Popular USSD codes South Africa can help you check airtime, buy bundles, access mobile banking, use selected public-service channels, and troubleshoot common account tasks from a basic phone. There is no single official USSD code for every service in South Africa, so the safest starting point is to choose the code for your provider, bank, or task, then confirm the on-screen menu before entering any personal or banking information.
Last checked: 26 June 2026. USSD codes, menu wording, fees, eligibility rules, and support routes can change. Always verify a code on the official provider, bank, regulator, or government website before using it for money, subscriptions, grants, tax, UIF, or personal-information tasks.
Quick Popular USSD Codes List
| Task | Provider or service | Popular USSD code | What it is used for | Verification status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main mobile self-service | Vodacom | *135# | View balances, buy bundles, and access Vodacom self-service options | Verified on Vodacom self-service and help pages. (Vodacom) |
| Quick Vodacom balance | Vodacom | *136# | Check Vodacom balance | Verified on Vodacom balance guidance. (Vodacom) |
| MTN balance | MTN | *136# | Check MTN balance | Verified on MTN’s USSD code page. (MTN) |
| MTN detailed balance | MTN | *136*1# | Detailed MTN balance enquiry | Verified on MTN’s USSD code page. (MTN) |
| MTN bundles | MTN | *136*2# | Buy bundles or request airtime | Verified on MTN’s USSD and recharge pages. (MTN) |
| Telkom self-service | Telkom | *180# | Telkom mobile self-service | Verified on Telkom customer-care guidance. (Telkom) |
| Telkom balance | Telkom | *188# | Check data and voice balances | Verified on Telkom balance and bundle guidance. (Telkom) |
| Cell C balance | Cell C | *101# or *147# | Check balance and usage | Verified on Cell C support guidance. (Cell C) |
| Capitec cellphone banking | Capitec | *120*3279# | Mobile banking from a cellphone | Verified on Capitec cellphone-banking pages. (Capitec Bank) |
| FNB cellphone banking | FNB | *120*321# | FNB cellphone banking menu access | Verified in FNB cellphone-banking guidance. (FNB) |
| Absa cellphone banking | Absa | *120*2272# | Register, log in, pay, buy, and manage accounts | Verified on Absa cellphone-banking help pages. (Absa) |
| Standard Bank cellphone banking | Standard Bank | *120*2345# | Banking, bills, data, and payments | Verified on Standard Bank cellphone-banking pages. (Standard Bank) |
| Nedbank cellphone banking | Nedbank | *120*001# | Check balances, view transactions, pay, send money, and buy prepaid products | Verified on Nedbank cellphone-banking pages. (Nedbank) |
| African Bank cellphone banking | African Bank | *120*225# | Accept terms and start cellphone banking | Verified on African Bank cellphone-banking pages. (African Bank) |
| GoTyme Bank USSD | GoTyme Bank | *120*543# | Balance checks, SendMoney, airtime, data, electricity, and vouchers | Verified on GoTyme Bank’s USSD page. (GoTyme Bank) |
| SARS mobile tax services | SARS | *134*7277# | Tax number, personal income tax services, balance, two-pot calculator, and selected status checks | Verified on SARS mobile tax service pages. (South African Revenue Service) |
| UIF services | UIF / Department of Employment and Labour | *134*843# | UIF claim/payment status, employee registration, payment continuation, and enquiries | Verified on Department of Employment and Labour pages. (Department of Labour) |
| SASSA SRD status | SASSA SRD | No verified public USSD code confirmed here | Use the official SRD status and appeal web routes | SASSA’s SRD site provides official online status and appeal routes. (SASSA) |
| Home Affairs status | Department of Home Affairs | No verified public USSD code confirmed here | Use official Home Affairs online or contact-centre routes | Home Affairs lists official contact-centre routes rather than a confirmed public USSD code. (Ehome) |
For a broader national directory, use USSD codes South Africa. For network-only codes, use mobile network USSD codes South Africa. For airtime checks, use check airtime balance USSD code. For bank-specific routes, use banking USSD codes South Africa.
Browse by Provider, Bank, or Task
Mobile network USSD codes
Use your SIM provider’s official USSD code when you want to check airtime, check data, buy bundles, transfer airtime, or manage account options.
