The please call me USSD code is the shortcut you dial when you want someone to call you back and you cannot make a normal call. The correct code depends on the mobile network of the SIM in your phone.
Quick answer: Vodacom and Telkom use *140*recipient number#, MTN uses *121*recipient number#, and Cell C uses *111*recipient number#. Cell C also lists *147*911# as another Please Call Me route. Last checked: 26 June 2026. Vodacom lists its CallMe code as *140*MSISDN#, MTN lists CallBack as 121*number#, Cell C lists *111*phone number# and *147*911#, and Telkom lists *140*receiver’s number#
Use the full mobile number with no spaces. For example, replace “recipient number” with the number of the person you want to reach. Do not use a Please Call Me code for banking, payments, subscriptions, SIM swaps, or personal account changes.
For a wider directory, use USSD codes South Africa or mobile network USSD codes South Africa.
Please Call Me USSD Code Quick Code Table
| Network | Please Call Me / Call Me Back code | How to use it | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | *140*recipient number# | Dial the code, add the person’s mobile number, then press call. | Vodacom says *140*MSISDN# sends a free CallMe text, and *140# lets users customise CallMe settings and check how many requests are left for the day. (VodacomNow) |
| MTN | *121*recipient number# | Dial the code with the recipient’s number, then press call. | MTN’s official USSD help page lists CallBack as 121*number#. (MTN) |
| Cell C | *111*recipient number# or *147*911# | Dial either route and follow the prompt where needed. | Cell C says users can send a Please Call Me by dialling *111*phone number#, or by dialling *147*911#; it also lists seven free Please Call Me requests per day under Connect4Free. (Cell C) |
| Telkom | *140*recipient number# | Dial the code with the receiver’s number, then press call. | Telkom lists Call Me Back services as *140*receiver’s number#. (Telkom) |
A Please Call Me request sends a message asking the other person to phone you. It does not buy airtime, load data, transfer airtime, cancel subscriptions, retrieve a PUK number, or confirm your balance.
Check network/account status
Before retrying a failed Please Call Me code, check that you are using the code for the SIM in your phone. A Vodacom SIM needs the Vodacom code, an MTN SIM needs the MTN code, a Cell C SIM needs the Cell C code, and a Telkom SIM needs the Telkom code.
Also check that:
- the phone has signal;
- the SIM is active;
- the recipient number is correct;
- the full number was entered with no spaces;
- the USSD session did not time out;
- you have not reached the provider’s request limit;
- you are not using a restricted, suspended, or unregistered SIM.
Retry safely
If the code does not work, close the USSD session and try once more carefully. Do not keep sending repeated requests to the same person. If the second attempt fails, use the provider’s official app, self-service menu, website, store, or customer-care route.
Airtime, Data, and Balance Codes
The please call me USSD code is only for sending a call-back request. Use the correct network account code when you need to check your balance, recharge, buy data, or transfer airtime.
| NetworkBalance codesRecharge / buy dataAirtime or data sharing | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | Prepaid balance: *136#; contract balance: *135*502#. | Voucher recharge: *136*01*Recharge PIN#; main self-service menu: *135#. | Vodacom’s *135# self-service menu can be used to view balances, buy bundles, and transfer airtime; Vodacom also lists airtime transfer as *135*072# and data bundle transfer as *135*1002#. (VodacomNow) |
| MTN | Main balance: *136#; detailed balance: *136*1#. | Buy voice, SMS, data, and promotional bundles through *136*2#. | MTN Me2U transfers start from *136*3#, and MTN says users can transfer airtime, SMS, or internet bundles through that route. (MTN) |
| Cell C | *101# or *147#option 2. | Voucher recharge: *102*PIN#; data bundles through *147# or *109#. | Cell C Airtime Share starts from *147# option 3, and Cell C data transfer uses *147# > option 3 > Send Data & Airtime. (Cell C) |
| Telkom | *188# or call 188. | Voucher recharge: *188*voucher pin#; buy bundles through *180#. | Telkom data transfer starts from *180# on the phone sending the data. (Telkom) |
Before confirming any airtime, data, or bundle transaction, check the amount, recipient number, bundle validity, and whether the bundle is once-off or recurring. A Please Call Me request should not ask you to confirm a purchase.
If airtime or data does not reflect, wait for the confirmation SMS, check your balance again, and then use the official support route for your network. Do not repeat a recharge or transfer until you are sure the first transaction failed.
