Last checked: 25 June 2026
Quick Code/Menu Answer
The quickest buy airtime USSD code depends on whether you want to buy directly through your mobile network, through your bank’s cellphone banking menu, or by loading an airtime voucher you already bought.
For most South African users, the safest route is:
- Use your network’s verified airtime recharge menu if it supports card-based airtime purchases.
- Use your bank’s USSD menu if you want to buy airtime for any major network without using an app.
- Use a voucher recharge code only if you already have a voucher PIN.
| Network or route | Code/menu to try | Best for | Check before confirming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | *135*02# | Buying Vodacom airtime or data by card through Vodacom Express Recharge. Vodacom says the service is available to Prepaid, Top Up and uChoose customers. (Vodacom) | Card prompt, amount, cellphone number and bank authorisation. |
| MTN | *141*10# for MTN Eazi Recharge registration and prompts | Buying MTN airtime, SMS bundles or internet bundles using a registered credit or debit card. (MTN South Africa) | Card details, bank PIN/security step, amount and MTN number. |
| MTN alternative support listing | *136*10# | MTN’s USSD code listing shows this route for recharging balances using a debit or credit card. (MTN South Africa) | Use the live MTN menu shown on your SIM if MTN routes you to a newer or different recharge path. |
| Telkom | *180# | Telkom Mobile Buy with Card for eligible Prepaid and Hybrid customers. Telkom says the service can be used to buy airtime and bundles with a supported debit or credit card. (group.telkom.co.za) | Telkom number, amount, card details, OTP and bank verification. |
| Cell C | *102*voucherpin#for voucher loading | Loading a Cell C voucher you already bought. Cell C lists app, website, banking recharge, retail outlets and voucher recharge as recharge methods. (Cell C) | Voucher PIN, recharge value and Cell C number. |
| Bank USSD | Use your bank’s cellphone banking code | Buying airtime without opening a mobile app. This is useful when buying for Vodacom, MTN, Telkom or Cell C from a bank account. | Bank account, provider, recipient number, amount and PIN. |
Use airtime and data USSD codes South Africa if you want the broader directory, or load airtime voucher USSD code if you already have a voucher PIN.
Provider-by-Provider Options
Vodacom buy airtime USSD code
For Vodacom, dial *135*02# to use Vodacom Express Recharge. Vodacom says this route lets eligible customers buy airtime or data, and that first-time users may need to enter card details. Vodacom also states that using *135*02# is free, while the user still pays for the airtime or data and any applicable bank charges. (Vodacom)
Use this route when you want to buy airtime directly for a Vodacom number without opening an app. On the menu, look for the recharge or airtime purchase option, choose the amount, and complete the card authorisation step.
Vodacom’s terms also say Vodacom Express Recharge is available to Prepaid, Top Up and uChoose customers, and that Contract customers can buy for eligible Vodacom Prepaid, Top Up and uChoose numbers. (Vodacom)
MTN buy airtime USSD code
For MTN Eazi Recharge, MTN’s terms say the service allows subscribers to buy airtime, SMS bundles and internet bundles using a mobile phone and credit or debit card. The terms list *141*10# as the registration route, followed by the on-screen prompts. (MTN South Africa)
MTN also has a separate USSD codes page result showing *136*10# for recharging balances using a debit or credit card. (MTN South Africa) Because MTN may show different recharge paths depending on SIM type, menu version or product eligibility, follow the live menu on your phone. If one verified route does not open, try the other official MTN recharge route before using an unofficial code from social media.
Before confirming, check whether you are buying airtime, buying a bundle, or using a transfer service. MTN’s Eazi Recharge terms include bank card registration and bank security steps, so do not continue if the menu asks for details in a way that does not match the official recharge flow. (MTN South Africa)
Telkom buy airtime USSD code
For Telkom Mobile, dial *180# and follow the Buy with Card or recharge prompts shown on your SIM. Telkom’s terms say the *180# Buy with Card service is available to Telkom Mobile Prepaid and Hybrid customers and can be used to purchase airtime and bundles using a supported debit or credit card. (group.telkom.co.za)
Telkom says customers can recharge airtime and bundles for their own number or another Telkom number, but only eligible options under the customer’s tariff plan will be available. The same terms list an airtime purchase range from R10 to R1,000 per transaction. (group.telkom.co.za)
Use this route carefully when buying for another Telkom number. Telkom states that it will not be liable for recharges made to an incorrect number entered by the customer. (group.telkom.co.za)
Cell C buy airtime USSD code
For Cell C, the most clearly verified USSD recharge code is for loading a voucher, not necessarily buying new airtime by card. Cell C’s recharge FAQ says users can buy a Cell C recharge voucher and dial *102*voucherpin#. It also lists recharge methods through the Cell C app, Cell C website, banking recharges, retail outlets and voucher recharge. (Cell C)
If you want to buy Cell C airtime without an app, the practical USSD route is usually your bank’s cellphone banking menu. Choose prepaid or airtime, select Cell C as the provider, enter the number, choose the amount and confirm with your banking PIN.
