When a MoMo transaction stays pending, it means the person you sent money to hasn’t approved it yet. This ASJ guide explains exactly how to check the status and what each status means.
Why a Transaction Might Be Pending
A transaction shows as “pending” when the recipient has not yet approved it with their PIN . This is normal for transactions where you need the other person to confirm the payment. The status stays pending until they approve or reject it.
According to the MoMo Developer Community, a pending status simply means the MoMo subscriber is yet to approve the transaction with their PIN . A successful outcome means the subscriber entered the correct PIN .
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How to Check a Transaction Status
MTN MoMo has a free service to check the status of any transaction within the last 90 days . You can check as either the sender or the receiver .
Step-by-step instructions:
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Dial *170# from your MTN line
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Select 6 for “My Wallet”
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Select 5 for “Statements”
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Select 3 for “Check Transaction Status”
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Enter your MoMo PIN
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Select 1 for “Sender”
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Enter the receiver’s phone number
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Enter the date of the transaction
You will receive an SMS confirming the status of that specific transaction .
What Each Status Means
| Status | What It Means | What You Should Do |
|---|---|---|
| PENDING | The recipient has not yet approved the transaction with their PIN | Wait. The recipient will see the request in their approvals menu and can approve or decline it. |
| SUCCESSFUL | The recipient approved the transaction with the correct PIN | The money has been sent. Check your balance to confirm. |
| FAILED | Something went wrong. Common reasons: insufficient balance, wrong PIN entered, or the recipient canceled the request | Check your balance. If insufficient funds, add money and retry. If wrong PIN, reset your PIN first. |
What to Do If a Transaction Is Pending
If you checked and the transaction is still pending, here is what you can do:
1. Ask the Recipient to Check Their Approvals
The recipient needs to approve the transaction. They can do this via USSD:
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Dial *170#
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Select 6 for “My Wallet”
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Select 3 for “My Approvals”
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Enter their PIN to view pending requests
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Select the transaction and choose Approve or Decline
2. Check If You Have Enough Balance
Some failed transactions stay pending if the sender’s balance is insufficient . Check your balance by dialling *170# → 6 (My Wallet) → Check Balance.
3. Wait for the Timeout
If the recipient does not approve within the time limit, the transaction will automatically fail. The timeout gives the customer enough time to respond .
4. Contact MTN Customer Care
If the transaction remains pending for an unusually long time or you see “No pending transactions” when there should be one, contact MTN Customer Care by dialling 100 .
Common Reasons for Failure
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Insufficient balance – The wallet does not have enough money
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Wrong PIN – The recipient entered an incorrect PIN
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Recipient canceled – The recipient declined the request
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Network issues – Poor coverage can cause delays
Quick Facts
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Check Status USSD Code | *170# |
| Menu Path | 6 (My Wallet) → 5 (Statements) → 3 (Check Transaction Status) |
| Transaction History | Can check up to 90 days |
| Cost | Free |
| Pending Means | Recipient has not approved yet |
| Successful Means | Recipient approved with correct PIN |
| Failed Means | Insufficient balance, wrong PIN, or canceled |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I check a pending MTN MoMo transaction?
Dial *170#, select 6 (My Wallet), then 5 (Statements), then 3 (Check Transaction Status). Enter your PIN, select Sender, enter the receiver’s phone number, and the transaction date. You will receive an SMS with the status .
2. What does a pending MoMo transaction mean?
A pending status means the recipient has not yet approved the transaction with their PIN . The money has not left your wallet yet.
3. Why did my MoMo transaction fail?
A failed transaction can happen if the sender has insufficient balance, the recipient entered the wrong PIN, or the recipient canceled the request .
4. Can I check a transaction from the receiver’s side?
Yes. When checking the status via *170#, you can also select Option 2 for “Receiver” instead of “Sender” to check transactions sent to you .
5. How long can I check a transaction status?
The Check Transaction Status service covers transactions within the last 90 days .
6. What should I do if I see “No pending transactions”?
If the recipient cannot see the transaction in their approvals, contact MTN Customer Care by dialling 100 . The transaction may have failed on the network side.
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on September 5, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
