Use this airtime and data USSD codes South Africa guide when you need to check a balance, buy airtime, buy data, load a voucher, transfer airtime, transfer data, or fix a recharge that has not reflected yet. Start with the task you need, then choose the right provider, bank, or troubleshooting guide before you dial.
Last checked: 25 June 2026. USSD menus, bundle names, fees, limits and eligibility rules can change, so always confirm the provider name, cellphone number, amount, bundle size, expiry date and charge on the screen before you accept.
Quick Airtime Data USSD Codes List
| What do you need to do? | Go to this guide | Current code or route to verify before use |
|---|---|---|
| Check airtime balance | check airtime balance USSD code | Vodacom lists *136# for prepaid balance checks, Telkom lists *188# for balance checks, and Cell C lists *101# or *147# option 2 for balance enquiries. (VodacomNow) |
| Check data balance | check data balance USSD code | Telkom says *188# can be used to check data and voice balances, while Cell C says users can dial *101# or *147# and choose the balance option. (Telkom) |
| Buy airtime | buy airtime USSD code | You can buy airtime through some network menus or through bank USSD routes such as Capitec, FNB, Standard Bank and Absa, depending on your account and SIM. (Capitec Bank) |
| Buy data | buy data USSD code | Vodacom lists *135*1002# for buying data bundles, MTN lists *136*3# for buying or transferring airtime, SMSs or data, and Telkom says users can dial *180# to buy bundles. (VodacomNow) |
| Load an airtime voucher | load airtime voucher USSD code | Vodacom lists *136*01*Recharge PIN#; Telkom lists *188*voucher pin#; MTN lists a route for recharging another MTN number using *141*(voucher number)*(cellphone number)#. (VodacomNow) |
| Transfer airtime | transfer airtime USSD code | Vodacom lists *135*072# for airtime transfer, and MTN says Me2U transfers can start from *136*3#. (VodacomNow) |
| Transfer data | transfer data USSD code | Use the provider-specific guide first, because transfer rules can depend on network, bundle type, prepaid status, contract status and eligibility. |
| Get emergency airtime | emergency airtime USSD code | Vodacom lists *135*082# for Airtime Advance, and Vodacom’s terms say the service may include airtime, voice or data advance options. (Vodacom) |
| Get emergency data | emergency data USSD code | Use the provider-specific emergency data guide before accepting, because repayment, fees and eligibility can change. |
| Fix a recharge problem | recharge not reflecting | Check the number, provider, transaction reference, SMS confirmation and bank notification before buying again. |
| Find all mobile network codes | mobile network USSD codes South Africa | Use the mobile network hub when you need Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, Cell C or other network self-service menus. |
| Browse all USSD categories | USSD codes South Africa | Use the main directory for mobile, banking, public service, support and safety USSD guides. |
Browse by Provider, Bank, or Task
Provider-specific links
Use this section if you know which SIM you are using but are not sure which airtime or data task page to open.
| Provider | Airtime and data tasks | Useful route to check |
|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | Balance checks, voucher recharge, data bundles, airtime transfer, Airtime Advance | Vodacom lists *135# for self-service, *136# for prepaid balance, *136*01*Recharge PIN# for voucher recharge, *135*1002# for data bundles, *135*072# for airtime transfer and *135*082# for Airtime Advance. (VodacomNow) |
| MTN | Airtime or data purchase, transfer, recharge for another MTN number | MTN’s USSD help lists *136*3# for buying or transferring airtime, SMSs or data, and lists *141*(voucher number)*(cellphone number)# for recharging another MTN number with a prepaid voucher. (MTN South Africa) |
| Telkom | Bundle purchase, balance check, voucher recharge | Telkom says users can dial *180# to buy bundles, *188# to check balances, and *188*voucher pin# to recharge with a voucher. (Telkom) |
| Cell C | Balance check, detailed balance enquiry, emergency airtime or data support | Cell C says users can dial *101# or *147# for balance enquiries, and its emergency airtime and emergency data pages also point users back to *101# or *147# for balance checks. (Cell C) |
Bank-specific links
Bank USSD can be useful when you want to buy airtime or data directly from your bank account, especially when you do not want to open a banking app. Before using a bank route, make sure the cellphone number is registered for that bank’s cellphone banking service and that you are using the official bank USSD code.
