How to Share Data on Airtel

The fastest way to share data is to dial *312# and select the option for Gifting or Me2U.

In 2025, Nigeria has seen mobile data consumption reach record highs—over 1.13 million terabytes of mobile data were used in July alone, up from about 1.04 million terabytes in June.

Meanwhile, Airtel Nigeria has grown its data subscriber base by more than 11% year-on-year to about 29.3 million users, and average monthly data usage per user climbed to around 13.2 GB.

With so many Nigerians relying on mobile internet for work, education, social life, and entertainment, being able to share or transfer data easily has become not just useful but essential—especially for staying connected with loved ones who might be running low or far from data access.

Quick steps to Share Data on Airtel

1. *Dial 312# on your Airtel line to open the menu.
2. Select 14 (Gifting and Sharing) and then choose 4 (Data Me2U).
3. If it’s your first time, set a new PIN (the default is 1234).
4. Enter the recipient’s Airtel number and the amount of data to share.
5. Confirm the details, and you’ll get a success message!

That’s it—quick and easy!

What Is Airtel Data Sharing?

Airtel offers a data sharing service that allows you to transfer data bundles from one Airtel line to another. This feature, popularly known as Data Me2U, is ideal for sharing data with your loved ones or ensuring that someone else can stay connected as a kind gesture.

Now, what are the key benefits of Airtel data sharing?

• Convenience: Easily share data with family and friends using a few easy steps.
• Flexibility: Transfer a unit of your data bundle instead of buying a new plan for someone else.
• Stay Connected: Keep others online, even when they run out of data. It’s also a love language….

How to Share Data on Airtel

Airtel provides multiple methods for sharing and transferring data. You can use USSD codes, SMS, or the Airtel mobile app. Below is a detailed breakdown of each method:

The first thing is to make sure you own an Airtel SIM card or number, obviously. Then you also have to make sure that the number you intend to gift data to is also an Airtel number.

Code to share data on Airtel

The code for sharing data on Airtel is *312#.

The default PIN code for sharing data on Airtel is 1234, but you have to change it for better security.

How to Share Data on Airtel Without Using Codes

Not everyone loves memorizing USSD codes. If you prefer a different approach, Airtel offers alternatives like SMS and its mobile app.

How to Share Data on Airtel Using SMS

Airtel allows you to send data through a simple text message. Here’s how:

1. Compose an SMS with the format SHARE [Recipient’s Number] [Data Amount].
2. Send the message to the designated Airtel number for data sharing.
3. Wait for a confirmation message to complete the process.

This method is ideal if you prefer texting over using codes.

How to Share Data on Airtel Mobile App

If you use Airtel’s mobile app, you can also gift data effortlessly. Steps include:

1. Download and install the Airtel app on your smartphone.
2. Log in with your Airtel number.
3. Navigate to the “Data Gifting” section.
4. Enter the recipient’s details and select the desired data bundle.
5. Confirm and complete the process.

This method is user-friendly and perfect for those familiar with mobile apps.

How to Gift Data on Airtel

You’re probably wondering, “What’s the difference between sharing data and gifting data?” Think of sharing data as splitting your own data bundle, while gifting data is more like buying someone a gift card—they get a fresh bundle of their own.

Steps to Gift Data:

1. Dial *312# and select 14 for “Gifting and Sharing.”
2. Choose the “Gift Data” option.
3. Enter the recipient’s Airtel number.
4. Pick a data bundle plan from the options.
5. Confirm the purchase, and you’re done!

How to Buy Data for Someone Else on Airtel

If you want to surprise someone with a data plan, Airtel lets you buy data for another number:

1. Dial *312# and go to the “Buy Data” menu.
2. Enter the recipient’s number.
3. Choose a data plan that fits your budget.
4. Confirm the purchase.

How to Share Data on Airtel Family Plan

Are you managing data for the whole family? Airtel’s Family Plan allows you to allocate data to multiple lines under one account.

Here’s how it works:

1. Dial *312# and select Family Sharing.
2. Add family members to your group.
3. Allocate data to each member based on their needs.

What to Do If Data Sharing Fails

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Here’s what to check if your data-sharing attempt fails:

• Make sure you have enough data balance.
• Double-check the recipient’s number.
• Reset your PIN if you’ve forgotten it.
• Still no luck? Contact Airtel customer care for help.

