How to Transfer Airtime on Glo (EasyShare *131*)
A friend runs out of airtime and needs to reach you. You have credit to spare. On Glo, the way to send airtime from your line to theirs is a service called EasyShare. It works from your phone with a short code, and the credit arrives almost at once.
This guide shows you how to transfer airtime on Glo, from setting your PIN to sending the credit and fixing the errors people meet most often. It covers the code format, the default PIN, what to do when a transfer fails, and how to stay safe. Menus, limits and fees can change, so check the confirmation message on your own line for the final detail.
If you are in a rush, jump to the step list. If you want to understand the service properly, read on.
EasyShare lets you move airtime from your Glo line to another Glo line. You choose the recipient, the amount and your own PIN, and the credit is taken from your balance and added to theirs. It is used for small favours between friends, family members and colleagues.
It is not a loan. The airtime comes out of your own balance, so you need enough credit to cover the amount you send and any fee the service applies.
The format is *131*Recipient Number*Amount*PIN#. You replace the three parts with real details, then press call. For example, a transfer of two hundred naira to a friend would use the recipient’s eleven digit number, the amount 200, and your own PIN, all separated by stars and ending with a hash sign.
| Part of the code | What to enter |
|---|---|
| *131* | The service prefix that starts a transfer |
| Recipient Number | The Glo number that will receive the airtime |
| Amount | The amount of airtime in naira |
| PIN# | Your EasyShare PIN, followed by the hash sign |
Step 1: set your own transfer PIN
Before your first transfer you need a PIN of your own. A new line often starts with a default PIN, commonly given as 00000. Do not keep it. Anyone who knows the default could use it.
| 1 | Dial *132*00000*New PIN*New PIN# and press call. |
| 2 | Replace New PIN with the number you want, and type it twice, exactly the same both times. |
| 3 | Wait for the confirmation message that tells you the change worked. |
| 4 | Write the PIN down somewhere safe, away from the phone. |
If the default fails, read the message on your screen. It may tell you the PIN length your line expects. Many users choose a five digit PIN to match the default.
Step 2: send the airtime
| 1 | Check that your balance is higher than the amount you plan to send. |
| 2 | Dial *131*Recipient Number*Amount*PIN# with the real details filled in. |
| 3 | Read the confirmation prompt if one appears and accept it. |
| 4 | Wait for the success message. The recipient should also receive an alert. |
| 5 | Check your own balance to confirm the amount left. |
A worked example
Ngozi has one thousand naira of airtime. Her cousin Kemi, on Glo, has run dry. Ngozi has already set her PIN. She dials the transfer code with Kemi’s number, the amount 300 and her PIN, then presses call. A success message appears, Kemi gets her alert, and Ngozi’s balance drops by the amount she sent, plus any fee Glo shows on the message.
Using the Glo Café app
If you prefer not to type codes, open the Glo Café app and look for the airtime transfer or share option in its list of services. You enter the recipient, the amount and your PIN, then confirm. The result is the same as the code, and the app keeps the process clear if you are sending to several people.
Who can receive your airtime
EasyShare is for Glo lines. The recipient must be on the Glo network. You cannot use it to send airtime to MTN, Airtel or 9mobile. If your friend is on another network, the practical options are to buy airtime for them with a top-up service in your banking app, or to send them the money and let them recharge.
How much can you send?
Glo sets a minimum and a maximum for each transfer, and those figures can change. Very small amounts may be refused and very large ones may be capped. If your request fails with a limit message, try a smaller amount or send in two steps, and check the message for the exact range.
Fees and what you actually pay
Some guides say the service is free, while others mention a small charge on larger transfers. The truth can vary by time and offer. The safest approach is to keep a little extra credit above the transfer amount and read the confirmation message, which states what was deducted.
Quick reference table
| Task | Code or action | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Change PIN | *132*00000*New PIN*New PIN# | Type the new PIN twice |
| Send airtime | *131*Recipient Number*Amount*PIN# | Glo to Glo only |
| App transfer | Glo Café app, transfer option | Needs login |
| Check balance | Use your usual balance code | Do it after sending |
How to keep your PIN safe
- Never share your PIN, even with someone you trust.
- Avoid obvious numbers such as birthdays or repeated digits.
- Change the PIN if you think someone has seen it.
- Do not save the PIN in your contacts or a note named PIN.
- Lock your phone so a stranger cannot dial the code.
When the transfer fails: the usual causes
Retype the PIN carefully. If you never set one, use the default shown in the setup message or reset it with the PIN change code.
Your credit must cover the amount and any fee. Try a smaller amount.
EasyShare works only between Glo lines. Check the number and the network.
A missing star or hash sign stops the request. Type the code again slowly.
