Glo Nigeria USSD Codes for Airtime, Data, Balance, Borrow, Share & Support

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Last verified: September 3, 2025
Disclaimer: nigeriaussdcodes.com is an independent help site. We are not Glo. Codes and services can change; we test and verify regularly and link to official sources where possible.

Why Glo USSD Codes Matter

Globacom, popularly called Glo, is one of Nigeria’s largest mobile networks, known for affordable data bundles and wide coverage, especially in urban and semi-urban areas. Millions of Nigerians rely on Glo not only for voice calls but also for browsing the internet, mobile money services, and sharing airtime with friends and family.

While smartphone apps are popular, USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) remains the lifeline of mobile services in Nigeria. USSD codes are short numbers (like *310#) that you dial on any phone to access instant menus and commands. They don’t need internet access and work even on basic feature phones.

USSD is especially important in Nigeria because:

  • It works everywhere: Rural areas with weak data coverage can still run USSD.

  • It’s instant: No waiting for apps to load—commands execute within seconds.

  • It saves data: You don’t need mobile data to check balances or recharge.

  • It’s secure: Most actions require confirmation, making mistakes less likely.

In 2023, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) introduced a harmonized USSD code system, which means major actions (like recharging, checking balance, buying data) now use the same codes across all networks (MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile). For example:

  • Balance check is *310# everywhere.

  • Recharge is *311*PIN#.

  • Data menu is *312#.

  • Borrow services are on *303#.

This makes it easier for Nigerians who swap SIMs or use multiple networks—once you learn the universal codes, you can use them anywhere.

Key takeaways

  • Recharge: *311*PIN#.
  • Check airtime balance: *310#.
  • Buy/manage data: *312#.
  • Check data balance: *323#.
  • Borrow airtime/data (Glo Borrow Me): *303#.
  • Share airtime/data (EasyShare & Gifting): *321#.
  • Stop unwanted subscriptions (VAS): *305#.
  • NIN & SIM services: *996# for NIN/SIM linkage.
  • Customer care (help desk): *300.
All Glo Nigeria USSD Codes at a Glance
Purpose USSD Notes
Airtime recharge *311*PIN# Scratch card recharge; confirmation via pop-up/SMS.
Airtime balance *310# Shows core airtime balance.
Buy/manage data *312# Daily, weekly, monthly & mega bundles.
Data balance *323# Quick view of remaining MB/GB & expiry date.
Borrow airtime/data (Borrow Me) *303# Loan airtime/data; repay on next recharge.
Share airtime/data (EasyShare / Gifting) *321# Transfer airtime or gift data bundles.
Stop VAS/subscriptions *305# Cancel unwanted services.
NIN & SIM services *996# Check/link NIN as per NCC mandate.
Customer care (help desk) *300 Universal help desk number across networks.

How to Recharge on Glo (and Confirm It Worked)

Recharging your Glo line is one of the most common USSD actions. Even though mobile apps and online banking are popular, scratch cards and USSD remain the fastest and most reliable option.

Steps to recharge with a card:

  1. Scratch your recharge card gently to reveal the PIN.

  2. Dial *311*PIN# and press the call/send button.

  3. You’ll immediately see a pop-up confirming whether the recharge succeeded.

  4. An SMS is also sent to confirm the new balance.

Check your new balance: Dial *310#. If it doesn’t refresh right away, wait a minute and dial again—sometimes there’s a slight delay in balance updates.

Real-life troubleshooting

  • Invalid PIN: If you mistakenly dial the wrong digits, you’ll get an “Invalid PIN” error. Double-check and try again.

  • PIN already used: This means the recharge card has been consumed. Keep the card and call Glo customer care on *300 with the serial number for investigation.

  • Recharge disappears quickly: Sometimes bonuses go into a separate wallet. Dial *310# to confirm your main balance and check SMS for bonus details.

  • Weak signal: If you’re in an area with poor coverage, wait until you have stable signal before retrying.

How to Check Airtime Balance on Glo

Checking your airtime is straightforward: dial *310# and your balance appears instantly on the screen.