Do not confuse buying airtime with Cell C Airtime Share. Cell C’s Airtime Share page says *147# is used to select Airtime Share, where an active Cell C Prepaid or Top Up customer can share airtime with another eligible Cell C customer. (Cell C) That is different from buying new airtime from your bank account or card.
Bank USSD Options for Buying Airtime
Bank USSD is often the easiest way to buy airtime using USSD when you do not want to use a mobile app. It also helps when your network’s own recharge menu is down or does not support your card.
| Bank | USSD code | Airtime route |
|---|---|---|
| Capitec | *120*3279# | Capitec says users can dial *120*3279#, choose Buy, choose Airtime/Data/SMS, select the account, select the network provider, choose own number or enter another number, and confirm with Mobile Banking PIN. (Capitec Bank) |
| Absa | *120*2272# | Absa says users can dial *120*2272#, select Prepaid and follow the prompts. Absa also warns that the transaction is not reversible, so the correct number matters. (Absa) |
| Standard Bank | *120*2345#or *130*2345# | Standard Bank says users can dial *120*2345# or *130*2345#, sign in, and select Prepaid to buy airtime. (Standard Bank) |
| FNB | *120*321# | FNB’s prepaid airtime guide shows *120*321#, then the Prepaid menu, then the Recharge/Mobile Airtime flow. (FNB) |
For a bank-by-bank walkthrough, use buy airtime with bank USSD. For broader bank shortcodes, use banking USSD codes South Africa.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Requirements
Before you use a buy airtime USSD code, make sure you have:
- The correct SIM selected if your phone is dual-SIM.
- The correct cellphone number for the person receiving the airtime.
- The correct network provider: Vodacom, MTN, Telkom or Cell C.
- Enough funds in the selected bank account, card or airtime balance.
- Your banking PIN, card PIN, OTP or other security step if the menu requires it.
- A stable signal so the USSD session does not time out halfway through.
Do not confirm the transaction if the menu shows the wrong number, wrong network, wrong amount, or wrong transaction type.
Step-by-step process
- Dial the verified USSD code for your route.
- Wait for the USSD menu to load.
- Select the recharge, prepaid, airtime or buy option.
- Choose whether you are buying for your own number or another number.
- Enter the recipient cellphone number if required.
- Select the mobile network provider if you are using bank USSD.
- Choose the airtime amount or enter the amount allowed by the menu.
- Select the bank account or card to pay from.
- Read the final confirmation screen.
- Confirm only if the number, provider, amount and payment source are correct.
- Wait for the USSD success screen or SMS confirmation.
- Check the airtime balance before retrying.
What you should see next
After a successful airtime purchase, you should normally see a confirmation screen, SMS confirmation, or bank notification. The exact message depends on the network or bank route used.
If airtime does not reflect immediately, do not repeat the transaction several times. First check whether your bank account or card was charged. Then check the number you entered. If the account was debited but no airtime arrived, contact the bank or network with the transaction time, amount, recipient number and reference.
Fees or limits
Fees and limits depend on the provider, bank, account type and recharge route.
Vodacom says using *135*02# is free, but the user pays for the airtime or data and any applicable bank charges. (Vodacom) Telkom says it does not charge a service fee for the *180# Buy with Card transaction, but bank or card transaction fees may apply. (group.telkom.co.za) Standard Bank says standard mobile network provider charges apply for Cellphone Banking, and that users who have run out of airtime can dial *130*2345# to recharge. (Standard Bank)
Always trust the live confirmation screen over an old screenshot, forum post or copied code list.
Common Problems and Fixes
The USSD code does not work
Check that the code was typed exactly, including the * and # symbols. If you are using a dual-SIM phone, make sure the request is sent from the correct SIM. Restart the phone, move to a stronger signal area and try again.
If the code still fails, use the provider’s main self-service menu or your bank’s USSD menu instead of repeatedly retrying the same failed transaction.
The menu opens but there is no airtime option
USSD menus can change by network, SIM type, prepaid or contract status, tariff plan, bank profile and product eligibility. Telkom’s Buy with Card terms, for example, state that only eligible options under the customer’s tariff plan will be available for recharge. (group.telkom.co.za)
Go back to the main menu and look for words such as “Recharge”, “Prepaid”, “Airtime”, “Buy” or “Top Up”. If the airtime option is still missing, use your bank USSD menu or buy a voucher and load it through the correct voucher recharge code.
