How to Transfer Airtime on Mtn South Africa

February 14, 2024 How To

Airtime is a valuable resource for mobile phone users in South Africa. It allows you to make calls, send text messages, and use data services. Sometimes you may need to pass airtime to someone else, such as a friend or family member. 

How to Transfer Airtime on Mtn

MTN South Africa allows its subscribers to transfer airtime to other MTN subscribers. This can be done via USSD, SMS or the MTN mobile app.

How ​​to Transfer Airtime on MTN using USSD

The USSD code to transfer airtime on MTN in South Africa is *136*1*recipient number*amount*transfer PIN #.

To transfer airtime using USSD, follow these steps:

  1. Dial *136*1* on your phone.
  2. Enter the recipient’s MTN number.
  3. Enter the amount you want to transfer. 
  4. Enter your MTN transfer PIN.
  5. Press #.

OR

  1. Dial *136*3# and follow the prompts
  2. Or dial *136*6328*(cellphone number you’re sending airtime to)*(value of airtime)#

How ​​to Transfer Airtime on MTN by SMS

  1. To transfer airtime to MTN via SMS, send SMS to 136 in the following format: 

For example, to forward R100 to 08031234567, you would send the following SMS:

TRANSFER 08031234567 100 1234

How ​​to switch airtime on MTN using the MTN Mobile App

To transfer airtime to MTN using the MTN mobile app, follow these steps:

  1. Open the MTN mobile app.
  2. Tap the **Airtime** tab.
  3. Enter the recipient’s MTN number and the broadcast duration you want to transfer.
  4. Tap **Forward**.

Note

  1. The minimum amount of airtime you can transfer is R10. 
  2. The maximum amount of airtime you can transfer is R500.
  3. There is a transfer fee of R1 per transaction.
  4. You can only transfer airtime for MTN subscribers.
  5. You can change your MTN transfer PIN by dialing *136*old PIN*new PIN#
  6. Make sure you have enough airtime in your account to cover the transfer fee. 
  7. Check the recipient number before starting the transfer.
  8. Keep your MTN transfer PIN safe.  

FAQs

What is the USSD code to switch airtime on MTN?

The USSD code to transfer airtime on MTN  is *136*1*recipient number*amount*transfer PIN #.

What is the SMS format for transferring airtime on MTN? 

The SMS format for transferring airtime on MTN in South Africa is:

For example, to transfer R100 to 08031234567, you would send the following SMS: TRANSFER 08031234567 100 1234

What is the minimum and maximum broadcast time I can switch to MTN?

The minimum amount of airtime you can transfer on MTN in South Africa is R10. The maximum amount of airtime you can transfer is R500.

Is there a transfer fee when transferring airtime on MTN?

Yes, the transfer fee is R1 per transaction.

Can I transfer airtime for non-MTN subscribers?

No, you can only transfer airtime to MTN subscribers. 

How do I change my MTN transfer PIN?

To change your MTN transfer PIN, dial *136*old PIN*new PIN#

What happens if I enter the wrong transfer PIN? 

If you enter the wrong transfer PIN, you will receive an error message. You will need to try again with the correct PIN.

What if the recipient number is not valid?

If the recipient number is not valid, you will receive an error message. You will need to verify the number and try again.

Conclusion

There are three ways to switch airtime on MTN in South Africa: USSD, SMS and MTN mobile apps. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. The USSD method is the most convenient, but memorizing the USSD code can be difficult.

The SMS method is more secure because you need to enter a PIN to complete the transaction. The MTN mobile app is the most versatile as you can also use it to transfer data and packets. 

Whichever method you choose, transferring airtime to MTN in South Africa is a quick and easy way to help a friend or family member. 

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