Last checked: 25 June 2026
Quick Code/Menu Answer
The MTN subscription cancellation code to try first is *155#. Dial it from the MTN SIM that is being charged, then follow the prompts to view and cancel active content or subscription services. MTN’s own help page says customers can view and cancel content and subscription services by dialling *155#. (MTN South Africa)
If your issue is MTN airtime being deducted, MTN airtime disappearing, or a possible MTN WASP subscription, do not only cancel the visible service. Also check whether you need to block future premium-rated or content-service charges. WASPA lists *141*5# as an MTN route to check or manage subscription services, and *155# as the MTN route to block PRS charges. (WASPA)
| What you need to do | MTN code/menu to try | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| Cancel MTN subscriptions | *155# | Dial from the affected MTN SIM and follow the prompts to view or cancel subscriptions. |
| Check MTN content services | *141*5# | Choose the content-services menu, then view or manage active services. |
| Block future premium-rated charges | *155# | Look for the block/PRS option if it appears in your current menu. |
| Understand all network cancellation options | cancel subscription USSD code South Africa | Use the wider guide if you manage more than one network. |
| Stop WASP-related deductions | stop WASP subscriptions | Use this if the charge looks like a third-party content or WASP service. |
A cancellation code does not prove that every airtime deduction is a subscription. Airtime can also be used by out-of-bundle data, recurring bundles, once-off content purchases, premium-rated services, roaming, app background data, or contract billing. Cancel first, then keep checking your balance and save proof if you need to dispute the charge.
Provider-by-Provider Options
This page is focused on MTN subscription cancellation code, but it helps to know how MTN compares with other South African networks when you are trying to stop content-service billing.
| Provider | Current cancellation or management route | Use this when |
|---|---|---|
| MTN | Dial *155# to view and cancel subscriptions. WASPA also lists *141*5# for checking and managing MTN content services. (MTN South Africa) | You are on MTN and want to cancel, check, or block content-service billing. |
| Vodacom | Vodacom lists *135*997# for unsubscribe options and “STOP ALL” to 31050for cancelling WASP services. (VodacomNow) | You are on Vodacom, not MTN. |
| Cell C | WASPA lists *133*1# for blocking existing and future content billing on Cell C. (WASPA) | You are on Cell C and need to block content billing. |
| Telkom | Telkom says users can manage subscriptions through the Telkom Mobile App or Self-Service portal by selecting the product, mobile number, subscription, and content services. (Telkom) | You are on Telkom and need to manage direct carrier billing or content services. |
If you are using MTN, stay with the MTN route first. Open MTN USSD codes only if you need other MTN self-service codes, or use check active subscriptions on phone if you need a broader checking process before cancelling.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Check network/account status
Before you dial the MTN subscription cancellation code, confirm that you are using the correct SIM. On a dual-SIM phone, many failed USSD attempts happen because the phone sends the code through the wrong network.
Check these basics first:
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Correct SIM | The code must be dialled from the MTN number that is being charged. |
| Signal | USSD menus can fail when signal is weak or unstable. |
| Active line | A suspended, inactive, or restricted SIM may not open self-service menus correctly. |
| Recent deductions | Save screenshots of balance changes, SMS messages, and service names before cancelling. |
| Type of charge | Confirm whether the issue is a subscription, data usage, recurring bundle, or premium-rated service. |
Do not delete SMS messages from the service before you have saved evidence. If you later dispute the charge, the service name, short code, time, and deduction amount may help MTN or the content provider investigate.
Cancel MTN subscriptions with *155#
Dial *155# from the affected MTN SIM.
Follow the menu prompts to view or cancel active subscriptions.
Open each listed subscription or content service before cancelling, especially if more than one appears.
Cancel any service you do not recognise or no longer want.
Wait for a confirmation message or confirmation screen.
Take a screenshot of the confirmation, or write down the date, time, and result.
MTN’s public help page states that *155# is the route to view and cancel content and subscription services. (MTN South Africa) If the menu wording has changed since the last time you used it, follow the current on-screen menu instead of old screenshots or social-media instructions.
Check MTN subscriptions with *141*5#
If *155# does not show the service you expected, try the MTN content-services route listed by WASPA.
Dial *141*5#.
Choose Content Services.
Choose the option to manage content services.
View the active services listed.
Cancel anything you do not recognise or no longer want.
WASPA lists this MTN route for checking and managing subscription services, including a menu option to manage content services and another option for premium-rated services. (WASPA)
Block future content or premium-rated charges
Cancelling a current service and blocking future charges are not always the same action.
A cancellation stops a listed service from continuing.
A block helps prevent future content-service or premium-rated service billing where that block is available.
A spend limit may reduce the amount that can be billed through certain premium-rated services.
WASPA lists *155# as the MTN route for blocking PRS charges. (WASPA) If your menu shows a block option, use it after cancelling unwanted services. For the focused follow-up page, open block MTN premium services.
Keep evidence if you dispute the charge
If airtime has already been deducted, cancellation may stop future billing but it does not automatically prove that a refund is due. Keep a simple record before escalating:
The MTN number affected.
The date and time airtime was deducted.
The amount deducted.
The name of the subscription or content service, if shown.
Any SMS from the service provider.
The code you dialled.
The cancellation result.
Screenshots of the balance before and after cancellation.
Any reference number from MTN.
This is especially important if the same deduction continues after you cancel. A clear timeline makes it easier to explain the issue without guessing.
Common Problems and Fixes
MTN *155# not working
If MTN *155# is not working, do not keep retrying every few seconds. USSD failures can happen because of signal, SIM selection, account restrictions, or temporary service issues.
