Last checked: 25 June 2026.
If you need a cancel subscription USSD code South Africa route because your airtime is disappearing, start with your own mobile network. There is no single code that works for every South African SIM. Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Telkom each use different content-service, WASP, subscription or carrier-billing menus, so the safest first step is to check your active subscriptions, cancel anything you do not recognise, then block future content-service billing where your network allows it.
| Network or need | Start here | What it helps with | Related guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | Dial *135*997# | View, cancel, stop all or block Vodacom content services. Vodacom says reply 1 to view billed content services, reply 2 to stop all, and reply 3 to block future content-service subscriptions. (Vodacom) | Vodacom subscription cancellation code |
| MTN | Dial *155# or check the MTN subscription menu | MTN says customers can view and cancel content and subscription services by dialling *155#. (MTN South Africa) | MTN subscription cancellation code |
| Cell C | Dial *133*1# | WASPA lists *133*1# as the Cell C route to block existing and future content billing. (WASPA) | Cell C subscription cancellation code |
| Telkom | Use the Telkom app, Self-Service, or dial 180 and follow prompts | WASPA says Telkom users can manage premium content subscriptions in the Telkom app under “My Products > Subscriptions > Content Services” and can enable “Protect Your Mobile Number” to block WASP subscriptions. (WASPA) | Telkom subscription cancellation code |
| Not sure what is charging you | Check active subscriptions first | Helps you identify whether the charge is a WASP service, content service, data charge, premium-rated service, airtime transfer or something else. (WASPA) | Check active subscriptions on phone |
| Airtime still disappears after cancelling | Keep proof and investigate the next cause | WASPA advises users to ask their mobile operator what services they are being charged for and whether the operator can cancel them. (WASPA) | Stop airtime disappearing |
Quick Answer: How to Cancel Paid Subscriptions
To cancel paid mobile subscriptions in South Africa, dial the cancellation or content-services code for your own network, follow the menu prompts, and keep the confirmation SMS. Do not use a code from a random advert, social media post, WhatsApp message or SMS unless you can verify it with your provider first.
For Vodacom, the current official Vodacom route is *135*997#. Vodacom says you can reply 1 to view content services currently charged to your account, cancel a specific service by selecting it and replying STOP, reply 2 to stop all content services, or reply 3 to block future content-service subscriptions. (Vodacom)
For MTN, MTN’s help page says customers can view and cancel content and subscription services by dialling *155#. (MTN South Africa) WASPA also lists an MTN content-service management route through *141*5#, where users can select “Content Services” and then manage content services or premium-rated services. (WASPA)
For Cell C, WASPA lists *133*1# as the USSD string to block all existing and future content billing. (WASPA)
For Telkom, WASPA points users to the Telkom app route for managing premium content subscriptions and blocking WASP subscriptions, and also says users can dial 180 and follow the prompts. (WASPA)
A cancellation code is useful when the charge is a mobile content service or WASP subscription. It may not fix every airtime problem. Airtime can also disappear because of mobile data running in the background, premium-rated SMS or USSD services, airtime transfers, recurring bundles, app-store billing or other account charges. WASPA specifically lists unexpected data charges, WASP services, premium-rated SMS, airtime transfers and some USSD usage as possible causes of unusually high bills or disappearing airtime. (WASPA)
Network Cancellation Codes by Provider
Vodacom subscription cancellation code
Vodacom customers can use *135*997# to manage content services. This is the main Vodacom route to check what content services are being charged, cancel a specific service, stop all content services or block future content-service subscriptions. (Vodacom)
| Vodacom task | What to do |
|---|---|
| View active content services | Dial *135*997# and reply 1. |
| Cancel one service | View the active service, select the service number, then reply STOP. |
| Cancel all content services | Dial *135*997# and reply 2 to stop all. |
| Block future content services | Dial *135*997# and reply 3. |
| Use an app route | Vodacom says content services can also be viewed in the VodaPay app. |
Use Vodacom subscription cancellation code if you need the Vodacom-only guide.
