If you’re a prepaid user on one of South Africa’s mobile phone networks, chances are that you use a USSD code every day. Whenever you check your airtime, load more airtime or request a call from someone who has more airtime than you, you’re using a USSD code. Often, you’ll remember these as some of the most used codes, but there are a few you might not know exist.
Below, we take a look at some of the USSD codes you might need on a daily basis, as well as their functions, for the biggest networks in South Africa.
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Access USSD master menus
The master menu loads the different services you can access with USSD codes. If you don’t remember a specific code for loading airtime or another service, for example, this is a good place to start.
- Vodacom – *135#
- MTN – *136*0#
- Cell C – *147#
- Virgin Mobile – *100#
- Telkom Mobile – *180#
Check airtime balance with USSD codes
- Vodacom – *136#
- MTN – *136#
- Cell C – *101#
- Virgin Mobile – *101#
- Telkom Mobile – *188#
Load airtime to your account
- Vodacom – *136*01*voucher PIN#
- MTN – *136*voucher number#
- Cell C – *102*voucher PIN#
- Virgin Mobile – *102* voucher PIN#
- Telkom Mobile – *188*voucher number#
USSD codes to find out your number
- Vodacom – *135*501#
- MTN – *123*888#
- Cell C – *147*100#
- Virgin Mobile – *103*2#
- Telkom Mobile – *1#
USSD codes: Request airtime from another user
- Vodacom – *140*02*mobile number#
- MTN – *141*6328*sponsor’s mobile number#
- Cell C – *102*3#
- Virgin Mobile – *106#
Send airtime to another user
- Vodacom – *135*072# (*135*1002# for data transfer)
- MTN – *136*3#
- Cell C – *147*333* recipient cellphone number* amount of airtime#
- Virgin Mobile – *106*2#
- Telkom Mobile – *180# and select Transfer Airtime option
Send a Please Call Me
- Vodacom – *140*mobile number#
- MTN – *121*mobile number#
- Cell C – *111*mobile number#
- Virgin Mobile – *125*mobile number#
- Telkom Mobile – *140*mobile number#
If you’re looking for a specific USSD code that isn’t included in this story, you should try to visit the support page for your mobile provider.
Feature image: Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Article updated on 31 July, 2020
