It’s actually pretty easy to overlook that little pop-up on your phone screen right after you’ve purchased a new data plan. You know the one that asks you to choose between “One-Off” and “Auto-Renewal” after subscribing?
Sometimes we’re too quick to dismiss it, and occasionally, we end up making the wrong choice by clicking on “Auto Renew.” Before you know it, your airtime balance is getting used to automatically renew a data plan you bought a few days ago. It can be a bit annoying, especially when that airtime was supposed to cover other services.
Well, in this article, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide on how to cancel, stop, or opt out of auto-renewal data plans for MTN, Airtel, GLO, and 9mobile, especially using the new USSD codes.
What does the Auto Renewal option mean?
Auto-renewal is a nifty feature that automatically renews your subscription when it runs out or expires. Basically, it charges your account or phone line with the same amount you used to buy the data that just ran out.
Although these telecom companies offer some really affordable data plans for you to choose from, the auto-renewal option is not mandatory. But what if you’ve accidentally chosen the wrong option? How can you stop it or get out of this data subscription loop?
For some users, things can get a bit puzzling, especially with the new USSD code that many folks are still trying to figure out. So, here is a step-by-step process:
How to cancel the auto-renewal option for MTN
There are many ways to cancel auto-renewal on MTN, and the good news they are all simple steps.
With the new USSD code
- Simply Dial *312#
- Select option 1 – Data Plans
- Select option 11- Manage Data
- Select option 3- Cancel Auto-renewal
- Done! You have successfully cancelled your subscription automatic renewal.
Via SMS
Cancelling the auto-renewal through SMS might sound a bit tricky. Each data plan comes with a special code, and it’s important to find the right one. Here’s what you need to do:
- Check your text messages from the number 312. Look for the main message that you received when you initially bought the data plan.
- In that message, you’ll find a specific code. Let’s say, for example, you want to cancel the auto-renewal for a 50 Naira plan that gives you 40MB. The code for that might be something like NO114.
- To cancel the automatic renewal for this plan, send a text with the code (in this case, NO114) to the number 312.
How to cancel the auto-renewal option for GLO
With the new USSD code
- Simply Dial *312#
- Select option 1 – Data Plans
- Select Cancel Auto-renewal
- Done! You have successfully cancelled the automatic renewal of your subscription.
Via SMS
To stop auto-renewal on Glo via SMS, simply follow the simple steps below:
- Open the messaging app onyour mobile phone
- Send “CANCEL” to 127 via SMS to cancel auto-renewal on your current data plan
- You will receive a confirmation message from Glo.
How to cancel the auto-renewal option for Airtel
With the new USSD code
- Simply Dial *312* the amount you bought the data plan*1#.
- So, for instance, if you bought a daily data plan of 100 naira, you just need to dial *313*100*1#
- Once you are done, you will get a message saying you have successfully cancelled your subscription auto-renewal.
Via SMS
- Go to your message app, and create a new message.
- Type ‘STOP‘
- Send to 2442
- You should receive a notification message saying you have successfully deactivated your automatic renewal.
Read Also: Here is a list of all the new USSD codes for MTN, Airtel and Glo
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