In short: For MTN prepaid in South Africa, start with official self-service: dial *136# for balance and menus, *136*2# to buy bundles, *136*10# for Eazi Recharge with a card, bank USSD recharge codes MTN lists, the MTN App, and mtn.co.za/recharge. Me4U (*141*(voucher)*(number)) recharges another MTN number with a prepaid voucher. This page is MTN-only. For Vodacom voucher PINs see the Vodacom guide linked below.
Sources: MTN USSD codes (Help); MTN Recharge; MTN App download; MTN Help.
Core prepaid USSD (official help page)
- *136# – main balance / self-service menu
- *136*1# – detailed balance
- *136*2# – buy voice, SMS, data and promotional bundles
- *136*10# – Eazi Recharge with debit or credit card
- *136*3# – Me2U (buy or transfer airtime, SMS or data)
- *136*5# – manage subscriptions / stop a data purchase (follow prompts)
- *136*4# – compare or change price plans
- *151*2# – XtraTime airtime advance (repaid on next recharge; terms apply)
Menus can vary by prepaid profile and campaign. If a short code fails, fall back to *136# and follow the on-screen labels, or use the MTN App.
Voucher and bank recharge paths
MTN’s USSD article lists Me4U as *141*(voucher number)*(cellphone number to be recharged), then on-screen prompts, to recharge another MTN number with a prepaid voucher. For your own line, use the MTN App, web recharge, Eazi Recharge, a till or bank channel MTN supports, and confirm any voucher option shown under your *136# menu. Do not share voucher PINs on social media.
Bank USSD recharge codes on the same MTN help page include Absa *120*2272#, Capitec *120*3279#, FNB *120*321#, Nedbank *120*001# and Standard Bank *120*2345#. You need that bank’s banking relationship and must follow live prompts, limits and fees. Bank codes can change; if a code fails, use the bank’s own airtime menu or the MTN App.
App, chat and voice help
Download the official MTN App from MTN’s app page or the store listing MTN names. MTN lists Chat on WhatsApp via published contact routes on mtn.co.za (including WhatsApp linked as 083 123 0011 / wa.me from its site) and voice help on 135 from MTN, or 083 135 from other networks. Only use numbers and links shown on mtn.co.za. MTN will not need your banking OTP to “unlock” airtime.
Bundles, transfers and advances
Buy data and voice from *136*2# or the App once you have airtime or a payment method. Me2U at *136*3# covers transfers where MTN enables them for your profile. XtraTime at *151*2# is an advance product with eligibility and repayment rules. Read the on-screen terms before you accept. After any recharge or bundle buy, dial *136# again to confirm balances.
Quick prepaid checklist
- Dial *136# and note airtime and data balances before you buy anything.
- Recharge via App, web, Eazi Recharge, bank USSD or a trusted till.
- Buy the bundle you need from *136*2# or the App.
- Dial *136# again to confirm the new balances.
- Use *136*5# if you need to manage or stop a subscription shown on that menu.
Keep recharge receipts or SMS confirmations when a till load fails to reflect. For help, use MTN’s published 135 / 083 135 or WhatsApp routes on mtn.co.za, not random social-media “agents”.
Not Vodacom
Vodacom prepaid voucher PIN redeem is a different network: redeem Vodacom airtime vouchers. Do not mix MTN *136# menus with Vodacom’s *136*01*PIN# voucher format.
Last checked: September 2026 against MTN’s official USSD codes help article, Recharge and App entry points. Menus and offers change by prepaid profile. Confirm on your handset and mtn.co.za.