Why it matters:

  • It helps you track usage and avoid running out during calls or data browsing.

  • Airtime balance also determines whether you can borrow or gift airtime to others.

Common issues

  • USSD not responding: Toggle Airplane Mode on and off to refresh the network.

  • Balance doesn’t update after recharge: Wait 1–2 minutes and try again; if not, restart your phone.

How to Buy, Manage, and Cancel Glo Data Bundles

Glo is known for being Nigeria’s “Grandmasters of Data.” Their USSD system makes browsing bundles easy to access.

Steps to buy data:

  1. Dial *312#.

  2. Select your preferred category: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Mega, Social, or Campus data.

  3. Confirm the purchase and wait for a confirmation SMS.

How to manage or stop auto-renewal:

  • When you subscribe to a plan, it often auto-renews once it expires.

  • To cancel, go back to *312#, choose “Manage Data,” and select “Cancel Auto-Renew.”

  • You can also turn off auto-renew directly from the SMS confirmation by replying with the stop code provided.

Troubleshooting data issues

  • Data deduction from airtime without bundle: This happens if PAYG (Pay-As-You-Go) browsing is active. Always buy a plan via *312# before browsing.

  • Bundle not activated: Ensure you have enough airtime for the plan plus VAT. If deduction occurs but no data is credited, contact customer care with the transaction details.

Real-life example

A student in Enugu once bought a ₦500 daily plan but didn’t receive the bundle. After calling support and providing the USSD session ID from her SMS, the data was reissued within 24 hours.

How to Check Data Balance on Glo

To see how much data you have left: dial *323#.

This shows your current data balance and expiry date. If you have multiple bundles (like night plans, social plans, and monthly plans), the USSD menu may show them separately.

Alternative checks

  • SMS: Some plans allow you to text “INFO” to a service number (varies by plan).

  • My Glo app: If you’re online, the app gives a detailed breakdown of balances and expiry dates.

How to Borrow Airtime or Data on Glo (Borrow Me)

Glo’s Borrow Me service helps you get airtime or data in emergencies.

Steps to borrow:

  1. Dial *303#.

  2. Select either Borrow Airtime or Borrow Data.

  3. Choose an amount or bundle.

  4. Confirm your selection.

Important:

  • Glo charges a service fee (usually 10–15%).

  • The borrowed amount is deducted automatically from your next recharge.

Eligibility

  • You must have used your Glo line consistently for some weeks.

  • You need a record of recharges.

  • No outstanding loan can be pending.

Real-life example

A trader in Ibadan borrowed ₦200 airtime using *303#. On his next ₦500 recharge, Glo deducted ₦220 (₦200 loan + ₦20 fee) and credited him ₦280.

How to Share Airtime and Data (Glo EasyShare & Gifting)

Glo allows you to transfer airtime and gift data bundles to others. This is especially useful for families and friends.

Airtime sharing (EasyShare)

  • Dial *321#.

  • Choose “Airtime Transfer.”

  • Enter recipient’s number, amount, and your PIN.

Default PIN: 0000 (change this immediately).
Change PIN: Dial *321# → “Change PIN.”

Data gifting

  • Dial *321# and select “Data Gifting.”

  • Buy a bundle for another Glo user directly from your balance.

Safety tips

  • Always confirm the recipient number carefully—airtime reversals are not guaranteed.

  • Keep your transfer PIN private.

  • If compromised, reset immediately using *321#.

NIN & SIM Services on Glo

Since SIM registration must be linked with the National Identification Number (NIN):

  • Dial *996# to check or link your NIN.

  • Follow the on-screen instructions to enter your NIN.

  • If verification fails, retry later or use the Glo self-service portal.

Virtual NIN (vNIN):
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) allows you to generate a temporary, tokenized vNIN via *346#. This adds extra privacy when linking to services.

How to Stop Unwanted Subscriptions on Glo

Many Nigerians complain about airtime disappearing due to hidden subscriptions. Glo users can cancel these via USSD.

  • Dial *305#.

  • The menu shows active Value-Added Services (VAS).

