Last checked: 26 June 2026
Quick Code/Menu Answer
Here is the honest short answer on how to cancel subscription on Telkom charges: use Telkom’s self-service routes first, then block future content-service billing. Telkom’s public help page lists *180# as its self-service USSD code, but Telkom’s own direct carrier billing page sends users to the Telkom Mobile App or Self-Service portal, selecting product, mobile number, subscription, then content services. There is no single Telkom cancellation string that does it all. (Telkom)
| What you need to do | Best Telkom route | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Open Telkom self-service | Dial *180# | Treat this as the general Telkom self-service menu, not a guaranteed one-step cancellation code. |
| Manage active content services | Telkom Mobile App or Self-Service portal | Telkom lists the path as: login, select product, select mobile number, select subscription, then select content services. |
| Block future WASP subscriptions | Telkom app: My Products > Manage > Protect Your Mobile Number | WASPA lists this route for blocking all WASP subscriptions on Telkom. (WASPA) |
| Check if deductions are from direct carrier billing | Review subscriptions/content services in Telkom app or portal | Telkom says direct carrier billing lets purchases be charged to your mobile bill, including partners such as Apple, Showmax, Google Play, Samsung Galaxy Store and Spotify. (Telkom) |
| Escalate if airtime still disappears | Contact Telkom support or use WASPA’s unwanted-billing route for WASP charges | WASPA says its unwanted-billing form is for users charged for WASP services without permission. (WASPA) |
Need the wider directory instead? Start at cancel subscription USSD code South Africa. If the real complaint is unexplained deductions rather than one known Telkom subscription, go to why is my airtime disappearing.
Provider-by-Provider Options
This page covers the Telkom subscription cancellation code. People compare networks here because they carry more than one SIM and cannot tell which line is being billed. Use the Telkom route on Telkom numbers only.
| Network | Cancellation or blocking route to check | Best use case |
|---|---|---|
| Telkom | Dial *180# for Telkom self-service. For content services, use the Telkom Mobile App or Self-Service portal and go through product, mobile number, subscription, and content services. WASPA also lists the Telkom app route My Products > Manage > Protect Your Mobile Number to block WASP subscriptions. (Telkom) | Telkom manage content services, Telkom direct carrier billing subscriptions, Telkom block content services |
| Vodacom | WASPA lists SMS “STOP ALL” to 31050 for WASP subscriptions. (WASPA) | Vodacom WASP cancellation |
| MTN | WASPA lists *141*5# for content services and *155# for blocking premium-rated service charges. (WASPA) | MTN content-service checks and blocks |
| Cell C | WASPA lists *133*1# for checking and blocking content services. (WASPA) | Cell C content-service cancellation or blocking |
Never run another network’s code on a Telkom SIM. On Telkom, keep to Telkom’s app, portal, *180# self-service menu, official support, and the WASPA routes where a WASP is involved.
How to Unsubscribe on Telkom, Step by Step
1. Confirm the deduction is on your Telkom number
Before cancelling anything, make sure the airtime deduction, content charge, or direct carrier billing item actually belongs to the Telkom number you are looking at. Dual SIM, a router SIM, a family account or a contract with several lines all make this easy to get wrong.
Look for:
- SMS messages saying a service is active.
- Daily, weekly, or monthly deductions.
- “Content services” wording on an invoice or account screen.
- App-store, streaming, game, music, or entertainment charges.
- A Telkom direct carrier billing item.
Telkom describes direct carrier billing as a payment method that charges purchases to your mobile bill, so a deduction may be a subscription rather than ordinary airtime, data, or voice usage. (Telkom)
2. Check Telkom content services
The Telkom Mobile App or Telkom Self-Service portal gives the clearest view of what is actually running.
Work in this order:
- Log in to the Telkom Mobile App or Telkom Self-Service portal.
- Select the correct product.
- Select the mobile number carrying the deduction.
- Select subscription.
- Select content services.
- Read every active service listed.
- Cancel or manage the subscription where the option exists.
- Save the confirmation screen or SMS.
Telkom’s direct carrier billing page lists this exact sequence, ending at content services. (Telkom)
3. Use Telkom self-service if you cannot reach the app
No app or portal access? Try Telkom’s general self-service USSD code, *180#. Telkom’s customer care page lists it as the self-service number. (Telkom)
Telkom menus move, so ignore any old screenshot or article promising a fixed menu path unless it still matches your screen. Open the menu, read each prompt, and look for wording such as subscriptions, content services, spend limit, billing, account, or manage services.
4. Block future content-service billing
Cancelling is only half the job. Block future content-service subscriptions too. WASPA lists the Telkom app route as:
My Products > Manage > Protect Your Mobile Number
Switch it On. WASPA also says Telkom users can manage premium content subscriptions under My Products > Subscriptions > Content Services. (WASPA)
This is what stops the cycle of accidental opt-ins and repeat content-service charges.
5. Keep evidence before escalating
If you want Telkom, a WASP, or WASPA to investigate, you need evidence. Delete nothing until it is resolved.
Save:
- The affected Telkom number.
- Dates and times of deductions.
- Amounts deducted.
- Screenshots of active subscriptions.
- Screenshots of cancellation confirmations.
- Any “welcome” or “subscription active” SMS.
- The service provider’s name, if shown.
- Your Telkom reference number, if you contact support.
- Proof that you enabled Protect Your Mobile Number.
