Last year, PalmPay rollout its USSD banking service with *861#. In addition to the fact that other reputable fintech companies and commercial banks are offering USSD banking to their customers, PalmPay claims it uses USSD service *861# to empower users with enhanced financial access and further imposes account security.
USSD banking (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data banking) is a way to access banking services using a mobile phone without the need for an internet connection. It works through short codes that you can dial on your phones, usually starting with * and ending with #.
These codes connect the phone to the bank’s system, allowing you to perform transactions such as checking your account’s available balance, sending money to friends and family, buying airtime and data, funding betting accounts, and paying bills.
In Nigeria, USSD banking is mostly used when there’s no internet connection to carry out financial transactions via the bank’s mobile app or E-banking.
Recently, major telecommunications companies in Nigeria including MTN, Airtel and GLO increase prices for their data plans, hiking 50% from the previous prices. This will help users to further adopt to the system of USSD banking in the country.
How USSD Code Works
A USSD code is a specific number assigned by banks to access their services without internet. Bank’s USSD code is usually 3 or 4 digital numbers. For example, PalmPay have a USSD code *861# for customers to access some specific services in their accounts.
After dialling the code, the user follows simple menu options to complete a transaction. Since USSD is fast, easy to use, and does not require an app, it is a popular choice for mobile banking in many countries, especially in Africa and South Asia.
How to Use PalmPay USSD Banking Code in 2025
The PalmPay’s USSD code can be used to carry out some (not all services in app) transactions on the banking network. To be precise, you can use transfer money to other banks (including GTBank and Access Bank) in Nigeria.
You can also use the *861# to pay bills, buy data, purchase airtime, fund betting accounts, view transaction history, set password, and check balance.
Services like obtaining a loan, claiming trial cash, savings and investing, gaming, insurance, QR code and requesting ATM card that are currently available via the PalmPay app are not accessible via the *861#.
PalmPay USSD Code Services
Here are what you can do with the PalmPay USSD Code:
- Top up Airtime for Self: *861*2*Amount#
- Top up Airtime for Others: *861*2*Amount*10-digit Phone No.#
- Data Bundle: *861*3#
- Transfer: *861*1#
- Betting Fund: *861*4#
- Check Balance: *861*5#
- Transaction History: *861*6#
- Query Orders by Order No.: *861*6*5#
- Password Setting: *861*11#
How to Activate PalmPay USSD Code
Activating PalmPay USSD code is kind of complex. So you need to pay attention to how it done in the this article. The activation process goes beyond just dialing *861# on your PalmPay phone number. But, do not worry, we will simplify every process in this section.
To activate PalmPay USSD banking code, you need to first set up password for the USSD code in the PalmPay app. Also note that the app must be the latest version (v5.15 or later). If you don’t setup USSD password in the PalmPay app and you dial *861# on your phone, you will get this message: “please setup your password using PalmPay (version 5.15 or above) at ‘Me-Settings’ before using the USSD service,” as shown in the image below.
Set Up USSD Password
- Login to your PalmPay App and click on “Me” icon at the bottom tab of the homepage.
- On the “Me” page, click on “USSD Service”.
- Tap on “Set” at the Password Setting menu.
- You will be sent an OTP code to your PalmPay number. Confirm the code and continue.
- You will be asked to verify your identity by entering either your BVN or NIN. Use your preferred method to confirm the identity and proceed.
- You will be asked to type your preferred password. Enter your preferred password and confirm your actions.
The PalmPay USSD code password is usually 4-digit codes. The password will be required to authorize your transactions using USSD banking. This password is different from your PalmPay login password and PIN.
Dial *861# on your PalmPay Number
Once you’ve successfully set up your USSD password, you can now use the *861# to perform transactions such as bill payments, check balance, view transaction history, buy data, buy airtime and transfer money to any bank in Nigeria.
To use the USSD service, open call app on your phone and dial *861# and enter your password to get full access to the USSD banking. Or you can dial the direct code to perform specific operations. E.g., dial *861*5# to check your PalmPay balance.
You can also use other USSD codes for different services: top up airtime for yourself by dialing *861*2Amount#, or for others using *861*2Amount*10-digit Phone No.#. To purchase a data bundle, dial *861*3#, and to transfer funds, use *861*1#.
If you need to fund your betting account, dial *861*4#. Checking your transaction history is easy with *861*6#, and you can query orders by order number using *861*65#. Lastly, for security, set or update your USSD password by dialing *861*11#.
How to send money to other banks in Nigeria
How to Send Money Using PalmPay USSD Code
To send money to banks like GTBank, First Bank, Access Bank, UBA, OPay, Moniepoint, Kuda Bank, Zenith Bank, FCMB, and other PalmPay users using the PalmPay USSD code, follow these simple steps:
1. Dial the PalmPay USSD Code – On your mobile phone, dial *861*1# to initiate a money transfer.
2. Select the Transfer Option – A menu will appear; choose the option to send money.
3. Enter the Recipient’s Bank Details – Provide the recipient’s bank name and account number if you're sending to banks like GTBank, First Bank, Access Bank, UBA, or others. If sending to another PalmPay user, enter their 10-digits account number or registered PalmPay number.
4. Enter the Amount – Input the amount you wish to send.
5. Confirm Transaction – Review the details and enter your USSD password to authorize the transfer.
6. Receive Confirmation – You will receive a message confirming whether the transaction was successful.
How to Buy Airtime and Data using PalmPay USSD Code
How to Recharge Data and Airtime for MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile, and GLO Using PalmPay USSD Code
To recharge data and airtime for MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile, and GLO using the PalmPay USSD code, follow these simple steps:
1. For Airtime Top-up (Self): Dial *861*2*Amount# to recharge your own phone number linked to PalmPay.
2. For Airtime Top-up (Others): Dial *861*2*Amount*Recipient’s Phone Number# to send airtime to another number on MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile, or GLO.
3. For Data Purchase: Dial *861*3# and follow the on-screen instructions to select your network provider (MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile, or GLO) and preferred data plan.
4. Confirm the Purchase: Enter your USSD password to authorize the transaction.
5. Receive Confirmation: You will get a message confirming the successful recharge of airtime or data.
However, it’s very important to have sufficient funds in your PalmPay wallet to carry out any transaction using the USSD services. Also, note that standard charges may apply depending on CBN policy or the network provider you’re using.
About PalmPay USSD
PalmPay is one of the biggest financial platform in Nigeria. The firm has over 30 million users on its smartphone app—PalmPay App and has recently introduces its USSD code *861#. The financial company also has over 50,000 mobile money agents across Nigeria that caters for customers that don’t have access to smartphones.
PalmPay added a USSD service to make it easier for people to use their platform, especially when the internet is not working. Chika Nwosu, the Managing Director in Nigeria, said the company wants to help more people access digital banking. The USSD service also includes a security feature that lets users freeze their accounts if their phone is lost or stolen, keeping their money safe.
PalmPay has been operating in Nigeria since 2019 under a Mobile Money Operator license issued by the CBN. The fintech pioneered a model that provides financial services such as money transfers, bill payments, credit services and savings via a one-stop-shop financial ‘superapp’.