  • Select the ones you want to stop.

Tip: Always check *305# after a recharge if airtime disappears faster than expected.

Glo Customer Care and Support

For help, Glo users can:

  • Dial *300 (universal help desk across networks).

  • Visit the official Glo website: <a href=”https://www.gloworld.com/ng” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>gloworld.com</a>.

  • Use the My Glo app for live chat and self-service.

  • Visit physical GloWorld shops across Nigeria.

Troubleshooting: Common Glo USSD Problems

1. “Invalid MMI Code” or “Connection Error”

  • Ensure you’re dialing from your Glo SIM.

  • Toggle Airplane Mode on/off.

  • Reinsert your SIM if the issue persists.

2. “Session Timed Out”

  • Respond quickly; USSD menus expire in 10–20 seconds.

  • Try again during off-peak hours.

  • Close heavy background apps (like YouTube or WhatsApp).

3. Recharge Not Reflecting

  • Double-check your PIN digits.

  • If “already used,” contact customer care with the recharge card serial.

  • Keep your receipt for online recharges.

4. Borrow Me Rejected

  • Ensure you’ve recharged consistently.

  • Clear old loans first.

  • Retry after a few days.

5. Airtime Transfer Mistakes

  • If sent to the wrong number, report immediately to *300. Reversals are rare but possible if reported quickly.

6. NIN Linking Errors

  • Retry at night/off-peak.

  • Confirm your NIN by dialing *346#.

  • If still failing, visit a GloWorld centre.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: Are Glo’s USSD codes the same as MTN, Airtel, and 9mobile?
Yes, most codes were harmonized by the NCC in 2023. Balance (*310#), recharge (*311#), data menu (*312#), and borrow (*303#) are the same across all networks.

Q2: Can I borrow both airtime and data?
Yes, via *303#. Availability depends on your recharge history and usage pattern.

Q3: How do I stop Glo Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) browsing?
Buy a data bundle via *312#. If deductions continue, contact support on *300.

Q4: What’s the limit for Glo EasyShare transfers?
Typically ₦50–₦10,000 per transfer, with a daily cap (around ₦100,000). Exact limits may change.

Q5: Can I share bonus data?
No, only core bundles are shareable. Bonus data is locked to your line.

Q6: What if my borrowed airtime isn’t repaid?
Your next recharge will first clear the debt before crediting the balance.

Q7: How do I check all active subscriptions?
Dial *305# to see and cancel unwanted services.

Q8: How do I know if my NIN is linked to Glo?
Dial *996# to check linkage status.

Q9: Can I use Glo USSD codes abroad?
Yes, but only if your line is on roaming and USSD is supported. Charges may apply.

Q10: Is the service free?
Dialing codes is free, but actions (like recharging or borrowing) involve airtime or service fees.

Conclusion

USSD codes remain one of the most important tools for everyday Glo users in Nigeria. Whether you are trying to recharge your line, buy a data bundle, check your balances, borrow airtime, or share resources with friends and family, these short codes provide fast and reliable access to essential services without the need for internet access.

The harmonization of USSD codes by the Nigerian Communications Commission has made things even easier. Now, the most common actions—checking balances, buying data, borrowing airtime, or contacting customer care—use the same codes across all networks. This reduces confusion and ensures that every subscriber, regardless of network, can rely on a familiar set of numbers.

For Glo customers, services like EasyShare, Borrow Me, and data gifting add extra convenience, especially in emergencies or when helping others. With additional tools like *305# to stop unwanted subscriptions and *996# for NIN/SIM linkage, you can manage your line more effectively and avoid common frustrations such as airtime deductions or failed recharges.

At the end of the day, USSD remains a lifeline for millions of Nigerians because of its speed, simplicity, and accessibility. As long as you know the right codes and how to troubleshoot common issues, you can take full control of your Glo line in seconds.

If you ever run into problems that USSD cannot fix, remember that Glo’s official support via *300, the My Glo app, or physical GloWorld centers is always available. Stay informed, bookmark this guide, and you’ll never have to worry about forgetting a code again.

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