TM Invalid MMI Code on *143#: Causes and Fixes (2026)

An MMI code is a short command you type into your phone dialer to interact with the network. On TM and Globe, *143# is the main one, whether to check a balance, register a promo, or check a loan. When the phone returns "Connection Problem or Invalid MMI Code" instead of opening a menu, something in the chain between your phone, SIM, and the network broke down.

A lot of forum posts say *143# no longer works and everything moved to GlobeOne. That is only partly true. What actually got discontinued in December 2022 was the Share-A-Load function inside the code. The code itself still works — when it fails, the cause is almost always a phone-side or SIM-side issue, not a carrier shutdown.

What Is an MMI Code?

An MMI (Man-Machine Interface) code is any command you type into the dialer using numbers, asterisks, and hash symbols. Some run entirely on the phone with no network — *#06#, which shows your IMEI, processes instantly with no signal. A USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) code is a type of MMI code that needs a live network connection because it sends a request to the carrier and waits for a reply. *143# is a USSD code.

Does *143# Still Work for TM?

Yes. Globe's current support pages still show *143# as an active path for prepaid users — specifically for checking data balance under MyAccount, loan status, and some promo registration flows.

• Globe officially discontinued Share-A-Load on December 1, 2022
• The SMS-based load transfer method was stopped at the same time
• Users now buy load for another number through GlobeOne or GCash instead — see our Pasaload TM guide
• *143# for balance checks, promos, and loan status still appears in Globe's official help flows as of 2026

Common Reasons for the Invalid MMI Code Error

• The code was entered wrong — a missing hash, an extra space, or a character copied from an old screenshot
• Weak or unstable signal — USSD requests time out in low-signal areas or during congestion
• Loose, dirty, or damaged SIM — a poorly seated card interrupts the signal exchange
• Wrong network mode — set the phone to LTE/3G/2G Auto so it can find a working path
• Dual-SIM conflict — the dialer sometimes routes the request through the wrong SIM
• VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling interference — on Android 12–16, these can reroute USSD in a way the carrier rejects
• Outdated SIM not LTE-ready — text SIM CHECK to 8080 to confirm
• Unregistered SIM — USSD access can be limited until TM SIM registration clears

Quick Diagnosis Table

How to Fix It on Android

Work through these in order. The fixes at the top resolve most cases.

1. 1Re-type *143# manually — do not copy it. Asterisk, 1, 4, 3, hash, then call.
2. 2Restart the phone to clear the telephony stack and force the SIM to re-authenticate.
3. 3Toggle Airplane Mode on for 15–30 seconds, then off, to reconnect from scratch.
4. 4Move to a better signal area — step outside or toward an open space.
5. 5Power off, remove and reinsert the SIM firmly, then power on.
6. 6Set Network Mode to LTE/3G/2G (Auto Connect) in Mobile Network settings.
7. 7On dual-SIM phones, temporarily disable the second SIM and test on TM alone.
8. 8Turn off VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling, restart, and retry.
9. 9Try adding a comma after the code (*143#,) — on some older Android phones this pause helps timing.
10. 10Reset Mobile Network Settings (this clears saved Wi-Fi passwords), then restart.
11. 11Update Android and the Dialer app.
12. 12Test the SIM in a different phone — if it works there, the issue is your original device.

How to Fix It on iPhone

• Go to Settings → Cellular → SIM PIN and make sure it is not blocking carrier commands
• Toggle Airplane Mode on for 20 seconds, then off
• Update carrier settings: Settings → General → About, wait for a prompt
• Remove and reinsert the SIM
• If *143# still fails, use the GlobeOne app to complete the same task

The "New SIM" Connection Problem

Just activated a new TM SIM and get the error right away? New SIMs sometimes need 10 to 15 minutes after first activation before they fully attach to the Globe network. Wait 10–15 minutes, restart the phone once, and retry. If registration is pending, complete it first. If the error continues beyond 30 minutes on a brand-new SIM, contact TM customer service — the SIM may have an activation issue.

When the Error Keeps Coming Back

Test each service one at a time: can you call, send SMS, connect to mobile data, and does GlobeOne show your balance? If multiple services fail, the issue is the SIM or account, not just USSD. If only *143# fails, it is a phone-side dialer problem.

Text SIM CHECK to 8080 (free, up to five times a day) to confirm your SIM type. Use GlobeOne as a workaround for balance checks and promo registration. If nothing works, request a SIM replacement in-store (processed within 24 hours, same number). If your SIM is fully locked from wrong PIN entries instead, see our TM PUK code guide.

Frequently Asked Questions