Cell C Callback USSD Code

Last Verified: July 2026

Quick Answer

The verified Cell C Please Call Me USSD Code is *111*recipient_number#. It is also the Cell C call back code: the network treats a please call me and a call back as the same free request, so there is only one string to remember.

Open your dialler, type *111*, add the 10-digit mobile number of the person you want to reach, end with #, and press Call.

So to reach 0841234567, you dial *111*0841234567#. The service needs R0.00 airtime and reaches every South African mobile network.

What the Service Is and Who Can Use It

Cell C’s “Please Call Me” is a free, network-run USSD notification. It sends a text to another subscriber asking them to phone you. Searches land here as please call me Cell C, cell c call back code, or plain callback. The network makes no distinction between them.

• Supported Accounts: Active Cell C Prepaid, TopUp, and Postpaid (Contract) customers.
• Network Prerequisites: Your SIM card must be active on the network. Zero airtime and zero data balance are fine, as long as the SIM is not suspended or expired.
• Supported Recipient Networks: Requests reach mobile numbers on every South African network, including Cell C, Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, and local MVNOs such as Capitec Connect, FNB Connect, and Me&you Mobile.
• Service Exclusions: It cannot reach landline numbers (011, 021, 031 and the like), international country codes, or shortcodes.

How to Send Please Call Me on Cell C

Before You Start

• Get the recipient’s correct 10-digit mobile number.
• On a dual-SIM handset, select your Cell C SIM before placing the USSD call.

Verified Step-by-Step Process

1. Open the dialler app on your phone.
2. Type *111*, then the 10-digit cellphone number, then # (for example *111*0841234567#).
3. Press Call or Send.
4. Give the network a few seconds to process the request.

That same sequence answers how to do call back on Cell C and how to send call back on Cell C. There is no separate menu path for the callback wording.

Confirmation or Expected Result

• On Your Screen: A USSD pop-up reading “Your Call Me request has been sent to [Recipient Number].”
• On the Recipient’s Phone: An SMS carrying your Cell C number and a request to call back, along the lines of “Please Call Me from [Your Cell C Number].”

Fees, Limits, Eligibility, and Processing Times

• Transaction Fee: R0.00. No airtime credit and no bundle data are used.
• Daily Usage Limit: Cell C allows a maximum of 7 free “Please Call Me” requests per day per SIM card under the Connect4Free protocol.
• Counter Reset: The daily allowance resets automatically at midnight (00:00 SAST).
• Delivery Time: Processed instantly and delivered within seconds under normal signal conditions.

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

Code, Session, SIM, or Account Errors

• “Limit Reached”: You have spent all 7 requests for the day. Nothing more will send until midnight.
• “Invalid MMI Code” or “Connection Error”: Usually a brief signal drop. Check you have bars and retry after 10 to 15 seconds.
• Incorrect Formatting: No spaces, no special characters, and the string must open with *111*.
• Dual-SIM Mismatch: Make sure the handset is sending the code from the Cell C SIM slot, not the second one.

When the Service Has Changed or Is Unavailable

If dialling *111* directly times out or returns no confirmation:

1. Dial Cell C’s core menu shortcut at *147#.
2. Select Customer Info or Services.
3. Follow the prompts to the alternative Please Call Me option (*147*911#).

Official Alternatives

When USSD sessions will not run on your handset:

• Cell C Mobile App: The official app (iOS, Android, Huawei AppGallery) handles balances, active services, and airtime top-ups.
• WhatsApp Self-Service: Message “Hi” to Cell C’s official WhatsApp customer care line on 084 444 0040.
• Emergency Airtime Advance: If you need to make an actual call rather than request one, the Cell C Airtime Advance USSD Code menu sits under *147#.
• Customer Support: Call 135 free from a Cell C SIM, or 084 135 from any other line.

Safety and Privacy

• Zero Credentials Required: Sending a request never needs a PIN, password, OTP, or ID number. Never type banking or personal details into a USSD menu.
• Scam Recognition: A genuine callback SMS contains plain text and standard numbers only. Treat any version carrying a web link or asking for a transfer as fake.
• Unknown Senders: A callback request from a number you do not recognise is worth ignoring. Returning it can cost you airtime, and premium-rate traps work exactly this way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current Cell C Please Call Me USSD Code?

The direct string is *111* recipient_number#. Dialling it in full queues and sends the notification without any menu navigation.

What is the Cell C call back code?

The same one: *111*recipient_number#. Cell C does not run a separate callback service, so the call back code and the please call me code are identical.

How to send please call me on cell c without airtime?

Exactly as normal. The request costs R0.00 and runs on a zero balance, provided the SIM itself is still active on the network.

What number format should be entered?

The recipient’s standard 10-digit South African mobile number starting with 0, as in *111*0841234567#. No spaces, no hyphens, and no +27 prefix.

Can the request be sent to another network?

Yes. Cell C callback requests deliver across every South African operator, including Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, and the local MVNOs.

Are there daily limits?

Yes. Cell C allows 7 free “Please Call Me” requests per SIM card per day.

What should I do if the Cell C USSD route does not work?

Check you have not used all 7 daily requests and that you have coverage. If it still fails, dial *147# for the main service menu, message WhatsApp support on 084 444 0040, or call customer care on 135.

Related Guides and Network Codes

• Cell C: the broader Cell C self-service resource page.
• How To Check My Cell C Number USSD Code: retrieve your own number.
• Cell C Airtime Advance USSD Code: emergency credit at a zero balance.
• Electricity Advance USSD Code Cell C: emergency prepaid electricity options.
• Cell C Internet Settings USSD Code: automatic APN and data configuration.
• Mobile Network USSD Codes: shortcode directories for every South African network.