How do I load an MTN recharge card?
- Gently scratch off the panel on the card to reveal the PIN.
- Dial *311*[recharge PIN]#. For example, if the PIN is 1234567890123456, dial *311*1234567890123456#.
- Press call and wait for the confirmation message.
You'll receive a message reading "Your account recharge of N[amount] was successful" once the value lands in your main balance.
Why doesn't loading a card give me a data bonus?
Recharging with *311*[PIN]# credits the card's plain airtime value to your main account balance. Nothing more. This is different from buying a data bundle or plan directly, which sometimes comes with promotional bonus data attached to that specific purchase.
If you want data specifically, load the card first, then use the airtime to buy a data plan through MTN's usual data-purchase codes rather than expecting the recharge itself to include data.
What do I do if my recharge card PIN doesn't work?
- Recheck the digits carefully. 0 and O, 1 and I, and 5 and S are the characters most often misread on a partly-scratched or worn card.
- Confirm you scratched off the entire panel. A few hidden digits under unremoved foil is a common cause of failed loads.
- If the PIN looks correct but still fails, contact MTN customer care (180) with the card's serial number and your purchase receipt. This is usually needed if the card is defective or was already used.
Can I load a recharge card on a different MTN number?
Yes. The *311*[PIN]# code credits whichever MTN line you dial it from. The card itself isn't tied to any specific phone. If you bought the card for a family member's line, dial the code from their phone (or have them dial it) rather than trying to load it on your own number and transfer it afterward.
Why buy a physical recharge card instead of recharging digitally?
Physical cards remain useful where digital payment isn't practical. No working bank card or transfer app on hand, buying airtime for someone else without needing their card details, or simply preferring cash at a local kiosk over an online transaction.
The tradeoff is the scratch panel itself: a genuinely damaged or already-scratched card is unusable, and it's exactly the kind of thing scammers exploit by reselling pre-loaded or already-used cards. Buy from vendors you trust, and check the panel is intact before paying.
People also ask
Is there a fee for loading a recharge card?
No. The *311*[PIN]# code itself is free to dial. You've already paid for the airtime value when you bought the physical card.
Can I load a recharge card through the myMTN app instead?
The app is built around digital top-ups (card, bank transfer, USSD-linked recharge) rather than entering a physical scratch-card PIN. For a physical card in hand, *311*[PIN]# remains the direct route.
What happens if I enter the wrong PIN too many times?
Repeated failed attempts on a genuine but mistyped PIN don't usually lock the card, but they waste time. Recheck the digits slowly before retrying rather than repeating the same guess.