Load Airtime Voucher USSD Code

Last checked: 25 June 2026.

Quick Code/Menu Answer

Use the load airtime voucher USSD code for the network printed on your voucher. Scratch or reveal the voucher PIN, dial the correct code from the SIM you want to recharge, and wait for the confirmation message before throwing the voucher slip away.

NetworkLoad airtime voucher USSD codeUse this whenImportant note
Vodacom	`13601*Recharge PIN#`	You have a Vodacom prepaid recharge voucher	Vodacom lists this as the voucher recharge code for loading airtime onto a prepaid SIM. (VodacomNow)
MTN	`136PIN#` or start from `*136#`if the direct code fails	You have an MTN airtime voucher and want to load your own MTN SIM	Independent South African code guides list `136PIN#`; MTN’s own public USSD list confirms voucher loading for another MTN number using `141(voucher` `number)*(cellphone number)#`, followed by prompts. (TechCabal)
Telkom	`188voucher pin#or SMS the voucher PIN to 188`	You have a Telkom airtime voucher	Telkom lists both the USSD and SMS recharge options. (Telkom)
Cell C	`102voucherpin#`	You have a Cell C recharge voucher	Cell C lists this voucher recharge method in its recharge FAQ. (Cell C)

Before you dial, check that the voucher is for the same network as your SIM. A Vodacom voucher cannot be loaded with a Cell C, MTN, or Telkom recharge code. If you are not sure whether the airtime loaded, use the check airtime balance USSD code guide after the recharge.

For a broader directory of recharge, balance, data, and bundle codes, open airtime and data USSD codes South Africa.

Provider-by-Provider Options

Vodacom load airtime code

To load a Vodacom airtime voucher, dial:

*136*01*Recharge PIN#

Replace Recharge PIN with the PIN on your Vodacom voucher. Vodacom’s published prepaid USSD guide says this code is used when loading more airtime onto a prepaid SIM with a voucher, and that the voucher value is added to your account. (VodacomNow)

Use the Vodacom main menu if the shortcut does not work:

*135#

That menu can help you find other Vodacom self-service options. For more network-specific codes, use the Vodacom USSD codes guide.

MTN load airtime code

To load an MTN airtime voucher onto your own number, the commonly published recharge format is:

*136*PIN#

Replace PIN with the MTN voucher PIN. If that direct code does not work on your SIM, start from:

*136#

Then follow the recharge or airtime prompts shown on your screen. Independent South African code guides list *136*PIN#as the MTN voucher recharge code, while MTN’s own current USSD listing clearly shows a separate voucher option for recharging another MTN number. (TechCabal)

To recharge another MTN number with a prepaid voucher, MTN lists:

*141*(voucher number)*(cellphone number)#

Follow the onscreen prompts and check the recipient number carefully before confirming. (MTN South Africa)

For more MTN self-service options, open the MTN USSD codes guide.

Telkom recharge code

To load a Telkom airtime voucher, dial:

*188*voucher pin#

Replace voucher pin with the PIN printed on your Telkom voucher. Telkom also lists an SMS option: send the voucher PIN to 188. (Telkom)

Telkom’s main self-service code is:

*180#

Use that if the direct recharge string does not work or if you need another Telkom menu. For more Telkom options, open the Telkom USSD codes guide.

Cell C recharge code

To load a Cell C recharge voucher, dial:

*102*voucherpin#

Replace voucherpin with the PIN on your Cell C voucher. Cell C’s recharge FAQ says users can purchase a Cell C recharge voucher and dial this code to recharge. (Cell C)

Cell C also lists other recharge routes, including the Cell C app, Cell C website, banking channels, and retail outlets, but this page is focused on loading a voucher by USSD. For more Cell C self-service options, open the Cell C USSD codesguide.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Requirements

Before using a recharge airtime USSD code, make sure you have:

The correct network voucher.
The full voucher PIN.
The SIM you want to recharge in the phone.
Enough signal to complete a USSD session.
The voucher slip or proof of purchase, in case the recharge fails.

Do not share your voucher PIN with another person unless you are intentionally giving them the voucher. Never share your banking PIN, OTP, mobile banking password, full card number, or SIM PIN with anyone who claims they need it to help you load airtime.

Step-by-step process

Open the phone dialler.
Type the recharge code for your network.
Replace the placeholder text with the voucher PIN.
Press the call button.
Wait for the USSD response.
Confirm only if the menu asks you to confirm the correct recharge.
Save the confirmation SMS or screen message.
Check your balance after the recharge.

Example format:

*CODE*VOUCHERPIN#

Do not add spaces inside the code. If the voucher PIN contains groups of numbers, type them as one full PIN unless the provider’s instruction says otherwise.

What you should see next

After a successful recharge, you should normally see a confirmation message on the screen or receive an SMS showing that the airtime has been added. If the screen disappears too quickly, check your balance before trying to load the voucher again.

If the airtime is not showing, do not throw away the voucher slip. Keep the voucher PIN, receipt, date, time, recharge amount, and the number you tried to recharge.

Loading airtime for someone else

Do not assume your normal voucher loading code will top up another person’s phone. Some networks have separate options for recharging another number.

For MTN, the public USSD listing includes a voucher-to-another-number option using:

*141*(voucher number)*(cellphone number)#

After dialling, follow the onscreen prompts and confirm the recipient number before completing the recharge. (MTN South Africa)

If you send a voucher PIN to someone else, treat it like cash. Once another person uses the voucher, you may not be able to recover it.

