Telkom publishes *180# for self-service, *188# for balances and *1# to display your mobile number and IMSI. Use the mobile number, or MSISDN, when identifying a recharge recipient; the IMSI is a different identifier.
On a dual-SIM phone, select the Telkom line before sending a request. A router, eSIM or specialised data product may expose a different interface, so use the linked account or official support when a dialler function is unavailable.
Telkom code reference
Operator documents checked 1 November 2026. These are document-verified instructions, not a claim of a live test on every Telkom product.
| Network and task | Code or official route | Before using it | Source check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telkom: Airtime and data balance | *188# | Read each wallet and expiry separately; the app provides account detail. | Operator source Document checked 1 November 2026 |
| Telkom: Buy bundles / self-service | *180# | The menu can include Buy with Card; only approve a purchase you intended. | Operator source Document checked 1 November 2026 |
| Telkom: Own mobile number | *1# | Result includes MSISDN and IMSI. The MSISDN is the mobile number. | Operator source Document checked 1 November 2026 |
| Telkom: Emergency Top Up | *180# | Select Emergency Top Up. Eligibility, denomination and repayment depend on the account. | Operator source Document checked 1 November 2026 |
| Telkom: Data transfer | *180# | Use the sending Telkom line and follow current data-transfer terms; not a promise of cross-network airtime transfer. | Operator source Document checked 1 November 2026 |
| Telkom: Review billed services | MyTelkom App / official support | Request the content-service list, cancellation confirmation and any billing dispute reference. | Operator source Document checked 1 November 2026 |
| Telkom: PUK / registration assistance | Official account or support | Use provider verification. The registration article links the official Self RICA route. | Operator source Document checked 1 November 2026 |
Read data, airtime and the correct number
Telkom's self-service guide confirms the balance and own-number commands. Read all returned labels and expiry information. A Telkom-only allowance, an all-network allowance and an application-specific wallet can have different use conditions.
If the own-number result includes two identifiers, copy the MSISDN as the mobile number. Keep SIM identities private and do not use them as ordinary recharge numbers. The own-number article explains the distinctions and account-record fallbacks.
Buy with the intended allowance and payment method
The *180# menu can include bundle purchases and Buy with Card. Opening the menu does not spend money by itself; completing a purchase does. Check the product, recipient, validity and payment source before the final approval.
Telkom's usage guidance distinguishes Telkom-only and all-network data. Do not choose a restricted allowance solely because its price per GB appears lower. A personalised menu product can differ from the product sold through a bank or reseller.
Use the live SIMcloud catalogue article for that channel's prices and the data-usage calculator when estimating a requirement. Compare the actual allowance and expiry, not just a similar product name.
Emergency Top Up is repayable
The Emergency Top Up terms describe access through *180# or *123#, eligibility and account-dependent denominations. The table uses the main self-service route so that the task is clear.
Read the offered advance, fee, repayment and any automatic option before accepting. A later recharge can settle debt rather than all appearing as new usable airtime. Keep the confirmation and ask the provider to explain recovery if the balance seems wrong.
An advance is not automatically transferable to another customer. Use the specific product's conditions rather than assuming all airtime or data is shareable.
Data transfer is not universal airtime transfer
Telkom documents a data-transfer journey through *180#. Use the sending line and review which allowance can be shared, the recipient and remaining validity. Product-specific limits can differ; a general usage page is not a promise that every bundle on every profile can be transferred.
If the task is to buy a new bundle for another number, use the appropriate purchase journey and verify that recipient independently. The network-check guide explains porting and product selection. A host-network association does not establish a virtual operator's retail transfer eligibility.
Subscriptions, PUK and registration
Use the official Telkom app or account support to review billed services and obtain the current cancellation route. This guide does not invent a direct unsubscribe command. Request cancellation confirmation and a separate investigation for disputed charges.
For a PUK or a registration mismatch, let the provider authenticate the account. Do not guess security digits or approve a SIM replacement simply to retrieve account information. The RICA guide links Telkom's official Self RICA assistance route.
If a code fails, record the command, selected SIM and error. Try the authenticated account or support rather than changing characters until some menu appears. A different string can perform a different task.
Telkom questions
Is *1# the number I use for a recharge?
The command returns information. Use the MSISDN mobile number from the response, not the IMSI field, and confirm the recipient before paying.
Does an Emergency Top Up require repayment?
Yes. Read the current offered terms, fees and recovery before accepting.
Where are all four network instructions?
The USSD finder filters the maintained reference by network and task.