Ever recharged your MTN line and, before you know it, your airtime disappears—all because you unknowingly browsed without a data plan? That’s the MTN Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) service doing its thing.
If you’re tired of your airtime being used for browsing instead of calls or SMS, you’re not alone—and the good news is, you can easily stop it.
What is MTN PAYG?
MTN PAYG (Pay As You Go) is a service that lets you browse the internet using your airtime when you don’t have an active data bundle. It’s meant to keep you online at all times, but the downside is that the browsing rate is much higher, and your airtime can finish really fast.
Why You Might Want to Opt Out of MTN PAYG
- You want to save airtime for calls or texts only.
- You prefer buying proper data bundles.
- You’re tired of airtime disappearing whenever you accidentally go online.
MTN Pay As You Go Code Opt Out – How to Stop It
Here’s how to stop MTN from using your airtime for browsing:
Option 1: Use the USSD Code
The fastest way is with a simple code:
- Dial *312*201#
You’ll get a message confirming that PAYG browsing has been deactivated. After that, MTN won’t use your airtime to browse anymore—only data bundles will be used.
Option 2: Send SMS to Stop PAYG
If you prefer SMS, here’s what to do:
- Send the word SUSPEND to 312
This will reset your data settings and also opt you out of PAYG browsing. MTN will send you a confirmation message shortly after.
Extra Tip: Want to Opt Back In?
If for any reason you change your mind and want to use your airtime to browse again (maybe in emergencies), just:
- Dial *312*200# again to re-activate PAYG.
Final Notes
- Always keep an eye on your data balance with *323#.
- Try to turn off background data on your apps to prevent surprise airtime deductions.
Now you know how to stop browsing with your airtime on MTN.