How to Transfer Airtime on Airtel in 2024

You are welcome to another very informative page on your favorite Edu & Tech website, suresuccess.ng. You are probably here because you are looking for a quick and comprehensive guide on how to transfer airtime on Airtel network. On this page, I’m going to literally take you by the hand and guide you through the methods and the steps involved in transferring airtime to your friends and family members. Specifically, you are going to learn how to use the Airtel Me2U service to transfer airtime, and how to use the Data Gifting service to share a portion of your data or buy a data package for someone using your airtime.

A Brief Overview of Airtel

There are many network providers in Nigeria. Out of all of them, Airtel stands out as one of the most popular having over 60 million users around the country. But it may surprise you to know that Airtel is also one of the leading telecommunications companies globally. The company has a significant presence in India and several other countries across Asia and Africa.

As far the telecommunications industry is concerned, Airtel is a major player because it has extensive network coverage, innovative services, and an unparalleled commitment to customer satisfaction.

In terms of mobile services, Airtel serves millions of its subscribers with both prepaid and postpaid plans. It offers 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE services.

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How to Transfer Airtime on Airtel

Because of Airtel’s commitment to customer satisfaction, they may it possible for a subscriber to easily transfer airtime to another subscriber who is in need. The idea is that no Airtel subscriber should ever be stranded because of inability to communicate with friends or family members.

Good enough, the process of transferring airtime from one Airtel subscriber to another is very simple and straightforward. Actually, you can transfer airtime to someone in less than one minute. It’s that simple!

There are two simple methods you can use to transfer airtime on Airtel and I’m going to explain both in comprehensive details.

The first method of transferring airtime on Airtel is through SMS (or text message), the second method is through the use of a USSD code. The two methods are integral parts of Airtel’s Me2U services which I’m going to explore in details later in this article.

How to Transfer Airtime on Airtel Through SMS (Text Message)

Here’s how to transfer airtime on Airtel through SMS (or text message):

1. Open your phone’s messaging app.
2. Click on the Create New Message button.
3. Type 2U (space) recipient’s phone number (space) airtime amount (space) transfer PIN.
4. Send message to the short code 432.

For example, you may have an airtime worth N5,000 and decide to transfer some part of it, say N1,000, to a friend whose phone number is 09022222222. Assuming that your airtime transfer pin is 2121, this is how to go about it:

Type

“2U 09022222222 1000 2121”

and send to the short code 432. When you do that, your recipient will receive a message from Airtel informing them that you have gifted them with an airtime worth N1,000 from you.

How to Transfer Airtime on Airtel Through USSD Code

The USSD code is another channel through which you can transfer airtime to your friends and family members. Here are the simple steps to get that done:

1. Dial *432# on your phone.
2. Select option 1, i.e. Airtel to Airtel.
3. Enter your beneficiary’s Airtel Number.
4. Enter the airtime amount you want to transfer.
5. Input your airtime transfer pin.
6. Press okay or send.

In following the steps above, it is crucial to double-check the amount you entered to be sure that it’s really what you have in mind. More so, double-check the beneficiary’s phone number and be sure that it is correct. This double-checking is necessary to avoid transferring the wrong amount to the wrong recipient.

Okay.

As soon as you press the send button, you will receive a confirmation message from Airtel letting you know that your transaction is successful.

How to Transfer Airtime on Airtel for the First Time

If this is your first time of attempting to transfer airtime to someone on your Airtel SIM, you will have to use the default pin to do your transfer.

The default PIN for transferring airtime from Airtel to Airtel is 1234. However, Airtel strongly recommends that each customer should change this PIN to something that uniquely belongs to them. Therefore, you should change your airtime transfer PIN and ensure that you do not share it with anyone else thereafter to avoid theft.