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Wrong SIM on a dual-SIM phone | Set the MTN SIM as the calling SIM, then dial again. |
| Weak or unstable signal | Move to a stronger signal area, restart the phone, and retry once. |
| Temporary USSD failure | Wait a few minutes and try again later. |
| Menu wording has changed | Read the live menu carefully and choose the closest “subscriptions”, “content services”, “premium services”, or “manage services” option. |
| No active subscription appears | Check whether the deduction is from data, bundles, MTN Play, app billing, or another account. |
| Cancellation confirmation never arrives | Save a screenshot of the final screen and contact MTN support. |
| Airtime still disappears | Use why is my airtime disappearing to check other causes. |
The code says there are no active subscriptions
If the code says there are no active subscriptions but your MTN airtime is still disappearing, the deduction may not be a normal cancellable subscription. Check:
Out-of-bundle data charges.
Recurring data, voice, or SMS bundles.
Premium-rated services.
MTN Play or entertainment services.
App-store subscriptions linked to airtime or carrier billing.
Roaming charges.
A once-off content purchase.
A contract or hybrid account charge.
Use check active subscriptions on phone if you need to check beyond one MTN menu.
Airtime is still disappearing after cancellation
If airtime is still disappearing after you cancel, do three things.
First, check your balance again after a short delay. Some systems do not update instantly.
Second, check whether the same service name appears again. If a different service appears, you may have more than one active charge.
Third, contact MTN with your screenshots, times, service names, and cancellation proof.
Do not subscribe again to “test” whether the service is cancelled. Do not click unknown links in SMS messages. Do not send your OTP, banking PIN, card number, ID document, or account password to anyone claiming they can cancel the service for you.
Escalation route
Start with MTN support before going to an outside complaints body. MTN’s customer service charter lists 135 for prepaid and 808 for post-paid from an MTN number. (MTN South Africa) MTN’s Code of Conduct also lists 135 from an MTN number and 083 135 from any other phone. (MTN South Africa)
When you contact MTN, ask these questions:
What service is causing the deduction?
Is it a WASP, MTN Play, premium-rated service, bundle, data charge, or direct carrier billing charge?
When did the service start?
How was the service activated?
Has it now been cancelled?
Can future premium-rated or content-service billing be blocked?
Can I have a reference number?
If the issue becomes a formal complaint, MTN’s complaints procedure says complaints can be sent to [email protected]. It also says that if MTN fails to resolve a complaint within 14 days, the complaint may be escalated to ICASA at [email protected] or 012 568 3000/3001. (MTN South Africa)
Official support route
Use official MTN channels for account-specific help. Avoid random WhatsApp numbers, social-media comments, and websites that ask for private details before helping you cancel.
A safe support message should include:
Your MTN number.
The deduction amount.
The date and time of the deduction.
The name of the service, if shown.
The code you tried.
The cancellation result.
A request to cancel the active service.
A request to block future content-service or premium-rated billing, if available.
A request for a reference number.
Do not include PINs, OTPs, full card details, banking passwords, or copies of your ID unless you are using a verified official process and you understand why the information is required.
Related Airtime and Data Guides
Use these related guides if your issue goes beyond the MTN subscription cancellation code:
cancel subscription USSD code South Africa — compare subscription cancellation routes across South African networks.
stop WASP subscriptions — understand and stop WASP-related deductions.
why is my airtime disappearing — troubleshoot airtime loss that may not be a subscription.
check active subscriptions on phone — check active subscriptions before cancelling.
what is a WASP subscription — understand what WASP billing means.
subscription cancellation code not working — fix failed USSD cancellation attempts.
block MTN premium services — block future MTN premium-service or content-service charges where available.
MTN USSD codes — find other MTN self-service codes.
FAQs
What is the code for MTN subscription cancellation code?
The main MTN subscription cancellation code is *155#. Dial it from the MTN SIM being charged and follow the prompts to view or cancel content and subscription services. MTN confirms this route on its own help page. (MTN South Africa)
How can users check whether an MTN subscription is active?
Dial *155# first. If the service does not appear, try *141*5# and use the content-services menu. WASPA lists *141*5# as an MTN route for checking and managing subscription services. (WASPA)
Does this USSD code need airtime or data?
Use the code from an active MTN SIM with network signal. Do not assume every SIM, roaming situation, suspended line, or restricted account will be able to open the menu. If the code fails, retry safely and then use MTN support.
What should I do if MTN *155# does not work?
Check that you are dialling from the correct MTN SIM, move to a stronger signal area, restart your phone, and retry later. If it still fails, try the MTN content-services route listed by WASPA, *141*5#, or contact MTN support with screenshots and times. (WASPA)
What should users do if airtime is still disappearing after cancellation?
Check whether the deduction is really from a subscription. It may be data usage, a recurring bundle, premium-rated service, MTN Play, app billing, or another type of charge. Keep evidence and contact MTN with the amount, date, time, and service name.
Can users block future content-service subscriptions?
Yes, where the current MTN menu allows it. WASPA lists *155# as the MTN route for blocking PRS charges. (WASPA) For a more focused guide, use block MTN premium services.
Can users get a refund for unwanted subscription charges?
A refund is not guaranteed. Cancel the service, keep proof, contact MTN, and ask for the charge to be investigated. If you make a formal complaint, keep the MTN reference number and follow the official escalation route if the complaint is not resolved.
Where should users report suspicious subscription messages?
Start with MTN if your MTN airtime is being deducted. If the issue involves a WASP or content provider and your operator cannot resolve it, use the relevant WASP complaints route. Never share PINs, OTPs, banking passwords, card details, or ID documents through unsafe links, SMS messages, WhatsApp chats, or callers claiming they can cancel the service for you.