How to Load Glo Card in Nigeria (Recharge Code, Data, Bonus & Troubleshooting Guide)
If you want to know how to load a Glo card, simply dial *311*Recharge PIN# from your Glo line and press the call button. Replace Recharge PIN with the 15-digit recharge number printed on your card.
For example, if your recharge PIN is 123456789012345, dial:
*311*123456789012345#Within a few seconds, you’ll receive a confirmation SMS showing that your airtime has been credited successfully.
If this method doesn’t work or your recharge card has a problem, don’t worry. I’ll explain every possible solution in this guide.
Quick Answer
Here’s the fastest way to load a Glo recharge card.
| Method | Code |
|---|---|
| Load Glo recharge card | *311*Recharge PIN# |
| Example | *311*123456789012345# |
This is the official recharge code currently used by Glo Nigeria.
How to Load a Glo Recharge Card
Loading a Glo recharge card only takes a few seconds.
Follow these steps.
Step 1
Scratch the silver panel on your recharge card carefully until the complete recharge PIN is visible.
Most Glo recharge cards contain a 15-digit PIN.
Be careful not to damage the numbers while scratching.
Step 2
Open your phone’s dialer.
Step 3
Dial:
*311*Recharge PIN#For example:
*311*123456789012345#Step 4
Press the call button.
Step 5
Wait a few seconds.
If the recharge is successful, Glo will send you an SMS confirming:
- Amount recharged
- Current airtime balance
- Transaction status
Your airtime becomes available immediately.
What Is the New Glo Recharge Code?
If you’ve been using Glo for years, you may remember the old recharge code:
*123*Recharge PIN#That code worked for many years.
However, Glo later updated its USSD system.
The current official recharge code is:
*311*Recharge PIN#If you still see older websites recommending *123*PIN#, those articles have not been updated.
To avoid recharge problems, always use:
*311*How to Load Glo Card and Get Bonus
Many people search for:
- How to load Glo card and get bonus
- How to load Glo recharge card with bonus
Here’s what you should know.
Simply recharging your Glo line does not automatically give you bonus airtime.
Bonuses depend on:
- your tariff plan
- promotional offers currently running
- whether your SIM qualifies
- new customer offers
- targeted campaigns
For example, customers on certain promotional tariff plans may receive bonus airtime after recharging, while others will simply receive the exact value of the recharge card.
If you’re expecting a bonus and don’t receive one, it doesn’t necessarily mean your recharge failed. It may simply mean your line isn’t eligible for that particular promotion.
Can You Load a Glo Recharge Card Directly for Data?
This is one of the biggest misconceptions.
The answer is:
No.
A physical recharge card adds airtime, not data.
If your goal is to buy data, you should:
- Load the recharge card first.
- Use your airtime to purchase a data plan.
You cannot scratch a recharge card and have it convert directly into data automatically.
How to Buy Glo Data After Loading Airtime
Once you’ve successfully recharged your line, buying data is easy.
You can use any of these methods:
Method 1: USSD
Dial:
*312#Choose your preferred data plan and follow the prompts.
Method 2: MyGlo App
Open the MyGlo App.
Choose Data Plans.
Select your preferred bundle.
Confirm payment using your airtime.
Method 3: Glo Website
You can also purchase data through Glo’s official self-service portal using your registered number.
This is useful if you’re managing multiple Glo lines.
Can You Load a Glo Card Online?
Yes.
Although a physical recharge card is normally loaded through USSD, you can also recharge your Glo line online using:
- debit card
- bank transfer
- internet banking
- mobile banking apps
- fintech apps
Popular options include your banking app or trusted payment platforms that support airtime purchases.
This method is especially useful if you no longer have a physical recharge card.
How to Check Your Airtime Balance After Recharging
After loading your recharge card, you can confirm your new balance immediately.
Dial:
*310#Within seconds, your current airtime balance will appear on your screen.
It’s always a good idea to check your balance after every recharge, especially if you entered the PIN quickly and want to confirm the transaction was successful.
What to Do If Your Glo Recharge Card Is Not Loading
Sometimes you enter the correct recharge PIN, but the airtime isn’t credited. This can happen for several reasons.
Before buying another recharge card, check the possible causes below.
1. You Entered the Wrong Recharge PIN
This is the most common reason.
A single incorrect digit will cause the recharge to fail.
I always recommend checking the PIN twice before dialing again.
Pay close attention to numbers like:
- 0 and 8
- 5 and 6
- 1 and 7
If the recharge card is old or faded, some digits may also be difficult to read.
2. The Recharge Card Has Already Been Used
If you receive a message similar to:
- Recharge PIN has already been used
- Voucher already utilized
it means the recharge PIN has already been redeemed.
This could happen because:
- you already loaded it previously
- someone else used the PIN
- the recharge card was exposed before purchase
If you just bought the recharge card from a retailer, return to the seller with your receipt.
3. Poor Network Connection
Sometimes the request doesn’t reach Glo’s servers because of poor network coverage.
You may notice:
- “Connection problem”
- “USSD request failed”
- No response after dialing
Wait a few minutes and try again.
You can also switch your phone to Airplane Mode for about 30 seconds before trying again.
4. Temporary Network Maintenance
Glo occasionally carries out maintenance on its systems.
During this period, some USSD services may not work properly.
If this happens:
- wait a few minutes
- restart your phone
- try the recharge again
What Happens After You Load a Glo Card?
After your recharge is successful, Glo immediately credits your airtime balance.
You can then use the airtime to:
- Make phone calls
- Buy data bundles
- Send SMS
- Subscribe to value-added services
- Transfer airtime (if eligible)
You should also receive an SMS confirming the recharge amount and your updated airtime balance.
