Transfer Airtime USSD Code

Last checked: 26 June 2026

Quick Code/Menu Answer

The quickest transfer airtime USSD code depends on your mobile network. In South Africa, airtime transfer usually works between customers on the same network, so check the sender’s network first, then use the matching menu below.

Before confirming any transfer, check the recipient number, rand amount, network, and final confirmation screen. If you need a broader airtime, bundle or balance directory, open airtime and data USSD codes South Africa.

Provider-by-Provider Options

MTN airtime transfer code

For MTN, dial *136*3# and follow the Me2U prompts. MTN says PayAsYouGo customers can transfer airtime, SMS bundles and internet bundles from their remaining balance to eligible MTN PayAsYouGo, Anytime TopUp or Off Peak TopUp customers. MTN also states that the *136*3# menu records and displays the last five previously transferred numbers. (MTN)

MTN’s instant transfer option is listed as *136*6328#, but MTN notes that the beneficiary feature is not available when using the instant transfer option. MTN also says completed transfers trigger an SMS with transaction details and remaining balances. (MTN)

Use MTN USSD codes if you need the broader MTN menu for balance checks, buying bundles, recharge options or account support.

Vodacom airtime transfer code

For Vodacom, dial *135# and choose the Airtime Transfer option where it appears. Vodacom says Airtime Transfer allows Vodacom customers to share recharge airtime with other Vodacom Prepaid, Top Up or uChoose customers. Vodacom also says both the sender and recipient receive an SMS showing the transfer amount, the other number and the new account balances. (Vodacom)

Vodacom lists a minimum transfer value of R2 and a maximum of R2,000, and says airtime transfers can be done through *135#, vodacom.co.za and the VodaPay App. Successful Vodacom Airtime Transfer transactions are not reversed once completed, so the final confirmation screen matters. (Vodacom)

Use Vodacom USSD codes if you need the wider Vodacom menu for balances, bundles, recharge, SIM or support actions.

Cell C transfer airtime code

For Cell C, dial *147# and select Airtime Share. Cell C says Prepaid and Top Up customers can share airtime with another Cell C Prepaid or Top Up customer from their cellphone, and that there are no fees for sharing or receiving airtime. (Cell C)

Cell C’s listed steps are to dial *147#, select Airtime Share, activate the service, select the amount, enter the Cell C recipient number and confirm the transaction. Once registered, Cell C also lists the direct USSD string *147*333*recipient cellphone number*amount#. (Cell C)

Cell C says customers can share predefined amounts of R5, R10, R20 or R30, with a maximum sharing transactional value of R1,000 per day and R10,000 per month. Completed Airtime Share transactions are not reversed, and Cell C says airtime can only be shared to active Cell C Prepaid and Top Up customers. (Cell C)

Use Cell C USSD codes if you need Cell C balance, recharge, bundle or account-support codes.

Telkom airtime transfer

For Telkom, do not publish a shortcut unless you have verified it on an official Telkom source or the live Telkom SIM menu. Telkom’s official usage tips confirm data transfer via *180#, but that is data transfer, not a verified airtime-transfer USSD code. Telkom’s transfer portal shows a transfer flow with Data and Airtime options, but it does not provide a simple public USSD airtime-transfer shortcut on the checked page. (Telkom)

Use Telkom’s live self-service menu, MyTelkom, Telkom support or the official transfer portal before publishing any Telkom airtime transfer code. For a wider network comparison, open mobile network USSD codes South Africa.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Requirements

Before using any send airtime USSD code, make sure:

1. You are dialling from the SIM that will send the airtime.
2. The recipient number is on the correct network.
3. You have enough normal transferable airtime.
4. The recipient number is active.
5. The amount is allowed by the provider’s rules.
6. You are not trying to transfer bonus, inclusive, promotional or emergency airtime unless the provider clearly allows it.
7. You are ready to confirm, because successful transfers are usually not reversible.

This is especially important for Top Up, contract and promotional balances. MTN says TopUp customers can only transfer airtime loaded onto the TopUp account and not recurring value, while Cell C says Top Up customers cannot share free inclusive value, minutes, SMS or data from their package. (MTN)

Step-by-step process

To transfer airtime by USSD:

1. Dial the correct code for your network.
2. Select the airtime transfer, Me2U or Airtime Share option.
3. Enter the recipient’s cellphone number.
4. Enter or select the transfer amount.
5. Read the confirmation screen carefully.
6. Confirm only if the number and amount are correct.
7. Wait for the confirmation SMS.
8. Check your balance and ask the recipient to check theirs.

