How to Buy Data on Airtel Nigeria: 5 Options

Are you data-hungry? Have you been searching for how to buy data on Airtel Nigeria? You’ve come to the right place.

In this digital age that we are, staying connected to the internet is a game changer. With the Airtel 4G/5G network, one of the most reliable mobile networks in Nigeria, it has become as easy as ever. However, running out of data can be challenging when you need it the most. 

So, in this blog post, we’ll be discussing different methods of buying data on your Airtel line. As you will get to learn, some of these methods are very common, while some are lesser known but offer special and bonus data.

Benefits of Buying Data on Airtel

Before we go into the crux of this post, let’s look at why buying data on Airtel is preferable in the first place

1. Wide Range of Data Plans: Airtel offers different, diverse data plans that will definitely fit into your budget. From weekly and monthly to family and weekend plans, Airtel surely has something for you.
2. Reliable Internet Connection: Airtel in Nigeria has wide coverage. Hence, they are one of the most reliable in the telecom industry. Whether you’re in a buzzing city or in a rural village, you can still get a touch of Airtel’s fast mobile internet.
3. Large Purchase Options: if one method of getting data or airtel from Airtel is not working for you, Airtel has made available a host of other methods so you don’t get caught off guard with exhausted data.
4. Value-Added Services (VAS): On Airtel, it goes beyond just getting data. You also gain access to various VASs like free calls and SMS on some plans, and data bonus and rollover options on some other plans.

How to Buy Data on Airtel Nigeria

As aforementioned, there are many methods of purchasing data on Airtel. We will, however, be looking into the following five (5) methods:

• With USSD code
• With My Airtel app
• Via your Bank
• With Airtel SmartCash
• Online Data Vendors

How to Buy Data on Airtel With USSD code

The popular *312# is used on Airtel and other mobile network providers in Nigeria for easy access to data plans. Take the following steps:

1. Recharge your Airtel line sufficiently
2. Dial *312# on your Airtel line
3. Select 1 to see your exclusive offers or;
4. Select 2 to select to see all data plans
5. You can now Select from a wide range of Daily/Weekly bundles, Monthly bundles, Mega Bundles, Big data plans and more.
6. Select your desired plan e.g N350/1GB/Daily
7. Choose 2 to “stop my data” when the bundle finishes
8. You will receive a success message and data will be credited to you

How to Buy Data on Airtel via the My Airtel app

The My Airtel app provides a user-friendly interface to serve your daily needs. You can recharge your line directly via saved payment methods. You also have easy access to pick any number from your phonebook to send airtime/data too. 

Follow the steps below to subscribe to a data bundle with the app:

1. Download the MY AIRTEL app from your device’s app store
2. Sign up with your Airtel number
3. Head to the Quick Actions menu. 
4. Hit Buy Bundles 
5. Your Airtel Number will be automatically there
6. Tap Next
7. Choose your perfect plan
8. That’s it! Wait for a success notification.

How to Buy Data on Airtel via Your Bank

If you have an active Nigerian bank account, then you have another method of subscribing data to your Airtel line. You can dial your bank’s USSD code and follow the prompts to get the data. 

Below is a table showing the direct code to get data for a few banks:

Bank	USSD Code for Data
GT Bank	*737*4#
FCMB	*329*1*Mobile Number#
Keystone	*7111*1#

You can also buy data to your Airtel line from your bank app like the Alat for WEMA, Access More for Access Bank, GTWorld for GT Bank, and UBA Mobile Banking for UBA, amongst others. 

Download the app on your Play Store or app store, sign up and you can begin to buy data directly to your Airtel line from it.

How to Buy Data on Airtel With Airtel SmartCash

Just like MTN made MoMo a fast digital banking solution for her users, Airtel made SmartCash. With SmartCash, you can open a world of mobile and digital banking with your Airtel phone number. Your phone number without the first zero is your SmartCash account number.

To begin right away, you can dial *939# with your Airtel line and proceed with your NIN or BVN. You can also sign up on the SmartCash app.

What’s more? With Airtel’s SmartCash, you will not only be able to send and receive funds but also instantly subscribe to EXCLUSIVE data bundle offers. The data on SmartCash is usually cheaper than normal.

How to Buy Data on Airtel via Online Vendors

Nowadays, there are many online vendors (especially on WhatsApp) that sell data at affordable rates. All you need is to choose which plan you want from their data list, send money and they will credit the data to you in a jiffy.

There is a caveat, though. While purchasing Airtel data from third-party vendors can be convenient, beware of scammers and prioritize reliable sources. 

Look for trusted merchants recommended by friends or those with positive reviews. This minimizes the risk of losing money and ensures you receive your data without any hassle.

Bonus Tips

Here are some important tips you should consider before or after data on your Airtel line:

1. Take note of the validity of the plans. Some great-looking plans usually last for a day or two.
2. If you’ve not finished your data before its expiration period, you can roll over the plan by buying the same plan again. This does not apply to Awuf plans, though.
3. You should periodically check your data balance by dialling *310# to avoid over-usage.
4. Certain data plans won’t work across the internet e.g social media bundles
5. You can also share your Airtel data with friends and family

Conclusion

Explained above is how you can buy Data on Airtel Nigeria. We hope the article was comprehensive enough and offered you help. If you have any issues with any of the options, kindly reach out to Airtel’s customer care.