Changing Your Default PIN for Data Sharing

For added security, Airtel allows you to reset or change your default PIN. Here’s how:

1. Dial *312# and navigate to the PIN reset option.
2. Enter your old PIN (default: 1234) and specify a new one.
3. Confirm the change.

Your PIN protects your data allowance and ensures unauthorized transfers are avoided.

More Tips for Sharing Data on Airtel

To make the most of Airtel data sharing, consider these tips:

• Ensure both you and the recipient are active Airtel subscribers.
• Always check your data balance before initiating a transfer.
• If gifting data frequently, consider buying a data bundle tailored for gifting.
• Use the Airtel app for tracking shared data and transaction history.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What Is the Maximum Amount of Data I Can Share on Airtel?

The maximum amount varies based on your data plan. Contact Airtel customer care for detailed limits.

2. Can I Share Data With Users on Other Networks Like MTN or 9Mobile?

No, Airtel’s data-sharing feature works only between Airtel lines.

3. Are There Additional Charges for Sharing Data?

No, Airtel does not charge extra for data transfers within its network.

4. What Should I Do if I Forget My PIN?

You can reset your PIN by contacting Airtel customer support or following the steps outlined above.

5. What is the difference between sharing data and gifting data?

Sharing data uses your current data balance, while gifting data buys a new data bundle for someone using your airtime.

6. How can I share data from Airtel to Airtel?

You can share data from your Airtel line to another Airtel line using Airtel’s Data Me2U service. This lets you send a portion of your active data bundle to friends or family who also use Airtel.

7. Which code do I use to share data?

The USSD code is: *141#

• Dial *141# on your Airtel line.
• Select “Gifting & Sharing”.
• Then choose “Data Me2U” and follow the prompts.

8. How to Airtel to Airtel MB transfer?

In simple terms, Airtel to Airtel MB transfer is done using Data Me2U via *141#. Just pick the “Data Me2U” option, enter the recipient’s Airtel number, and the data will be transferred instantly.

Note: You can only share data from an existing active bundle, not from borrowed or bonus data.

Airtel Data Sharing Limits and Restrictions

To avoid confusion when sharing data, here are Airtel’s typical restrictions:

• You can only share data from active, paid bundles (not from bonuses or borrowed data).
• The minimum data amount you can share is usually 10MB, while the maximum may depend on your plan.
• Each Airtel user can perform up to five data transfers per day.
• Shared data is valid for the same period as your current data plan — it does not renew separately.

Airtel Data Me2U vs Data Gifting — Key Differences

Feature	Data Me2U	Data Gifting
Source	From your existing data balance	You buy a new data bundle for someone else
Data validity	Same as your own plan	New validity period starts for the recipient
Cost	Free	Deducts cost from your airtime
Ideal for	Sharing extra data	Giving someone a surprise or gift

How to Check Airtel Data Balance After Sharing

After transferring data, you can check your balance using:

• USSD Code: Dial *312# and select “Check Data Balance.”
• SMS: Send “STATUS” to 312.
• Airtel App: Open your app dashboard to view real-time data usage and remaining balance.

This helps ensure you don’t run out unexpectedly after multiple transfers.

Common Errors When Sharing Airtel Data (and Fixes)

Error Message	Likely Cause	Fix
“Transaction Failed”	Insufficient data balance	Buy or renew your bundle
“Invalid Number”	Mistyped recipient number	Recheck and retry
“PIN Error”	Incorrect PIN	Reset via *312# and set a new one
“Service Unavailable”	Temporary Airtel downtime	Wait a few minutes and retry

Airtel Customer Care & Contact Options

If you ever experience issues with Airtel’s data transfer service, you can reach support through:

• Dial: 111 (free from any Airtel line)
• Twitter (X): @AirtelNigeria
• Instagram: @airtelng
• Email: customercare@ng.airtel.com

Conclusion

The internet has become an integral part of our lives, and it is now very important to stay connected no matter where you are.

Now that you know how to gift data on Airtel, go ahead and start gifting your friends data.

Did you know that you can buy Airtime and Data on the Dtunes App?

Dtunes is the number one app that allows you to trade your gift cards and cryptocurrencies at juicy rates. Definitely the best rate in town. Yes! That’s how good it is. It is a very seamless way of selling your gift cards and cryptocurrencies in Nigeria. And also buy airtime and data from different network providers like MTN, Glo, Airtel and 9mobile.

This app is also iOS and Android compatible.

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