WASPA’s unwanted-billing route covers WASP charges made without permission, and WASPA says it will try to ensure the charged services are cancelled based on what you provide. (WASPA)
Common Problems and Fixes
The Telkom subscription cancellation code does not cancel anything
*180# is Telkom’s self-service code, but the route Telkom actually publishes for subscription management is the Mobile App or Self-Service portal. If the USSD menu offers no cancellation option, that is expected. Use the app or portal and check content services under the affected number. (Telkom)
The app shows no subscriptions
No active content services in the app means the money is going somewhere else. Check direct carrier billing, premium-rated services, recurring bundles, out-of-bundle usage, roaming, or another SIM on the same account.
Telkom’s usage guidance notes that premium-rated services, international roaming, international calling, international SMS/MMS, and event-based billing do not draw down inclusive value or bundles the way normal allowances do. (Telkom)
Airtime is still disappearing after cancellation
Do not assume one cancellation caught everything. There may be a second active service, or a different billing type entirely.
Do this:
- Note the next deduction date and amount.
- Compare it against the service you cancelled.
- Recheck Telkom content services.
- Enable Protect Your Mobile Number.
- Contact Telkom with screenshots and dates.
- Use WASPA’s unwanted-billing form if it looks like a WASP charge made without permission.
For the fuller deduction checklist, use why is my airtime disappearing.
The menu path has changed
USSD menus and app screens change. If an old article’s path does not match what is on your phone, do not force it. Use the current Telkom app, the current Self-Service portal, Telkom Get Help, or customer care.
Telkom lists several self-help channels: the MyTelkom App, Web Self-Service Portal, WhatsApp Self-Service, Get Help, SMS self-service, IVR, and *180# self-service. (Telkom)
You are asked for a PIN, OTP, password, card number, or ID document
Stop, and verify through official channels. Telkom’s scam guidance warns that phishing, vishing, and smishing are used to trick people into handing over sensitive information, and advises against clicking suspicious SMS or WhatsApp links. (Telkom InTouch)
Never share:
- Banking PINs.
- Telkom account passwords.
- One-time passwords.
- Card details.
- ID documents.
- Login links from unknown SMSes.
- Remote-access app codes.
If a message claims to be Telkom but feels wrong, reach Telkom through its official support channels instead of the link in the message.
Official Support Route
Escalate in this order when the code or menu does not solve it:
- Check Telkom content services in the Telkom Mobile App or Self-Service portal.
- Use
*180#for Telkom self-service if you need a phone-menu route. - Enable Protect Your Mobile Number in the Telkom app to block future WASP subscriptions.
- Keep screenshots of deductions, active subscriptions, cancellations, and block settings.
- Contact Telkom support through the app, Get Help, WhatsApp Self-Service, IVR, or billing support.
- If the charge looks like unwanted WASP billing, use WASPA’s unwanted-billing route.
- If you believe a WASPA member breached the Code of Conduct, use WASPA’s complaints route.
WASPA says its complaint process is more rigorous and slower than an SMS spam or billing query, so use the unwanted-billing form for straightforward unwanted WASP billing and the complaints form for a Code of Conduct complaint. (WASPA)
Related Airtime and Data Guides
For related next steps, use these guides:
- Cancel subscription USSD code South Africa
- Why is my airtime disappearing
- Stop WASP subscriptions
- Block content services USSD code
- Direct carrier billing South Africa
- Telkom USSD codes
- Mobile network customer care numbers
FAQ
What is the Telkom subscription cancellation code?
For Telkom self-service, dial *180#. For managing an active content-service subscription, Telkom’s published route is the Mobile App or Self-Service portal: login, select product, select mobile number, select subscription, then select content services. (Telkom)
How to cancel subscription on Telkom from the app?
Log into the Telkom Mobile App, pick the product, pick the mobile number being billed, open subscription, then content services, and cancel the service listed there. Save the confirmation. That path is the one Telkom itself documents. (Telkom)
Does this USSD code need airtime or data?
A USSD menu such as *180# needs mobile network access. The Telkom Mobile App and Self-Service portal need internet access. Do not assume any route is free on every SIM or account type unless Telkom confirms it for your service.
What should I do if the code does not work?
Use the Telkom Mobile App or Self-Service portal, check the affected number, review content services, and save screenshots. If airtime keeps going, contact Telkom support with dates, amounts, and your confirmation proof. If it looks like unwanted WASP billing, use WASPA’s unwanted-billing form. (WASPA)
How can I check whether the cancellation actually took?
Reopen the Telkom app or Self-Service portal after cancelling and check the number under subscriptions or content services. If nothing is active, watch the next deduction and compare its amount and date against your cancellation confirmation.
What if airtime is still disappearing after cancellation?
Look for a second subscription, direct carrier billing, premium-rated services, recurring bundles, out-of-bundle usage, roaming, or another device using the SIM. Keep screenshots and go to Telkom support if it continues.
Can I block future content-service subscriptions?
Yes. WASPA lists the Telkom app route as My Products > Manage > Protect Your Mobile Number, set to On. WASPA also lists My Products > Subscriptions > Content Services for managing premium content subscriptions. (WASPA)
Can I get a refund for unwanted subscription charges?
No refund is guaranteed. Cancel the active service first, block future content-service billing, gather evidence, then report through Telkom or WASPA. WASPA says its unwanted-billing form is for WASP services charged without permission and that it will try to ensure those services are cancelled. (WASPA)
Where should I report suspicious subscription messages?
If it is a suspicious SMS, WhatsApp message, or billing notice, do not click the link or reply with personal details. Telkom advises avoiding suspicious links, verifying through official channels, and never sharing passwords, OTPs, or card details. (Telkom InTouch)