If you’re in South Africa and have a mobile phone, you probably have to use a USSD code from time to time, whether you’re on Vodacom, Cell C, MTN or Telkom Mobile.
USSD stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data. It enables you, as a mobile subscriber, to perform transactions such as airtime balances, SIM swaps, data or airtime purchases and “please call me” requests, among others.
Some codes are easier to remember than others. Fortunately, mobile operators have made all the codes available for ease of reference. In this article, we provide useful lists of the most common USSD codes for the four mobile operators in South Africa.
Mobile operator USSD codes in South Africa
Vodacom USSD codes
Code | Transaction |
---|---|
*100# or *136# | Prepaid balance check |
*117# | Content services such as welcome tones, games, competitions etc. |
*120# | WASP (Wireless application service provider) services |
*135# | Self-service menu |
*140# | Please call me menu. |
*140*number# | Please call me shortcut (insert the cellphone number) |
*136*01*Recharge PIN# | Prepaid airtime recharge |
*140*02*number# | Please recharge me (insert the cellphone number) |
*135*1002# | Prepaid data bundle purchase |
*135*072# | Airtime transfer |
*135*082# | Airtime advance menu |
*135*502# | Balance inquiry for contract customers |
MTN USSD codes
Code | Transaction |
---|---|
*130*0# | Browse all USSD services |
*136# | Balance check |
*136*1# | Detailed balance inquiries |
*121# | CallBack/please call me menu |
*121*number# | CallBack/please call me (insert cellphone number) |
*136*2# | Buy airtime, SMS and data bundles |
*136*5# | Manage your subscriptions and bundles |
*136*3# | Me2U – buy/transfer airtime, data or SMS |
*141*voucher number*cellphone number# | Me4U airtime recharge |
*127*number# | Pay4Me (insert cellphone number) |
*123# | Device setup – receive phone and network settings |
*151*1# | MTN MoMo menu |
*126*7927# | SIM swap |
*131# | RICA |
*151*2# | XtraTime airtime advance |
*136*3# | Ask someone to send you airtime, data or SMS bundles |
Cell C USSD codes
Code | Transaction |
---|---|
*101# | Airtime balance check |
*147# | Browse all USSD services |
*133*1# | WASP subscriptions menu |
*147*100# | How to get your Cell C number |
*102*recharge PIN# | Prepaid airtime recharge |
*111*number# | Please call me |
*102*3# | Ask someone to send you airtime |
*102*2# | Send someone airtime |
*147*4# | Prepaid data bundles purchase |
Telkom mobile USSD codes
Code | Transaction |
---|---|
*180# *141# *147# *111# *209# | Main menu. For example, dial *180# to find options such as airtime transfer |
*188# *100# *101# *102# *136# | Balance check and/or prepaid airtime/data recharge menu |
*188*recharge PIN# | Prepaid airtime recharge |
*140# | Please call me menu |
*123# | Mo’Nice |
*1# | How to check your Telkom number |
*198*5# | RICA |
*2# | Check IMSI |
Remember, you will not incur any data charges when you send USSD requests. Although other charges may apply (check with your mobile operator), operators usually zero rate USSD sessions so that their customers can access services more easily.
Each operator has a unique set of codes. It is often easier to memorise codes that you use most often than to keep searching for them online.
Some subscribers prefer to memorise the main menu USSD codes only (*135# for Vodacom; *130*0# for MTN; *147# for Cell C or *180# for Telkom Mobile). This allows them to access all the options immediately. Whatever the case, choose a preference that works for you.
USSD sessions are limited to three minutes each to avoid network congestion, so make sure you are quick enough to avoid starting a session all over again.
For further information or inquiries, please contact your mobile operator directly for assistance.