To block or unblock MTN SIM cards, dial the MTN customer service helpline (180) from any phone and listen to the voice prompts or speak to a customer service representative.
With the growing rate of phone theft, knowing how to quickly block or unblock an MTN sim card has become essential. By blocking your MTN SIM card, you can safeguard your account, prevent misuse, and control your mobile number. So, if you are an MTN subscriber and need to know how to block or unblock an MTN SIM card, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process.
How to Block My MTN SIM Card
Contacting your MTN service help is the surest way to successfully block your MTN line that has either been misplaced or stolen. However, completing this simple task depends on how well you are prepared and attentive to instructions. It is important that you take prompt action and block your MTN SIM card to protect your account and personal information. Follow the guidelines below to successfully block your MTN sim.
Step 1: Gather Your Essential Information and documents
Before proceeding to block your MTN SIM, it’s essential to gather some necessary information or documents to help identify you as the sim. The requirements are:
- The mobile number associated with the SIM card.
- Your full name as registered with MTN.
- A valid identification document, such as a passport, voter’s card or national ID card.
Step 2: Contact MTN Customer Service
Once you get all the necessary information ready, you can contact MTN customer service. There are several ways to reach MTN customer service, but the two major ways are
- Calling MTN Customer Care Line 180: Dial the MTN customer care line from another phone. In most countries, the MTN customer care number is 180.
- Visit an MTN Service Center: Locate the nearest MTN service center and visit in person. This option is mostly recommended if you prefer one-on-one assistance or if you are unable to reach customer care over the phone.
- Email MTN customer service using the email address [email protected] or [email protected]. Clearly state in the email that you have lost your SIM card or that it has been stolen. Include your mobile number and any other necessary information as requested by MTN.
- Live Chat: Visit the MTN website and look for the live chat option if available. Initiate a chat with a customer service representative and explain your situation. Provide the necessary details and request a SIM card block.
- VSocial Media account: Visit any of MTN’s social media accounts, especially on Twitter, and initiate a chat. You can also reach them on WhatsApp at 09033000001; https://wa.me/234903300000, or on Instagram. Provide the necessary details and request a SIM card block.
Step 3: Verify Your Identity
To ensure the security of your account, an MTN customer service representative may ask you to verify your identity. This is necessary to prevent unauthorized individuals from blocking your SIM card. Provide the requested identification details, such as your full name and any identification document numbers, accurately and honestly.
To complete the process, you may be asked several other important questions, including providing information for getting a replacement SIM card and transferring your existing phone number and account details to the new SIM card. Once this is done, you will be informed about the associated costs and the timeframe for receiving the replacement SIM card.
Note: Once your sim card is blocked, it becomes inactive and therefore cannot be used to make calls, send messages, or perform any network-related activities.
Code to Block MTN SIM Card
The code for blocking the MTN sim card is 180. This is a toll-free line that connects every MTN network subscriber with an MTN Customer care representative who will guide you on the processes of SIM blockage.
How to Block MTN SIM Card from Another Phone
If your phone is lost or stolen, you can still block your sim card by contacting the MTN customer care representative using a different phone. All you need to do is to get another phone with a registered MTN line and reach the MTN customer care representative by dialing 180.
- You can also use another phone to reach the MTN customer service personnel online using any of the contact channels provided above.
How to Unblock MTN SIM
A few possible reasons why your MTN SIM card might be blocked may include entering the wrong PIN code several times, losing your SIM card, or not linking your NIN to the line. If you are a victim of any of these reasons, you can easily request for your blocked phone to be unblocked. You can
- Unblock your MTN SIM card Online through live chat like on WhatsApp
- Unblock your MTN SIM card Using Your NIN
- Unblock your MTN sim Card using PIN Unlock Key (PUK)
How to Unblock MTN SIM Cards in Nigeria Online
In cases where you’ve misplaced your PUK, you can still request for your SIM to be unblocked or for a PUK code using the online method.
- For Whatsapp chat, save and message this +2349033000001 on WhatsApp as Zigi
- Enter your phone number or chat as a guest and tap the Assist option
- Choose “Chat with an agent”
- Once you’re connected to the agent, tell the agent you want to block your phone number, or in cases where you’ve lost your PUKyou can also request to retrieve your PUK number.
- You will be asked a few security questions to ascertain the true owner of the SIM card. Answer the question sincerely and wait for a while for your request to be completed.
How to Unlock PUK Blocked SIM Card
If you enter 3 incorrect PIN codes and your phone displays “SIM card blocked,” it automatically means that your service provider has blocked your SIM card for security reasons. Before your blocked SIM card is unblocked:
- You will need to enter a PUK (PIN Unlock Key) code. This is an 8-digit code that you can find on the SIM pack if you still have it. If you still have your SIM pack, you can find and use the PUK code to unblock your SIM card.
- Once you’ve gotten the PUK code from your SIM pack, simply enter the code on your phone where or when you’re asked to “Enter PUK code,” and your line will be unblocked.
- In cases where you’ve misplaced your sim pack, which contains the PUK, you can also retrieve it by engaging the MTN customer care representatives through any of the channels provided above.
How to Unlock MTN SIM Card Without PUK Code
You can unlock your SIM Card Without a PUK Code by Calling Customer Service using the code 180. This is the first method you can try. Once you are able to chat with any representative, they will provide you with all the information linked to your SIM card. But first, you’ll need to provide personal information like your name and address to prove that you own the SIM card.
How to Unblock MTN SIM with NIN
With the aim of combating the high rates of insecurity in the country, the Nigerian government issued a directive for all SIM cards not linked with their NIN to be blocked. Your National Identification Number (NIN) is a set of unique numbers assigned to each Nigerian citizen for easy identification, among other purposes.
Your line will only be blocked if you do not link your NIN with your registered MTN number. There are several methods for unblocking MTN sim with your NIN, but the easiest and by all means the fastest, is through the USSD code *785#.
How to Link your MTN with NIN using USSD Code *785#
- Dial *785# with the exact line you want your NIN to link to,
- You will receive an option message listing from 1 – 6 or more for you to select.
- Ignore the rest and just select “1” Which is Submit Visual NIN (VNIN).
- You will receive another message telling you to submit your NIN. Submit your NIN in the required place and then click (ok) or (send) according to your device-displayed message
- Alternatively, Dial *785*Your NIN# from the phone number that you want to link. Then the phone number will be linked to your NIN automatically and your sim unblocked.
- You can also send an SMS with the text ‘NIN’ followed by your 11-digit NIN number to 785. For instance, if your NIN is 31045678901, text ‘NIN 31045678901’ to 785.
Note: This is only applicable to those who already have their NIN. If you have registered and gotten your NIN but cannot remember it, you can follow the steps below to retrieve your number:
- Check your NIN Slip, it has your 11-digit number at the top left corner, on the second row.
- Dial *346# and press 1 to retrieve your NIN