Telkom Please Call Me USSD Code

Quick Answer

The current Telkom Please Call Me USSD code is *140*RecipientNumber#. To send a free callback request from a Telkom Mobile line, open your phone’s dialer, enter *140* followed by the target 10-digit South African mobile number, add #, and press the call button (for example, *140*0812345678#).

Last Verified: July 2026 | Cost: R0.00 (Free) | Daily Limit: ~5 requests per SIM

What the Service Is and Who Can Use It

The Telkom “Please Call Me” service is a free, airtime-free USSD feature offered to Telkom Mobile customers in South Africa. It sends an SMS notification to another cellphone user requesting that they call your number.

• Eligible Account Types: All active Telkom Mobile Prepaid, TopUp, and Hybrid/Postpaid SIM cards.
• Minimum Balance: R0.00 (Works even with zero airtime and zero data balance).
• Recipient Eligibility: Works across all South African mobile networks, including Telkom Mobile, Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, and local MVNOs.
• Exclusions: Telkom landlines, fixed-LTE home routers without voice/USSD dialer capability, and suspended or un-RICA’d SIM cards cannot send or receive these USSD requests.

How to Send a Please Call Me

Before You Start

• Ensure your Telkom Mobile SIM is inserted in your primary SIM slot (if using a dual-SIM device).
• Verify that you have a mobile signal (GSM/LTE) on the Telkom Mobile network.
• Check that you know the recipient’s full 10-digit mobile number starting with 0 (e.g., 081..., 072..., 083...).

Verified Step-by-Step Process

1. Open the Phone App: Launch the standard dialer/keypad screen on your mobile phone.
2. Enter the String: Type *140* followed immediately by the recipient’s cellphone number, then end with #.
   • Example Format: *140*0811234567#
3. Press Call: Tap the green Call / Send button. If you have a dual-SIM device, select the Telkom SIM slot.
4. View Response: Wait 1–3 seconds for the USSD pop-up response on your screen.

Confirmation or Expected Result

When the USSD request completes successfully:

• Screen Notice: A quick on-screen USSD prompt will display: “Please Call Me sent to [Number]”.
• Recipient Notification: The recipient receives an SMS stating: “Please call me from [Your Telkom Mobile Number]”.
• Balance Display: No airtime will be deducted from your account, and your airtime balance remains unchanged.

If your airtime balance is exhausted and you require immediate funds rather than a callback, you can review the guide for Telkom Airtime Advance USSD Code to see if your line qualifies for airtime borrowing.

Fees, Limits, Eligibility, and Processing Times

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

Code, Session, SIM, or Account Errors

• “Limit Reached” / Error Message: You have used your daily limit of free callback requests. You must wait until midnight for the counter to reset.
• “Connection Problem or Invalid MMI Code”:
  • Check for typos in the USSD string. Ensure there are no spaces or special characters between *140* and the cellphone number.
  • Confirm you dialed *140* and not codes belonging to other networks (e.g., MTN’s *121* or Cell C’s *111*).
• Dual-SIM Misroute: Ensure your phone is routing the outgoing USSD call through your Telkom SIM, not a secondary SIM card.
• Uncertain of Your Telkom Number? Dial the USSD Code To Check Telkom Number (*1#) to confirm your mobile number before contacting recipients.

When the Service Has Changed or Is Unavailable

• Network Congestion: If the screen times out, toggling Airplane Mode on and off re-establishes your connection to the Telkom tower.
• Unregistered SIM: If your line is blocked or barred due to outstanding RICA verification, USSD execution will fail.
• Alternative Telkom Features: To manage other services on your line, explore the central hub for Mobile Network USSD Codes, or configure network data access via Telkom Internet Settings USSD Code.

Official Alternatives

When the standard *140* USSD shortcode fails or is unavailable, you can use these official alternative Telkom channels:

1. Telkom Master Menu (*180#): Dial *180# to access the main Telkom Mobile self-service menu.
2. MyTelkom App: Download the MyTelkom App from the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, or Huawei AppGallery to manage account balances and services.
3. WhatsApp Self-Service: Text Telkom customer care on WhatsApp at 081 160 1700.
4. Telkom Customer Support: Call 081 180 (free from a Telkom line) or 081 160 1820 for mobile support.
5. Subscription Checks: To ensure third-party services are not depleting your airtime when topping up, consult How To Check Subscriptions On Telkom Mobile USSD Code.

Safety and Privacy

• Never Share Credentials: Telkom will never ask for your SIM PIN, account passwords, banking PINs, or One-Time PINs (OTPs) to process a callback request or standard USSD operation.
• Avoid Suspicious Callback Demands: Be cautious if you receive an unexpected Please Call Me request from an unknown or international number asking you to call back premium-rate numbers.
• Scam & Loss Reporting: If your SIM card is lost or stolen, immediately contact Telkom customer support on 081 180 to block your SIM card and protect your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current Telkom Please Call Me USSD Code?

The verified code is *140*RecipientNumber#. Dials can be made directly from your phone’s call keypad.

What number format should be entered?

Enter the full 10-digit South African mobile number starting with 0 (e.g., *140*0812345678#). Do not use spaces, country codes (+27), or dash separators.

Can the request be sent to another network?

Yes. Telkom Please Call Me requests can be sent to subscribers on Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom, and South African MVNOs.

Are there daily limits?

Yes. Telkom Mobile limits free “Please Call Me” requests to approximately 5 per SIM card every 24 hours.

What should I do if the Telkom USSD route does not work?

Verify that you have network signal and that your Telkom SIM is active. Alternatively, try dialing Telkom’s main self-service menu at *180# or contact Telkom Customer Care via WhatsApp at 081 160 1700.