NCC Opens *315# USSD Code for Nigerians to Check If Their Phones Are Approved

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a USSD option that lets phone owners check whether their devices have received regulatory approval, as the commission prepares to enforce rules that could cut unapproved handsets off from local networks.

Users can dial *315# and select option 1, labelled "Check this device", to see their phone's status. Nigeria Startup News reported the development on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

Warnings Already Going Out

The USSD service follows warnings that the NCC has begun sending to smartphone users. The messages say devices could be disconnected from Nigerian telecommunications networks after 30 cumulative days if they are not verified.

Text messages carrying the warnings have reportedly gone to users of Apple iPhones, Tecno, Infinix, Oukitel and Google Pixel devices. The messages advise recipients to contact their sellers or dial 315 for further guidance. Legit.ng reported the warning messages on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

The warnings have raised concern among consumers, especially those who bought their phones abroad or from local retailers and are unsure whether their devices meet the commission's requirements.

How the Device Management System Works

The NCC's Device Management System (DMS) is built to identify mobile phones operating on Nigerian networks and assess whether they meet required technical and regulatory standards. It uses International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers to identify individual devices and support the commission's oversight.

The enforcement effort is also aimed at strengthening compliance among phone importers, manufacturers and dealers.

The NCC keeps an online database of approved handsets that consumers can search using their phone models. For people who legitimately bought their phones abroad or through private sales, the commission is preparing a registration process to address verification issues. Details of that procedure are yet to be published.

What a Warning Message Means

Receiving a warning message does not automatically mean a phone is counterfeit. It indicates the device has not been verified within the system.

Consumers who are unsure about their device status can dial *315# and select option 1 to check the response.

For Nigerian phone buyers, the *315# code gives a quick way to confirm status before the 30-day window closes. Anyone who bought a handset from a private seller or brought one in from abroad should check it now rather than wait for a disconnection notice.