Article 4 of 4 in Screen Readers
What Is a USSD Code?
If you have ever dialled something like *170# or *110# on your phone to access mobile money or check your airtime balance, then you have already used a USSD code. USSD stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data — but you really do not need to remember that. What matters is what it does.
When you dial a USSD code, your network sends a menu straight to your screen. You pick an option by typing a number, and the process continues back and forth until your task is complete. No internet connection needed. No app to download. Just your phone and a short code.
Some common USSD codes you will come across in Ghana include:
- *170# — MTN Mobile Money (MoMo)
- *110# — Telecel Mobile Money
- *110# — AirtelTigo Money
- *124# — Check your MTN airtime balance
In this article, we are going to walk you through how to use USSD menus on an Android phone with TalkBack — step by step, in plain language. If you are an iPhone user, we have a separate guide for you: How to Use a USSD Menu on iPhone with VoiceOver.
Good News for Android Users
If you are coming from the iPhone guide, you will notice straight away that the Android experience is a little more straightforward. The buttons do not change position the way they do on iPhone, and on most Android phones the keyboard opens automatically when the USSD dialog appears. TalkBack also reads the menu out to you automatically without you needing to do anything first.
That said, there are still a few things worth knowing — especially around the keyboard setup — and we will cover all of that as we go.
One Thing to Sort Out Before You Start: Your Keyboard Number Row
Before you even dial a USSD code, it is worth checking whether your keyboard is set up correctly. Here is why this matters.
When a USSD menu appears and you need to type a number to select an option, you want to be able to do that quickly and easily. Most Android keyboards have a number row — a row of number keys sitting right at the top of the alphabet keyboard — which means you can type numbers without switching to a separate number mode.
Here is how it works across different keyboards:
- Samsung keyboard — The number row is already turned on by default. You do not need to change anything. Just open the keyboard and the numbers are right there at the top.
- Huawei keyboard — Same as Samsung. The number row is on by default and ready to use.
- Google Keyboard (Gboard) downloaded from the Play Store — This one is a little different. The number row is turned off by default, so you will need to turn it on manually before you can use it comfortably for USSD. Here is how to do that:
- Open the Google Keyboard settings
- Go to Preferences
- Find the option for Number row and turn it on
Once that is done, the number row will appear at the top of your keyboard just like on Samsung and Huawei, and you will be able to type your USSD options without any extra steps.
It is worth sorting this out now so that when you are in the middle of a USSD session you are not fumbling around looking for numbers.
How to Use a USSD Menu on Android with TalkBack
Step 1: Dial the USSD Code
Open your Phone app and go to the keypad. Type in the USSD code for the service you want to use and tap the Call button to dial.
Within a few seconds, a pop-up dialog will appear on your screen with the menu from your network.
Step 2: TalkBack Reads the Menu Automatically
This is one of the things that makes Android really convenient for USSD. As soon as the dialog appears, TalkBack automatically reads all the menu options out loud to you. You do not need to tap anything or explore the screen first — it just reads.
A typical mobile money main menu might sound something like this:
1. Transfer Money
2. Pay Bill
3. Airtime & Bundles
4. Cash Out
5. My Account
# for next
Listen carefully to all the options. Once you know which number you want to select, you are ready to respond.
At this point, with the keyboard still closed, the buttons on the dialog are positioned like this:
- Send button — bottom right corner
- Cancel button — bottom left corner
Step 3: Type Your Response
On many Android phones — especially Samsung devices — the keyboard opens automatically as soon as the USSD dialog appears, so you can start typing your number right away.
If the keyboard does not open on its own, just drag your finger across the screen. TalkBack will announce the elements it lands on — the menu text, the edit box (which is the input field where you type your response), and the Send and Cancel buttons. When TalkBack announces the edit box, double-tap to activate it and the keyboard will open.
Once the keyboard is open, use the number row at the top of the keyboard to type the number of your chosen option. For example, type 1 for Transfer Money.
Step 4: Send Your Response
Now that you have typed your number, you need to send it. When the keyboard is open, both the Send and Cancel buttons move to just above the keyboard — sitting right on top of the letter keys:
- Send button — on the right side, after the number row
- Cancel button — on the left side, after the number row
To find the Send button, simply drag your finger across the area just above the keyboard and TalkBack will announce the buttons as your finger passes over them. When you hear “Send”, double-tap to submit your input.
