Airtime and data codes for every SA network
Buy data, send airtime or data to someone, load a voucher or get an airtime advance, with the USSD code for Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Telkom. Tap Dial and your phone opens with the code filled in.
Their number and the amount fill into the transfer codes. Nothing you type leaves your phone.
Vodacom
- Buy data or a bundle*135
# Opens My Vodacom services. Follow the prompts to buy a bundle with your airtime.
- Send airtime to someone*135*072
# Opens Airtime Transfer. Enter their number and the amount when asked.
Vodacom prepaid to Vodacom prepaid.
- Send data to someone*135
# Choose Services, then Data Transfer, then the bundle and their number.
Prepaid to prepaid only.
- Buy airtime or data with a bank card
No USSD code we could verify. Use your banking app or the My Vodacom app.
- Load a recharge voucher*136*01*
PIN # Type the PIN from the voucher, then #.
- Airtime advance (borrow now, pay later)*135*082
# Shows the airtime or data advance you qualify for.
A fee comes off your next recharge.
MTN
- Buy data or a bundle*136*2
# Buy data, voice or SMS bundles with your airtime.
- Send airtime to someone*136*6328*
number * amount # Me2U instant transfer: their number, then the rand amount.
Or dial *136*3# for the Me2U menu.
- Send data to someone*136*3
# The Me2U menu transfers airtime, SMS or data bundles to another MTN number.
- Buy airtime or data with a bank card
No USSD code we could verify. Use your banking app or the MyMTN app.
- Load a recharge voucher
Sources disagree on MTN's voucher code, so we're not guessing. Use the code printed on the voucher.
- Airtime advance (borrow now, pay later)
No code we could verify yet.
Cell C
- Buy data or a bundle*147
# Opens Cell C self-service. Choose a data, voice or Socializa bundle.
- Send airtime to someone*147*333*
number * amount # Airtime Share: their number, then R5, R10, R20 or R30.
Opt in once first on *147#. Limit R1,000 a day.
- Send data to someone*147
# Choose 3 (Send Data & Airtime), then 1 (Send Data), then their number and the bundle.
Up to 1GB a month, three transfers a day.
- Buy airtime or data with a bank card
Cell C sells airtime by card on its website, not on USSD.
- Load a recharge voucher
Sources disagree on Cell C's voucher code, so we're not guessing. Use the code printed on the voucher.
- Airtime advance (borrow now, pay later)*147
# Choose Emergency Recharge.
Needs 30 days on the network. R1.10 access fee.
Telkom
- Buy data or a bundle*180
# Daily, weekly and monthly bundles.
- Send airtime to someone
Telkom doesn't publish an airtime transfer code. Send data on *180# instead, or buy airtime for their Telkom number with a card on *180#.
- Send data to someone*180
# Send 250MB, 500MB or 1GB from your bundle.
Up to 5GB a month.
- Buy airtime or data with a bank card*180
# Choose Buy with Card, then airtime, data or a promo bundle. You can buy for another Telkom number too.
Telkom sends a secure link and an OTP to finish.
- Load a recharge voucher*188*
PIN # Type the PIN from the voucher, then #.
- Airtime advance (borrow now, pay later)*180
# Choose Emergency Top Up and opt in.
Airtime and data codes at a glance
| Task | Vodacom | MTN | Cell C | Telkom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buy data or a bundle | *135# | *136*2# | *147# | *180# |
| Send airtime to someone | *135*072# | *136*6328*number*amount# | *147*333*number*amount# | None verified |
| Send data to someone | *135# | *136*3# | *147# | *180# |
| Buy airtime or data with a bank card | None verified | None verified | None verified | *180# |
| Load a recharge voucher | *136*01*PIN# | None verified | None verified | *188*PIN# |
| Airtime advance (borrow now, pay later) | *135*082# | None verified | *147# | *180# |
"None verified" means we couldn't confirm a code from the network or two sources that agree. We'd rather leave a gap than send you to the wrong menu.
Checked on 14 Nov 2026 against:
- Vodacom Now: the most useful USSD codes
- Vodacom help: transfers, sharing and bundles
- MTN Me2U terms
- MyBroadband: USSD shortcodes for SA networks
- Cell C: top up airtime
- Cell C: Airtime Share
- Cell C: data transfer
- Telkom: how to buy bundles
- Telkom: prepaid usage tips
- Telkom InTouch: recharge with a bank card on *180#
Sending airtime and data, network by network
Transfers work inside one network: a Vodacom user can send airtime to another Vodacom number, an MTN user to MTN, and so on. If you're not sure which network someone is on, check their number with the which network tool first.
Short on airtime yourself?
Ask for it instead. A free airtime request sends someone a message asking them to top you up, and a Please Call Me asks them to phone you. Both work on an empty balance.
Sending to another network
The full guide to sending airtime or data covers the other routes: your banking app, and the Please Call Me SA app, which sends airtime and data to any SA number and shows every fee before you pay.
Airtime and data code FAQ
How do I send airtime to someone on Vodacom?
Dial *135*072# from your Vodacom SIM and follow the prompts for their number and the amount. It works between Vodacom prepaid numbers.
How do I send airtime on MTN?
Dial *136*6328*, their number, *, the amount, then #. For example *136*6328*0835550142*20# sends R20. Or dial *136*3# for the Me2U menu.
How do I share airtime on Cell C?
Opt in once on *147#, then dial *147*333*, their number, *, the amount, then #. Amounts are R5, R10, R20 or R30.
Can I send airtime on Telkom?
Telkom doesn't publish an airtime transfer code. You can send 250MB, 500MB or 1GB of data on *180#, or buy airtime for their Telkom number with a bank card on *180#.
Can I send airtime to someone on a different network?
Not with these codes. Transfers stay on one network. To top up someone on another network, use your banking app or the Please Call Me SA app, which sends airtime and data to any SA number.
Why isn't there a voucher code for MTN or Cell C here?
The sources we checked disagree, so we left them out rather than guess. The code to load the voucher is printed on the voucher itself.