Fees, limits, expiry, and reversals

Do not assume all airtime vouchers have the same expiry rules, recharge limits, refund rules, or reversal options. These can differ by provider, voucher type, promotion, retailer, and purchase channel.

Cell C, for example, publishes voucher denominations and also lists app, website, banking, retail, and voucher recharge options, but this does not mean every provider uses the same values or rules. (Cell C)

If you loaded the wrong number, bought the wrong network voucher, or received an “already used” message, contact the provider or retailer with your proof of purchase. Do not promise yourself that a voucher can be cancelled or reversed after it has been successfully loaded.

Common Problems and Fixes

The code says “invalid code”

Check that you are using the code for your network. Then check the voucher PIN again. Common mistakes include typing one digit incorrectly, using an old code, leaving out the final #, or trying to load a voucher from a different network.

Try once more carefully. If it fails again, use the provider’s main menu or go to airtime voucher not working for troubleshooting.

The voucher says it has already been used

Stop retrying. Keep the voucher and receipt. The voucher may already have been loaded, the PIN may have been exposed, or there may be a retailer or provider issue.

Contact the retailer or mobile network with:

Voucher PIN.
Serial number if printed.
Purchase receipt.
Date and time of purchase.
Number you tried to recharge.
Error message received.

The airtime did not reflect

Wait a few minutes, then check your balance. If the balance still has not updated, keep your confirmation SMS or error message and contact the provider.

Use check airtime balance USSD code to confirm whether the airtime was added before buying or loading another voucher.

The USSD session timed out

Move to an area with better signal, switch flight mode on and off, and try again. USSD sessions can fail because of weak signal, network congestion, service downtime, SIM restrictions, or changed menu paths.

If the same issue continues, try the provider’s app, website, SMS recharge option where available, or customer support route.

The PIN is damaged or unreadable

Do not guess the missing digits repeatedly. Keep the voucher slip and take it back to the retailer or contact the network. You may need the receipt and the voucher serial number to prove where and when it was bought.

The voucher is for the wrong network

Do not try to force it through another network’s recharge code. A Cell C voucher must be loaded through Cell C, a Telkom voucher through Telkom, an MTN voucher through MTN, and a Vodacom voucher through Vodacom.

If you bought the wrong voucher, ask the retailer about their correction policy before scratching or revealing the PIN.

Use these related guides for the next step:

Airtime and data USSD codes South Africa for the main airtime, data, recharge, and balance directory.
Check airtime balance USSD code to confirm whether your recharge reflected.
Airtime voucher not working if your voucher is invalid, used, damaged, expired, or not reflecting.
Buy airtime USSD code if you want to buy airtime without using a printed voucher.
Vodacom USSD codes for Vodacom account and recharge options.
MTN USSD codes for MTN balance, recharge, and self-service options.
Telkom USSD codes for Telkom recharge, balance, and support menus.
Cell C USSD codes for Cell C recharge, balance, and account menus.

FAQ

What is the code for load airtime voucher USSD code?

The code depends on your network. Vodacom uses *136*01*Recharge PIN#, Telkom lists *188*voucher pin#, and Cell C lists *102*voucherpin#. For MTN, *136*PIN# is commonly published for own-line voucher recharge, and MTN lists *141*(voucher number)*(cellphone number)# for recharging another MTN number with a voucher. (VodacomNow)

Does this USSD code need airtime or data?

A voucher recharge USSD code is dialled from your phone’s call screen, so it does not require a mobile app. However, the code still depends on network coverage, SIM status, the correct voucher type, and the provider’s active menu path. If the USSD code does not work, try the provider’s main self-service menu or another official recharge route.

What should I check before using a load airtime voucher USSD code?

Check the network name on the voucher, the full voucher PIN, the number you want to recharge, and the code format. Keep the voucher slip until the airtime reflects. If someone else is helping you, do not give them your banking PIN, OTP, card details, or account password.

Can a load airtime voucher USSD code be cancelled or reversed?

A voucher recharge may not be reversible once it is successfully loaded. If you entered the wrong number, bought the wrong voucher, or received an error, keep the voucher, receipt, and any SMS confirmation. Contact the provider or retailer and ask them to trace the recharge. Do not rely on a refund or reversal unless the provider confirms it.

What happens if a voucher or recharge code expires?

Expiry rules can differ by provider, voucher type, promotion, and sales channel. Check the voucher slip and provider terms. If the voucher is expired or rejected, keep your proof of purchase and contact the retailer or mobile network for a trace.

Are there fees or limits for load airtime voucher USSD code?

Do not assume the same fee, limit, or expiry rule applies to all networks. Voucher values, channels, and account rules can differ by provider. Check the latest provider information before relying on a fee, recharge limit, expiry date, or reversal rule.

What should I do if load airtime voucher USSD code is not working?

Check the network, PIN, signal, SIM status, and voucher slip. Try the direct code once more carefully, then use the provider’s main self-service menu if the shortcut fails. If the voucher still does not load, keep your proof of purchase and go to airtime voucher not working for the next troubleshooting steps.

Where can I find related USSD codes?

Start with airtime and data USSD codes South Africa for the full directory. For provider-specific menus, use Vodacom USSD codes, MTN USSD codes, Telkom USSD codes, or Cell C USSD codes.