Vodacom users can start with *135# for the main self-service menu. Vodacom’s own pages describe this as a route for viewing balances, buying bundles, and accessing self-service options. (Vodacom)
MTN users can start with *136# for balance checks, *136*1# for detailed balance enquiries, and *136*2# for bundle purchases or airtime requests. MTN lists these as official USSD options on its help and recharge pages. (MTN)
Telkom users can use *180# for self-service and *188# for balance checks. Telkom also lists MyTelkom and WhatsApp as alternative support channels for some account tasks. (Telkom)
Cell C users can use *101# or *147# for balance and usage checks. Cell C also lists app, web, SMS, and call-centre alternatives for balance enquiries. (Cell C)
Read next: mobile network USSD codes South Africa or check airtime balance USSD code.
Banking USSD codes
Banking USSD codes should be handled more carefully than ordinary balance-check codes. Dial the code yourself from the bank’s official page, not from a forwarded SMS, social post, advert, or comment thread.
Capitec lists *120*3279# for cellphone banking and also lists *130*3279# as a free route to top up prepaid when out of airtime. (Capitec Bank)
Absa lists *120*2272# for cellphone banking and says users do not need airtime to bank using Absa Cellphone Banking. (Absa)
Standard Bank lists *120*2345# for cellphone banking, including access to accounts, payments, bills, and data purchases. Its safety guidance also tells users to secure their device, sign out after transactions, and avoid storing banking credentials on a cellphone. (Standard Bank)
Nedbank lists *120*001# for cellphone banking. Its FAQ says the service uses USSD, does not use data, and that mobile network providers may charge airtime for the session. (Nedbank)
African Bank lists *120*225# for cellphone banking access after registration. (African Bank)
GoTyme Bank lists *120*543# for USSD banking and *130*543# to buy airtime when the user has no airtime. (GoTyme Bank)
Read next: banking USSD codes South Africa.
Public-service USSD codes
Some public-service USSD codes are verified; others are often repeated online without clear official proof. For government services, use only the route shown by the department or agency.
SARS lists *134*7277# as its USSD route for mobile tax services. SARS says the service can show a menu of tax services and may request an ID, passport, or asylum number for verification. Its external guide also lists SARS USSD options including the two-pot tax calculator and two-pot progress checks. (South African Revenue Service)
The Department of Employment and Labour lists *134*843# for UIF services. The department says this menu includes claims and payment status, employee registration, payment continuation, and general enquiries. (Department of Labour)
For SASSA SRD, use the official SRD website for status and appeal routes unless SASSA publishes a specific USSD route on its own official platform. The official SRD status page requires the applicant’s South African ID number and the phone number used for the application. (SASSA)
For Home Affairs, use the official contact centre or eHomeAffairs routes where applicable. The official contact page lists Home Affairs contact-centre details, but a verified public Home Affairs USSD code was not confirmed from the official pages checked for this article. (Ehome)
How to Use These USSD Codes
First, identify the task you want to complete. A balance check, bundle purchase, cellphone-banking login, UIF status check, SARS tax-number request, and grant-status check are different tasks and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Next, choose the correct provider or service. A Vodacom code will not manage an MTN SIM. A Capitec cellphone-banking code should not be used for an Absa account. A SARS USSD route should not be used as a substitute for SASSA SRD status.
Dial the code exactly as shown, including the first * and the final #. USSD codes are sensitive to missing symbols and incorrect numbers.
Read the first screen before entering details. The menu name should match the provider, bank, or public service you expected. If the screen shows a different brand, a vague prize message, an adult service, a subscription offer, or a payment request you did not expect, cancel the session.
Prepare only the details needed for the task. For a network balance check, you should not need another bank’s PIN. For banking, you may need your cellphone-banking PIN or registered profile details. For SARS, the USSD process may require taxpayer verification details such as an ID, passport, or asylum number. (South African Revenue Service)
Move through the menu quickly but carefully. USSD sessions can expire when you pause for too long. If the session times out before the final confirmation, check whether the transaction went through before trying again.
For any transaction involving money, confirm the amount, recipient, account, and fee before selecting the final confirmation option. Do not repeat a failed payment or send-money action until you have checked your SMS messages and account balance.
