The main MTN Ghana short codes are *138# for data bundles, *124# for airtime balance, *156# to check your number, *506# to borrow airtime or data (XtraTime), *1848# for AFA, and *170# for Mobile Money. The full list is below, with what each code does and how to use it.
Note: USSD menus, eligibility rules and offers change, and some options differ by number. If a code doesn't work, check MTN's official help centre or contact customer care.
Quick list of MTN short codes
| Service | Code |
|---|---|
| Buy data bundles | *138# |
| Check data balance | *138# |
| Check airtime balance | *124# |
| Check your MTN number | *156# |
| Social media bundles | *138*1*5# |
| Unlimited bundles | *138*1*4# |
| Video and YouTube bundles | *138*16# |
| MTN Zone offers | *135# |
| Personalised offers (Just4U) | *141# |
| MTN Pulse | *567# |
| AFA bundles and registration | *1848# |
| Borrow airtime or data (XtraTime) | *506# |
| Share airtime (Me2U) | *198# |
| Recharge with a voucher | *134*PIN# |
| Recharge another number | *144*number*PIN# |
| MTN Mobile Money | *170# |
| SIM registration status | *400# |
| Internet settings and compatibility | *585# |
| Customer care (from an MTN line) | 100 |
MTN data bundle code: *138#
- Dial
*138#. - Choose the data bundle menu and category you want.
- Select whether the bundle is for you or another number.
- Follow the prompts and confirm payment.
To check your data balance, dial *138# and follow the balance options, or use the myMTN app. Checking regularly helps you avoid running out unexpectedly.
Prefer not to navigate menus? You can buy cheap data on Bundlif: browse bundles, choose a package, enter the recipient's number and pay online. Compare network prices in our data bundle price comparison, or see all our MTN data bundle guides.
MTN AFA short code: *1848#
MTN describes the AFA bundle as an offer for farmers in Ghana, in collaboration with Prepeez Limited. Its help centre lists farmers registered with Prepeez Limited as eligible. If you are not in that group, confirm your eligibility before buying.
Register (per MTN's published steps): dial *1848#, choose option 1 and follow the prompts.
Buy: dial *1848#, choose option 2 to buy for yourself or another number, pick between the AFA and AFA+Data options, then confirm payment. Options and prices can change, so check the current menu.
Through Bundlif: agents can submit AFA registrations from the agent portal — you fill in the applicant's details (full name as on their Ghana Card, date of birth, occupation, Ghana Card number, phone number and place of residence) and pay the registration fee. Registering through Bundlif does not replace MTN's own eligibility rules, and it does not guarantee that a number qualifies for AFA bundles.
Borrow MTN airtime or data: *506# (XtraTime)
XtraTime lets eligible customers borrow airtime or request a data advance and repay later.
- Airtime: dial
*506#, choose the airtime option, review the offered amount and confirm. - Data: dial
*506#, choose option 4 (data advance, where available), pick an option and confirm.
MTN's published information says borrowed airtime or data is repaid with a 10% commission. Eligibility and the amount offered depend on MTN's requirements. It helps in an emergency, but if you have the money, buying a bundle directly is usually cheaper.
Check your number and airtime balance
- Your MTN number: dial
*156#. - Airtime balance: dial
*124#.
Airtime and data are separate. Airtime on your account does not mean you have an active internet bundle.
Other bundle codes
- Social media bundles (
*138*1*5#): packages for apps like WhatsApp, Facebook or TikTok, depending on current offers. Check which apps are covered and whether the data works elsewhere. - Unlimited bundles (
*138*1*4#): check the price, validity and any fair-use or speed limits. "Unlimited" does not always mean unrestricted high-speed data. - Video and YouTube bundles (
*138*16#): check which services are covered before buying. - MTN Zone (
*135#): promotional offers that vary by service and eligibility. - Just4U (
*141#): personalised offers that differ between customers. Check the offers on your own number. - MTN Pulse (
*567#): promotional benefits for eligible customers. Review the current terms before subscribing.
If you use data for several apps, compare these with a regular bundle, since a cheaper specialised bundle may not cover everything you do.
Mobile Money, recharge and airtime sharing
- MTN Mobile Money:
*170#. Always check the recipient and amount before confirming. Never share your MoMo PIN, and never approve a transaction you didn't start. - Recharge with a voucher:
*134*PIN# - Recharge another number:
*144*number*PIN# - Share airtime (Me2U):
*198#. Check the number and amount before confirming.
If a voucher format doesn't work, check the instructions on the card.
Other useful codes and support
- SIM registration status:
*400# - Internet settings and compatibility:
*585# - Customer care:
100from an MTN line, or 0244 300 000
An easier way to buy and send data
USSD works, but it takes several steps: dial, choose menus, select a bundle, enter a number, confirm. If you buy data often, or buy for other people, online ordering can be quicker.
You can purchase data online in Ghana on Bundlif:
- Compare bundles before choosing one
- Send data to someone else by entering their number, even if they're in another region
- Pay online with Mobile Money or card
- Skip the menus and the codes
For example, if your sister is studying in another region and runs out of data, you can order a bundle for her number without explaining any USSD steps. Check the recipient's network and number carefully before you confirm. Bundles, prices and requirements can change.
Bundlif is an independent reseller and is not affiliated with MTN Ghana.
Want to earn from this instead? Read how to become a data reseller in Ghana. For flexible MTN options, see our guide to MTN UP2U bundles. For voice bundles and group calling, see our guide to MTN AFA registration. On a Telecel line instead? Our Telecel short codes guide has the equivalent list. On AT, see our AirtelTigo short codes guide.