Mobile self-service codes South Africa users need are usually short USSD codes that open a network menu for balance checks, bundle purchases, recharges, airtime transfer, SIM help, PUK help, number checks, RICA checks, SIM swaps, porting support, and account management. This page is a quick directory: choose your network or task, then use the related guide for the exact steps.
Last checked: 25 June 2026. USSD menus can change, so always confirm the latest code, menu option, fee, limit, and eligibility rule with the official provider before using a code for a sensitive account action.
Quick Self Service USSD Codes List
| Network or task | Code or starting point | Use it for | Next guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom self-service | *135# | View balances, buy bundles, transfer airtime, and manage selected account services. Vodacom lists *135# as a self-service route from a Vodacom cellphone. (Vodacom) | Vodacom USSD codes |
| MTN balance and bundles | *136# / *136*2# | MTN lists *136# for balance checks and *136*2# for buying voice, SMS, data, and promotional bundles. (MTN South Africa) | MTN USSD codes |
| Telkom self-service | *180# | Telkom lists *180# for self-service and *188# for balance checks. (Telkom) | Telkom USSD codes |
| Cell C balance and self-service routes | *101# / *147# | Cell C help pages reference *101# and *147# for balance-related self-service, including a detailed balance enquiry through *147# option 3. (Cell C) | Mobile network USSD codes |
| Find your own number | Provider-specific code | Check the phone number linked to the SIM before support, RICA, porting, or SIM swap steps. | Find my phone number USSD code |
| Get your PUK number | Provider-specific route | Recover or unlock a SIM that is asking for a PUK. | Get PUK number South Africa |
| Do a SIM swap | Provider-specific process | Move your existing number to a replacement SIM after phone loss, SIM damage, or device change. | How to do SIM swap South Africa |
| Block a lost SIM | Customer-care or provider route | Protect your number if your SIM or phone is lost, stolen, or being used without permission. | Block lost SIM South Africa |
| Check RICA status | Provider-specific route | Check whether your SIM is registered or whether further verification is needed. | Check RICA status USSD |
| Check SIM ownership | Provider or support route | Confirm account control, ownership, or registration details where available. | SIM ownership check |
| Check number porting status | Porting-specific guide | Track or troubleshoot moving your number between networks. | Number porting status |
| Code not working | Troubleshooting guide | Fix “USSD request failed,” timeout, invalid code, wrong network, or menu not opening errors. | Self-service code not working |
| Customer care | Official support route | Contact the network when USSD is not enough or the issue involves fraud, billing, SIM swap, RICA, or account access. | Mobile network customer care numbers |
Browse by Provider, Bank, or Task
Provider-specific links
Use a provider page when you know which network the SIM belongs to and want the most relevant self-service menu for that network.
| Provider | Main self-service starting point | Go to |
|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | *135# | Vodacom USSD codes |
| MTN | *136# | MTN USSD codes |
| Telkom | *180# | Telkom USSD codes |
| Cell C | *101# or *147# for selected balance and self-service options | Mobile network USSD codes |
The provider page is the best place for exact menu paths because a USSD string can stay the same while the option numbers inside the menu change. For example, MTN publishes several related USSD routes, including *136# for balance checks, *136*1# for detailed balance enquiries, and *136*2# for buying bundles. (MTN South Africa)
Task-specific links
Use a task page when the problem is more important than the network. This is safer for actions that affect your number, SIM, RICA status, porting status, or fraud risk.
| Task | Best guide | Why this is the better next step |
|---|---|---|
| Find your SIM number | Find my phone number USSD code | Helps before registration, support calls, RICA checks, porting, and SIM swap requests. |
| Recover a PUK | Get PUK number South Africa | Helps avoid locking yourself out further by guessing SIM PIN or PUK numbers. |
| Replace your SIM | How to do SIM swap South Africa | SIM swaps can involve identity checks, waiting periods, store visits, or fraud checks. |
| Stop a lost SIM | Block lost SIM South Africa | Use this if your phone or SIM is missing and someone else may access the number. |
| Understand SIM swap fraud | SIM swap fraud South Africa | Use this if you get an unexpected SIM swap alert, lose signal suddenly, or receive suspicious banking or OTP messages. |
| Check RICA | Check RICA status USSD | Helps users confirm whether a SIM is registered or whether provider support is needed. |
| Check ownership | SIM ownership check | Helps with account-control questions, disputed SIM use, and support preparation. |
| Check porting | Number porting status | Helps when a number transfer is pending, delayed, rejected, or unclear. |
| Fix a failed code | Self-service code not working | Helps when the menu does not open, the session times out, or the phone says the code is invalid. |
| Contact the network | Mobile network customer care numbers | Use this when the issue is urgent, sensitive, or not solved by a basic USSD menu. |
Bank-specific links
This page is focused on mobile network self-service codes, not banking transaction codes. If the user wants to check a bank balance, buy prepaid services from a bank account, approve a payment, reverse a debit order, or access a banking menu, they should use the relevant banking USSD guide instead of mixing banking and network codes.