Costs, Safety, and Last-Verified Notes
USSD does not need mobile data, but that does not mean every USSD session is free. Some official USSD services are free, while others may use airtime or include transaction fees. Vodacom says its USSD services are free, but some USSD content and services may carry a cost. (Vodacom Help)
SARS says its USSD service can be used free of charge on the SARS-registered cellphone for selected self-help services. (South African Revenue Service)
Banking costs vary by bank and transaction. Absa states that users do not need airtime to bank using Absa Cellphone Banking, while Nedbank says its Cellphone Banking service itself is not charged by Nedbank but the mobile network provider charges airtime for the USSD session. (Absa)
Premium-rated or subscription USSD services need extra caution. ICASA’s premium-rated-services regulations refer to USSD end-users being notified of cost and terms when a premium service is initiated, and subscription premium-rated services being subject to a double opt-in process. (ICASA)
WASPA’s Code of Conduct says the public should be given accurate information about mobile services and the pricing attached to those services. If a USSD menu does not clearly show who provides the service, what it costs, and what you are agreeing to, stop before confirming. (WASPA)
Retry Safely
If a popular USSD code does not work, check these points before trying random alternatives:
Use the correct SIM card. Some banking and public-service routes may rely on the cellphone number registered on your profile.
Check the code carefully. One wrong digit can take you to a different service.
Check signal strength. USSD can fail when the mobile connection is weak.
Check airtime where required. Some services work without airtime, but others may need airtime for the USSD session.
Wait before retrying money actions. If a payment, send-money transaction, bundle purchase, or voucher purchase fails, check your balance and messages before repeating the request.
Use the official support route. For banks, use the banking app, official website, branch, or fraud line. For SARS, UIF, SASSA, or Home Affairs, use the official department or agency route instead of social-media numbers.
Official Support Route
For mobile-network problems, start with your network’s official support, app, website, or customer-care route.
For banking problems, use your bank’s official app, website, branch, or fraud channel. Do not ask for banking help in public comment sections, and do not share OTPs, voucher PINs, card numbers, cellphone-banking PINs, or passwords.
For SARS tax services, use the official SARS mobile tax services page, SARS eFiling, SARS MobiApp, SARS Online Query System, or the SARS contact centre where appropriate. (South African Revenue Service)
For UIF, use the Department of Employment and Labour’s official UIF USSD route, uFiling, labour-centre support, or official contact channels. (Department of Labour)
For SASSA SRD, use the official SRD status and appeal pages. Avoid any “SASSA USSD” code that cannot be verified on an official SASSA or government page. (SASSA)
Related USSD Guides
Use these guides when you need a more focused next step:
USSD codes South Africa — broader national directory for South African USSD users.
Mobile network USSD codes South Africa — network-specific USSD codes for Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, Cell C, and related account tasks.
Check airtime balance USSD code — quick balance-check routes for airtime and account status.
Banking USSD codes South Africa — bank-specific USSD routes with safer banking notes.
FAQs
What is popular USSD codes South Africa used for?
Popular USSD codes South Africa is used as a quick directory for common mobile-network, banking, tax, UIF, airtime, data, and account tasks. It helps users find the right provider or task route without relying on unverified code lists.
What is the code for popular USSD codes South Africa?
There is no single official code for all popular USSD codes South Africa. You need the code for the specific provider or task. Examples include Vodacom *135#, MTN *136#, Telkom *188#, Cell C *101# or *147#, Capitec *120*3279#, SARS *134*7277#, and UIF *134*843#, depending on what you need to do.
Does this USSD code need airtime or data?
USSD does not need mobile data, but airtime rules depend on the provider or service. Some services are free, some work without airtime, and some may use airtime or charge for transactions. Always check the provider’s latest official cost notes before using USSD for banking, subscriptions, bundles, vouchers, or public-service tasks.
What should I do if the code does not work?
Check that you typed the code correctly, that you are using the right SIM, and that the phone has network signal. If the code still does not work, stop and use the official provider, bank, or government support route. Do not keep trying similar codes from social media or unofficial websites.
Are there costs, limits, or eligibility rules for popular USSD codes South Africa?
Yes, some USSD services can have costs, transaction limits, eligibility rules, expiry periods, or registered-number requirements. These details change often, so they should be verified from the official provider, bank, or government page before publishing or using the code.
Where can I find related USSD codes?
Start with USSD codes South Africa for the broader directory, mobile network USSD codes South Africa for network tasks, check airtime balance USSD code for balance checks, or banking USSD codes South Africa for bank-specific USSD routes.