Etisalat — now trading under the e& brand — is the UAE’s largest mobile operator, and on a Wasel prepaid line your credit is the fuel for everything: calls, texts, and the data bundles you buy with it. Knowing your exact balance before you buy a package or place an international call saves you from mid-call cut-offs and failed purchases.
The fastest way: dial *121#
From any Etisalat SIM, dial *121# and your main prepaid balance in AED appears as a pop-up within a couple of seconds. It costs nothing, needs no data connection, and works on every prepaid line in the country. Postpaid customers can dial the same code to see their current unbilled usage.
Why there are two balance codes: *121# vs *101#
You will see both codes quoted online, and the difference matters. *121# returns just your main credit — the single AED figure most people want. *101# opens the full self-service menu, where balance is one option among data, offers, and account settings. Some older Etisalat SIMs were provisioned before *121# existed and only respond to *101#, so if the short code returns nothing on a long-held number, the menu code is your fallback. Both are free.
Reading the balance screen correctly
The number *121# shows is your spendable main balance only. It does not include:
- Active data allowances — the gigabytes inside a bundle you have already bought are tracked separately. Dial *170# for those, or see how to check your Etisalat data balance.
- Promotional or bonus credit — recharge bonuses (Etisalat adds 15% bonus credit on top-ups of AED 10 or more) often sit in a separate wallet with its own expiry.
- Validity — your credit has an expiry date tied to your last recharge; the main-balance pop-up will not always show it, but the e& app does.
Checking without dialling a code
If on-screen pop-ups are not convenient, three alternatives return the same figures:
- My Etisalat / e& app — the home dashboard shows main balance, each data bundle with a usage meter, and validity dates in one view. This is the only method that works reliably while you are roaming abroad, over Wi-Fi.
- Website — log in at etisalat.ae to see the same dashboard from any browser.
- Call 101 — the automated line reads your balance back before you reach the menu.
Etisalat self-service codes at a glance
| What you need | Code | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Main credit balance | *121# | Free |
| Data bundle balance | *170# | Free |
| Full self-service menu | *101# | Free |
| Your own number | *135# | Free |
| Current offers | *111# | Free |
When your credit is running low, our guide to recharging your Etisalat line covers vouchers, the app, and the 15% bonus in full.
Codes verified against e&’s official self-service and recharge guidance, July 2026.
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1
Open your phone dialer
Open the default phone/dialer app on your smartphone. This works on both Android and iPhone.
- 2
Dial *121#
Type *121# and press the call/dial button. Do not add any spaces or extra characters.
- 3
View your balance
A pop-up message will appear on your screen showing your current prepaid balance in AED. This typically takes 2-3 seconds.
Alternative Methods
Dial *121# from your phone dialer.
SMS DATA to 1010
My Etisalat App > Home > Balance
Troubleshooting
USSD code *121# not working
Make sure you are dialing from an Etisalat SIM. If you recently ported your number, wait 24 hours for services to activate. Try restarting your phone and dialing again.
Balance showing incorrect amount
The balance shown via *121# reflects your main account balance only. Add-on data or bonus balances are shown separately. Use *101# for a detailed breakdown of all balances.
Look Up More USSD Codes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is *121# the same for Etisalat and e&?
Yes. e& is the group brand that replaced the Etisalat name in 2022; the network, SIMs, and short codes are unchanged. *121# works exactly as before.
How do I check only my Etisalat data balance?
Dial *170# for a breakdown of your active internet bundles and remaining gigabytes. *121# shows only your spendable AED credit, not data.
My *121# balance looks lower than expected — why?
Value-added subscriptions (ringback tones, content services) and auto-renewing bundles deduct from your main balance. Open the e& app or dial *101# to review your active services and cancel anything unwanted.
Does Etisalat charge to check the balance?
No. *121#, *170#, *101#, the e& app, and calling 101 are all free on any Etisalat line, prepaid or postpaid.
Can I see my credit's expiry date?
The *121# pop-up shows the amount but not always the expiry. Open the e& app home screen, or dial *101# and select the account option, to see when your credit lapses.