How to block the USSD notification/balance update messages on Android smart-phones ? [Solved]

Problem description:
In India, whatever internet plans you take for your smartphones, be it 3G, 2G Internet, GPRS etc. it always keeps randomly disconnecting. Sometimes it reconnects automatically, sometimes it takes a while. So, during this process we keep getting a remaining balance message or notification for the data usage which is nothing but a USSD.

What is USSD ?
USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) is a Global System for Mobile(GSM) communication technology that is used to send text between a mobile phone and an application program in the network. USSD is similar to Short Messaging Service (SMS), but,unlike SMS, USSD transactions occur during the session only. USSD is commonly used by prepaid GSM cellular phones to query the available balance.

These USSD messages for remaining balance and used balance are such that: these will asks the user to press the “OK” button and unless you press that, it stays like that on the screen and prevents you from performing any other task on the phone. It creates an overlay kind of screen which doesn’t allow the user to touch anything else unless you click ok button for each popup. Each time you send a sms, each time your internet gets disconnected etc. a notification popup will be displayed to be read by the user. These are so much in numbers that some one gets irritated.

There are times when you keep your smart-phone unused for more than one hour, and when you get a call, you have to press the “Ok” button 20-25 times on these popups to receive the call. Its really annoying !! Now, how to block those type of messages ? These frequent balance updates, data usage status are of no use/very less use.

Solution:
There is a nice app called Quiet Balance. Named as Balance Update / USSD blocker on Google Play. This app specializes in blocking USSD messages.

  • It provides ways you can block only specific type of messages. It has three types of matching methods for blocking USSD messages.
    1. Substring match: You may choose to block messages that contain a specific text.
    2. Keyword list: a list of keywords (comma separated keyword list)
    3. Regular expression: for advanced users by writing regular expression.
    When these conditions are matched, it triggers a block of that ussd message.
  • You can also choose to show the balance update message once per day (or week/month). This will cause the first balance update message to show up, and all other messages will be blocked for the rest of the day.
  • Last 25 messages are saved in the message log, along with indication if the message was blocked or allowed.

Go get the app and install on your Android phone and make it Smart ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚
Get it on Google Play

 

 

Slide to see all the screen shots of the App:

Comments

71 responses to “How to block the USSD notification/balance update messages on Android smart-phones ? [Solved]”

  1. Mahesh Kondraju Avatar

    ussd messages are irritating, Balance Update / USSD blocker didnt solved my problem, i used regular expression and typed everything on the displayed message but still ussd messages are displaayed frequently. is there any other solution, please help.

    1. Subharanjan Avatar

      Not sure Mahesh, why isn’t it working on your case. Works perfectly fine foe me though. Can you try the comma separated list instead of the Regular Expression. A small mistake in regex may lead to failure.

    2. Peter Avatar
      Peter

      If you are on Idea, dial this code and the data usage messages will stop.
      *121*46#

      1. Himadri Avatar

        Thanks Peter. This works. It was really annoying before

      2. Tharun Avatar
        Tharun

        And say we want to restore the USSD notifications.Then what is the code for restoration?..

        1. Subharanjan Avatar

          Simply uninstall the app or remove the filter texts from the app. ๐Ÿ™‚

          1. Shyam Avatar
            Shyam

            Dude…quiet balance and balance update/USSD blocker doesnt work for androind v4.2.2 or later. Its clearly mentioned in the play store itself. I dono who in this world will be still using 4.2.2 or less verson. Kindly provide the solution for the new versions of android.

          2. Subharanjan Avatar

            Thanks Shyam for your valuable comment. I use a Android 4.0.4 ๐Ÿ™‚ Anyway, I am not sure if these apps work with the latest versions of Android but if you have any solutions, please do share here. Thanks again !!

      3. Vallabh Avatar
        Vallabh

        Any thing for airtel

      4. bhushan parve Avatar
        bhushan parve

        thank a lot peter really thank u brother

      5. Madhuri Bal Abhyankar Avatar
        Madhuri Bal Abhyankar

        Thanks. Didn’t know about this service.

      6. Akansh Braj Avatar
        Akansh Braj

        Nice work for me ….

  2. Suumit Shah Avatar

    This was awesome article dude ๐Ÿ™‚ Now I can easily get rid off USSD notification now. Can you tell him how can I put trackback of this article on my blog now?

  3. Tushar Thakur Avatar

    I faced issue in my phone in which when I type any USSD code and press send/Call it returns nothing. Can you have idea what will be the issue please?

    1. Subharanjan Avatar

      Please check if the terms/words you have added for restricting matches/comes in the message that you are expecting through the USSD code. Try disable/uninstalling the app if the above doesn’t work.

