How to Know Who Is Sharing Your Data on MTN in 2025
Check Who Is Sharing Your Data With you on MTN in 2025
Why This Matters
- Data is precious. If someone is using it without your knowledge, you lose money.
- Sometimes it’s not “sharing” by others — it might be apps, background updates, or even your hotspot left open.
- If you can find who is using it (or whether it’s automatic), you can stop it.
What “Sharing Data” Means for MTN
Before we begin, know this:
- MTN has a Data Gifting / Data Share service (also called “Gift Data”) that lets you send data to another MTN line.
- But there is no reliable public USSD code that shows “which numbers are using your data” — unlike some “data share” systems on other networks e.g GLO.
- What you can do is check your usage history, check linked accounts, or ask MTN support.
- Many users on forums even claim “MTN data cannot be shared this way.” But because MTN offers gifting, it’s possible for someone to receive data from your line if they know the right code.
My Personal Experience
Last year, I recharged 10 GB and one week later, only 2 GB remained. I thought I was “cursed.”
>I checked my phone settings — no rogue apps. I remembered giving my brother permission to use hotspot once.
Then I decided to dig:
- I logged into myMTN NG and checked usage history (I saw months I used way more than I knew).
- I called MTN support (dial 300) and asked if any beneficiary numbers were attached to my data gifting.
- They told me my number was listed as a gift recipient on someone else’s line (so data was being sent to me).
So yes — sometimes “sharing” isn’t invisible. You can find clues.
Step-By-Step: How to Check If Someone Is Sharing Your MTN Data
| Step | What to Do | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Check Usage History via myMTN | Log in to myMTN NG → “More” → “Usage History” → “Data” | Shows daily data used, spot abnormal spikes. |
| 2. Check Data Gifting / Share settings | Dial *312# or use myMTN app → “Data Share / Gift Data” | See if there are beneficiaries or active gifting. |
| 3. Call MTN Customer Care | Dial 300 and ask: “Which numbers are linked to my data gifting?” | Agents can check backend logs. |
| 4. Review phone settings / hotspot | Check hotspot and background app data | Often the real cause of fast drains. |
| 5. Change gifting PIN / disable gifting | Update or turn off gift data PIN | Stops unauthorized access. |
| 6. Monitor data daily | Check balance morning and night | Helps you track when losses happen. |
What Others Say
“I saw my data dropped at midnight. I never used it at that hour. Called 300, they found my number was receiving gifted data from someone else without my consent.”
“MTN doesn’t allow data sharing like Airtel’s Me2U — no code exists to check share list. People panic a lot.”
What You Can Do Right Away
- Turn off hotspot and tethering when not in use.
- Limit background app data.
- Uninstall suspicious apps.
- Change your myMTN password and gifting PIN.
- Use daily caps if your phone supports it.
- Call MTN when you see sudden huge data loss.
Tips to Stop Unauthorized Sharing
- Turn off hotspot and Wi-Fi sharing when you’re not using it.
- Set app updates to Wi-Fi only.
- Limit background data for heavy apps like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
- Change your gifting PIN regularly.
- Call MTN whenever you suspect something unusual.
FAQs on MTN Data Sharing
Q: Can MTN show me exactly who is using my data?
A: MTN does not show a public list of people using your data. But they can check if any number is linked through data gifting or sharing.
Q: Is MTN data sharing the same as hotspot?
A: No. Hotspot is your phone directly sharing internet with another device. Data gifting is MTN’s official service for sending data bundles to other MTN lines.
Q: Why does my data finish even when I’m not browsing?
A: This is usually caused by background apps, auto updates, or cloud backups. Check your phone’s settings and restrict background usage.
Q: How do I stop my MTN data from being gifted without permission?
A: Change your data gifting PIN and do not share it with anyone. You can also disable gifting entirely if you don’t use it.
Final Advice
MTN does not give you a direct “list” of who is sharing your data, but with the steps above — checking usage history, reviewing gifting, calling support, and securing your phone — you can quickly find out if someone else is draining your bundle. Stay alert, protect your PIN, and manage your data daily to avoid surprises.
