Why You Can Buy Airtime Without Internet Using USSD

Data bundles run out at the worst times, and network coverage in some places is patchy. So it is a relief to know you can buy airtime without internet. With TekeTeke Airtime, one dial code does the job: *831#. Here is why it works, and when it is most useful.

What makes USSD different from an app

Apps and websites need an internet connection. USSD does not. When you dial a code that starts with a star and ends with a hash, your phone opens a short live session with the service over your network signal, not through mobile data or wifi.

That is why USSD works on a basic feature phone just as well as on a smartphone. If you would like the full background, read What Is USSD? A simple explanation.

How to buy airtime without internet using *831#

1. Make sure your phone shows a signal.
2. Open your dialler and dial *831#, then press call.
3. Follow the simple on-screen instructions to give the details for your top-up, such as the amount.
4. Complete your payment when prompted.
5. Wait for your instant transaction confirmation and keep the message.

You do not need to download anything, sign in to anything or update anything. There is more detail in our step-by-step guide to buying airtime with *831#.

When this really helps

• Your data has run out. You can still top up, then decide what to do next.
• Coverage is patchy. A voice and text signal is often easier to find than a steady internet connection.
• You use a basic phone. No smartphone is needed.
• You are away from home. You can buy from wherever you are, without hunting for a shop.
• It is late at night. The service is available 24/7.

Coverage matters here. Sometimes you can make a call or send a text in a spot where a web page will not load. Because a USSD session only needs your network signal, it can still work in places where data is slow or unreliable.

One code, all major networks

*831# works with all major networks in Kenya: Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom and Faiba. Buying through it is free of charge, and you receive 2% bonus airtime on your top-up.

Top up before you need to

If you often find yourself without data, it also helps to keep a small airtime reserve. Then you can still call, text and top up whenever you need to.

The best time to use *831# is before your credit reaches zero. Even so, it is reassuring to know that if the internet fails you, your airtime does not have to. Save the code in your contacts as "Airtime" and it is always one tap away.