PalmPay USSD Code: Transfer Money and More

After activating USSD banking on the phone number linked to your PalmPay account, you can dial *861# to transfer money, buy airtime and data, pay bills, check your balance, and access account-security options. PalmPay also provides direct shortcuts for some transactions, including *861*2*amount# for airtime and *861*3# for mobile data.

The USSD service is especially useful when you have no data, the PalmPay app is not opening, your internet connection is poor, or you are using a basic mobile phone.

I have seen several websites still publish *652# as the PalmPay code. That information is outdated or incorrect for PalmPay’s current Nigerian service. PalmPay officially introduced *861# as its USSD code, and that is the code I recommend using.

PalmPay USSD Code at a Glance

PalmPay may change menu numbers or add new options. I recommend using the main *861# menu when a direct shortcut does not work.

What Is the PalmPay USSD Code?

The PalmPay USSD code is *861#.

USSD stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data. It allows a mobile phone to communicate with a financial service through the mobile network without using the internet.

Unlike the PalmPay app, USSD does not require:

• Mobile data
• Wi-Fi
• A smartphone
• An app update
• A web browser

You only need a working mobile network signal and the phone number connected to your PalmPay account.

PalmPay launched the service to make its financial platform more accessible to customers who may not always have reliable internet access. PalmPay has also stated that the USSD platform includes a feature for remotely freezing an account when a phone is lost or stolen.

What Can I Do With *861#?

The exact options displayed may change, but PalmPay currently promotes *861# for services such as:

• Sending money
• Buying airtime
• Purchasing mobile data
• Paying bills
• Checking an account balance
• Accessing account-security features
• Freezing an account when a phone is lost or stolen
• Managing selected PalmPay services without internet access

Some savings, loan, card, reward, or investment features may still require the PalmPay app.

If a service does not appear in the USSD menu, open the app when you have internet access or contact PalmPay customer care.

How to Activate PalmPay USSD Banking

PalmPay has indicated that customers should activate the USSD service from the PalmPay app before using it.

Use these steps:

1. Open the PalmPay app.
2. Sign in to your account.
3. Open your profile or account settings.
4. Look for USSD, USSD Banking, or a similar option.
5. Follow the instructions to activate the service.
6. Confirm the phone number linked to the account.
7. Create or confirm the transaction PIN when prompted.
8. Close the app.
9. Dial *861# from the linked phone number.
10. Follow the displayed menu.

The wording and menu location can change after an app update.

If you cannot find the USSD option:

• Update PalmPay from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
• Confirm that you are signed in to the correct account.
• Check that your PalmPay account verification is complete.
• Confirm that the SIM in the phone uses the number registered with PalmPay.
• Contact PalmPay support.

Do not give your PalmPay password, PIN, or one-time password to anyone who claims they can activate USSD for you.

How to Use the PalmPay USSD Code

After activation:

1. Dial *861#.
2. Wait for the PalmPay menu.
3. Enter the number beside the service you need.
4. Provide the requested transaction details.
5. Review the recipient, amount, or bill information.
6. Enter your PalmPay transaction PIN.
7. Wait for a confirmation message.

Do not approve a transfer when the recipient name is incorrect.

If the USSD session closes before you finish, dial the code again and restart the transaction. Never enter the same transfer repeatedly without first checking your PalmPay balance and transaction history.

PalmPay USSD Code for Transfer

To transfer money:

1. Dial *861# from the phone number linked to PalmPay.
2. Select Transfer or Send Money.
3. Choose whether you are sending to PalmPay or another bank.
4. Enter the recipient’s account number or PalmPay details.
5. Select the receiving bank when required.
6. Enter the amount.
7. Review the recipient name.
8. Enter your transaction PIN.
9. Wait for confirmation.

PalmPay frequently promotes free transfers, but charges, promotions, transaction limits, and network-related USSD fees can change.

Always read the transaction summary before entering your PIN.

PalmPay to PalmPay Transfer

A PalmPay-to-PalmPay transfer may use the recipient’s PalmPay account details or registered phone number, depending on the option shown.

Confirm the account name before completing the transaction.

PalmPay to Bank Transfer

PalmPay can be used to transfer money to supported Nigerian banks.

