To transfer balance from one du prepaid number to another, dial *121*recipient_number*amount#, press call, then press 1 to confirm. The transfer is free, arrives instantly, and works only between du numbers.
Quick answer: du to du balance transfer
- Code: *121*recipient_number*amount# (example: *121*0551234567*10#)
- Cost: Free (AED 0 fee)
- Limits: minimum AED 2, maximum AED 200 per transfer, up to 25 transfers a day
- Works for: du prepaid to du prepaid only
Before you start, make sure you have enough main credit left. If you’re not sure, see the balance section below. Double-check the recipient’s number as well, because du can’t reverse a transfer once you confirm it.
Method 1: Transfer Balance with the Direct USSD Code
This is the fastest route. You enter everything in a single string, so there are no menus to work through.
- Open your phone’s dialer.
- Type *121*, then the recipient’s du number, then *, then the amount in AED, then #. For example, *121*0551234567*10# sends AED 10 to 055 123 4567.
- Press call.
- A confirmation prompt shows the recipient’s number and the amount. Press 1 to confirm or 2 to cancel.
Read the number on the prompt carefully before pressing 1. That screen is your last chance to catch a typo.
Method 2: Transfer Balance with the Interactive USSD Menu
If you’d rather be prompted step by step, dial *121#. The screen asks for the recipient’s mobile number and then the amount. You’ll get the same confirmation prompt as in Method 1.
You can also dial *135#, choose the Account/Services option, and select Balance Transfer. Menu wording on the operator’s side can change, so if an option looks slightly different on your phone, follow the on-screen prompts.
Method 3: Transfer Balance in the du App
The du App lets you manage credit from your phone without dialing codes. Download it from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android), sign in with your du number, and look for the balance transfer option in your account or services section. The recipient’s number and amount work the same way as the USSD methods. The USSD codes above remain the most reliable option if you can’t find it in your version of the app.
Transfer Rules, Eligibility and Limits
Balance transfers follow a few fixed rules:
- Minimum: AED 2 per transfer. Anything lower is rejected.
- Maximum: AED 200 per transfer.
- Daily cap: up to 25 transfers per day.
- Fee: none. The recipient receives the full amount you send.
- Sender: must be on du prepaid (Pay As You Go / Flexi Prepaid) and keep a positive balance after the transfer.
- Recipient: must be an active du subscriber.
Only your core credit, shown as “More Time” on some menus, can be sent. Promotional credit, bonus talk time, and data balances can’t be transferred, which is the usual reason a transfer fails when your balance looks high enough.
Can You Transfer Balance from du to Etisalat (e&)?
No. There is no direct airtime transfer between du and Etisalat (now e&), in either direction. Some blogs claim that *121* works for e& numbers, but entering an e& number returns an “invalid number” error. Numbers ported between networks can fail for the same reason, since the recipient has to be on du.
If you want to help someone on e&, the practical options are paying or topping up their line through e&’s own recharge channels or a digital wallet, rather than sending airtime from your du line.
How to Check Your Balance Before and After a Transfer
Dial *135# or open the du App to see your remaining credit. Check it before you send so a transfer doesn’t fail for lack of core credit, and again afterwards to confirm the amount left your account.
If a Transfer Fails or Goes to the Wrong Number
Call du Customer Care on 155 from a du number, or +971 4 390 5555 from elsewhere, and have the date, amount, and both numbers ready. Since confirmed transfers can’t be reversed, contact the recipient directly as well if you suspect a typo. The official self-care portal is myaccount.du.ae.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the code to transfer balance from du to du?
Dial *121*recipient_number*amount# and press 1 to confirm. For example, *121*0551234567*10# sends AED 10.
Is du balance transfer free?
Yes. du charges no fee, and the recipient gets the full amount you send.
What is the maximum balance you can transfer on du?
AED 200 per transfer, with up to 25 transfers per day. The minimum is AED 2.
Can I transfer balance from du to Etisalat?
No. Airtime transfers only work between du numbers.
Why did my du balance transfer fail?
The most common reasons are that the amount was outside AED 2 to 200, your remaining core credit was too low, you tried to send promotional or bonus credit, or the recipient isn’t a du subscriber.
Can I get a du transfer back if I sent it to the wrong number?
Not automatically. Once you press 1, du can’t reverse it, so verify the number first. Contact the recipient or du Customer Care if it happens.
