Telkom USSD codes handle the quick jobs you do straight from the phone dialler: checking airtime, checking data, buying bundles, loading a voucher, opening self-service, sending a Please Call Me, and finding support when a code refuses to run.
Last checked: 26 June 2026. Codes, menus, bundle names, fees, limits and support routes all change. Read the live USSD menu on your phone before confirming a recharge, bundle purchase, data transfer, subscription action or account change.
Telkom USSD Codes Quick List
| Telkom task | Code or route | What to use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Telkom self service | *180# | Opens Telkom’s self-service menu. Telkom lists *180# as the self-service code. (Telkom) |
| Buy Telkom data or bundles | *180# | Telkom says users can dial *180# to buy daily, weekly, or monthly bundles. (Telkom) |
| Check Telkom airtime, data, or voice balance | *188# | Telkom lists *188# for balance checks, and says users can call 188 to listen to their balance. (Telkom) |
| Load a Telkom airtime voucher | *188*voucher PIN# | Telkom lists this route for voucher recharge, without spaces. You can also SMS the voucher PIN to 188. (Telkom) |
| Telkom Please Call Me | *140*receiver's number# | Sends a Please Call Me request when you are out of airtime. (Telkom) |
| Find your Telkom number | *1# | Telkom’s Intouch guide says this displays the MSISDN and IMSI on screen. (intouch.telkom.co.za) |
| Telkom WhatsApp self-service | 081 160 1700 | Telkom lists WhatsApp self-service for loading airtime, loading data, checking balances, and sending queries. (Telkom) |
| Telkom mobile support | 081180 | Telkom lists 081180 for mobile services support. (Telkom) |
Comparing networks? Start at mobile network USSD codes South Africa. For one specific task, go to check airtime balance USSD code, check data balance USSD code, or buy data USSD code.
Airtime, Data and Recharge Codes
Almost every everyday Telkom USSD code task comes down to two numbers: *180# and *188#.
*180# is the one that spends money. It opens Telkom self service, buys data bundles and voice bundles, and carries the rest of the mobile menu. Telkom says it purchases daily, weekly, or monthly bundles, and lists WhatsApp, the self-service portal, the MyTelkom App, banking apps and Telkom Stores as the other ways to buy. (Telkom)
*188# is the one that only reads. It shows data and voice balances from a Telkom SIM, and Telkom’s customer-care page says you can call 188 to hear the balance instead. (Telkom)
Loading a voucher extends the same code: *188*voucher PIN#, with the PIN typed exactly as printed and no spaces. Telkom also accepts the voucher PIN by SMS to 188. (Telkom)
Step-by-step process
- Open the phone dialler on the device holding the Telkom SIM.
- Dial the Telkom USSD code for your task.
- Press the call button.
- Wait for the menu or confirmation message.
- Choose the right option.
- Check the amount, bundle, number or voucher PIN before confirming.
- Keep the confirmation SMS whenever airtime, data, money or a subscription is involved.
Going deeper on one of these? Use load airtime voucher USSD code, check airtime balance USSD code, check data balance USSD code, or buy data USSD code.
Telkom Subscription and Service Codes
Self service starts at *180#. It is the main Telkom USSD route for mobile self-service tasks, though the options shift by SIM type, prepaid or contract plan, promotion and product, so follow the menu in front of you rather than a remembered sequence.
Telkom also runs the Web Self Service Portal, the MyTelkom App and WhatsApp self-service. The portal shows usage history, balance breakdowns and bill payment; the app is pitched at managing products, topping up bundles and running Telkom services from one dashboard. (Telkom)
How to unsubscribe on Telkom
This is the one place where an old third-party USSD string will cost you. If you are trying to stop a content service that keeps billing you, do not chase a code you found on a forum. Telkom’s own Direct Carrier Billing page routes content subscription management through an account login, not USSD.
Telkom’s route is to log in on the Telkom Mobile App or Self-Service portal, select the product, select the mobile number, select subscription, then select content services. From there you can see what is actually billing you and stop the subscriptions you did not want. (Telkom)
Seeing what is subscribed first matters more than cancelling fast. A single unwanted content service can bill quietly for months, and the app view is the only place that shows the full list.
Data transfer
Dial *180# from the phone sending the data and follow the menu. Telkom’s usage tips page lists transfer sizes of 250MB, 500MB, or 1GB, with a monthly transfer limit of 5GB. (Telkom)
Those sizes and that ceiling move, so read the current screen before confirming.
When not to use USSD
Reach for the MyTelkom App, Web Self Service Portal, WhatsApp self-service, Telkom Get Help, a Telkom Store or Telkom mobile support instead when:
- you need a full account breakdown;
- you need to manage subscriptions;
- you need proof of a recharge, payment or failed transaction;
- you are dealing with SIM swap, PUK, fraud or account ownership;
- the USSD menu keeps timing out;
- airtime or data was deducted but never reflected;
- you are not sure whether a menu option will charge you.
The wider directory is at mobile self-service codes South Africa.
SIM, PUK and Customer Support Codes
USSD is fine for quick tasks and a poor choice for anything touching SIM ownership, PUK, identity, fraud or account access.
For SIM swap, Telkom says to send a WhatsApp to 081 160 1700 and follow the prompts. Telkom notes that in-store SIM swaps are charged for, while the WhatsApp self-service route is listed as no cost on the checked usage-tips page. (Telkom)
Never guess a PUK code from an old web page. Enter the wrong PUK too many times and the SIM is permanently blocked. If yours is blocked, go through the MyTelkom App, the Web Self Service Portal, Telkom WhatsApp self-service, Telkom Get Help, or a Telkom Store.
