How To Buy Airtime Using Standard Bank USSD Code

Quick Answer

Last verified: July 2026

To buy airtime using Standard Bank USSD in South Africa, dial *120*2345# from the mobile number registered with your bank account. Enter your Customer Selected PIN (CSP), select Prepaid, select Airtime, choose whether the purchase is for Your Own Number or Another Number, select the mobile network, and enter the top-up amount.

If you have zero airtime on your phone, dial *130*2345# to access the zero-balance prepaid recharge shortcut. Standard network USSD session rates apply for *120*2345#.

What the Service Is and Who Can Use It

Standard Bank Cellphone Banking (USSD) allows active account holders in South Africa to buy prepaid airtime for Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom, or Standard Bank Connect numbers directly from their bank balance. The service works on feature phones and smartphones without requiring mobile data or internet access.

Eligibility & Prerequisites

• Account Type: An active Standard Bank transactional account (e.g., AccessAccount, MyMo, or Cheque account) with sufficient funds.
• Registration: You must be registered for Cellphone Banking.
• Registered Number: You must dial the USSD code from the cellphone number registered to your Standard Bank profile.
• Exclusions: Unregistered SIM cards, non-transactional savings/investment accounts, or accounts with active fraud blocks cannot process USSD top-ups.

How to Buy Airtime

Before You Start

1. Ensure your device is connected to a cellular network signal (Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, or Telkom).
2. Confirm you have your Cellphone Banking PIN (CSP) ready.
3. Ensure your account balance covers the airtime purchase price.
4. Have the 10-digit recipient phone number ready if buying airtime for someone else.

Verified Step-by-Step Process

1. Dial the USSD Code: Open your phone’s dialler and enter *120*2345# (or *130*2345# if you have zero airtime) and press Call.
2. Authenticate: Enter your 5-digit Customer Selected PIN (CSP) when prompted.
3. Select Prepaid: Choose the Prepaid option from the main menu.
4. Choose Airtime: Select Airtime (or Prepaid Top-Up).
5. Select Recipient: Choose My Number to top up the line you are calling from, or Other Number to send airtime to a friend or family member.
6. Select Network Operator: Choose the relevant network provider (Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom, or Standard Bank Connect).
7. Enter Amount: Select a preset amount or type in a custom Rand amount within your daily limit.
8. Select Account: Choose the bank account to debit (e.g., Cheque or Savings).
9. Confirm Transaction: Review the summary (recipient number, network, and amount) and select Confirm.

Confirmation or Expected Result

Once the transaction processes successfully:

• An on-screen USSD confirmation message will display a reference number and confirmation that the top-up request was accepted.
• You will receive a transaction notification SMS from Standard Bank confirming the account debit.
• The recipient handset will receive a balance top-up notification SMS from their mobile network operator within 1 to 5 minutes.

Recovery Note: If your account is debited but the airtime does not reflect after 15 minutes, save the SMS debit notification or reference number and contact Standard Bank Customer Support or the network operator.

Fees, Limits, Eligibility, and Processing Times

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

Code, Session, SIM, or Account Errors

• “Session Timed Out”: USSD sessions expire after ~30 seconds of inactivity. Redial *120*2345# and complete entries promptly.
• “Invalid Number / User Not Registered”: You are dialing from a phone number that is not linked to your Standard Bank account. Contact the bank or visit a branch to update your registered cellphone number.
• “Insufficient Funds”: Ensure your account balance covers the exact airtime amount.
• “Connection Error / Network Unavailable”: Weak cellular signal can disrupt USSD prompts. Move to an area with better network coverage and retry.

When the Service Has Changed or Is Unavailable

If *120*2345# fails due to scheduled maintenance or network outage:

• Dial *130*2345# as a secondary self-service pathway.
• Switch to mobile data/Wi-Fi and use the official Standard Bank Mobile Banking App.

Official Alternatives

If the USSD route is temporarily unavailable or you need higher transaction limits, use these official Standard Bank self-service channels:

• Standard Bank Banking App: Open the app, navigate to Transact > Buy > Airtime & Data, select the recipient, enter the amount, and confirm.
• Internet Banking: Log into online banking at standardbank.co.za, select Buy from the main menu, choose Airtime, and complete the transaction.
• Standard Bank ATM: Insert your card at any Standard Bank ATM, enter your ATM PIN, select Prepaid / Buy, and follow the on-screen prompts.
• Customer Support: Call Standard Bank Customer Care at 0860 123 000 for assistance with account-related issues or transaction disputes.

Safety and Privacy

Important Security Reminder:

Standard Bank will never ask you to disclose your full ATM PIN, Internet Banking password, card CVV, or full Identity Document number over the phone or via USSD prompt.

• Never share your Customer Selected PIN (CSP) with anyone, including bank staff.
• Always verify the recipient phone number before confirming the purchase, as airtime sent to an incorrect number cannot be reversed once processed.
• If you suspect unauthorized activity on your account or dialled a fraudulent USSD code, immediately block your profile via the Standard Bank App or call 0800 020 600 (Fraud Helpline).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current How To Buy Airtime Using Standard Bank USSD Code?

The official USSD code for Standard Bank Cellphone Banking in South Africa is *120*2345#. If you are out of airtime and cannot initiate a paid USSD session, dial *130*2345#.

Can airtime be bought for another number?

Yes. During the USSD purchase menu, select Prepaid > Airtime, choose Other Number, and type in the target 10-digit South African mobile number.

What payment source is used?

The airtime purchase is debited directly from the active Standard Bank transactional account (Cheque, Savings, or AccessAccount) linked to your Cellphone Banking profile.

Are there fees or limits?

Standard Bank does not charge a purchase fee for buying prepaid airtime, though standard mobile operator USSD session fees apply for *120*2345#. The default daily purchase limit for airtime/data is R1,500, with a monthly cap of R30,000.

What should I do if the Standard Bank USSD route does not work?

First, check that you are using the registered phone number linked to your bank account. If the session keeps timing out or failing, use the Standard Bank Mobile App, Internet Banking, or buy airtime at a Standard Bank ATM.