Every SA network lets you move airtime or data to another number on the same network with a USSD code from your dialler. No app, no data needed. Here are the codes for Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Telkom, and what to do when the other person is on a different network.
Send airtime, by network
Use the code for the network your SIM is on. Transfers only work to a number on the same network.
- Vodacom: dial *135*072#, then type their number and the amount when the menu asks. It works between Vodacom prepaid numbers.
- MTN: this is MTN's Me2U service. Dial *136*6328*, their number, *, the amount in rand, then #. So *136*6328*0835550142*20# sends R20. Prefer a menu? Dial *136*3#.
- Cell C: this is Airtime Share. Opt in once on *147#, then dial *147*333*, their number, *, the amount, then #. Cell C allows R5, R10, R20 or R30 at a time, up to R1,000 a day.
- Telkom: Telkom doesn't publish an airtime transfer code. Send data instead (below), or dial *180#, choose Buy with Card, and buy airtime straight onto their Telkom number.
Send data, by network
Data transfers move part of a bundle you've already bought.
- Vodacom: dial *135#, choose Services, then Data Transfer, then the bundle and their number. Prepaid to prepaid only.
- MTN: dial *136*3# for the Me2U menu, which sends airtime, SMS or data bundles to another MTN number.
- Cell C: dial *147#, choose 3 (Send Data & Airtime), then 1 (Send Data). Up to 1GB a month and three transfers a day.
- Telkom: dial *180# and send 250MB, 500MB or 1GB, up to 5GB a month.
All of these codes, with Dial buttons that fill in their number and the amount for you, are on the airtime and data codes page.
If they're on a different network
USSD transfers can't cross networks, so a Vodacom user can't send airtime to an MTN number this way. You have two easy options:
- Your banking app. Most SA banking apps sell prepaid airtime and data for any network, straight to their number.
- The Please Call Me SA app. Pick a contact and send them airtime or data on any SA network, paid through Google Play.
Not sure which network they're on? Type their number into the which network tool. Numbers that moved networks keep their old prefix, so if a transfer fails, ask them.
Before you send
- Check the number twice. A transfer to the wrong number usually can't be reversed. If they gave you a +27 number, swap the +27 for a 0, or run it through the number formatter.
- Check your balance first. Balance codes are free: *136# on Vodacom and MTN, *101# on Cell C, *188# on Telkom.
- Promotional airtime may not move. Vodacom says bonus or allocated airtime can be blocked from transfers.
The other way round
If you're the one who needs airtime, you don't have to wait for someone to think of it. An airtime request sends them a free message asking them to top you up, and works on an empty balance.