Telkom lists 081180 for mobile service support. That is the route when a consultant needs to handle an account, a cancellation follow-up, a service fault, a SIM issue, or anything unresolved. (Telkom)
Related account tasks: find my phone number USSD code and please call me USSD code.
Telkom Troubleshooting and Last-Verified Notes
When a Telkom USSD code fails, stop before retrying anything that costs money. A failed session can come from weak signal, a temporary network fault, an expired session, a mistyped code, SIM restrictions, phone settings, or a menu that has since changed.
If *180# is not working
- Confirm you are on a Telkom SIM.
- Check the phone has signal.
- Toggle flight mode on and off.
- Restart the phone.
- Dial
*180#again. - Try the MyTelkom App, Web Self Service Portal, or WhatsApp self-service.
- Call Telkom mobile support on
081180if it persists.
Mid-purchase when it failed? Do not assume either outcome. Check your balance with *188# or the MyTelkom App, and go to support if money or airtime left the account.
If *188# is not working
- Confirm the SIM is active and on the Telkom network.
- Call
188to listen to your balance. - Use the MyTelkom App or WhatsApp self-service.
- Wait a few minutes if the network is busy, then retry.
- Contact Telkom if the balance still reads wrong.
If a voucher recharge fails
Re-read the PIN carefully, then dial *188*voucher PIN# with no spaces, or SMS the PIN to 188. Hold on to the voucher slip until the recharge lands. If the voucher may already be used, misprinted or blocked, take the voucher details and transaction time to the seller or Telkom support.
If airtime or data is deducted but nothing reflects
Gather the confirmation SMS, voucher slip, payment proof, transaction reference, time of transaction, Telkom number, and a screenshot of the error. Then take it to the MyTelkom App, Telkom Get Help, WhatsApp self-service, or 081180.
Fees or limits
Not every Telkom USSD action is free, and no two bundles, recharges, transfers or subscriptions share the same rules. Fees, expiry dates, bundle terms, transfer limits and eligibility all vary by product and channel. Where the menu shows a fee, a validity period or a limit, that live figure is the current rule.
All 12 Telkom USSD code pages
Every page in this section, listed A to Z.
- How To Check Subscriptions On Telkom Mobile USSD Code
- Telkom Airtime Advance USSD Code
- Telkom Airtime Balance Check USSD Code
- Telkom Airtime Transfer USSD Code
- Telkom Balance Check USSD Code
- Telkom Data Balance Check USSD Code
- Telkom Data Transfer USSD Code
- Telkom Internet Settings USSD Code
- Telkom Please Call Me USSD Code
- Telkom Recharge USSD Code
- USSD Code To Check Telkom Number
- USSD Code To Load Telkom Airtime
Related Telkom and USSD Guides
Use these next if your task is more specific:
- Check airtime balance USSD code
- Check data balance USSD code
- Buy data USSD code
- Load airtime voucher USSD code
- Please Call Me USSD code
- Find my phone number USSD code
- Mobile self-service codes South Africa
- Mobile network USSD codes South Africa
FAQ
What are Telkom USSD codes used for?
Quick Telkom mobile tasks: opening self service, buying bundles, checking balances, loading airtime vouchers, sending Please Call Me requests, finding your number, and reaching basic support routes.
What is the main Telkom self-service code?
*180#. Telkom lists it as the self-service code, and says it also buys daily, weekly, or monthly bundles. (Telkom)
What is the Telkom airtime balance code?
*188# from your Telkom SIM. Telkom says you can also call 188 to listen to your balance. (Telkom)
What is the Telkom data balance code?
*188# covers data and voice balances. The MyTelkom App and WhatsApp self-service are the listed alternatives. (Telkom)
What is the Telkom buy data USSD code?
Dial *180# and follow the prompts; Telkom says it purchases daily, weekly, or monthly bundles. (Telkom)
What is the Telkom voucher recharge code?
*188*voucher PIN#, no spaces. Telkom also accepts the voucher PIN by SMS to 188. (Telkom)
What is the Telkom Please Call Me code?
*140*receiver's number#, no spaces, for when you are out of airtime. (Telkom)
What is the Telkom check my number code?
*1#. Telkom’s Intouch guide says it displays your MSISDN and IMSI on screen. (intouch.telkom.co.za)
How do I unsubscribe on Telkom?
Not by USSD. Telkom routes content subscriptions through the Telkom Mobile App or Self-Service portal: log in, select the product, select the mobile number, select subscription, then select content services. Old cancellation codes circulating on third-party sites will not stop a billing service. (Telkom)
Does a Telkom USSD code need airtime or data?
USSD does not use mobile internet the way an app or website does, but you still need a working SIM, signal, and access to the Telkom network. Some actions need airtime, a voucher, a bank card or another payment method. Read the prompt before confirming anything that could charge you.
What should I do if Telkom USSD codes do not work?
Check signal, restart the phone, confirm the Telkom SIM, try again. If *180# or *188# still fails, use the MyTelkom App, Web Self Service Portal, WhatsApp self-service, Telkom Get Help, or Telkom mobile support on 081180.
Are there costs, limits, or eligibility rules?
Some actions carry costs, limits, expiry rules or eligibility conditions that vary by product, SIM type and promotion. Old limits quoted on third-party pages are not reliable. Check the live USSD menu, the Telkom App, the portal, or a Telkom support route before confirming.
Which related guide should I read next?
Balances: check airtime balance USSD code or check data balance USSD code. Bundles: buy data USSD code. The wider provider directory: mobile network USSD codes South Africa.
