MTN documents *136*2# for bundle menus and XtraTime, and *136*3# for Me2U. Its older May 2023 catalogue lists *136# for balance and *123*888# for your own number. The table distinguishes those older references from the current product pages.
This is an MTN South Africa guide. Do not substitute instructions for an MTN service in another country or assume that a host-network label makes a virtual operator's account eligible for MTN retail services.
MTN code reference
Operator documents checked 1 November 2026; no live handset testing is claimed. Menu contents and available products can differ by account.
| Network and task | Code or official route | Before using it | Source check |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTN: Airtime balance | *136# | Documented in the May 2023 operator catalogue; use the app if the command has changed. | Operator source Document checked 1 November 2026 |
| MTN: Buy bundles | *136*2# | Menu offers depend on the service. Review validity, allowance and payment before accepting. | Operator source Document checked 1 November 2026 |
| MTN: Own mobile number | *123*888# | Older documented command: May 2023 catalogue, printed page 37; not live-tested. | Operator source Document checked 1 November 2026 |
| MTN: XtraTime | *136*2# or *151# | Choose XtraTime. An advance plus service fee is recovered under the offered terms. | Operator source Document checked 1 November 2026 |
| MTN: Me2U transfer | *136*3# | Check recipient and service eligibility. Some profiles need provider activation. | Operator source Document checked 1 November 2026 |
| MTN: Review billed subscriptions | MTN App or official support | Request the active service list and cancellation route. A current direct cancellation string was not confirmed in the reviewed sources. | Operator source Document checked 1 November 2026 |
| MTN: PUK / registration assistance | Official account or 135 | Ask support to authenticate the account; do not guess PUK digits or treat a network result as RICA proof. | Operator source Document checked 1 November 2026 |
Check balance and confirm the correct number
Use the documented balance command or an already linked MTN App account. Read the wallet labels and expiry. A data-only or promotional allowance is not interchangeable with cash airtime, voice value or another bundle. If a purchase appears absent, compare the exact product and recipient before recharging again.
The older own-number command is explicitly labelled because finding a code in a manufacturer or operator document is not a test on today's SIM. If it is unavailable, follow the own-number fallbacks: linked account, service record, trusted-phone contact where supported, or official assistance.
XtraTime: understand repayment before borrowing
MTN's XtraTime page lists *136*2# or *151#, followed by XtraTime. It describes eligibility based on activity and recharge history, a service fee and recovery from subsequent value. The live offer on your account determines what is available.
Before accepting, record the advance, service fee and repayment total. Check whether the choice is one-off or automatic. A later recharge can be used to settle the outstanding amount; compare that recovery with your balance before disputing the original recharge.
Do not borrow simply because a menu offers a higher denomination. Compare the immediate need with the cost and the value you expect to retain from the next recharge. This guide does not approve an advance or calculate eligibility.
Me2U transfers: recipient and profile matter
The Me2U terms document *136*3# and distinguish customer profiles, supported transfers and registration requirements. Use that menu rather than guessing a direct transfer string. Confirm the recipient number, value and wallet before the final approval.
Some contract profiles need provider registration for the service. An available airtime balance does not mean every promotional bundle can be transferred. If the account is roaming or uses a specialised product, check its eligibility before arranging a transfer for someone else.
A SIMcloud recharge is a new purchase for a recipient; Me2U is an operator transfer. Use the network confirmation guide when selecting a compatible recharge, then review the actual catalogue product.
Buying data: compare validity and recurring settings
A menu can offer daily, weekly, monthly, once-off or recurring products. Read when the allowance can be used and what happens at expiry. The cost per GB is only meaningful when the allowances are comparable. An application-specific or time-limited wallet can be unsuitable even when its headline price is lower.
Use the live catalogue comparison for SIMcloud products. Do not assume a personalised MTN menu promotion is sold through the same channel. Save the product confirmation and check the intended line afterwards.
Subscriptions, PUK and RICA
A current direct subscription-cancellation string was not confirmed in the reviewed sources. Use the official MTN App or support to obtain the active-service list and cancellation route. Ask for a separate billing investigation if earlier charges are disputed.
For PUK or registration questions, let the provider authenticate the account. Do not guess a PUK or supply an OTP to an unsolicited caller. The RICA guide explains the difference between an active service and confirmation of your own registration record.
MTN questions
Does a new recharge clear my whole XtraTime debt?
Recovery depends on the outstanding amount and the provider's terms. Check the repayment record and remaining debt rather than assuming any recharge settles it fully.
Can every MTN balance be shared?
No universal transfer promise is made. Read the Me2U terms for your profile and the wallet involved.
What if a documented code fails?
Check the correct SIM and mobile signal, then use the official app or support. The USSD hub explains error handling and source dates.