Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) is a communications protocol used by GSM enabled mobile network carriers to allow end-users buy, enable, operate specific products and services by simply dialling specific codes that often start with a * and end with #. Across the world, mobile operators use USSD codes to allow subscribers buy bundles, or activate specific services with dedicated digit codes.
In Africa, MTN group ranks as the biggest mobile network operator with its market presence stretching from southern Africa to the West, Central and Eastern Africa. In all these markets the telco has dedicated service codes that customers can use to activate specific products & services. Known services include balance checks, access to mobile money, among others.
As a standard, MTN South Africa Shortcodes allow customers in the Zulu land to activate and use most of its services from buying internet bundles to using the continent’s fast-evolving mobile money service. Commonly, the *136#, *132 and *141# MTN SouthAfrica Shortcodes are used to activate the most basic services from buying bundles to changing your active tariff plan.
MTN South Africa Shortcodes you need to note
| Function | Shortcode |
|---|---|
| Buy SMS Bundles | *136*2*747# |
| Buy Voice Bundles | *136*2*864# |
| Activate PayAsYouGo | *136*2*794# |
| Buy AnyTime minutes | *141*2*282# |
| Buy MTN-to-MTN minutes | *136*2*626# |
| Buy International call bundles | *136*2*427# |
| Buy Internet Data bundles | *136*2*999# |
| Activate Hourly bundles | *136*2*443# |
| Buy Daily bundles | *136*2*133# |
| Buy Weekly bundles | *136*2*193# |
| Get Fortnightly bundles | *136*2*293# |
| Activate Monthly bundles | *136*2*163# |
| Buy a Night Express bundle | *136*2*639# |
| Get Long term bundles | *136*2*668# |
| Buy BlackBerry bundles | *136*2*226# |
| Function | Shortcode |
|---|---|
| Join MTN SouthAfrica Loyalty Program | *136*9# |
| Cliq5 | *136*2*255# |
| MTN promo | *136*2*776# |
| MTN Spin ‘n Win | *156*083# |
| MTN Zone | *175# |
| MTN Play | *156# |
| Check your Account balance | *136# |
| Detailed balances | *136*1# |
| PIN recharges | *136* + PIN# |
| Eazi recharge | *136*10# |
| Purchases | *136*2# |
| Activate Out of bundle call barring | *136*5*6622# |
| Usage limit management | *136*5*7852# |
| Access the MTN SouthAfrica Self-service menu | *136# |
| My account | *136*5# |
| Afrihost | *136*774# |
| Send Me2U to another number (Share Airtime) | *136*3# |
| Borrow MTN SouthAfrica Airtime and Bundles | *136*774*3# |
| My SUL Balance | *136*1*7851# |
| MTN migration | *136*4# |
| Self-service menu | *136# |
| Use | MTN South Africa Shortcode |
|---|---|
| Get caller notifications (Who Called) | *156*136# |
| Access the MTN SouthAfrica help menu | *136*0# |
| PayAsYouGo customer service | *135# |
| Postpaid customer service | *135# |
| Postpaid business services | *135# |
| Business solution services | *135# |
| International roaming service | *135# – option 1 – sub option 2 |
| Number portability | *135# – option 4 |
| RICA SIM card | *135# – option 2 |
| Get MTN information | *136*12# |
| Set up a SIM swap | *135# – option 5 |
| Function | Shortcode |
|---|---|
| Access the voicemail main menu | *132# |
| Change your voicemail greeting | *132# – option 3 |
| Autoplay your voicemail messages | *132# – option 4 |
| Change you voicemail passwords | *132# – option 4 |
| Automatic voicemail | *132# |
| All voicemail services | *132# |
| Direct voicemail | 134 + 9 digits of the number you are calling |
| International roaming voicemails | 132 |
In 2018, the MTN South Africa shortcodes were changed to pave way for the Independent Communication Authority of SouthAfrica (ICASA) decision for all telcos to roll out new shortcodes for customers. And so, the above MTN South Africa Shortcodes are the currently active USSD codes that can help you activate any service you may prefer.
Just like other telcos like Airtel Zambia, Airtel Kenya, Airtel Uganda, MTN Uganda, MTN Nigeria, and others, MTN South Africa shortcodes can only be used if you’re actively using the telco’s line within its broadcast area, if you travel to a new location, you must enable roaming in order to use its services and keep your account active. So, the next time you wish to activate a service, you have a list of codes to pick from aside the revamped MY MTN App.