How to Check MTN Airtime Balance: *310# and 3 Other Ways
How to Check MTN Airtime Balance: *310# and 3 Other Ways
The code that replaced *556#, and when to use the app or customer care instead.
For years, the answer was *556#. If you dial it today, MTN no longer treats it as the balance code. Nigeria’s regulator moved all networks to a set of common codes, and the one for your airtime balance is now this:
*310#
5 quick facts about checking your balance
1
*310# is the standard balance code on all Nigerian networks, MTN included.
2
*556# is the old MTN code. It stopped working as before when the common codes arrived.
3
*310# is also listed by MTN for checking your data bundle, but *323*4# shows the main data bundle and bonus.
4
The result shows your main airtime balance. Data, bonus and special bundles are reported separately.
5
If a code does not respond, retry in a minute. USSD sessions can fail when the network is busy.
4 ways to check, side by side
| Way | How | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| USSD | Dial *310# | You have no data and want the fastest answer |
| myMTN app | Text myMTN to 5018 for the link, then open the app | You like to see balance, plans and history together |
| Zigi chatbot | Chat with MTN’s Zigi on the MTN website | You prefer typing to dialling |
| Customer care | Dial 300 from your MTN line | The code fails or the number looks wrong |
Common worries
Why does my balance look lower after a call?
Calls and texts are charged by your tariff plan. Check your plan’s rates, and remember that borrowed airtime and fees are deducted first from the next recharge.
Does *310# show my data?
MTN lists it for data too, but use *323*4# when you want the main bundle, bonus and expiry in one place.
Is there a code for the common services?
Yes: 300 for help, *311# to recharge with a PIN, *312# for data plans, *323# for data balance and 303 for borrowing.
Keep this list: *310# airtime balance, *323*4# data balance, *311# recharge, *312# data plans.