MTN subscription cancellation code
MTN says customers can view and cancel content and subscription services by dialling *155#. (MTN South Africa) WASPA also lists *141*5# as an MTN route to check and manage content services, with menu options for “Content Services”, “Manage Content Services” and premium-rated services. (WASPA)
| MTN task | What to do |
|---|---|
| View or cancel subscriptions | Dial *155# and follow the MTN prompts. |
| Manage content services | WASPA lists *141*5#, then “Content Services”, then “Manage Content Services”. |
| Manage premium-rated services | Use the premium-rated services menu shown on your MTN line. |
| Block premium-rated service charges | WASPA lists *155# as the MTN route for blocking premium-rated service charges. |
Use MTN subscription cancellation code if you need the MTN-only guide.
Cell C subscription cancellation code
WASPA lists *133*1# as the Cell C USSD route to block all existing and future content billing. (WASPA) Use this from the Cell C SIM that is being billed, then save any SMS confirmation or menu result.
| Cell C task | What to do |
|---|---|
| Stop content billing | Dial *133*1# from the affected Cell C number. |
| Block future content billing | Follow the menu prompts shown on your Cell C line. |
| Still charged after cancelling | Contact Cell C with screenshots, dates, charges and confirmation messages. |
Use Cell C subscription cancellation code if you need the Cell C-only guide.
Telkom subscription cancellation route
Telkom subscription cancellation may happen through the Telkom app, Self-Service or the 180 support menu rather than a single public cancellation USSD code. WASPA says Telkom users can manage premium content subscriptions in the app under “My Products > Subscriptions > Content Services” and can block WASP subscriptions by enabling “Protect Your Mobile Number” under “My Products > Manage”. (WASPA)
| Telkom task | What to do |
|---|---|
| Manage premium content subscriptions | Use the Telkom app route: My Products > Subscriptions > Content Services. |
| Block WASP subscriptions | Use the Telkom app route: My Products > Manage > Protect Your Mobile Number. |
| Use a phone-support route | WASPA says users can dial 180 and follow the prompts. |
| Use online account management | Telkom’s My Telkom portal is used to manage subscriptions and related services. (apps.telkom.co.za) |
Use Telkom subscription cancellation code if you need the Telkom-only guide.
How to Check Active Subscriptions First
Before cancelling everything, check what is active. This gives you a clearer record of what was billing you, when it was cancelled and whether the same charge continued afterwards.
| Check | Why it matters | What to keep |
|---|---|---|
| Active content services | Shows whether a WASP or content subscription is linked to your line | Screenshot of the menu and any service name |
| SMS history | Welcome messages, billing reminders or opt-out messages may show the service name | Sender, date, price, service name and opt-out wording |
| Airtime balance | Helps show whether deductions continued after cancellation | Balance before and after cancelling |
| Network confirmation SMS | Proves that a cancellation or block request was submitted | Confirmation SMS and timestamp |
| Provider reference number | Needed if you later dispute the charge | Case number, date and agent name if available |
| App-store subscriptions | Some subscriptions are billed through Google Play, Apple or an app account, not only through mobile USSD | Screenshot from the app subscription page |
WASPA advises users with disappearing airtime to check SMS history for welcome or reminder messages, contact the mobile provider for help identifying what they are being billed for, and ask whether the operator can cancel the subscription services. (WASPA)
Use check active subscriptions on phone if you first need to confirm what is active before cancelling.
What to Do If Airtime Still Disappears
If airtime is still disappearing after cancellation, do not keep trying random codes. Work through the likely causes one by one.