How to Change your Default PIN for Airtime Transfer on Airtel

Again, you can change the default PIN for airtime transfer on your Airtel SIM through any of the following two methods:

1. Through USSD code
2. Through Text message

How to Change your Airtel Default PIN for Airtime Transfer Through USSD Code

The following are the simple steps you can take to change your default airtime transfer PIN on Airtel Nigeria:

1. Dial the USSD code, *432# from the mobile phone number associated with your Airtel SIM card.
2. On the menu with several options, select “PIN Management.”
3. Enter your current PIN if you changed it before by any means. Otherwise, just enter the default PIN 1234 when prompted.
4. Enter the new PIN you desire to start using. Remember to choose a PIN that is easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess.
5.  You will then be asked to confirm your new PIN by entering it again.
6. Once you have successfully entered and confirmed your new PIN as per the steps above, you will receive a confirmation message indicating that your PIN has been changed successfully.
7. To be sure that your new PIN is working, you can try to transfer a little amount of airtime to someone using the new PIN.

How to Change your Airtel Default PIN for Airtime Transfer Through Text Message

Apart from using the USSD code to change your default PIN for airtime transfer on Airtel, you can also effect the change through text message.

If you decide to go through the text messaging method, here are the few steps to follow:

1. Open the text messaging app on your mobile phone to compose a message.
2. Type the following command in the message body: PIN (space) DefaultPIN (space) NewPIN.
3. Replace “DefaultPIN” with your current/default PIN and “NewPIN” with the new PIN you want to start using for airtime transfer. For example, if your current/default PIN is 1234 and you want to change it to 5678, your message would look like this: PIN 1234 5678.
4. Send the message to the Airtel shortcode: 432.
5. As soon as you send the message, you will receive a confirmation SMS indicating that your PIN has been successfully changed.
6. Test and confirm whether your new PIN is working by initiating an airtime transfer using the new PIN.

If you follow the above steps religiously, ensuring that you enter the correct format for the message (PIN DefaultPIN NewPIN), you would not encounter any errors in processing your PIN change request.

How to Transfer Airtime or Share Data Using the Airtel Me2U Service

Airtel Me2U is one of the many amazing services offered by the Airtel telecommunication network to its esteemed users.

The Me2U service is a platform on which Airtel users can transfer airtime and data to their friends and family members from their prepaid account balance. It is a veritable lifeline that allows Airtel users to stay connected with their loved ones or to help out friends in need.

As I would show you shortly, Airtel Me2U service is a convenient and easy way to share credit or data with family members and friends who are also on the Airtel network.

Here’s the catch…

If you buy airtime worth above N20,000 through Airtel’s self-care app and share with others using the Me2U service, you can earn an extra 4%. It’s an interesting package from Airtel, isn’t it?

Let me tell you a few more things you need to know about Airtel’s Me2U service.

More Interesting Facts About Airtel Me2U Service

Note that you must be an Airtel subscriber before you can take advantage of the Me2U service to either transfer airtime or data.

Here are some facts you need to know about the service:

1. The USSD code for transferring airtime on Airtel is *432*Recipient’s Airtel Number*Amount of Airtime#
2. There is no service fee or charge for airtime transfer from one Airtel subscriber to another.
3. Therē is no limitation to the amount of airtime you can transfer.
4. There is also no limitation to the number of times you can transfer airtime to other subscribers in a day, week or month.
5. You don’t necessarily need a smart phone or Internet connection to transfer airtime using the Me2U service.
6. You don’t need any subscription or special setup to be able to use the Me2U service to transfer airtime on the Airtel network.
7. The recipient of the airtime transfer must also be an Airtel subscriber.
8. If you borrowed airtime from Airtel, you cannot transfer airtime when you are yet to pay your debt.
9. You cannot transfer an amount that is bigger than your prepaid account balance.

Alright.

Let me talk a little about data sharing on the Me2U service.

How to Share Data on Airtel’s Me2U Service

You can transfer airtime to someone who will eventually use the airtime to purchase data. But instead of going through the two processes, you may rather choose to directly share your data with the beneficiary.

