Look, we’ve all been there. You’re trying to recharge your phone, maybe someone sent you airtime as a gift, or you accidentally loaded way more credit than you needed. Now you’re sitting with ₦2,000 or ₦5,000 worth of airtime you don’t really need, and you’re thinking “can I just turn this back into actual cash?” The answer is yes, and honestly, it’s become super easy in Nigeria right now.
The whole airtime-to-cash thing has blown up recently because let’s face it, sometimes cash is just more useful than having credit sitting on your phone. Maybe you need to pay for something online, send money to someone, or just want the flexibility of having actual naira in your account instead of MTN or Glo credit. Whatever your reason, there are now tons of platforms making this happen within minutes, and we’re going to walk you through everything based on our own testing and research with these apps.
We’ve personally tried different platforms, talked to people who use them regularly, and dug deep into how each one works.
What Exactly Is Airtime to Cash Conversion?
Before we jump into the how-to part, let me break down what this actually means. Airtime to cash is exactly what it sounds like – you’re taking the credit on your phone (whether it’s MTN, Glo, Airtel, or 9mobile) and converting it into actual naira that hits your bank account or mobile wallet.
Now here’s the catch that you need to understand right from the start: you’re not getting back 100% of what you put in. These platforms are running a business, so they take a cut. Most times, you’re looking at getting back about 70% to 85% of your airtime value. So if you’re converting ₦1,000 airtime, you might get anywhere from ₦700 to ₦850 cash depending on which platform you use and which network you’re on.
I know what you’re thinking – “that’s a huge cut!” And yeah, it is. But when you really need cash and you’ve got airtime just sitting there doing nothing, that 70-85% becomes pretty valuable. Plus, some platforms give better rates than others, which is why we’re going to show you exactly where to get the best deals.
The whole process works through apps or websites. You sign up, tell them how much airtime you want to convert, they give you a number to transfer the airtime to, and once they confirm they received it, they send the cash to your bank account. Most times this happens in under 60 seconds. It’s honestly that quick when you’re using the right platforms.
How the Conversion Process Actually Works
Let me walk you through the step-by-step process so you know exactly what to expect when you’re doing this for the first time. We’re going to use the general process that works across most platforms, then I’ll point out the specific differences for each major app.
Step 1: Download and Register
First thing, you need to get the app. Most of these platforms are on Google Play Store, some are on App Store too. Download whichever one you choose – and we’ll get to which ones are best in a minute.
When you open the app, you’ll need to create an account. This usually means giving them your phone number, email, and these days, your BVN (Bank Verification Number) or NIN (National Identity Number). I know, I know, people get worried about giving out BVN, but this is actually a Central Bank of Nigeria requirement now for financial apps. The legit platforms need this for KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance. If an app doesn’t ask for it, that’s actually more suspicious.
Step 2: Navigate to Airtime to Cash Section
Once you’re in, look for the “Airtime to Cash” or “Convert Airtime” section. Every app has it labeled slightly different, but it’s usually right on the main dashboard. Tap on that.
Step 3: Enter Your Details
Now you’ll need to fill in some information:
- How much airtime you want to convert (most apps have a minimum of ₦500 or ₦1,000)
- Which network you’re on (MTN, Glo, Airtel, or 9mobile)
- Your phone number
- Which bank account you want the money sent to
The app will immediately show you how much cash you’re going to get after their fees. This is where you need to pay attention. If you’re converting ₦1,000 and they’re only giving you ₦650, that’s a 35% fee which is pretty steep. Good platforms should be giving you at least ₦700-750 for that ₦1,000.
Step 4: Transfer the Airtime
This is where it gets interesting. The app will give you a phone number to transfer your airtime to. This is their collection number. Now you need to actually send the airtime from your phone to their number.
For MTN users, you dial *600*recipient number*amount*PIN# or you can use the MTN Share & Sell service through *777*4#. For Airtel, it’s *432*1*amount*phone number#. For Glo, dial *131*phone number*amount*PIN#. And for 9mobile, use *223*PIN*amount*phone number#.
Send the exact amount you said you’d convert. Not more, not less. If you send ₦1,000 but you told the app you’re sending ₦2,000, you’re going to have issues.
Step 5: Confirm and Wait
After sending the airtime, go back to the app and hit the confirm button. The platform will verify they received the airtime on their end. This usually takes a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on network speed.
Step 6: Receive Your Cash
Once confirmed, the cash gets sent to your bank account or mobile wallet. On the fast platforms like Prestmit or AirtimeToCash, this happens in under 60 seconds. On slower ones, it might take 5-10 minutes. If it’s taking longer than 30 minutes, something is wrong and you need to contact their support immediately.
The Best Platforms to Use Right Now
Based on our testing, user reviews, and actual conversion experiences, here are the platforms that are actually delivering on what they promise. I’m going to be real with you about each one – the good, the bad, and whether they’re worth your time.
AirtimeToCash
This is probably the most popular one right now and for good reason. They’ve got over 500,000 users and they’ve been consistent with their service.
The rates: You’re looking at up to 80% conversion rate. So ₦1,000 airtime gets you ₦800 cash, which is one of the better rates out there. They support all networks but MTN usually gets the best rate.
Processing time: They claim under 60 seconds and from our testing, they actually deliver on this most times. The longest we waited was about 2 minutes when there was heavy traffic on the app.