      1. kapil Avatar

        Is there any similar app for iphone 3gs?

        1. Subharanjan Avatar

          Not sure about iPhone. ๐Ÿ™

        2. Dileep Avatar
          Dileep

          Follow Peter’s advise : If you are on Idea, dial this code and the data usage messages will stop.
          *121*46#

          1. bala Avatar
            bala

            Yes it is working for IDEA
            if you want to see balance dial *121*44#

          2. amkaushalAmit Avatar
            amkaushalAmit

            It did wonders for me, was stuck with this issue for past 8 months. Thanks a lot Peter

  4. Imren Avatar
    Imren

    Hello,
    This app doesn’t work on newer versions of Android it seems. Would like to get hold of a good one though. Airtel driving me nuts !!

    1. Sasha Avatar
      Sasha

      For newer versions of Android (4.1+) try the application named USSD Notifications.

      https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sk.paco.ussd

  5. sushil Avatar
    sushil

    Follow Peterโ€™s advise : If you are on Idea, dial this code and the data usage messages will stop.
    *121*46# worked on my xiomi redmi

  6. Abhay Avatar
    Abhay

    Peter’s suggestion worked on iphone idea. Dial *121*46#

    1. Subharanjan Avatar

      Glad… that it did help !! ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Sreejith Avatar
    Sreejith

    thanks..i did it for idea network
    But i have another issue, while trying to dial (India) toll free numbers, my call is connecting as ISD could you help?

  8. Benjamin Syiem Avatar
    Benjamin Syiem

    thanks, it really works. phew. what a relief.

  9. nagesh Avatar
    nagesh

    My phone idea3g smartphone peter suggestion con’t work. Any other solution

  10. elmota Avatar

    Question, what about USSD messages that are pushed by network with two buttons: Send and Cancel, that is excessively used by networks to push promotions, how do we automatically click Cancel so that we don’t get irritated by it?

    1. Subharanjan Avatar

      Well, I am not sure about those. Do have anything as solution, then pls share with all. ๐Ÿ™‚

  11. Sharad bansal Avatar
    Sharad bansal

    Hi,
    I am using idea 3g on my Micromax canvas Nitro, when I dial *121*46#, message show invalid request and a menu apper

    1. Subharanjan Avatar

      Can you please try the App instead. ๐Ÿ™‚

  12. Binu Avatar
    Binu

    I am also facing the same prob of frequent used notification in my canvas nitro… Can u please find me a solution for this prob…bcoz it’s it’s annoying…

  13. Vikas M Avatar
    Vikas M

    I am using Lumia 535 windows phone with Idea 2g net.
    Kindly suggest me to stop this annoying notification.

  14. suralokeshreddy Avatar
    suralokeshreddy

    Hello Subharanjan,

    Good post along with good description…..

    As you have mentioned in description that due to mobile data dis-connectivity problem notifications are popping-up ….

    I am using Samsung Galaxy Pop S5570 and HTC Desire 820

    both mobiles are connected to wi-fi all time.

    In HTC DESIRE 820

    though i am not disconnected from wifi and not enabled data packet service

    still irritating notification is popping-up.

    i had tried 1) Disabled alert notification,
    2) Disabled mobile data (Bought HTC desire 820 1 and half month before,till now never used mobile data packet service)
    3) Increased limit and alert to more than 100gb (Damn surely i wont use this much)
    4) reset Device also completed

    Still the notification issues are Running.

    I would be much thankful for help without suggesting to install apk,contact service center……

  15. Sam Avatar
    Sam

    Hi,

    Is there any way to stop sending the request from mobile itself ?? I don’t want someone to know the transactions done on my mobile phone. How can we stop or block USSD requests being sent from our phone through other users ??

  16. dsb Avatar
    dsb

    Any code for VODAFONE and TATA DOCOMO bro ?

  17. johny fanai Avatar

    This app ur suggesting cannot be installed on Galaxy S5..any more suggestions ..and what could be possible wrong with my phone, that this ussd pops up more than one hundred times a day. .keeps on poppin out almost every time I typed my keys if it could be a virus issue please suggest me one good one. ..

  18. dinesh verma Avatar
    dinesh verma

    for iphone user???

  19. robin130 Avatar
    robin130

    Yes for bsnl connection on iphone 5s ?

  20. Anynomous Avatar
    Anynomous

    As per customer Airtel customer support you can send any one of the following message to stop them..

