How To Transfer Data on MTN in 2025

We’ve all been there. Your friend runs out of data right in the middle of a hot gist in the group chat, or your sibling is trying to stream an online class but keeps getting the “no internet connection” notice. Meanwhile, you’re sitting pretty with more data than you know what to do with.

Instead of handing over your hotspot password or having your friend miss the gist, what if you could send them a few hundred megabytes or even a gigabyte of data, straight from your MTN data balance? If you want to know how to transfer data on MTN, keep reading because in this guide, you’ll learn:

• What MTN data transfer is all about
• Different ways to transfer data with step-by-step instructions
• How to troubleshoot common issues with transferring data on MTN
• The most frequently asked questions about transferring data on MTN

Are you ready? Let’s get started!

What is MTN Data Transfer?

MTN Data Transfer is a service that lets you share your mobile data with another MTN user. It’s like airtime transfer, but you’re sending internet data instead of airtime. 

So, let’s say you bought a 5GB data plan and want to share 500MB with your friend who’s running low. You can do that easily through MTN’s data sharing feature. It works whether you’re splitting data with family and friends or moving data between your own MTN lines.

There are four things you can do with MTN’s data gifting service:

1. Transfer Data from your active data balance to another MTN number.
2. Buy Data for someone directly from your airtime balance.
3. Request data from a friend (yes, you can shamelessly ask for it).
4. Automate data transfer (set the frequency of the data transfer, e.,g weekly or monthly)

Also, it is fast, free, and only works between MTN lines.

Prerequisites for MTN Data Transfer

Before you can transfer data on MTN, there are a few things you need to have in place:

1. Both you (the sender) and the receiver must be using MTN lines. You can’t transfer data to someone on another network.
2. You must have an active data bundle. If you don’t have data, you can easily buy on the Nosh app.
3. You must have an active line.
4. You must have a minimum of 100MB left after every transfer for it to be successful.

3 Ways To Transfer Data from MTN to MTN in 2025

Sharing data on MTN is a straightforward process that only takes a few minutes. You can share data from one MTN line to another in different ways.

Below are three methods through which you can transfer data on MTN in 2025:

1. Via USSD
2. Through SMS
3. Using myMTN app. 

Now, let’s talk about each of these methods in detail. 

How To Transfer MTN Data Via USSD

USSD code is an easy way to send data from one MTN line to another.

Follow the steps below to share data on MTN via USSD:

1. Dial *321# on your MTN line.  
2. Select option 2, “Gift Data”. 
3. From the options displayed, select option 1, “Transfer from Data balance.”
4. Next, enter the recipient’s number and confirm that it is correct. 
5. Select the amount of data you wish to transfer, and finally, send. 

How to Transfer MTN Data Through SMS

Another way you can send data from an MTN line to another MTN user is to share through a text message. If you want to use SMS to share MTN data, open your message app and send a message to 131 using the format below:

“Transfer” followed by the “recipient’s number” and the “data amount (in megabytes)”. For example, you will send “Transfer 08031234567 500” to 131 to share 500 MB with the recipient. 

How to Gift MTN Data Using the MyMTN App

You can also use the MyMTN app to transfer data from one MTN line to another. If you want to use this method but don’t have the app, download it from your device’s application store. 

These are the steps to follow when using the MyMTN app to gift data:

1. Log in to your myMTN app on your device. 
2. Click on the plus “+” icon to find a grid of options. 
3. Click on “Share” from the displayed options. 
4. You will see options to share data or airtime. Select the “Data Share” option. 
5. Then, enter the recipient’s MTN number and select the amount of data you want to share. 
6. Finally, proceed to share data. You will receive an SMS confirming the data transfer.

Common Issues and Solutions for Transferring Data on MTN

You may encounter certain issues when using MTN’s data transfer service. Here are some of those issues and ways of handling them:

1. Service is temporarily unavailable: This could be due to a network issue or system glitch. Try again later or use a different method (e.g., SMS instead of USSD).
2. Insufficient data balance: Your current data bundle is insufficient to complete the transfer. You’ll have to top up your data before trying again.
3. Invalid data transfer amount: MTN only allows certain data sizes to be transferred (e.g., 100MB, 200MB, 500MB, 1GB). Sending an unsupported amount may trigger this error.
4. Receiver is not eligible for data transfer: This shows up when the person you’re sending data to is either not an MTN user or their line is inactive.
5. Transfer failed: You should confirm that the recipient’s number is correct, check if you’ve exceeded the daily transfer limit, and ensure you have sufficient data balance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sharing MTN Data

1. How can I transfer data from MTN to MTN?

Data can be sent from one MTN line to another using a USSD code, SMS, or the MyMTN app.

2. Is there a fee for transferring MTN data?

No, there is no fee for sharing MTN data. The process is absolutely free. 

3. Can I transfer MTN bonus data to another user?

No, you cannot share MTN bonus data with another user. You can only transfer data from your regular data balance. 

4. What is the code for transferring MTN data?

The code for sharing MTN data is *321#, which is also the code for transferring MTN airtime. 

5. How much data can I transfer?

You can transfer between 100MB and 5GB per transaction and a maximum of 5GB daily.

6. Does the recipient’s data expire?

Yes. The validity of transferred data matches the sender’s data balance expiry. If your data expires in 3 days, the recipient’s data expires too.

7. What happens if I enter the wrong number?

The data goes to the entered number. Always confirm the number before making the transfer. Data sent to the wrong numbers is not reversible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sharing data on MTN is possible, quick, and easy through three simple methods: USSD, SMS, and the myMTN app. So, next time you have extra data to spare, remember these simple steps to share the connection with others. Also, if you are looking for an easy way to buy data online, use the Nosh platform.