On MTN, start with *136*3#. On Vodacom, start with *135#. On Cell C, start with *147#. These are the verified provider menu starting points for airtime transfer or airtime sharing. (MTN)

What the user should see next

After a successful transfer, the sender and recipient should usually receive confirmation by SMS. MTN says the sender receives an SMS after the transfer is completed, Vodacom says both the receiving customer and donor receive an SMS, and Cell C says both the sender and recipient receive an SMS confirming the transaction. (MTN)

If you do not receive confirmation, do not keep repeating the transfer immediately. First check your own balance, ask the recipient to check theirs, and then retry only if the first attempt clearly failed.

Fees or limits

Do not assume every network has the same limits. MTN lists transfers from R2 upward in R1 increments for PayAsYouGo and gives daily and monthly transfer limits. Vodacom lists a R2 minimum and R2,000 maximum. Cell C lists predefined sharing amounts of R5, R10, R20 and R30, with daily and monthly limits. (MTN)

Do not promise that a code is free unless the provider has verified it. Cell C states that Airtime Share has no transaction fees for sharing or receiving airtime. MTN states the value of the transfer is deducted from the sender’s balance, and Cell C states the shared rand value is deducted from the customer’s available airtime balance. (MTN)

Common Problems and Fixes

The code does not open

You may be using the wrong network code. *136*3# is for MTN Me2U, *135# is Vodacom’s self-service menu, and *147# is Cell C’s self-service menu. Use the SIM that will send the airtime and dial the matching network code.

If the direct code fails, start from the main self-service menu instead of a shortcut. Menu paths can change, but the provider-controlled USSD menu should show the current available options.

The transfer fails

A transfer can fail because the number is wrong, the recipient is not eligible, your SIM is blocked or restricted, you have insufficient transferable airtime, the amount is outside the allowed range, or the service is temporarily unavailable.

Check the number, amount and network first. Then check whether your balance is normal recharge airtime or a restricted balance. MTN says some package types cannot perform Me2U transfers, and Cell C says customers cannot share free or inclusive minutes, SMS, MMS, data or bonus airtime. (MTN)

The airtime does not reflect

Wait for the confirmation SMS before repeating the transaction. If the sender was charged but the recipient does not see the airtime, both parties should check their balances and keep the confirmation SMS. Vodacom, MTN and Cell C all describe SMS confirmation or balance confirmation after completed transfers. (MTN)

If the airtime still does not reflect, contact the provider through the official app, website, call centre or store support route.

The wrong number was entered

Do not confirm if the number is wrong. MTN says no airtime transfer reversals can be made if the incorrect amount or cellphone number is entered. Vodacom says Airtime Transfer transactions will not be reversed once completed successfully. Cell C also says completed Airtime Share transactions will not be reversed. (MTN)

The phone shows a timeout

USSD sessions can time out if you take too long, lose signal or move between coverage areas. Restart the session, keep the recipient number ready, and confirm only when the final screen shows the correct details.

The transfer option is missing

The SIM may not qualify for airtime transfer. Contract, prepaid, Top Up, uChoose, hybrid, locked, blocked, suspended and newly activated accounts may have different rules. Vodacom says postpaid customers must be provisioned for Airtime Transfer, and MTN says contract customers need to contact their service provider to register for Me2U. (Vodacom)

Related Airtime and Data Guides

For broader airtime and bundle tasks, start with airtime and data USSD codes South Africa.

For network-specific menus, use Vodacom USSD codes, MTN USSD codes or Cell C USSD codes.

For a wider provider directory, open mobile network USSD codes South Africa.

If you want to buy airtime instead of sending airtime from your own balance, use buy airtime USSD code.

FAQ

What is the safest way to use transfer airtime USSD code?

The safest way is to dial the code from your own network, enter the recipient number carefully, check the amount, and read the final confirmation screen before accepting. Do not confirm if the number, network or amount is wrong.

Does transfer airtime USSD code require airtime or mobile data?

USSD does not require mobile data, but you do need mobile network signal and enough transferable airtime to send. Provider rules still apply, so promotional, inclusive or emergency airtime may not always be transferable.

Why might transfer airtime USSD code fail or show the wrong balance?

It may fail because the sender is on the wrong network, the recipient is not eligible, the SIM is locked or restricted, the balance is not transferable, the amount is outside the allowed range, the USSD session timed out, or the provider menu has changed.

What should users do before confirming a purchase or transfer?

Check the recipient number, rand amount, network, any fee notice, and any warning shown on the USSD screen. Successful airtime transfers are usually not reversed, so treat the final confirmation screen as the last safety check.

Where can users find related airtime or data guides?

Use airtime and data USSD codes South Africa for the main task directory, mobile network USSD codes South Africa for provider navigation, or buy airtime USSD code if the goal is to buy airtime rather than transfer it.