| Bank | USSD route | What the official source says |
|---|---|---|
| Capitec | *120*3279# or *130*3279# for selected top-up routes | Capitec says users can dial *120*3279# to buy airtime and bundles, and *130*3279# to buy airtime when out of airtime. (Capitec Bank) |
| FNB | *130*321# or *130*277# | FNB says users can buy airtime or data for themselves or someone else, and that they do not need airtime to buy airtime through *130*321# or *130*277#. (FNB) |
| Standard Bank | *120*2345# | Standard Bank says cellphone banking works by dialling *120*2345#, and can be used to buy data, pay bills and make payments without needing a smartphone or mobile data. (Standard Bank) |
| Absa | *120*2272# | Absa says users can dial *120*2272#, select Prepaid and follow the prompts to buy airtime and data, and warns that prepaid transactions are not reversible. (Absa) |
Task-specific links
Use the task links below when you already know what you want to do.
| Task | Best guide to open |
|---|---|
| Check your remaining airtime | check airtime balance USSD code |
| Check your remaining data | check data balance USSD code |
| Buy airtime from a network or bank route | buy airtime USSD code |
| Buy a data bundle | buy data USSD code |
| Load a prepaid recharge voucher | load airtime voucher USSD code |
| Send airtime to another number | transfer airtime USSD code |
| Send or share data | transfer data USSD code |
| Borrow airtime or request an advance | emergency airtime USSD code |
| Borrow data or request emergency data | emergency data USSD code |
| A recharge, bundle or bank purchase did not reflect | recharge not reflecting |
How to Use These USSD Codes
USSD is usually opened from the phone dialler. You type the short code, press call, wait for the menu, then choose the option that matches your task. Vodacom describes USSD codes as codes dialled like phone numbers that return a menu or message on the screen. (VodacomNow)
Before you dial any airtime or data code, check that you are using the correct SIM. A Vodacom code belongs on a Vodacom SIM, an MTN code belongs on an MTN SIM, and a bank USSD code belongs to the bank account and cellphone number registered for that bank’s cellphone banking service.
Then check what you want to do. Balance checks, airtime purchases, data bundle purchases, transfers, voucher loads and emergency advances are different tasks. Do not use a transfer code when you only want to check a balance, and do not accept an emergency advance if you only wanted to buy normal airtime.
A safe USSD process looks like this:
- Choose the correct provider, bank or task guide.
- Dial the code from the SIM or bank-registered cellphone number.
- Wait for the USSD menu to load.
- Select the balance, airtime, data, voucher, transfer or emergency option.
- Enter the recipient number only if the task requires it.
- Check the cellphone number, provider, amount and bundle type carefully.
- Read the expiry, fee, repayment or transaction warning before accepting.
- Stop if the menu name, fee, number or product looks wrong.
- Save the SMS confirmation or transaction reference after the action is complete.
When buying airtime or data for someone else, confirm the recipient’s network before sending. A wrong number or wrong network can cause the purchase to fail, go to the wrong person, or become difficult to reverse.
When loading a voucher, check whether the voucher belongs to the same provider as the SIM. Enter the recharge PIN exactly as printed. If the voucher fails, do not keep guessing the PIN repeatedly; check the voucher, SIM network and recharge guide first.
When buying data, check whether the bundle is once-off, recurring, daily, weekly, monthly, night-only, social-only, app-specific, promotional or general-use data. A bundle can show in a separate wallet from normal airtime or general data, so the balance screen may not always look the way you expect.
Costs, Safety, and Last-Verified Notes
Costs and fees
Do not assume every airtime and data USSD code is free. Some routes may be free to dial, some may require airtime, and some may include a service fee, bank fee, advance fee or repayment rule.
