The du balance transfer code is *121#, dialed from a du prepaid line to send AED 2–200 in credit to another du number instantly and free of charge. The service allows up to 25 transfers per day, with a confirmation SMS sent to both parties once completed.
What to do now:
- Dial *121# and follow the on-screen prompts
- Enter the recipient’s number in the format 05XXXXXXXX
- Enter an amount between AED 2 and AED 200, then confirm
Table of Contents
How to Transfer Balance from Du to Du
The fastest method uses a single-line USSD command that completes the transfer in one step.
- Open your phone dialer
- Type *121*(recipient’s number)*(amount)# — for example, *121*0501234567*50#
- Press call to confirm
- Both parties receive an SMS confirmation once the transfer completes
An alternative method works through the interactive menu instead of the single-line command. Dial *121# alone, then follow the prompts to enter the recipient’s number and amount step by step — useful if you prefer confirmation screens over remembering the full string format.
Du to Du Balance Transfer Code — Alternative Method
A second option exists through du’s broader services menu, useful if *121# isn’t responding.
- Dial *135# from your du mobile
- Select option 2 for One2One Transfer
- Enter the recipient’s du number and the amount
- Confirm — an SMS notification follows shortly after
Transfers within the UAE between du numbers carry no service fee. The amount you send is exactly the amount the recipient receives, with no deduction on either side.
Pro tip: If a transfer fails, the most common causes are an incorrectly formatted number, insufficient balance to cover the amount, or exceeding the 25-per-day transfer cap — checking your own balance with *121# before attempting the transfer avoids the most frequent failure point.
Transferring to Etisalat and International Numbers
Cross-network and international transfers work differently, and reliability varies more than same-network transfers.
| Transfer Type | Method | Reliability |
|---|---|---|
| du to du | *121*number*amount# | Confirmed, free |
| du to Etisalat | *121*number*amount# | Commonly reported, not officially guaranteed |
| International | SMS “SEND” to 1700 | Preset amounts, monthly cap applies |
Du-to-Etisalat transfers are widely described online as working through the same *121# format, but this is not officially confirmed by du and depends on current routing policy for the destination network. If a cross-network attempt fails, it may not be a user error — an official top-up gift or recharge voucher is a more reliable fallback for sending credit to a non-du number.
International transfers via SMS to 1700 are subject to a combined monthly cap of AED 150 across all such transfers, separate from the AED 2–200 per-transaction limit that applies to local transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the du to du balance transfer code?
The code is *121*(recipient’s number)*(amount)#, dialed directly, or *121# alone followed by on-screen prompts. Both methods transfer between AED 2 and AED 200 per transaction, free of charge, with a confirmation SMS sent once the transfer completes.
Is there a fee for du balance transfer?
No fee applies to standard du-to-du transfers within the UAE — the amount sent equals the amount received. International transfers via SMS to 1700 use preset amounts and are capped at a combined AED 150 per month, separate from the local per-transaction limit.
Can I transfer du balance to an Etisalat number?
Many guides describe using the same *121*number*amount# format for this, but du has not officially confirmed cross-network transfer support, and success can depend on current routing policy. If it doesn’t go through, a recharge voucher or official top-up gift is a more dependable alternative.
Last verified: July 2026 Reviewed by: UAE Content Team Source: du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company)
