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The short answer
*861# is the code widely published for PalmPay's USSD service, used to check balances, send money and buy airtime without mobile data from the SIM registered to your PalmPay account. We could not find the code on an official PalmPay page we could open in October 2026, so confirm it in the PalmPay app or with PalmPay support before you rely on it.
What USSD banking is
USSD is the menu system you reach by dialling a short code that starts with * and ends with #. It works on any phone, including basic handsets, and does not need mobile data or Wi-Fi; it runs over the mobile network's signalling channel. For a wallet like PalmPay, it is the fallback when the app will not load or you are somewhere with a weak data signal.
Your mobile network may charge a small fee for each USSD session, separate from any PalmPay charge. The network sets that fee.
About the code itself
*861# is the code most often given for PalmPay USSD, including in the title of this article. PalmPay's Google Play listing, which we checked in October 2026, does not mention a USSD code, and its website did not display one when we tried. That does not mean the code is wrong, but it does mean you should confirm it from a PalmPay source before entering your PIN into any USSD menu. Ways to check:
- Look in the PalmPay app's help or settings for a USSD option.
- Ask PalmPay support, on 018886888 or support@palmpay.com as listed on Google Play in September 2026.
- Dial the code from the SIM linked to your account and check that the menu identifies itself as PalmPay before you go further.
What PalmPay USSD is typically used for
| Task | Works without data? | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Check balance | Yes | Do it in private; the balance shows on screen |
| Send money to PalmPay or other banks | Yes | Read the recipient name before confirming |
| Buy airtime or data | Yes | Check the number before confirming |
| Pay bills | Depends on the menu | Keep the reference for electricity tokens |
| Reset PIN or block account | Depends on the menu | Use the app or support if not listed |
Menus change, so the options on your screen are the authority. The same tier limits apply over USSD as in the app; see PalmPay limits by tier. Transfers of ₦10,000 or more carry the ₦50 stamp duty, deducted from the sender since January 2026; see why PalmPay deducts ₦50.
PalmPay USSD vs your bank's USSD
People often mix up two different things. PalmPay's own USSD code works on your PalmPay wallet. Your bank's USSD code, dialled from the SIM linked to your bank account, works on that bank account; you can use it to send money into PalmPay by choosing PalmPay as the destination and entering your PalmPay account number. If you want to fund PalmPay without data, your bank's code is the route. If you want to spend from PalmPay without data, PalmPay's code is. See how to fund a PalmPay account.
When the code does not work
A USSD session can fail if the network is congested, if you dial from a SIM not registered to your PalmPay account, or if the session times out while you type. Wait a few minutes and try again; if a transfer seemed to fail, check your balance before retrying, so you do not send twice.
Steps: using it for the first time
- Use the SIM whose number is registered to your PalmPay account. USSD identifies you by that number.
- Dial the code and wait for the menu.
- If asked, set or enter your transaction PIN. Never set the same PIN you use for a bank card.
- Choose the service, enter the details and read the confirmation screen.
- Confirm only after you have checked the amount and the recipient name.
Worked example: sending money when the app will not load
This is an example. Halima is in a market with no data signal and needs to pay a supplier ₦25,000. She dials the code from her registered SIM, chooses transfer, enters the supplier's account number and bank, checks that the name on screen is the supplier's, enters ₦25,000 and confirms with her PIN. The transfer goes through; ₦50 stamp duty applies because it is above ₦10,000, and her network may charge for the session. She waits for the supplier to see the credit before leaving.
Keeping USSD safe
USSD has one weakness: whoever holds your SIM can dial the code. That is why SIM swap fraud targets it. Keep a PIN on your SIM, react at once if your phone loses signal without reason, and never dial a code that someone sends you by message, which may be a trick to make you transfer money. Our guide to USSD banking fraud explains the common tricks.
Where Pryme fits
Pryme works through its app, where every transfer is approved with a transaction PIN and sign-in uses an authenticator app rather than SMS codes. Bills such as airtime and data are paid in the app.
Questions people ask
What is the USSD code for PalmPay?
*861# is the code widely published for PalmPay USSD. It was not shown on the official PalmPay pages we could open in October 2026, so confirm it in the app or with support.
Can I use PalmPay without data?
Yes, through USSD from the SIM registered to your account. You can typically check your balance, send money and buy airtime; your network may charge for the session.
How do I check my PalmPay balance with USSD?
Dial the PalmPay USSD code from your registered SIM, choose the balance option and enter your PIN if asked.
Is PalmPay USSD safe?
It is as safe as your SIM and PIN. Keep a SIM PIN, never share your transaction PIN, and never dial codes sent to you by strangers.
Sources
- PalmPay - Smarter Way to Bank, Google Play listing (updated 24 Sep 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Stamp duty replaces EMTL: sender to bear ₦50 charge on bank transfers, Techeconomy (1 Jan 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.