Useful USSD codes for South African Mobile networks
| USSD codes (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) | |||
| Option | Network | USSD Code | Further instructions and _ or notes |
| Change Price plan and or tariff | MTN | *141*4# | key in “2” (migrate), then key in a that corresponds with the price plan you’d like to migrate to. |
| Airtime transfer | MTN | *141*6328* recipient’s cell phone number* rand amount# | For example: *141*6328*0731234567*30#). |
| Airtime transfer | Vodacom | *111# | Option 4 (bundle or airtime transfer) >> option 1 (airtime) >> choose an amount from R29 to R2000 >> enter a Vodacom number >> Confirm and you’re done. |
| Airtime transfer | Telkom Mobile (8ta) | *180# | Option 2 (transfer airtime) >> choose the amount >> enter an 8ta cell number >> confirm and you’re done. |
| Request airtime | MTN | *141*6328*number of the person sending you airtime# | Two requests are permitted per day. |
| Balance Enquiry | MTN | *141# | Your airtime, SMSs and your MTN internet bundle balance will be displayed. |
| Airtime recharge | MTN | *141* recharge voucher pin # | |
| Data bundle purchase | MTN | *141*6# | Key in “1” (purchase bundles and services) >> key in “1” (internet bundles) >> key in “1 – 3” (the 3 options are for Volume bundles, duration bundles, and uncapped bundles respectively) |
| Deactivate an uncapped data bundle | MTN | *141*5# | key in “2”. |
| Loyalty points program | MTN | * 141 * 9 * your ID number# | A program where MTN rewards its customers with points to buy airtime, bundles, enter competitions etc. |
| Call charges | MTN | *111*2# | key in “1 – 2” (the two options are for number and country respectively) |
| Callback | MTN | *121* recipient’s number # | You are permitted five callbacks a day on the MTN network. |
| Check your own number – MSISDN query | MTN | *123*888# | This will display the number from where this USSD code is dialed. |
| Check your own number – MSISDN query | Vodacom | *111*501# | This will display the number from where this USSD code is dialed. |
| MMS OTA settings request | MTN | *123*12# | You will receive a configuration message to install the settings, if asked for a pin, enter 1234. |
| WAP/GPRS/Internet OTA settings request | MTN | *123*12# | You will receive a configuration message to install the settings, if asked for a pin, enter 1234. |
| Easy recharge | MTN | *141*10# | |
| Point of interest request | MTN | *120*555# | An MTN service to find useful points of interest (POI) located closest to you like an ATM, fast food outlets, movie theatres etc. |
| Registering/Opening a Mobile Money account | MTN | *120*668# | You have to be at least 16 years to qualify for this service. |
| Cancelling a Recurring Bundle | MTN | *141*5# | key in “1”. |
| My Vodacom USSD services menu | Vodacom | *111# | this menu includes popular services |
| Balance Enquiry | Vodacom | *100# | your balance is displayed on handset (Prepaid Only) |
| Airtime recharge | Vodacom | *100*01*Recharge PIN# | Account top up with voucher value (Prepaid Only) |
| Time Window Enquiry | Vodacom | *100*02# | Time Window Expiry date displayed on handset (Prepaid Only) |
| Vodata Service Setup | Vodacom | *141*777# | Vodata Service Setup menu will be installed or removed (Contract & Prepaid) |
| Please CallMe Service | Vodacom | *140*MSISDN# | Sending a text message which includes the sender’s number to another cell phone number requesting the receiver to call the sender (Contract & Prepaid) |
| Please Recharge Me | Vodacom | *140*02*MSISDN# | Request airtime from your phone to any Vodacom customer |
| Airtime transfer | Vodacom | *102*02*airtime value*MSISDN# | Send airtime from your cellphone to any other Vodacom Prepaid phone |
| Vodacom Paypoint | Vodacom | *120*1234# | Enables Vodacom merchants to accept credit card payments using a mobile phone without requiring a fixed line point of sale terminal |
| Cell C USSD services menu | Cell C | *147# | Launches the USSD menu with various account management and inquiry options. |
| Balance Enquiry | Cell C | *101# | Displays the remaining balance on your handset |
| Airtime recharge | Cell C | *102* | Account top up with voucher value |
| Please CallMe Service | Cell C | *111* | Sending a text message which includes the sender’s number to another cell phone number requesting the receiver to call the sender (Contract & Prepaid) |
| Check your own number – MSISDN query | Cell C | *147*100# | (retrieve own number) |
| Manage subscription services | Cell C | *133*1# | |
| Virgin Mobile menu | Virgin Mobile | *100# | Launches the USSD menu with various account management and inquiry options. |
| Get phone settings | Virgin Mobile | *103*1# | |
| Check your own number – MSISDN query | Virgin Mobile | *103*2# | (retrieve own number) |
| Change Virgin Mobile PIN | Virgin Mobile | *103*3# | |
| Balance info after calls | Virgin Mobile | *103*4# | |
| SIM Swap | Virgin Mobile | *103*5# | |
| Manage airtime | Virgin Mobile | *104# | |
| Check balance | Virgin Mobile | *101# | |
| Airtime recharge | Virgin Mobile | *102* PIN # | Account top up with voucher value |
| Credit card recharge | Virgin Mobile | *104*3# | You need to register for this service by dialing 123 from your Virgin Mobile device |
| Transfer airtime | Virgin Mobile | *106# | You can only transfer airtime to other Virgin Mobile users. |
| Please CallMe Service | Virgin Mobile | *125*MSISDN# | Sending a text message which includes the sender’s number to another cell phone number requesting the receiver to call the sender (Contract & Prepaid) |
| Voice Mail | Virgin Mobile | *109# | |
| RICA check | Virgin Mobile | *124# | |
| Bundles | Virgin Mobile | *110# | Sms, data and Blackberry bundles |
| Transfer airtime | Virgin Mobile | *106# | |
| Recharge me | Virgin Mobile | *104*5# | |
| Call handling | Virgin Mobile | *107# | |
| Airtime advance activation | Virgin Mobile | *121*4# | (Prepaid only) |
| Roaming call | Virgin Mobile | *108*MSISDN# | |
So what is USSD exactly?
Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) is a technology that allows users to access various services through the use of short codes. It usually consists of a number that start with a * and end with a #.
Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) is a technology that allows users to access various services through the use of short codes. It usually consists of a number that start with a * and end with a #.
Customers on prepaid, for example, often use USSD codes to load airtime:
Let’s take MTN as an example:
Load airtime voucher: (*141*VoucherPIN#)
check balances: (*141#)
send a please call me: (*121*CellphoneNumber#).
check balances: (*141#)
send a please call me: (*121*CellphoneNumber#).
So, here is a list of USSD codes for all the mobile networks in South Afica.
I will update this list so, yet again, please feel free to provide input regarding errors, ommissions and anything else.