Wait a few minutes and try again. Check your balance before you retry so you do not send twice.
Sent but the other person did not receive it
First check your own balance. If it dropped, the credit has left your line. Ask the recipient to check their balance, because the alert message can arrive late. If a few minutes pass and nothing shows, keep the confirmation message and contact Glo customer care with both numbers, the time and the amount.
Wrong number: can the transfer be reversed?
Once airtime reaches another line, getting it back is not guaranteed. If you sent it to the wrong number, report it to customer care quickly and give the details. Prevent the problem by reading the recipient number aloud before you press call.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sending your whole balance and leaving nothing for yourself.
- Forgetting that a fee may apply on top of the amount.
- Using the code from an old message without checking the format.
- Sharing your PIN so a friend can send for you.
- Retrying several times without checking your balance.
Transfer, borrow or buy: which is better?
| Option | Best when | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| EasyShare transfer | A Glo friend has credit to spare | Their own credit, plus any fee |
| Borrow Me Credit | No one can help and you are eligible | Repay with a fee |
| Recharge | You have money and a recharge option | The recharge amount |
Sending airtime for a business or a small shop
Some people send airtime to staff, drivers or family members every week. If that is you, keep a list of the numbers you use, send a fixed amount on a fixed day, and check your balance after each transfer. For high volume sales, the right tool is a proper reseller arrangement, not repeated personal transfers.
Teaching someone else to use it
If a relative has never used EasyShare, sit with them for the first transfer. Help them set a PIN, send a small amount to your own number and read the confirmation message together. A first successful attempt takes the fear out of the service.
Before you press call: a five point check
- Is the recipient on Glo? If you are not sure, ask them or look at the number prefix and confirm with them.
- Have you typed all eleven digits of the recipient number, with no space and no missing digit?
- Is the amount a plain number, with no naira sign and no comma?
- Is your PIN correct, and does your balance cover the amount plus any fee?
- Does the code start with the star and end with the hash sign, with a star between each part?
Most failed transfers come from one of these five. Running through them takes ten seconds and saves you a retry, and it protects you from sending airtime to the wrong person.
Sending to several people in one week
If you help more than one person, keep a short note of who received what and when. A simple list on paper is enough. It stops you from sending twice, helps you spot a missing transfer, and gives you the details if you ever need to speak to customer care. Do not rely on memory when more than one request comes in on the same day.
It also helps to agree a rule with family members, such as one transfer per person per week. Without a rule, small requests add up faster than most people expect, and your own line can run dry.
What the confirmation messages tell you
After every transfer, Glo sends a message to you and an alert to the recipient. Read yours properly. It usually says whether the transfer succeeded, who received it and how much was taken from your balance. If the message shows a deduction larger than the amount you sent, that gap is the fee. If it shows an error, the wording often points straight at the cause, such as a wrong PIN or low balance. Keep the message until you have checked the recipient’s balance.
Using the service safely
Scam messages often pretend to come from Glo and ask for your PIN so they can fix your line or send you a prize. Glo does not need your transfer PIN to help you. Never type it into a link, never read it out on a call, and never send it by message. If someone tells you to dial a code you do not recognise, stop and ask Glo customer care before you do.
- Check every code against the format in this guide before you press call.
- Use a PIN that is not your phone unlock code or bank PIN.
- If you lose the phone, ask Glo to block or protect the line and change your PIN once you have a new device.
Picture a relative who needs to call a hospital and has no credit. A quick transfer from you solves the problem in under a minute. In a moment like that, do not skip the checks. Confirm the number, send a small amount that covers the call, and ask the person to tell you when it arrives. If it does not arrive, you can try again without having sent twice.
Remember that airtime is for calls and text messages and can also pay for data on the recipient’s line. Tell the person what you sent it for, so it is not used up on browsing before they make the call.
Keeping a safe balance
Before you send, decide how much credit you need to keep for yourself today. A good habit is to leave enough for one call and one small bundle. Helping others is generous, but running your own line to zero leaves you stuck, and the next person to ask may be you asking for help.
Questions people ask
It is commonly given as 00000, but read the message on your own line. Change it before you send anything.
No. The service works only between Glo lines.
It can vary. Read the confirmation message to see exactly what was deducted.
Use the PIN change code with the old PIN if you remember it. If you do not, contact Glo customer care to reset it.
Some lines support a text option, but the code and the app are the reliable routes. Check what your line allows.
No. They simply receive the credit.
The short version
Set your own PIN with the PIN change code, then dial the transfer code with the recipient, the amount and your PIN. Send to Glo lines only, keep some credit above the amount, and check your balance after each transfer. Keep the PIN private and report mistakes quickly.