You will normally need:

• Recipient account number
• Receiving bank
• Amount
• PalmPay transaction PIN

The recipient name should appear before authorization.

If you also use OPay, my guide to the OPay USSD code explains how its *955# service handles transfers, airtime, data, balance checks, and account security.

PalmPay USSD Code for Airtime

PalmPay has published this direct airtime shortcut:

*861*2*amount#

For example, to buy ₦500 airtime for the phone number linked to your PalmPay account, dial:

*861*2*500#

Then follow the instructions and authorize the purchase.

You can also use the main menu:

1. Dial *861#.
2. Select Airtime.
3. Choose whether the recharge is for yourself or another number.
4. Enter the phone number when required.
5. Enter the amount.
6. Confirm the network.
7. Enter your PIN.

Check the phone number carefully before buying airtime for another person. Airtime sent to a wrong but active number may be difficult to reverse.

PalmPay USSD Code for Data

PalmPay has also promoted this data shortcut:

*861*3#

To buy data:

1. Dial *861*3#.
2. Select the phone number or recipient option.
3. Choose the mobile network.
4. Select the data plan.
5. Review the price and validity.
6. Enter your transaction PIN.
7. Wait for confirmation from PalmPay and the mobile network.

You can also dial *861# and choose the data option from the menu.

Data-plan prices and allowances can change. Read the displayed plan details before paying.

How to Check PalmPay Balance With USSD

To check your PalmPay balance:

1. Dial *861#.
2. Select Check Balance, Balance, or the equivalent option.
3. Enter your PalmPay PIN if requested.
4. View the available balance on the screen or through the confirmation message.

PalmPay may deduct or display a USSD network charge depending on the network and current policy.

Do not check your balance through a code or link sent by an unknown person.

How to Pay Bills With PalmPay USSD

PalmPay promotes *861# for bill payments.

The available billers may include:

• Electricity
• Cable television
• Mobile data
• Airtime
• Education payments
• Betting or gaming services
• Other supported merchants

To pay a bill:

1. Dial *861#.
2. Select Pay Bills or Bill Payment.
3. Choose the bill category.
4. Select the provider.
5. Enter the required customer number, meter number, smartcard number, or account reference.
6. Enter the amount.
7. Review the bill information.
8. Enter your transaction PIN.
9. Save the confirmation message.

For prepaid electricity, keep the token or receipt until it has been loaded successfully.

For cable television payments, verify the IUC, smartcard number, or customer ID before authorizing the transaction.

PalmPay USSD Code to Freeze an Account

PalmPay says its USSD service includes an account-freezing feature for customers whose phones are lost or stolen.

Because menu wording can change, use the current security option displayed through *861#.

General steps are:

1. Use an available phone.
2. Dial *861#.
3. Look for Security, Freeze Account, Report Lost Phone, or a similar option.
4. Enter the PalmPay account information requested.
5. Complete the identity-verification steps.
6. Follow the confirmation instructions.

If the freeze option is not available or you cannot complete it, call PalmPay immediately on:

+234 201 888 6888

You should also:

• Block the stolen SIM through your mobile network.
• Change the PalmPay password.
• Change the email password linked to the account.
• Remove the lost phone from important accounts.
• Report unauthorized transactions immediately.

Do not wait until money has been transferred before taking action.

My guide to how to block an OPay account when a phone is stolen also explains the general security steps that apply when a financial app is exposed on a missing device.

Does PalmPay USSD Work Without Internet?

Yes. The main purpose of the service is to let customers perform supported transactions without mobile data or Wi-Fi.

You still need:

• Mobile network coverage
• An active SIM
• A PalmPay account
• The registered phone number
• A sufficient PalmPay balance
• A valid transaction PIN
• An account eligible for the requested transaction

A weak mobile signal can make the USSD session time out even though internet data is not required.

Does PalmPay USSD Work on a Small Phone?

Yes. USSD can work on a basic feature phone because it does not require the PalmPay app.

However, the account and USSD service may need to be set up first through PalmPay’s supported activation process.

Once activated, the registered SIM can be used in a compatible basic phone to dial *861#.

Does PalmPay USSD Work on Every Network?