Can You Recharge a Glo Card Twice?
No.
Every Glo recharge PIN can only be used once.
Once a recharge PIN has been successfully redeemed, it becomes invalid.
If you try to use the same PIN again, you’ll receive a message indicating that the voucher has already been used.
If you believe the card has never been used but you still receive this message, contact Glo customer support with:
- the recharge PIN
- where you purchased it
- the date of purchase
- the receipt (if available)
Can You Recharge a Glo Card Using Only the Serial Number?
No.
This is another question many people ask.
The answer is straightforward.
The serial number printed on the recharge card cannot be used to load airtime.
Only the recharge PIN hidden under the scratch panel can be used.
The serial number is mainly for identification and support purposes.
Can You Load an Over-Scratched Glo Recharge Card?
Sometimes the silver coating is scratched too hard, making one or more digits unreadable.
If this happens:
- Don’t guess the missing digits repeatedly. Multiple failed attempts may temporarily block further recharge attempts.
- Keep the recharge card.
- Visit a nearby Glo customer service centre or contact Glo customer care.
- Provide:
- the visible digits
- the serial number
- proof of purchase if available
If Glo confirms that the recharge card hasn’t been used, they may help recover the PIN.
Can You Recharge an Already Used Glo Card?
No.
Once a recharge card has been redeemed successfully, it cannot be used again.
If someone claims they can “reset” or “reactivate” a used recharge card, that’s false.
There is no legitimate way to recharge an already used Glo voucher.
How to Buy Airtime Instead of Using a Physical Recharge Card
Physical recharge cards are becoming less common because electronic airtime purchases are more convenient.
Today, you can recharge your Glo line through:
- Your bank’s mobile app
- Internet banking
- USSD banking
- Fintech apps
- ATMs
- POS agents
- Online airtime platforms
The airtime is credited almost instantly, and there’s no need to scratch a physical card.
Many people now prefer this method because it’s faster and reduces the risk of buying damaged or previously used recharge cards.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Loading a Glo Card
I’ve seen many people assume their recharge card is faulty when the problem is actually a simple mistake.
Here are a few things to avoid:
- Dialing the old recharge code instead of the current one.
- Entering the recharge PIN incorrectly.
- Confusing the serial number with the recharge PIN.
- Scratching the card too hard and damaging the PIN.
- Buying recharge cards from unreliable vendors.
- Trying to use the same recharge card more than once.
Avoiding these mistakes can save you time and unnecessary frustration.
Can You Recharge a Glo SIM Without a Recharge Card?
Yes.
A physical recharge card is no longer the only option.
You can recharge your Glo line anytime using:
- mobile banking apps
- USSD banking
- debit cards
- online payment platforms
- POS terminals
This is especially useful if you’re unable to find a recharge card nearby or need to top up your line quickly.
How to Load Glo Card with Bonus
Loading a Glo recharge card is straightforward, but getting extra value from it depends on the tariff plan you’re using.
If you’re on a bonus-eligible tariff plan like Glo Berekete, Glo Yakata, or another promotional plan, simply recharging your line using the normal method is usually enough to qualify for any applicable bonuses. You don’t need a separate recharge code.
Here’s how to load your Glo recharge card:
- Scratch the silver panel carefully to reveal the 15-digit recharge PIN.
- Open your phone’s dialer.
- Dial:
*123*Recharge PIN#For example:
*123*123456789012345#- Press the Call button.
- Wait a few seconds.
- You’ll receive a confirmation message if the recharge is successful.
If your current tariff plan includes recharge bonuses, they’ll usually be credited automatically.
Do You Need a Special Code to Get Glo Recharge Bonuses?
Not usually.
Many people search for a “Glo bonus recharge code,” but that’s often based on outdated information.
Today, bonuses depend mainly on:
- Your current tariff plan
- Ongoing Glo promotions
- Whether your SIM is eligible
- The amount you recharge
For example, if you’re on Glo Yakata, eligible recharges can unlock bonus airtime and data automatically. The same applies to certain offers available on Glo Berekete and selected promotional packages.
You don’t normally dial an extra code after loading your recharge card.
How to Confirm You Received the Bonus
After recharging:
- Check your airtime balance.
- Check your bonus balance if your tariff plan supports bonus airtime.
- You can also dial
*310#to access Glo’s self-service menu and check available balances and offers, depending on your account.
One thing many users don’t realize is that promotional offers change regularly. You may notice that a friend receives a bonus on the same recharge amount while you don’t. That’s usually because you’re on different tariff plans or your SIMs have different promotional eligibility.
Can You Recharge Glo Using the Serial Number?
No.
The serial number printed on a recharge card cannot be used to load airtime.
You must enter the 15-digit recharge PIN hidden beneath the scratch panel.
If the PIN is damaged or unreadable, the serial number can help Glo customer support identify the card, but it cannot replace the recharge PIN.
What If Your Glo Recharge Card Is Overscratched?
If you accidentally scratched off some digits:
- Don’t throw the card away.
- Keep the card, including its serial number.
- Contact Glo customer care.
- Be ready to provide:
- The visible digits of the PIN
- The card’s serial number
- Where and when you purchased it
If Glo can verify the recharge card hasn’t been used, they may be able to help recover the PIN.
Can You Load an Already Used Glo Recharge Card?
No.
Each recharge PIN can only be used once.
If you try to recharge with a PIN that has already been redeemed, you’ll receive a message indicating that the recharge card has already been used.
If you believe someone else used the card before you, contact Glo support immediately with the card details and proof of purchase if available.