A mobile network USSD code may help with airtime, bundles, SIM support, PUK, RICA, porting, and number support. A bank USSD code may involve account access, PINs, payment approvals, fees, limits, and security rules. Keep those journeys separate unless the exact bank code and process have been verified from the bank’s official source.
How to Use These USSD Codes
Start from the SIM you want to manage. If you have two SIM cards in one phone, check that you are dialling from the correct SIM slot before using the code.
Open your phone dialler, type the USSD code exactly as shown, and press call. A USSD code normally begins with an asterisk and ends with a hash. USSD does not work like a website or app; it opens a short live session between your phone and the network. GSMA notes that USSD does not require an internet connection or data and can work with a GSM connection. (GSMA)
Read the menu before choosing an option. Do not rush through the first number you see. USSD menus often include similar options for balances, bundles, recharges, promotions, account settings, and support.
Stop if the menu does not match the task you intended to complete. For example, if you only wanted to check a balance but the menu asks you to confirm a purchase, exit the session and start again.
Do not enter sensitive information into a USSD menu unless you are sure it is the official provider flow. Be especially careful with banking PINs, OTPs, card details, ID numbers, passwords, and SIM swap approvals.
If the session times out, wait a moment before trying again. Repeated retries can lead to confusion, duplicate purchase attempts, or missed confirmation messages. If the action involves billing, SIM swap, porting, RICA, or fraud, use the provider’s support route instead of repeatedly trying the same code.
Costs, Safety, and Last-Verified Notes
USSD is useful because it works without a mobile-data connection, but that does not mean every USSD action is always free. A network may offer a free menu, a paid service inside the menu, a charge for a bundle, a fee for a request, or different conditions for prepaid, contract, hybrid, roaming, or promotional users. Do not publish “free” unless the official provider source confirms it for that exact action.
Use these safety checks before completing a self-service action:
| Situation | Safe action |
|---|---|
| The code fails or says “invalid” | Check that you are using the right network, right SIM, and exact code. Then use Self-service code not working. |
| The menu opens but looks different | Do not guess the option number. Exit and check the latest provider guide. |
| You get a SIM swap alert you did not request | Treat it as urgent. Vodacom warns users not to ignore SIM swap alerts and to contact customer care immediately if they receive a pending SIM swap alert they did not request. (VodacomNow) |
| Your phone suddenly loses signal | Check whether there may be a SIM swap, porting, account, or network issue. Vodacom warns that sudden loss of calls or messages should not automatically be assumed to be a handset or network fault. (VodacomNow) |
| You suspect fraud | Contact the network through an official route. MTN says users should contact MTN immediately if they suspect they have been a victim of fraud. (MTN South Africa) |
| Someone tells you to ignore a SIM swap message | Do not ignore it. Vodacom warns users to act urgently if someone claims to be customer care and tells them to ignore a SIM swap notification. (VodacomNow) |
| You receive suspicious links or OTP requests | Do not click links or share OTPs. Cell C explains that SIM swap fraud can follow phishing where criminals acquire banking details and personal information. (Cell C) |
For publishing, every page that lists a current USSD code should include a visible “Last checked” date. This is important because providers can change menu paths, bundle names, support routes, fees, and eligibility rules. A safe format is:
Last checked: 25 June 2026. Codes and menu paths should be verified against the official provider before use.
Related USSD Guides
For the full directory, use USSD codes South Africa.
For provider codes, use Mobile network USSD codes, Vodacom USSD codes, MTN USSD codes, and Telkom USSD codes.
For account and SIM help, use Find my phone number USSD code, Get PUK number South Africa, Check RICA status USSD, SIM ownership check, How to do SIM swap South Africa, and Block lost SIM South Africa.
For safety and troubleshooting, use SIM swap fraud South Africa, Self-service code not working, Number porting status, and Mobile network customer care numbers.
FAQs
What is the code for mobile self-service codes South Africa?
There is no single code for every network. Vodacom lists *135# as a self-service route, MTN lists *136# for balance checks and *136*2# for bundles, Telkom lists *180# for self-service and *188# for balance checks, and Cell C help pages reference *101# and *147# for selected balance and self-service actions. (Vodacom)
Does this USSD code need airtime or data?
USSD does not need mobile data in the same way an app or website does. It works through a network session from the phone dialler, and GSMA describes USSD as working without an internet connection or data. (GSMA) However, you should still verify whether the specific action inside the menu has a charge, purchase amount, eligibility rule, or airtime requirement.
What should I do if the code does not work?
Check the code, SIM, network, and signal first. Make sure you are not dialling a Vodacom code from an MTN SIM, an MTN code from a Telkom SIM, or an old code that has changed. If the code still fails, use Self-service code not workingor go to Mobile network customer care numbers.
Are the listed codes official or verified?
The main network codes on this page were checked against official provider sources on 25 June 2026. Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, and Cell C each publish their own self-service or help information, so the provider-specific guide should be rechecked before publishing exact menu paths or transaction steps. (Vodacom)
Where can I find related USSD codes?
Start with USSD codes South Africa for the full directory. Use Mobile network USSD codes for network codes, Find my phone number USSD code for number checks, Get PUK number South Africa for PUK help, Check RICA status USSDfor RICA help, and Self-service code not working if the menu fails.