Now talking about data sharing on the Airtel Network, there are two things involved:

1. Simple data transfer
2. Data gifting

In simple data transfer, you can just send a portion of your data to another Airtel subscriber. For example, if you purchase a 5GB monthly plan, you may decide to send 200MB to a friend.

But if you want to explore the data gifting route, it involves buying an internet bundle (daily, weekly or monthly plan) for someone and paying with your airtime.

Here are simple steps to share Airtel Data:

1. Dial *312# on your Airtel phone.
2. Select the option for “Data Gifting” or “Data Sharing” (Data sharing is Data Me2U).
3. Select Data Me2U.
4. Choose the recipient.
5. Enter data amount.
6. Confirm the transaction to proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I transfer airtime from Airtel to Airtel?

You can transfer airtime from Airtel to Airtel by dialing the correct code for airtime transfer on Airtel‌. The correct code is *432*recipient’s Airtel number*amount of airtime#.

How can I activate my Airtel Transfer Code?

All Airtel SIM cards come with a default airtime transfer code i.e. 1234 and it does not require any activation to use. However, Airtel advises customers to change this default code to something unique and personal to them to avoid unsanctioned airtime transfers or theft.

You can change your default airtime transfer code either through text message or USSD. Scroll up the page to learn more.

What is the code for transferring airtime on Airtel network?

The code for transferring airtime on the Airtel network is *432*RecipientNumber*Amount#. When you dial and send the code, you will instantly transfer airtime from your phone to the recipient’s number.

What is Me2U Pin Code?

The Me2U pin code is a four-digit number that enables Airtel network users to securely transfer data or airtime to their friends and family members. The default Me2U pin code is 1234 but Airtel users can change it by following the guidelines given in this article.

How do I know my Me2U Pin on Airtel?

As an Airtel user, you already have a Me2U pin by default: 1234. You can use it to transfer airtime or data. However, it is advisable to change this default pin to a new one that is unique and personal to you. I have explained how to go about this in details.

What is the default PIN for Airtel airtime transfer?

The default PIN for transferring airtime or data from one Airtel subscriber to another is 1234. However, Airtel advises that each customer should change this PIN to a new one that is easy for them to remember but difficult for others to guess.

Who is eligible for Airtel‌’s Me2U service?

Airtel’s Me2U service is exclusively accessible to customers on the prepaid plan. So before you can share data, ensure that your Airtel plan allows data sharing.

What tariff plan is allowed on Airtel‌’s Me2U service?

All prepaid tariff plans on the Airtel network are allowed to use the Me2U service to share airtime and data.

Will I be charged to use Airtel‌’s Me2U service?

No. There is no service fee for sending or receiving airtime and data on the Airtel network.

Can I transfer airtime from Airtel to MTN?

No, it is not possible to transfer airtime or data from Airtel to MTN or any other network. The airtime and data transfer service are only available for Airtel to Airtel lines.

How do I transfer airtime to another number?

How you transfer airtime from one number to another depends on the network of the sender and receiver. If both are on Airtel network, you can use the Me2U service to transfer airtime to the other number. The same is also true if the both users are MTN, Glo or 9Mobile.

What is the validity of the shared Airtel data bundle?

The validity of shared data is the same as that of the original data. For example, if your data bundle is valid till May 30, the portion that you share with someone will also expire on the same May 30.

Is the shared Airtel data auto-renewed?

No. Shared Airtel data is not auto-renewed. So if someone sends you data, you don’t have to worry about it auto-renewing with your credit even if the sender’s bundle on auto-renewal.

Conclusion

On this article, I set out to teach how to transfer airtime on Airtel network and I believe I have done justice to that. I was able to show you that there are just two channels via which you can transfer airtime i.e. through text message or USSD code.

I also stressed the need to change your default airtime transfer pin code to secure your credit and avoid unsanctioned transfers.

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