Capitec says *130*3279# can be used to buy airtime when out of airtime, while *120*3279# can be used for airtime and bundles. (Capitec Bank) FNB says users do not need airtime to buy airtime using *130*321# or *130*277#. (FNB) Absa says users do not need airtime to bank using Absa Cellphone Banking, while Nedbank and other banks may have their own rules that should be checked on the relevant bank page before publishing a fee claim. (Absa)
Before confirming a USSD transaction, check:
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Provider name | Confirms that the menu belongs to the right network or bank. |
| Cellphone number | Airtime and data sent to the wrong number may not be reversible. |
| Product type | Airtime, data, SMS, voice minutes, night data and social data are different products. |
| Bundle validity | Some bundles expire sooner than expected. |
| Transaction fee | Bank purchases, emergency advances and transfers may have conditions or fees. |
| Repayment rule | Emergency airtime or emergency data may be recovered from the next recharge. |
| Plan type | Prepaid, contract, Top Up and MVNO SIMs may have different menus. |
Safety notes
Only dial codes from official provider, bank or trusted directory pages. Do not use a USSD code from a random SMS, WhatsApp message, Facebook post, TikTok comment or “free data” promotion unless you can verify it on the provider’s own website.
Never share your banking PIN, card PIN, mobile banking PIN, one-time PIN, SIM swap details or ID number with someone who contacts you unexpectedly. A real USSD menu may ask you to confirm a transaction, but a stranger should never need your private security details to “help” you buy airtime or data.
Be careful with any menu that asks you to approve a subscription, reverse a transaction, unlock free data, claim a prize, cancel a debit order or verify your bank account. If something feels wrong, cancel the session and use the official app, website, branch, store or support channel.
Last-verified notes
Last checked: 25 June 2026.
The codes and routes on this page were checked against official provider or bank sources where possible. Because USSD menus can change, each exact code, fee, menu path, transfer limit, expiry rule, emergency advance rule or eligibility condition should be rechecked before publishing updates.
Related USSD Guides
For the full national directory, start with USSD codes South Africa. For network-specific menus beyond airtime and data, use mobile network USSD codes South Africa.
For airtime and data tasks, open the guide that matches what you need:
check airtime balance USSD code
check data balance USSD code
buy airtime USSD code
buy data USSD code
load airtime voucher USSD code
transfer airtime USSD code
transfer data USSD code
emergency airtime USSD code
emergency data USSD code
recharge not reflecting
FAQs
What is the code for airtime and data USSD codes South Africa?
There is no single airtime and data code that works for every South African SIM, bank and task. The correct code depends on whether you use Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, Cell C, a bank USSD service or another mobile provider. Use this page as a directory, then open the specific guide for checking airtime, checking data, buying airtime, buying data, loading a voucher or fixing a recharge problem.
Does this USSD code need airtime or data?
USSD does not use mobile data like an app or website, but airtime and fee rules can differ by provider, bank and transaction type. Standard Bank says its cellphone banking works with no smartphone or data needed, FNB says selected airtime routes work when you have no airtime, and Absa says you do not need airtime to bank using Absa Cellphone Banking. Always verify the specific route before claiming that a code is free or available on every SIM. (Standard Bank)
Why might an airtime or data USSD code fail?
A USSD code can fail if the code is for the wrong network, the SIM is inactive, the menu has changed, the provider has a temporary outage, the user is on an unsupported plan, the phone has poor signal, or the transaction has already timed out. If money, airtime or a voucher was involved, check your SMS confirmation and bank notification before trying again.
Why is my balance showing the wrong airtime or data?
Your balance may look wrong if the bundle is in a separate wallet, the recharge has not reflected yet, the bundle is promotional, the data is night-only or app-specific, or the purchase went to another number. Use check airtime balance USSD code or check data balance USSD code first, then use recharge not reflecting if the payment or voucher still does not show.
What should I do before confirming a purchase or transfer?
Confirm the recipient number, provider, amount, product type, bundle validity, fee and repayment rule. For bank USSD purchases, confirm the account being debited. For transfers, confirm that the recipient can receive the airtime or data before you accept.
Where can I find related airtime or data guides?
Use buy airtime USSD code for airtime purchases, buy data USSD code for bundles, load airtime voucher USSD code for recharge vouchers, transfer airtime USSD code for airtime transfers, and mobile network USSD codes South Africa for broader network self-service menus.