The airtime was bought for the wrong number
This is one of the most common and costly mistakes. Absa warns that prepaid USSD transactions are not reversible and users must use the correct number. (Absa) Telkom also states that it will not be liable for recharges made to an incorrect number entered by the customer. (group.telkom.co.za)
Before confirming, read the number slowly from the final screen. If the number is wrong, cancel the session and start again.
The money was deducted but airtime did not arrive
Do not keep buying airtime again and again. Check your SMS notifications, banking history and airtime balance first. If the bank account was debited, save the transaction reference and contact the bank or mobile network.
Give support the exact amount, date, time, recipient number, network selected and transaction reference. This makes it easier to trace whether the purchase failed, is delayed, or went to the wrong number.
The session times out
USSD sessions can time out if you take too long, lose signal or the provider system is busy. Start again only after checking whether the previous transaction went through. If you already entered your PIN or OTP, check your bank account or SMS notifications before trying again.
The code asks for a PIN, card detail or OTP
Card and bank recharge routes often require security verification. Vodacom says Express Recharge may require card details and ATM PIN authorisation, while Telkom says customers must enter card details and authenticate according to bank verification procedures. (Vodacom) (group.telkom.co.za)
Only enter security details inside the USSD session you started yourself. Never give your banking PIN, card PIN, OTP or CVV to someone over a phone call, WhatsApp message, SMS or social media inbox.
You have no data
You do not need mobile data to use USSD. That is why USSD is useful for buying airtime without an app. However, some cellphone banking routes may need airtime or may have network charges. Standard Bank says Cellphone Banking does not need an internet connection, but it does need airtime unless the user uses the *130*2345# recharge route. (Standard Bank)
For more help with this, use USSD codes without internet.
Related Airtime and Data Guides
Use these related guides when your task is close to buying airtime but not exactly the same:
| Guide | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Airtime and data USSD codes South Africa | Use this hub when you want airtime, data, recharge and balance codes in one place. |
| Load airtime voucher USSD code | Use this if you already bought a voucher and need to load the voucher PIN. |
| Buy airtime with bank USSD | Use this if you want bank-specific steps for buying airtime through cellphone banking. |
| Banking USSD codes South Africa | Use this if you need a broader list of bank USSD codes before choosing the airtime menu. |
| USSD codes without internet | Use this if you have no mobile data and need to understand what still works through USSD. |
FAQs
What is the code for buy airtime USSD code?
There is no single buy airtime USSD code for every South African user. Vodacom users can try *135*02#, MTN users can try the verified MTN Eazi Recharge route *141*10#, Telkom users can use *180# for the Buy with Card route, and Cell C users can load a voucher with *102*voucherpin#. Bank USSD is often the easiest option when buying airtime for any major network.
Does this USSD code need airtime or data?
USSD does not need mobile data. Airtime requirements depend on the provider or bank route. Some services may be free to dial, while others may apply standard network or bank charges. Check the live menu and provider notes before assuming the code is free.
What should I do if the code does not work?
Check the code format, signal, SIM selection and network. If the same code still fails, try the provider’s main self-service menu or use your bank’s cellphone banking code. Do not keep retrying after entering a PIN or OTP until you have checked whether money was deducted.
Why did my airtime not reflect after buying it?
The transaction may still be processing, the wrong number may have been entered, the wrong provider may have been selected, or the bank payment may have failed. Check your bank notification, transaction history and airtime balance. If your account was debited, contact the bank or network with the reference number and transaction details.
What should I check before confirming a purchase?
Check the cellphone number, network provider, airtime amount, bank account or card, and transaction type. Make sure the screen says airtime or recharge if that is what you want. Cancel if the screen says transfer, bundle, voucher, share, loan or advance and that is not the transaction you intended.
Can I buy airtime for someone else using USSD?
Yes, many bank USSD menus and some network recharge services allow buying for another number. Capitec says users can buy airtime, data or SMS bundles for themselves or someone else through *120*3279#. (Capitec Bank) Telkom also says its *180# Buy with Card service can recharge the customer’s own number or another Telkom number. (group.telkom.co.za) Always check the recipient number before confirming.
Is buying airtime with bank USSD safer than using a random code online?
It is safer to use an official bank or network USSD route than a copied code from an unverified post. Bank and network menus show a final confirmation screen and usually require a PIN or OTP. Still, you must check the provider, number and amount before confirming, because some prepaid purchases are not reversible.
Where can I find related USSD codes?
Start with airtime and data USSD codes South Africa for the main directory. Use buy airtime with bank USSD for bank routes, load airtime voucher USSD code for voucher loading, and USSD codes without internet if you need options that work without mobile data.