Four networks, four sets of codes, and a lot of outdated pages repeating shortcodes that were retired years ago. This is the short version, verified against each network's own published information.
Quick reference
| Network | Balance | Recharge with voucher | Customer care |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTN | *136# detailed: *136*1# | *141*[voucher]*[number]# (Me4U) | 135 / 083 135 |
| Vodacom | *136# contract: *135*502# | *136*01*[PIN]# | 135 |
| Cell C | *101# or *147# option 2 | via app or 135 | 135 / 084 135 |
| Telkom | *188# | *188*[PIN]# | 081180 |
MTN
- *136# — check your balance
- *136*1# — detailed balance enquiry, including bundles
- *136*3# — Me2U: send or request airtime, data and SMS bundles
- *136*5# — bundle management
- *141*[voucher]*[number]# — Me4U: recharge another MTN number with a voucher
- *121*[number]# — Callback (Please Call Me)
- 135 from MTN, 083 135 from elsewhere — customer care
MTN does not publish a separate data-only balance code; data and bundle balances appear inside the *136# menus. Yes, Me2U is still called Me2U.
Vodacom
- *136# — prepaid balance enquiry
- *135*502# — contract customers: full balance, talk time, SMS and data
- *135*1002# — data bundles
- *136*01*[PIN]# — recharge with a voucher
- *135*072# — Airtime Transfer
- *135*082# — Airtime Advance eligibility
- *140*[number]# — CallMe; *140*02*[number]# — Please Recharge Me
- 135 — customer care, 136 — recharge, 132 — voicemail
111 (care) is now 135, 100 / *100# (recharge and balance) is now 136 / *136#, and 121 (voicemail) is now 132. The old check-your-number code *111*501# also no longer works, and Vodacom has not published a replacement.
Cell C
- *101# — check your balance
- *147# then option 2 — balance via the main menu
- SMS bal to 14302 — balance by text
- *147*333*[number]*[amount]# — Airtime Share (R5/R10/R20/R30, R1,000 daily and R10,000 monthly cap, prepaid and Top Up only)
- 135 from Cell C, 084 135 from elsewhere — customer care; 147 — quick info
Cell C does not publish a dedicated data-balance USSD code. The Cell C App or the 135 self-service line is the practical route.
Telkom Mobile
- *188# — combined airtime and data balance
- *180# — self-service menu, and recharge by bank card
- *188*[voucher PIN]# — recharge with a voucher
- *1# — shows your own number and IMSI. Telkom is the only major SA network that still publishes this.
- *140*[number]# — call me back
- 081180 — mobile customer care; 10210 — fixed line and broadband
Three things worth knowing
*#06# is not a balance or number code
It returns the IMEI, which identifies the handset. It gives the same answer whichever SIM is in the phone. Useful for insurance and stolen-phone reports only.
Your SIM number is not your phone number
The ICCID is the ~19-digit serial usually starting with 89, printed on the plastic SIM card and shown in your phone's SIM status screen. No South African network publishes a USSD code to retrieve it.
USSD does not work while roaming
Most of these codes fail on foreign networks. Check balances in the network's app over Wi-Fi instead.
RICA changes in 2026
South Africa tightened RICA enforcement from 1 July 2026, following a Department of Justice review in March 2026 into SIM-registration weaknesses linked to organised crime. Penalties for non-compliance run up to R5 million or 10 years' imprisonment, and the review also looked at bringing eSIMs formally under the Act. If a line is not properly registered, customer care will not be able to help you with it.