN says the service is free. Last reviewed 23 October 2026.
Updated 23 October 2026: the one-step USSD shortcut is now *312*Recipient*Amount*PIN#, as listed on MTN's Share page. MTN's customer line is 300.
This guide is for MTN prepaid customers in Nigeria who want to send airtime to a friend or family member, or ask for airtime when their own balance is empty. It covers the PIN, the three ways to send, the request function, limits, and what to do when a transfer fails.
What MTN Share is and what it costs
MTN says MTN Share, formerly Share 'N' Sell, lets you transfer airtime from your MTN account to other MTN customers. On its MTN Share help page, MTN states that you will not be charged for sharing airtime and only the amount you transfer is deducted. Some third-party guides quote fees of up to ₦10 per transfer, but MTN's own page says there is none, so go with MTN.
Who can use it. MTN lists all new and existing prepaid customers, except Yafun-Yafun and BetaTalk customers on bonus-based plans. Postpaid customers should check with MTN on 300 first.
Set your PIN first
MTN says you need a 4-digit PIN and must create it before your first transfer by dialling *321#. MTN's page has a heading for changing the PIN but no steps under it, so the two methods below come from the VTpass guide to transferring airtime from MTN to MTN and are not on MTN's page.
VTpass says the default PIN is 0000 and should be replaced with your own 4 digits.
By SMS: send `0000 NewPIN NewPIN` to 321. Example: `0000 4782 4782`.
By USSD: dial `*321*0000*NewPIN*NewPIN#`. Example: `*321*0000*4782*4782#`.
Do not use 0000, 1234, your birth year or the last four digits of your number as your PIN.
Method 1: USSD menu
- Dial *321# on your MTN line.
- Select "Airtime share", then "Transfer Airtime".
- Enter the recipient's MTN number.
- Enter the amount. The minimum is ₦50.
- Enter your PIN to complete the transfer.
This is the path on MTN's Share page. Menu wording can change, so follow what your screen shows.
One-step shortcut
MTN lists a single-dial option: `*312*RecipientNumber*Amount*PIN#`. Example: `*312*08031234567*1500*1234#` sends ₦1,500 to 08031234567. You get an SMS when it succeeds. Do not confuse it with MTN's data-sharing codes, which also begin with *312* but take a data amount instead of a naira amount and a PIN (MTN data page).
Method 2: SMS
- Send `Transfer RecipientNumber Amount PIN` to 321. Example: `Transfer 08031234567 1500 1234`.
- MTN replies asking you to confirm.
- Reply YES to 321.
MTN asks you to reply YES to confirm. Nothing moves until you do.
Method 3: myMTN NG app
- Download myMTN NG from Google Play or the Apple App Store. MTN's app page says it is free and that you can sign in with an OTP sent to an MTN line, or with an Apple, Google or Facebook account.
- Tap Share, then Airtime Share.
- Enter the MTN number, choose the amount and tap Proceed.
If the app asks for your PIN, enter it. If the balance does not update, pull down to refresh and check your balance before trying again.
Gift Airtime menu
MTN says that when you recharge with ₦500 or more, you get a menu that includes a Gift Airtime option, and you can share airtime from there. We did not test it, so this is an extra route, not a replacement for the three methods above.
How to ask for airtime
- Dial `*321*1#` and choose the request option.
- Enter the number of the person you are asking and the amount, minimum ₦50.
- MTN sends them an SMS request. They then send you airtime with a normal transfer.
The person you ask can accept or ignore the request.
Limits and rules
| Detail | What MTN says |
|---|---|
| Fee | None, only the amount you send is deducted |
| Minimum per transfer | ₦50 |
| Maximum per transfer | ₦10,000 |
| Maximum per day | ₦100,000 cumulative per day |
| Amounts | Whole naira only, no kobo |
| Typing the amount | Do not type the ₦ sign |
| Other networks | MTN says only that Share moves airtime between MTN customers; Airtel, Glo and 9mobile lines are not mentioned |
Source for the table: MTN Share help page. Older pages and guides give different numbers. Legit.ng's 2023 guide used 777-based codes and a ₦5,000 per-transfer limit. VTpass lists ₦50,000 daily. MTN's current page is the one to trust, and the old mtnonline.com Share page, which listed different codes, no longer loads at its old address.
What differs by method and phone
- USSD works without data, but sessions can time out on weak signal.
- SMS suits basic phones and avoids USSD timeouts, but needs two messages.
- App shows your balance clearly and is the best choice if you also want to buy airtime for someone.
- Android versus iPhone: the USSD and SMS steps are the same. The app layout can differ slightly, and we did not test both.
Common errors and fixes
Insufficient airtime. MTN says that if your prepaid balance does not cover the amount, the transfer does not complete and you get an error. Check with *310# and retry with a lower amount.
Wrong PIN or forgotten PIN. Stop guessing. VTpass says to dial *321#, choose Airtime Share, then Forgot PIN, and answer security questions such as mother's maiden name, date of birth or state of origin. Menu numbers can change, so follow the labels on screen. If it fails, call MTN on 300 or visit an MTN service centre.
Success message, but the recipient got nothing. Wait a few minutes, then ask them to dial *310#. If the airtime left your balance and did not arrive, call 300 with the time, number and amount. We have not seen an MTN statement on how long a reversal takes.
USSD session ended without confirming. Check your balance with *310# before you retry, so you do not send twice.
Wrong number. VTpass says completed transfers cannot be reversed. Check the recipient's number before you confirm.
FAQ
Is MTN Share free?
MTN says yes. Only the amount you send is deducted.
What is the code to share airtime on MTN?
Dial *321# and follow the menu, or use *312*Number*Amount*PIN# for one step.
What is the minimum and maximum?
₦50 minimum and ₦10,000 per transfer, with a ₦100,000 daily total, per MTN.
Can I send airtime to Airtel, Glo or 9mobile?
MTN's page describes Share as a transfer between MTN customers. MTN describes Share as MTN to MTN only.
Can I send airtime with no PIN?
No. MTN says a 4-digit PIN is required.
How do I check my MTN number?
See how to check your MTN number.
Do the same steps work for data?
No. MTN's data-gifting codes are different. See MTN's data sharing page.
Where can Airtel users send data?
See our Airtel data sharing guide.
What to do next
Set your PIN today, then send a ₦50 test transfer to a friend so you know your setup works. If anything fails, call 300.
Sources and what we checked
Last checked against MTN's Share, data-sharing and myMTN pages on 23 October 2026.