A handy tip for Samsung users: On Samsung phones, the Enter key — which sits just below the Delete key on the keyboard — sometimes acts as the Send button. So instead of dragging your hand to find the Send button above the keyboard, you can simply tap the Enter key after typing your number and it will send your response. This also works on some other Android phones, so it is worth trying on your device.
Step 5: The Next Menu Appears — Repeat the Process
After sending your input, the next menu in the session appears and TalkBack reads it out to you automatically again. The buttons reset to their original positions — Send at the bottom right and Cancel at the bottom left — until the keyboard opens again.
Just keep going through the same steps: listen to the menu, type your number using the number row, and send your response. You repeat this pattern at every step until the transaction is complete.
A Real Example: Sending Money Using Mobile Money on Android
Let us walk through a complete example from start to finish. The exact menus will look slightly different depending on your network, but the steps are the same across all networks.
- Dial your network’s mobile money USSD code and press Call.
- The main menu appears and TalkBack reads it out automatically:
The keyboard may open automatically. If not, drag your finger to find the edit box and double-tap to open the keyboard.1. Transfer Money
2. Pay Bill
3. Airtime & Bundles
4. Cash Out
5. My Account
# for next - Use the number row to type 1 for Transfer Money, then tap the Send button on the right above the keyboard — or tap the Enter key if you are on Samsung.
- The next menu appears and TalkBack reads your transfer options:
Type 1 for Mobile Money User and send.1. Mobile Money User
2. Non Mobile Money User
3. Other Networks
4. Bank Account
# for next - You are asked to enter the recipient’s phone number. Type the number using the keyboard and send.
- A prompt appears asking you to confirm the phone number you entered. Type 1 to confirm and send.
- You are asked to enter the amount you want to send. Type the amount and send.
- A prompt asks for a reference — a short note about what the money is for, like “rent” or “food.” Type your reference and send.
- A confirmation screen appears. TalkBack reads out the name of the recipient, the amount, and the other details. Listen carefully to make sure everything is correct.
- You are then asked to enter your mobile money PIN to authorise the transaction. Type your PIN using the number row and send.
- A final message confirms that your transfer was successful. You are done!
Quick Summary: Button Positions to Remember
Unlike iPhone where the buttons move around quite a bit, Android keeps things fairly consistent. Here is the simple summary:
- Keyboard closed: Send is at the bottom right. Cancel is at the bottom left.
- Keyboard open: Send moves to the right above the keyboard. Cancel moves to the left above the keyboard.
- Samsung shortcut: The Enter key below the Delete key can also act as the Send button on some devices.
A Few Tips to Help You Along
- Sort out your number row before you start. If you are using Google Keyboard, go into the settings and turn the number row on now — before you are in the middle of a live USSD session.
- Let TalkBack finish reading before you respond. TalkBack will read the full menu automatically, so give it a moment to finish before you start typing. That way you already know your choice before the keyboard is even open.
- Use touch exploration freely. If you are ever unsure where the edit box or buttons are, just drag your finger across the screen. TalkBack will announce everything it lands on and help you find what you need.
- Try the Enter key shortcut on Samsung. If you are on a Samsung phone, try tapping the Enter key after typing your number. It is faster than reaching for the Send button above the keyboard and it works on most Samsung devices.
- Do not leave the session idle for too long. USSD sessions time out if there is no activity for a while. With a bit of practice you will move through the steps quickly and this will not be a problem.
- Practise with something simple first. Try a basic balance check code before attempting a money transfer. It is a short, low-pressure session that helps you get comfortable with the flow.
Wrapping Up
Using USSD on Android with TalkBack is very manageable — and in many ways more straightforward than on iPhone. TalkBack reads the menu to you automatically, the keyboard opens on its own on most devices, and the number row means you can type your responses without switching between keyboard modes. Once you know where the buttons are and how they shift when the keyboard opens, the whole thing flows very naturally.
The process works the same way regardless of which network you are on — MTN, Telecel, or AirtelTigo — so learn it once and apply it everywhere.
If you are an iPhone user or you know someone who uses an iPhone, check out our companion guide: How to Use a USSD Menu on iPhone with VoiceOver.
And if you want to keep building your confidence with your Android phone and other assistive technologies, explore our accessible technology courses at IAT — built from the ground up to be fully accessible for you.
Got a question or something from your own experience to share? Drop a comment below or get in touch with us directly. We would love to hear from you.