PalmPay’s USSD service is intended for Nigerian mobile users, but availability can depend on:

• Mobile network
• SIM registration
• Account phone number
• Network coverage
• Temporary USSD outages
• Current service agreements
• Account eligibility

If *861# does not work on your line, do not assume that the code is wrong. Test the troubleshooting steps later in this article.

PalmPay USSD Charges

PalmPay may offer free or discounted financial transactions, but USSD sessions can involve separate mobile-network charges.

Possible costs include:

• USSD session fee
• Transfer fee
• Bill-payment fee
• Airtime or data purchase amount
• Charges from a receiving service
• Government or regulatory charges where applicable

Charges and promotions can change.

Before authorizing any payment:

1. Read the amount displayed.
2. Check for transaction fees.
3. Confirm the recipient name.
4. Make sure your balance is sufficient.
5. Enter the PIN only when the details are correct.

PalmPay USSD Transaction Limits

PalmPay transaction limits can depend on:

• Account verification level
• Identity information provided
• Regulatory limits
• Transaction type
• Daily transaction history
• Account-security review
• Receiving bank limits
• PalmPay risk controls

A newly created or partly verified account may have lower limits than a fully verified account.

Check your account limits inside the PalmPay app or contact support when a transfer is rejected because of a limit.

Do not split a suspicious payment into many smaller transfers simply to avoid a limit.

PalmPay USSD Code Not Working

Several issues can stop *861# from working.

The USSD Service Is Not Activated

PalmPay has advised users to activate USSD through the app.

Open the PalmPay app and check for USSD activation under account or security settings.

You Are Using the Wrong Phone Number

Dial the code from the SIM registered to your PalmPay account.

A different SIM may not be recognized.

The Mobile Network Is Unstable

Move to an area with a stronger signal and try again.

USSD can fail even when ordinary calls still work.

The Session Timed Out

USSD sessions close after a short period.

Read each option before dialing when possible, then complete the menu without long delays.

The PalmPay Service Is Temporarily Unavailable

PalmPay or the mobile network may be experiencing an outage.

Wait and try again later. Do not repeat a transaction immediately if money may already have been deducted.

The Account Needs Verification

Open the PalmPay app and complete any pending identity or account-verification request.

The SIM Has Been Replaced

A SIM swap or recently replaced SIM can trigger security controls.

Contact PalmPay if the registered number is correct but USSD access remains blocked.

The Code Was Entered Incorrectly

The main code is:

*861#

Do not use *652# as the current PalmPay code.

The Phone Has Two SIM Cards

Make sure the call is placed from the SIM linked to PalmPay.

Set the correct SIM as the default for calls or choose it when prompted.

PalmPay Transfer Failed but I Was Debited

Do not repeat the transaction immediately.

Take these steps:

1. Check the PalmPay balance.
2. Open transaction history in the app when internet access is available.
3. Check whether the recipient received the money.
4. Save the transaction reference.
5. Take a screenshot of any error or debit alert.
6. Wait for an automatic reversal.
7. Contact PalmPay when the reversal does not arrive within the stated period.

Provide:

• PalmPay phone number
• Transaction amount
• Date and time
• Recipient details
• Transaction reference
• Description of the error

Never post your full account details, PIN, or OTP on social media while asking for help.

PalmPay Airtime or Data Purchase Failed

Check whether:

• The mobile number was correct.
• The network was selected correctly.
• The plan is available.
• Your PalmPay balance was sufficient.
• The USSD session completed.
• The network sent a confirmation message.
• The transaction appears in PalmPay history.

If you were debited without receiving airtime or data, contact PalmPay with the reference and recipient number.

PalmPay USSD PIN Not Working

Possible causes include:

• Incorrect PIN
• Confusing the login password with the transaction PIN
• Too many failed attempts
• A recently changed PIN
• Account security restriction
• SIM or phone-number mismatch

Do not keep guessing the PIN.

Use the PalmPay app’s PIN recovery process or contact customer service.

How to Change PalmPay USSD PIN

The exact menu can change.

Try:

1. Dial *861#.
2. Select Settings, Security, or Manage PIN if available.
3. Choose Change PIN.
4. Enter the old PIN.
5. Enter the new PIN.
6. Confirm it.

If no PIN option is available, change or reset the transaction PIN through the PalmPay app.

