Can I Transfer Data From MTN To Airtel Nigeria?

No. You cannot transfer data from one telecommunication company to the other. However, it’s absolutely possible to share data with a number in the same network. For example, Airtel to Airtel or MTN customer to another MTN customer.

Subscribers can now transfer data from their active data balance to another user in the same network thanks to MTN data share and sale feature.

Can I buy data from the MTN card for Airtel Nigeria?

Direct data purchases from an MTN card for usage on an Airtel Nigeria SIM card are not possible. Plans and bundles for data are normally exclusive to a single telecom operator and cannot be changed.

You must use an Airtel payment method, such as a debit or credit card, online banking, or mobile money if you are an Airtel Nigeria client and wish to buy data for another Airtel Sim Card.

You can use the Data Transfer option to transfer your data from one MTN line to another MTN line if you already use MTN.

By doing this, you’ll be able to transfer your existing data balance to another line. On the other hand, using an Airtel SIM card to directly purchase data from an MTN card is not possible.

You can only transfer extra data to another MTN SIM card if you have it on your MTN SIM card. This is applicable to all Nigerian networks.

Only Airtel to Airtel or MTN to MTN data transfer is feasible; it is not possible to transfer data from an Airtel connection to an MTN line.

How To Transfer Data From MTN To MTN Nigeria

In order to transfer data from one MTN line to another, please follow these steps:

Step 1: Dial the USSD code *131*7# using your MTN number

Step 2: Select option 1 (transfer from data balance) from the displayed options

Step 3: Enter the recipient’s MTN Phone number

Step 4: Enter the amount/quantity of data to transfer

Step 5: Enter 1 to confirm the data transfer.

You will receive a notification message from MTN on the successful transfer of data.

How To Transfer MTN Data Through SMS Text Message

You can also easily transfer data between MTN lines using the SMS message as shown below:

Step 1: Create a new message

Step 2: On the message body, type the message in the format “Transfer, the recipient’s phone number, then the amount of data”. For example; type “Transfer 08123456789 500”

Step 3: Send the new message to “131”

Step 4: You will receive a notification message confirming the data transfer has been effected.

Remember for data transfer to be effective, you must have sufficient data balance on your MTN SIM card.

How to Transfer Data From Airtel to Airtel

If you’re on the Airtel network, you can also transfer data to another Airtel line. The process is also easy and you need to follow the steps below:

Step1: Dial the USSD code *141*6# using your Airtel number

Step 2: A menu with available options will be displayed on your screen

Step 3: Select option 8 (Data Me2U) from the list of options

Step 4: Select option 2 (Send Me2U from existing allowance) from the new list options displayed

Step 5: Enter the recipient’s Airtel phone number

Step 6: Enter the amount of data you want to transfer

Step 7: Enter your 4-digit Airtel transfer PIN (The default PIN is 1234)

Step 8: Confirm the data transfer by clicking on “OK”

You will receive a notification message from Airtel informing you that you have successfully transferred data from your line. Keep in mind that you will need enough data on your Airtel SIM card to complete the procedure.

Why Would I Need To Transfer Data?

There are several valid reasons as to why one may need to transfer data from one sim card to the next. Some of the reasons may include the following:

1. Sharing with Family and Friends

Sometimes a family member or a friend may be low in data while you have more than enough data to use. You may decide to share data with them instead of them going to buy their own data bundle.

Sometimes our siblings or kids or even parents may not have the money to buy their data and we share the data with them.

2. To move data to the Secondary line

Most Nigerians myself included, have more than 1 sim card. The sim card I use for browsing the internet on my laptop is not the same one that I use for making calls and sending messages though they are both on the same network. I usually buy data from the line that I actively use for communication then transfer to the line I use for accessing the internet.

3. When Changing Sim Cards

If for some reason you choose to buy a new sim card and discard the old one, you will need to transfer the data balance to the new sim card to avoid losing it. There are many reasons why one may buy a new sim card and forget the old one.

4. When switching service providers

You may also decide to move from one service provider to another. Example from MTN to Airtel or vice versa. In this case you may decide to sell or transfer the data balance to another user in the same network before making the switch to the next service provider.

Conclusion

Airtel and MTN’s data transfer function is limited to sim card connections within the same network only. As an example, only data between two MTN or Airtel phones are allowed but not between MTN and Airtel

The telecommunications regulator is working with service providers to see how best they can make data transfer between networks possible.

You can also check out other methods of purchasing data for individual network providers and the applicable data plans. See the cheapest and most affordable Airtel data plans today here.