    STOP 155223

    STOP ANOW 58234

  21. Bobby K Thomas Avatar
    Bobby K Thomas

    I am using BSNL prepaid and i contacted their customer care for this. But they are telling its an alert to notify the customer about their usage status and they don’t have an option to stop it. I don’t believe that. there should be some option to stop that. if anyone knows any code for stopping this please share..!! its simply annoying, by the time i accept all the messages incoming call get disconnected sometimes…

  22. balaji Avatar
    balaji

    Same here. does anyone found a solution to this?

  23. Akshay M Avatar

    Hai I too am a BSNL user. What i did was firstly reset my phone from the hidden menu.
    Then i sent a DND msg to BSNL “START” to 1909.
    I do not have to click ok 100 times to take a call now.

  24. shafiya Avatar
    shafiya

    it doesnt help me out for my solution

  25. shafiya Avatar
    shafiya

    i need the sms code to know the balance after disconnecting the call..if u have some solution pls help me out..

  26. aryan Avatar
    aryan

    I got 100s of data usage messages in micromax A310 nitro, *121*46# is not working and app is not installed on my phone.. plz help me out…

    1. Subharanjan Avatar

      Aryan, There are couple of other USSD Blocker apps in the play store. Try one of those. Cheers !!

  27. aryan Avatar
    aryan

    i already try some of the USSD Blocker apps but it is not helpful for me… thanks for the reply…

  28. Anuradha Avatar

    Please GOD tell us a solution for iPhone users? I am fed up, tried everything. Is there a way? BSNL and iPhone 5s using iOS 8.4 (12H143)

  29. dixitkedar Avatar

    *121*46# works on Nexus 5 with Idea as the service provider. I got a pop-up saying Thanks your USSD messages with be stopped shortly! Thanks Peter!

  30. Sushant Avatar
    Sushant

    Hi

    From last 2 week my internet is not working and also I’m not able to send inbox message and also not able recived back from anyone and also from bank OTP.
    iF i CONNECT NET THROUGH WIFI FROM OTHER DEVICE IT WORKS BUT NOT WITH MY DATA

  31. Devadas Avatar
    Devadas

    For BSNL Customers please do the following:

    1. Call 1909
    2. Select “Talk to a customer care executive” option from the EVR Menu.
    3. Explain your issue to the executive and they will take the appropriate action.

    Hope this is useful.

  32. yeasin Avatar
    yeasin

    help me if u know anything about it. i m using a redme note 2 in bangladesh. when i dial *121*11# for my internet offer then it shows chinese language. how can i fix it?

  33. vicky Avatar
    vicky

    Any code or app for xolo q 2000 having Aircel..

  34. Raj Dhar Avatar
    Raj Dhar

    I have inserted a new BSNL prepaid sim on my Samsung Galaxy J5 phone. A message “Requesting handset configuration” is keeping popping up every five minutes. Which is very annoying to me. How could I get rid of

    1. RK Avatar
      RK

      I have the same problem with my new samsung phone. how can i get rid of this

    2. Omkar Avatar
      Omkar

      I also facing same problem. Please suggest solution

  35. Salil Shekharan Avatar
    Salil Shekharan

    USSD Box does help in removing annoying messages ,can try it as well.
    No root required and supports Marshmallow as well.

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.web_opia.ussdcontroller

    1. jones Avatar
      jones

      It works! Samsung Android 4.4.2. The damn BSNL alert goes away automatically in a split second

  36. Naveen Avatar
    Naveen

    What abt for windows phone users having the same problem with the USSD notifications abt the data usage??

    Please help!!!

  37. Reji Avatar
    Reji

    Hi Devadas, I am an IPhone user. The same issue is being affected me too. I just called 1909 and talked to BSNL customer service and as per them there is no solution for this.

  38. Priya Avatar
    Priya

    i get popups such as send data receive data on my screen…what does that mean?

    1. Subharanjan Avatar

      Hi Priya,
      Seems like those are the USSD notifications on your android device. Please try with above apps to block the popups.
      Thanks !!

  39. raj kumar Avatar
    raj kumar

    Its not work in grand 2

  40. AV Avatar
    AV

    No solution fir iphone. I have to shift from airtel pre paid to post paid

  41. dsd Avatar
    dsd

    *121*46# does not work for Idea either. It gives an error

  42. TricksPlan Avatar

    Very nice Thanks for sharing this trick to block notification

  43. Manjunath Avatar
    Manjunath

    I have been contating BSNL for the past two days. I talked to a few executive. each one have their own explanation. Even some of them bluff that after one hour
    it will be stopped.

    I sent a mail to Karnataka circle of BSNL as well as chairman, BSNL. No reply.

    As it is BSNL is sinking. Tax payers money is pumped to keep the employee alive for doing nothing.

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