Subscriptions, SIM, and PUK Codes
A Please Call Me code should not subscribe you to a paid service. If airtime is disappearing or you see unknown content charges, use your network’s official subscription-management route.
| NetworkSubscription / content-service routeSIM, SIM swap, or PUK support | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | Dial *135*997# to manage or cancel content services; Vodacom says users can choose individual services or unsubscribe all. (Vodacom) | Vodacom says PUK details can be accessed through the VodaPay app, *135#, SMS VPP to 31050, or customer care; Vodacom also lists SIM-swap help through *135# or 135 for new prepaid SIMs. (VodacomNow) |
| MTN | Dial *155# and follow the prompts for WASP/content subscriptions where applicable; MTN’s help content also points users to content and subscription-service support. (MTN) | MTN says users can call 135 and ask an agent for the PUK; MTN also lists *135*3# from a new SIM to start a SIM swap. (MTN) |
| Cell C | Use the Cell C app, website self-service, or customer care if you are investigating account charges or subscriptions. | Cell C says PUK can be retrieved through the app, website self-service, IVR, *147# > option 9 > option 5 > option 2, or by calling 135; Cell C also lists SIM-swap routes through IVR, stores, or 135. (Cell C) |
| Telkom | Telkom Profile / MyTelkom can be used to manage subscriptions, redeem vouchers, purchase bundles, and update profile details. (apps.telkom.co.za) | Telkom says SIM swaps can be done through WhatsApp self-service, while stores may charge for SIM swaps. (Telkom) |
Do not enter your banking PIN, card PIN, OTP, ID number, or account password into an unknown USSD menu. A normal Please Call Me request only needs the recipient’s phone number.
Customer Care and Support Codes
Use official support when a code fails repeatedly, a recharge does not reflect, a bundle expires unexpectedly, airtime disappears, or you suspect a subscription or SIM problem.
| Network | Official support route |
|---|---|
| Vodacom | Vodacom lists Customer Care as 082 135, free from a Vodacom phone, and +27 82 135 from abroad. (Vodacom) |
| MTN | MTN’s customer service charter lists 135 from a cellphone and says calls are free from MTN numbers. (MTN) |
| Cell C | Cell C lists 135 for Cell C customers and 084 135 for non-Cell C customers, with normal charges from other networks or Telkom lines. (Cell C) |
| Telkom | Telkom lists 081180 for account help and self-service assistance; its mobile support pages also point users to MyTelkom App, WhatsApp self-service, stores, and online help. (Telkom) |
Escalation route
If the Please Call Me code does not work after one careful retry, note the time, the code you dialled, the recipient number used, and any error message shown on screen. Then contact the network through its official support channel.
For SIM-swap, PUK, fraud, or account-access problems, do not use third-party numbers found in social posts or comments. Use the provider’s official website, app, store, call centre, or verified self-service channel.
Official support route
USSD is useful for quick tasks, but it is not always the best option for account disputes, missing airtime, incorrect billing, or suspected fraud. Use the official app, website, store, or call centre when you need a support reference number or when the issue involves personal account information.
Related Network Guides
For more help with provider-specific codes, open the relevant guide:
- Vodacom USSD codes
- MTN USSD codes
- Cell C USSD codes
- Mobile network USSD codes South Africa
- USSD codes South Africa
FAQs
What is the code for please call me USSD code?
The main South African Please Call Me codes are *140*recipient number# for Vodacom, *121*recipient number# for MTN, *111*recipient number# for Cell C, and *140*recipient number# for Telkom. Cell C also lists *147*911# as another Please Call Me route. (VodacomNow)
Does please call me USSD code need airtime or data?
USSD works through the phone dialler, not through a mobile-data browser session. Vodacom describes USSD use as dialling a code through the phone’s call function and receiving a pop-up menu or message. Provider-specific rules, limits, and availability can still apply, so check your network’s official information before assuming the service is available on every SIM. (VodacomNow)
What should I do if the code does not work?
Check the network of your SIM, retype the recipient number carefully, make sure there are no spaces, and retry once. If it still fails, use your provider’s official self-service menu, app, website, store, or customer-care number instead of guessing another code.
Why might a Please Call Me code fail or show no response?
Common causes include poor signal, a timed-out USSD session, an inactive SIM, an incorrect recipient number, a network outage, using the wrong provider code, or reaching the daily request limit. Cell C and Vodacom both publish limit-related information for their Please Call Me services, so limits should be checked by provider before publishing fixed claims. (Cell C)
What should users do before confirming a purchase or transfer?
Check the amount, recipient number, bundle type, expiry date, and whether the transaction is once-off or recurring. A Please Call Me request should not require you to confirm a paid purchase, but airtime, data, recharge, and transfer menus may.
Where can users find related airtime or data guides?
Start with mobile network USSD codes South Africa for the provider directory, or use the dedicated Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C guides for balance, data, airtime, SIM, subscription, and support codes.