Sometimes, little things can stress us in this life. Something as small as remembering your BVN number has put many people in trouble at the bank. I remember one day I went to the bank here in Nigeria.
A woman in front of me was sweating because she forgot her BVN. She wanted to make a complaint and the staff asked for her BVN. She did not have it. She begged them to find another way but they said without the BVN, nothing would move.
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I felt pity for her. Right there, I quietly checked my own BVN on my phone and I continued my business. That day reminded me that not everybody knows this simple trick.
So today, I want to help. I will teach you how to get your BVN number on your phone, step by step, without stress and without going to the bank. Very simple. Even if you are not too good with phones, you will understand.
This is not one big grammar lesson. It is just me, your brother, talking to you and showing you the same method I use.
Let us go straight into it.
What Is BVN And Why Is It Important?
Before we talk about how to get it on your phone, let us remind ourselves what BVN means. A BVN is Bank Verification Number. It is an eleven-digit number that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) gave to everyone who has a bank account in Nigeria.
BVN is used to:
- Identify you in the banking system
- Protect your account from fraud
- Allow you open bank accounts easily
- Help banks verify your identity
- Connect all your bank accounts to one identity
So even if you have five bank accounts, your BVN is the same for all of them.
Without BVN, no bank will take you serious. You will not be able to open an account. You will not be able to get loans. Even some online banks like Opay, Palmpay, Kuda, Moniepoint and others will keep disturbing you to upgrade your account with your BVN if you do not put it.
Why People Forget Their BVN
I know you are not the only one searching for how to get your BVN on your phone. Many people forget it because:
- It is long (eleven digits)
- We only use it once in a while
- People did not save it anywhere
- Some did BVN many years ago
- Some lost the paper where they wrote it
- Many people have more than one bank
Honestly, it happens. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Let us just learn the simple way to check it now.
How To Get My BVN Number On My Phone (The Real Working Code)
To get your BVN on your phone, use this code:
Dial *565*0# on the phone number you used to register your bank account.
Very simple. Let me explain it slowly:
Open your phone dial pad
Dial *565*0#
Make sure the SIM you are using is the one linked to your bank account
After you dial it, You will be asked to enter your full date of birth
Understand how to enter your full date of birth:
When entering your date of birth, do not leave any spaces. All the numbers should be typed together without dashes or gaps.
For example, if your date of birth is 01-11-1996, you should enter it as:
01111996
See screenshot below
After entering Your date of birth, click send if you are using android or OK if you are using button phone, your BVN will be displayed immediately!
This works for:
- MTN
- Glo
- Airtel
- 9Mobile
But please note, your network provider will charge you a small fee of #20. So make sure you have small airtime.
Warning: Do Not Share Your BVN With Just Anybody
BVN is personal. It is not something you share with strangers. Scammers can use it for evil things. If anybody on social media asks you to send BVN, please run away.
Only share your BVN:
- With your bank
- With government verified platforms
- With trusted financial services
- When opening a bank account
- With known fintech apps
Never send it to random numbers or unknown WhatsApp people claiming to do “account upgrade”.
If The Code Does Not Work – Try This
Sometimes the USSD code may not work. Do not panic. Try these steps:
1. Check that you are using the right SIM
The code will not work if you use a different phone number.
Use the same number you used for your bank registration.
2. Restart your phone
Simple, but sometimes network resets will help.
3. Check your airtime
Make sure you have at least ₦20 airtime.
4. Try again later
Network issue may be the problem.
Other Ways To Get Your BVN
1. Visit your bank
Just go to your bank and tell them you want your BVN. They will ask for your name and maybe ID card.
2. Log into your bank mobile app
Some banks show BVN inside the mobile app under profile details.
3. Use ATM and request BVN (Some banks)
Some banks allow BVN check via ATM. Not all banks.
How I Always Keep My BVN Safe
I will share what I do personally:
- I saved the number in my phone contact as “My BVN”
- I wrote it in a small notebook at home
- I also saved it inside an email draft
I do this because I do not like stress. If you save it, life becomes easier.
Banks And BVN USSD Codes
Some banks also have their own codes. Many still use the general code, but here are examples:
| Bank | USSD code to get BVN |
|---|---|
| All banks (general code) | *565*0# |
| GTBank | *737# (check profile section) |
| First Bank | *894# (profile menu) |
| Access Bank | *901# (profile menu) |
| UBA | *919# (profile details) |
| Zenith Bank | *966# (profile section) |
The general code *565*0# is still the easiest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I get my BVN online?
Yes, if your bank app has the BVN display feature.
Can I use another person’s phone?
No. It must be the phone number linked to your bank.
Can I get BVN without the SIM card again?
Go to the bank and do BVN update and SIM linking.
How much does it cost to check BVN?
It cost ₦20 only.
Is it safe to save BVN in my phone?
Yes, as long as your phone is secure.
How to get a BVN number on phone?
To get your BVN number on your phone, dial *565*0# using the phone number you used when you opened your bank account. Make sure you have small airtime because the network will charge you a little fee. Once you dial it, your BVN will show on your screen.
How to retrieve my BVN number on my phone?
To retrieve your BVN number on your phone, simply dial *565*0# on the same SIM that is linked to your bank account. If the SIM is lost or not working again, you will need to go to the bank and update your number before you can check it.
Can I get my BVN if I lost my phone number?
Yes, but you must visit your bank to update your phone number first. After they update it, you can now check your BVN again on your phone.
Will the code work on any network?
Yes, the code *565*0# works on MTN, Airtel, Glo and 9Mobile, as long as the SIM is linked to your bank account.
Will I pay to get my BVN on phone?
Yes, your network will charge a small fee of #20. Make sure you have airtime before you dial the code.
Can I get my BVN online?
Yes, some bank apps show the BVN under your profile. Open your bank app and check if your BVN is displayed there.
Can someone steal my money with my BVN?
No, your BVN alone cannot be used to steal your money. However, do not share your BVN with strangers because scammers may use it to try suspicious things. Only share it with trusted banks or known platforms.
Can I use another person’s phone to retrieve my BVN?
No, you must use the phone number that is already linked to your bank account. If you use another number, it will not work.
How To Remember Your BVN Forever
- Save it in phone contacts
- Write it in a diary at home
- Save it in email or cloud notes
- Memorise the first and last four digits slowly
Small effort today will save wahala tomorrow.
Conclusion
Life is already stressful. Anything that can make life easier, let us learn it. Now you know how to get your BVN number on your phone easily. No need to worry again. Share this information with your family so they can also avoid embarrassment in the bank.
I am happy I shared this with you today. I hope it helps someone out there, just like it has helped me so many times.
If you like helpful posts like this, keep visiting my blogs and follow me online. I always share simple guides based on my real experience in Nigeria.
Stay blessed.
