Find South African USSD codes by network, bank, service, or task.
USSD codes are short dialling codes that open menus on your phone. In South Africa, people use them to check airtime, view data balances, buy bundles, use bank services, send money, manage mobile subscriptions, and access some public-service options without opening an app or website.
Use this directory to find the right guide before you dial. Codes, menu wording, fees, and availability can change, so always check the screen carefully before confirming any action.
Search the USSD Directory
Search by provider, bank, or task. Search the USSD directory Search
Try searching for:
- Airtime balance
- Data balance
- Banking USSD
- Send money
- Cancel subscriptions
- Vodacom codes
- MTN codes
- Capitec USSD
- SASSA or public-service codes
You can also browse the main categories below.
Browse by Category
| Category | What you’ll find |
|---|---|
| USSD codes South Africa | The main directory for South African USSD code guides. |
| Mobile network USSD codes | Airtime, data, recharge, SIM services, account menus, and mobile network support routes. |
| Banking USSD codes | Bank USSD guides, registered-cellphone banking options, and safer alternatives. |
| Check airtime balance | Balance-check help before calling, sending SMSes, buying bundles, or checking disappearing airtime. |
| Check data balance | Data balance help for normal data, night data, social bundles, promotional data, and hotspot use. |
| Send money USSD codes | Cellphone-number payments, vouchers, cardless cash, and send-money safety checks. |
| Public service USSD codes | Government and public-service USSD information where available. |
Popular USSD Tasks
Check airtime before you make a call
Airtime checks help you see whether you have enough prepaid balance for calls, SMSes, bundles, or other mobile services. If airtime seems to disappear quickly, check your balance and review active services or subscriptions.
Use the airtime balance guide to find the right balance-check route for your network.
Check data before browsing or streaming
Data balances can include normal data, night data, promotional bundles, social bundles, or app-specific data. A balance check helps you avoid running out while using WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, maps, or hotspot sharing.
Open the data balance guide before buying another bundle or starting a data-heavy session.
Find mobile network menus
Mobile network USSD menus are useful for prepaid and account tasks such as buying bundles, recharging, checking balances, managing SIM options, and finding support routes.
Compare available options in the mobile network USSD codes guide.
Use bank USSD carefully
Bank USSD services can help when you do not have mobile data, cannot open your banking app, or need a basic menu from your registered cellphone number. Because these services may involve money or account access, only use verified bank routes.
Check the banking USSD codes guide before entering any banking PIN or approving a transaction.
Send money to a cellphone number
Send-money services can be convenient, but mistakes can be costly. Always check the recipient number, amount, voucher details, expiry information, and confirmation screen before approving anything.
Review the send-money USSD guide before sending money or sharing voucher details.
USSD vs Apps, SMS, WhatsApp, Websites, and Call Centres
USSD is useful, but it is not always the best channel. Choose the safest option for the task.
| Channel | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| USSD | Quick menus for balances, bundles, network services, and some banking tasks | Menus can time out, change, or differ by provider |
| Mobile apps | Detailed account management, statements, support, and secure banking | Needs data, login details, and a working smartphone |
| Websites | Forms, help pages, account portals, and detailed service information | Fake websites and phishing links |
| SMS short codes | Some service requests, opt-ins, and confirmations | Possible charges or unwanted subscriptions |
| WhatsApp support | Guided support where officially offered | Fake support accounts asking for private details |
| Call centres | Complex problems, disputes, SIM issues, and account-specific help | Never share OTPs, full passwords, or PINs |
Use USSD for quick actions. Use an official app, website, branch, ATM, or support channel for disputes, failed transactions, account changes, or anything involving sensitive personal information.
Before You Confirm a USSD Action
USSD menus can affect airtime, data, subscriptions, bank accounts, and personal information. Before you confirm, check that the menu matches the provider, bank, or service you intended to use.
Never share:
- Banking PINs
- Card PINs
- Online banking passwords
- OTPs
- Voucher PINs with strangers
- Full card details
- ID documents through unsafe links or messages
Be careful of callers, SMS messages, or WhatsApp accounts telling you to dial a code to reverse money, stop fraud, claim a prize, approve a refund, or protect your account. Scammers often use urgency to make people approve actions without checking.
If a USSD Code Does Not Work
A code may fail because the service changed, the menu is unavailable, the session timed out, the SIM is not supported, the phone has poor signal, or the code only works for certain account types.
Try these safe checks first:
- Confirm that you entered the code correctly.
- Make sure you are using the right SIM, network, or bank-linked cellphone number.
- Restart your phone if the menu keeps failing.
- Do not repeat paid, banking, or send-money actions if no confirmation screen appeared.
- Use the provider’s official app, website, branch, ATM, or support route if the issue involves money or account access.
For broader lookup help, use the main USSD codes South Africa directory.
Verification and Updates
USSD codes, menu paths, fees, bundle rules, and service availability can change.
This site should use two update fields:
| Field | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Last updated | Shows when the page content was last edited. |
| Last verified | Shows when the specific code, menu path, or provider instruction was last checked against an official source. |
On individual code pages, the Last verified field should be checked against official provider, bank, government, or regulator sources before publication.
Always read the confirmation screen before approving a purchase, transfer, subscription, SIM change, banking action, or public-service request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a USSD code?
A USSD code is a short code you dial on your phone to open a service menu. It is often used for quick actions such as checking airtime, checking data, buying bundles, accessing bank menus, sending money, or using mobile network self-service options.
What is this website for?
This website helps South African users find USSD code guides by network, bank, service, or task. It is designed to help you find the right guide before you dial a code or follow a menu.
Do USSD codes need mobile data?
USSD does not work like a website or mobile app, so it is often useful when you do not have mobile data. However, some services may still have charges, limits, or account requirements. Check the confirmation screen before completing an action.
Is USSD safer than using an app?
Not always. USSD is useful for quick actions, but apps and official websites may be better for detailed account management, disputes, statements, and secure support. For banking or personal information, use the safest official channel available.
Why does a USSD code time out?
USSD sessions can time out if you take too long to respond, signal is weak, the network is busy, or the service is temporarily unavailable. Start again only if it is safe, especially when money, airtime, data, or account access is involved.
Can a USSD code be used in a scam?
Yes. Scammers may pressure you to dial a code, approve a prompt, share an OTP, or move money. Do not follow USSD instructions from unknown callers, fake support agents, social media comments, or suspicious WhatsApp messages.
What should I do if I used the wrong USSD code?
Stop entering information and do not approve anything. If money, banking, SIM access, subscriptions, or personal information may be involved, contact the provider, bank, or official support channel directly.
Find the Right Code Before You Dial
Search the directory, choose the guide that matches your task, and check the provider details before you act.
Dial only when the menu matches what you intended to do.