The quickest way to check your MTN number

Your MTN phone number is stored on your SIM card and in MTN's system. The fastest way to see it is to dial *100# on your MTN phone and press call. A menu will appear with your number displayed on the screen. This works on any MTN line in any country where MTN operates — South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, and others — though the exact menu layout may vary slightly by region.

If dialing *100# does not work, try *123# instead, which pulls up your account information on some MTN networks. Both are free to use and take a few seconds.

You can also find your number by opening your phone's settings. On Android, go to Settings > About Phone > Phone Number or Settings > SIM Card Status. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and look for "My Number" or "Phone Number". Your carrier stores this information on your SIM, so it should display there if MTN has provisioned it correctly.

Key Takeaways

  • Dialing *100# on your MTN phone is the fastest way to see your number — it takes seconds and costs nothing.
  • Your phone's settings menu (Settings > About Phone on Android, Settings > General > About on iPhone) will also show your number if your SIM is properly registered.
  • Different MTN regions may use different USSD codes, so *123# is a backup option if *100# does not work.
  • Your MTN number is tied to your SIM card, so if you swap SIMs, you will see a different number in your phone's settings until the new SIM fully activates.

Why your phone might not show your number

Sometimes your phone's settings will show "Unknown" or leave the number field blank even though you have an active MTN line. This usually happens when your SIM card is new or was recently activated, and MTN's system has not yet written your number to the SIM itself. The USSD code *100# will still work because it pulls the number from MTN's network, not from your SIM.

If you have had the SIM for weeks and the number still does not appear in your phone settings, contact MTN customer service. You can call them from your MTN phone by dialing *111# or 100 (depending on your region), or visit an MTN store with your ID and SIM card. They can verify the number is active on your account and sometimes force a refresh that updates your phone's display.

Checking your number on a different phone

If you want to verify your MTN number on someone else's phone, insert your SIM card into their device. Once the phone recognizes the SIM, dial *100# and your number will appear. This works even if the other phone is not an MTN phone — the USSD code connects to MTN's network, not to the phone's carrier.

You can also ask MTN directly. Call their customer service line from any phone (not just your MTN line) and provide your SIM card number or ID number. They will read your phone number back to you. The customer service number varies by country — in South Africa it is 100 or 111, in Nigeria it is 180, and in Uganda it is 100.

What to do if you have lost your SIM card

If your SIM is lost or damaged, you cannot dial *100# because you have no active line. However, you can still find your old number by contacting MTN directly. Bring your ID to an MTN store or call their customer service line from another phone. Tell them you have lost your SIM and provide your ID number. They will look up your account and tell you what number was assigned to that SIM.

MTN can issue you a replacement SIM with the same phone number, usually within a few hours or by the next business day. There is typically a small fee for a replacement SIM. Once you set up the new SIM in your phone, you can verify the number again by dialing *100#.

Understanding USSD codes and how they work

USSD codes are short text strings that start with an asterisk and end with a hash symbol. When you dial one and press call, your phone sends it to your carrier's network instead of trying to connect to a phone number. The carrier's system reads the code, performs an action (like looking up your account), and sends a response back to your phone as a menu or message. USSD codes work on any phone — smartphone or basic phone — as long as you have a signal.

MTN uses USSD codes for many tasks beyond checking your number. *141# checks your balance, *100# shows your number, and *111# opens the customer service menu. These codes are free because they do not use your data or minutes — they are a direct line to MTN's system. They work even if you have no credit on your account.

Saving your number so you do not forget it

Once you have your MTN number, write it down or save it somewhere safe. Store it in your phone's contacts under a name like "My MTN Number" so you can find it quickly. You can also take a screenshot of the *100# menu that displays your number, or write it on a piece of paper and keep it in your wallet.

Knowing your own number is useful when you need to give it to someone, when you are setting up a new phone, or when you are troubleshooting with customer service. It also helps you spot fraud — if someone claims to be calling from your number but you know your actual number is different, you know something is wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does dialing *100# cost money or use my airtime?

No. USSD codes like *100# are free and do not deduct from your balance or data. They connect directly to your carrier's system and return a response to your phone. You can use them even if you have zero credit.

What if I dial *100# and nothing happens?

Make sure you pressed the call button after typing the code. If the code still does not work, try *123# instead — different MTN regions use different codes. If neither works, check that you have a signal and that your SIM is fully activated. If you just bought the SIM that day, wait a few hours and try again.

Can I check my MTN number without a phone?

You need to contact MTN directly. Visit an MTN store with your ID and SIM card, or call their customer service line from another phone. They can look up your number in their system using your ID or SIM card details.

Will my MTN number change if I get a new SIM card?

Not if MTN issues you a replacement SIM for the same account. When you report a lost or damaged SIM, MTN can give you a new SIM with the same number. However, if you buy a completely new SIM card as a new customer, you will get a new number.

What is the difference between my phone number and my SIM card number?

Your phone number is what people call to reach you — it is tied to your account and your SIM card. Your SIM card number (ICCID) is a separate identifier printed on the SIM itself and in your phone's settings. MTN uses the SIM card number to track the physical card, while the phone number is what routes calls to you.