Choose a PIN that is difficult to guess. Avoid:

• 1234
• 0000
• Your year of birth
• The last four digits of your phone number
• Repeating numbers
• Your ATM PIN

Can I Open a PalmPay Account With USSD?

PalmPay’s official messaging focuses on using *861# for existing PalmPay services. I recommend opening and verifying an account through the official PalmPay app or an authorized PalmPay channel.

Do not rely on an unverified website claiming that a different USSD code will open a PalmPay account.

If account-opening support appears in the *861# menu, follow the official prompts and provide only the required information.

Can I Use PalmPay USSD Without the App?

You may be able to perform supported transactions without opening the app after the account and USSD service have been activated.

However, the app may still be required for:

• Initial account registration
• USSD activation
• Full identity verification
• Password recovery
• Viewing detailed history
• Managing cards
• Accessing savings and credit features
• Changing advanced security settings

USSD is an alternative access channel, not a complete replacement for every PalmPay app feature.

Is the PalmPay USSD Code Safe?

PalmPay USSD can be safe when you protect the registered SIM and transaction PIN.

Follow these safety rules:

• Never disclose your PIN.
• Never disclose an OTP.
• Do not let a stranger dial transactions on your behalf.
• Confirm the recipient name.
• Avoid using a phone controlled by another person.
• Lock your SIM with a PIN.
• Block a stolen SIM immediately.
• Ignore calls asking you to reverse a transfer by revealing a code.
• Contact PalmPay through official channels.
• Do not use codes from random social media comments.

PalmPay customer-care representatives should not ask you to reveal your transaction PIN or OTP.

PalmPay USSD Code Compared With Other Fintech Codes

PalmPay is not the only Nigerian fintech platform offering USSD access.

Other relevant guides include:

• OPay USSD code: *955#
• Moniepoint USSD code: *5573#
• MoMo USSD code: *671#

Each platform has different activation requirements, transaction options, fees, limits, and security features.

Use the code belonging to the account you actually hold. Do not dial one fintech code expecting it to control another wallet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PalmPay USSD code?

The official PalmPay USSD code is *861#.

Is *652# the PalmPay code?

No. PalmPay currently promotes *861# as its official Nigerian USSD service. I do not recommend using *652# for PalmPay transactions.

What is the PalmPay transfer code?

Dial *861# and select the transfer option.

What is the PalmPay airtime code?

Dial *861*2*amount# to buy airtime for the linked number, or use the airtime option under *861#.

What is the PalmPay data code?

Dial *861*3# and follow the displayed data-purchase menu.

Can I check my PalmPay balance without internet?

Yes. Dial *861# and select the balance option.

Can I pay bills with PalmPay USSD?

Yes. Dial *861# and choose bill payment.

Does PalmPay USSD require data?

No. It uses the mobile network rather than an internet connection.

Do I need to activate PalmPay USSD?

PalmPay has advised customers to activate the USSD service from the app before using it.

Can I use the code from another phone number?

Use the phone number linked to your PalmPay account for ordinary transactions.

Can PalmPay USSD freeze a stolen account?

PalmPay says the service includes a remote account-freezing feature. Dial *861# and follow the current security prompts, or contact PalmPay immediately.

Why is *861# not working?

The service may not be activated, you may be using the wrong SIM, the network may be unstable, the account may need verification, or the USSD platform may be temporarily unavailable.

Is PalmPay USSD free?

PalmPay transaction promotions may be free, but the mobile network can charge for a USSD session. Review all displayed charges before approving a transaction.

Can I buy airtime for another number?

The *861# menu may provide a recharge-for-others option. Enter the recipient number carefully.

Can I use PalmPay USSD on an iPhone?

Yes. USSD works through the mobile network and is not limited to Android phones.

Can I use it on a small Nokia phone?

Yes, after the PalmPay account and USSD service are properly set up, provided the registered SIM and network support the service.

Use the Correct PalmPay Code

The correct PalmPay USSD code is *861#.

Use it to transfer money, buy airtime and data, pay bills, check your balance, and access the security options currently available on your account. Activate the service through the PalmPay app first and always dial from the phone number connected to the account.

For current product information, visit the official PalmPay website. If a transaction fails, your phone is stolen, or the USSD service remains unavailable, use PalmPay’s official customer-support page or call +234 201 888 6888.