| Situation | What to do next | Related guide |
|---|---|---|
| You cancelled but were charged again | Check whether another service is active, then contact your network with your cancellation proof. | Still being charged after cancelling |
| The USSD menu does not open | Check signal, retry from the affected SIM, then use the official app, website or customer-care route. | Subscription cancellation not working |
| You keep getting new paid services | Use your provider’s content-service blocking option where available. | Block content services USSD code |
| You cannot identify the charge | Check content services, premium-rated services, data usage, recurring bundles and app-store billing. | Stop airtime disappearing |
| You think the billing was unauthorised | Report it to your network first, keep the reference number, then use the relevant WASPA route if it involves WASP billing. | WASP subscriptions |
WASPA provides an unwanted-billing route for users who believe they are being charged for WASP services without permission, and says it will try to make sure the services being charged are cancelled. (WASPA) ICASA says complaints about content-services billing, SMS spamming and wireless application services should be directed to WASPA. (ICASA)
Related Subscription and WASP Guides
| If you need to… | Use this guide |
|---|---|
| Find the broader USSD directory | USSD codes South Africa |
| Cancel Vodacom content services | Vodacom subscription cancellation code |
| Cancel MTN content services | MTN subscription cancellation code |
| Cancel Cell C content services | Cell C subscription cancellation code |
| Cancel or manage Telkom content services | Telkom subscription cancellation code |
| Check what subscriptions are active | Check active subscriptions on phone |
| Block future content-service billing | Block content services USSD code |
| Understand WASP subscriptions | WASP subscriptions |
| Stop unexplained airtime deductions | Stop airtime disappearing |
| Fix a cancellation code that does not work | Subscription cancellation not working |
| Handle charges after cancelling | Still being charged after cancelling |
Safety Notes Before You Cancel
Only use verified network menus, official apps, official websites or confirmed customer-care routes. Do not share your banking PIN, card PIN, online banking password, OTP, full card details, ID document or SIM-swap information with anyone who says they can cancel a subscription for you.
Be careful with SMS messages that tell you to click a link to stop charges. A legitimate cancellation route should not require your banking login or OTP. If the message is suspicious, use your network’s official self-service menu or app instead.
Keep proof of every action. A cancellation SMS, menu screenshot, balance screenshot and provider reference number can help if you later need to dispute a charge.
FAQs
What is the code for cancel subscription USSD code South Africa?
There is no single cancel subscription USSD code for all South African networks. Vodacom uses *135*997# for content-service management, MTN says customers can use *155# to view and cancel content and subscription services, and WASPA lists *133*1# for Cell C content-billing blocking. Telkom’s route is mainly through the Telkom app, Self-Service or 180 prompts. (Vodacom)
Does this USSD code need airtime or data?
USSD menus normally work from the phone dialler and do not use mobile data. However, do not assume every menu, SMS, shortcode or support route is free on every SIM or every package. If a menu warns you about a charge, stop and confirm with your provider first.
What should I do if the code does not work?
Make sure you are using the SIM that is being billed, check network signal, try again later if the USSD session times out, and then use your network’s official app, website or customer-care route. If you still cannot cancel, keep screenshots and use subscription cancellation not working.
How can I check whether a subscription is active?
Use your network’s content-services or subscription menu first. Also check SMS messages for welcome notices, service names, prices and opt-out instructions. WASPA recommends checking SMS history and asking your mobile operator what services you are being charged for. (WASPA)
Can users block future content-service subscriptions?
Yes, in some cases. Vodacom says customers can block future content-service subscriptions by dialling *135*997# and replying 3. (Vodacom) WASPA says Telkom users can enable “Protect Your Mobile Number” in the Telkom app, and Cell C users can use *133*1# to block existing and future content billing. (WASPA) Use block content services USSD code for the dedicated blocking guide.
Can users get a refund for unwanted subscription charges?
A refund is not guaranteed. First cancel the service, then contact your network with the service name, charge dates, amounts, screenshots and cancellation confirmation. If you believe you were charged for WASP services without permission, WASPA provides an unwanted-billing reporting route. (WASPA)
Where should users report suspicious subscription messages?
If the message looks like WASP spam, unwanted billing or a suspicious premium service, keep the SMS and report it through the relevant official route. WASPA has consumer-help options for unwanted billing, SMS spam or scams, complaints and its Do Not Contact registry. (WASPA) ICASA also points content-services billing, SMS spamming and wireless application service complaints to WASPA. (ICASA)