The fees: They’re taking 20% which is standard across the industry. Not the cheapest but not the most expensive either.
What we like: The interface is super clean and easy to understand even if you’ve never done this before. Their customer support actually responds when you have issues, which is rare in this space. They also let you convert up to ₦1,000,000 per day if you’re verified, which is useful for people who need to move larger amounts.
What could be better: Sometimes during peak hours (like evening time when everyone is trying to convert), the app can get a bit slow. Also, they require full KYC verification with BVN before you can make your first transaction, which some people find annoying but it’s actually for your security.
Download: Get it from Google Play Store or visit their website at airtimetocash.com
Prestmit
Prestmit is the one that consistently offers the lowest fees, which is why a lot of regular users prefer them.
The rates: Between 75-85% depending on your network and the amount you’re converting. They give the best rates for MTN and Airtel. Sometimes their rates beat everyone else by a solid 5-10%.
Processing time: Instant. Like literally instant. We’ve tested this multiple times and the money hits your account within seconds of confirming the airtime transfer.
The fees: This is where they shine. They charge between 15-20% which is lower than most competitors. For someone converting regularly, these few percentage points add up to real money saved.
What we like: Apart from the low fees, they also buy gift cards and crypto, so if you’re into that, you can do everything in one app. They have video tutorials that actually show you step-by-step what to do, which is helpful for first-timers. Their customer support is available 24/7 and they’re responsive.
What could be better: The app interface isn’t as polished as some others. It works perfectly fine but it’s not as pretty. Also, sometimes the rates fluctuate throughout the day, so the 85% you saw in the morning might be 80% by evening.
Download: Visit prestmit.io or get the app from Play Store
Tingtel
Tingtel has been around for a while and they’ve built a solid reputation. They call themselves the number one app for anything airtime in Nigeria, and they’re not completely wrong.
The rates: 75-80% is what you’re looking at. Not the highest but very consistent. You know what you’re getting every time.
Processing time: Under 60 seconds is their promise and they deliver. We’ve never had a transaction take longer than 2 minutes with them.
The fees: 20% standard fee. Nothing special but nothing terrible either.
What we like: They’ve got this feature where you can fund your betting account directly with airtime, which is genius for people who bet regularly. They also offer discounts when you’re buying airtime or data through them, so you can actually make back some of that 20% fee by buying cheap data. Their app is stable and rarely crashes.
What could be better: The registration process is a bit longer than others. They ask for more verification details upfront. Also, their customer support, while helpful, can take a few hours to respond during busy periods.
Download: Available on Google Play Store
Cheetahpay
Cheetahpay is interesting because they advertise up to 85% conversion rate, which would make them the cheapest option out there.
The rates: Up to 85% as advertised, but realistically you’re getting 80-85% depending on network and time of day. Still, this is among the best rates in the market right now.
Processing time: They have something called “Quick Cash” mode which is instant. Regular mode takes 5-10 minutes but Quick Cash is immediate.
The fees: Between 10-15% if you’re getting that 85% rate, which is fantastic. Even at 80%, you’re only paying 20% fee which is standard.
What we like: You don’t need to create an account for basic transactions, which is perfect if you just need to do a quick conversion once. The setup is super fast. They also handle bill payments and data purchases.
What could be better: Without an account, you’re limited in how much you can convert per transaction. Also, their app isn’t as well-known so some people worry about trust, but they’re legitimate and registered.
Download: Visit cheetahpay.com.ng
AirtimeFlip
AirtimeFlip is one of the more established platforms with a clean track record.
The rates: 70-80% depending on network. They’re not the cheapest but they’re reliable.
Processing time: Usually 1-5 minutes. Not the fastest but consistent.
The fees: 20-25% which puts them on the higher end of the fee structure.
What we like: They’re registered with CAC (RC1621037) which gives some peace of mind about legitimacy. They offer 24/7 customer support which actually works. You can also pay bills directly through the app with your airtime, which is convenient.
What could be better: The higher fees mean you’re losing more money per transaction compared to Prestmit or Cheetahpay. Also, the 5-minute wait time can feel long when you need cash urgently.
Download: Visit airtimeflip.com or Play Store
Glover
Glover is newer to the airtime conversion game but they’ve been making noise with their integrated services.
The rates: 70-80% range, pretty standard.
Processing time: 5-10 minutes on average. Not the fastest but reliable.
The fees: 20% standard industry fee.
What we like: They’ve integrated gift card trading into their platform, so if you’ve got iTunes or Amazon cards you want to sell, you can do everything in one place. The app design is modern and easy to use. They position themselves for emergency cash situations which they deliver on.
What could be better: The wait time is longer than competitors. Also, being newer, they don’t have as much user feedback and reviews yet, so there’s less social proof of their reliability over time.
Download: Visit gloverapp.co
Understanding the Fees and Getting the Best Rates
Let’s talk money because this is what really matters. When these platforms say “80% conversion rate,” what they’re really saying is they’re taking a 20% fee. You need to understand how these fees work to maximize what you get.
The standard fee structure across most platforms is 15-25%. So on a ₦1,000 conversion, you’re paying ₦150-250 in fees and getting ₦750-850 cash. That might sound like a lot, but remember, the alternative is having airtime you can’t use sitting on your phone doing nothing.