Bells HardingstoneData is the lifeblood of modern South Africa. Whether you are streaming, working from home, navigating with Google Maps, or keeping up on WhatsApp, you need a stable internet connection. However, with Vodacom offering multiple platforms, bundles, and expiration rules, buying data can sometimes feel more complicated than it needs to be.
Should you dial 135? Should you use the app? What is the difference between Anytime, Night Owl, and Weekend data? And how do you avoid those expensive out-of-bundle rates that burn through your airtime in minutes?
This guide covers every possible method to purchase data on Vodacom. You will learn the cheapest ways to buy, the USSD codes to dial, how to buy for someone else, and how to stop Vodacom from eating your airtime when your bundle runs out.
How To Buy Data On Vodacom: The Complete Guide
Quick Reference: Vodacom Data Purchase Codes
If you are in a hurry, here are the most common USSD codes. Dial these from your Vodacom SIM.
| Action | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Buy any data bundle | 135 |
| Buy 1GB Anytime | 135 100 1# |
| Buy 5GB Anytime | 135 100 5# |
| Buy Night Owl (00:00 – 05:59) | 135 101# |
| Buy Weekend data | 135 102# |
| Check data balance | 135 8# |
| Buy Social Mega (WhatsApp/IG/TikTok) | 135 104# |
Notes:
- Dialing these codes is free — no airtime is required to access the menus.
- To complete a purchase, you’ll need either airtime or valid banking details linked to your Vodacom account.
Method 1: Buying Data Via USSD, The Universal Method
Best for: Feature phones, users with low battery, areas with poor app connectivity, and those who prefer speed over menus.
USSD is the most accessible method. It works on every phone, requires no data, and takes approximately 15 seconds.
Step-by-Step for USSD:
1. Open your phone dialer.
2. Dial 135.
3. A menu will appear. Reply with the number corresponding to Data Bundles, usually option 1, though this varies slightly by region.
4. Select Anytime Data or Specific Bundles.
5. Choose your size, for example, 500MB, 1GB, or 5GB.
6. Confirm the purchase. The cost will be deducted from your main airtime balance, or you can select Pay from Bank if linked.
Shortcuts:
Vodacom allows skip-the-menu codes.
– To buy 1GB Anytime: Dial 1351001 and press send.
– To buy 2GB Anytime: Dial 1351002 and press send.
– To buy 5GB Anytime: Dial 1351005 and press send.
You will receive an SMS confirmation immediately. The data is usually loaded within 60 seconds.
Method 2: Buying Data Via MyVodacom App
Best for: Smartphone users who want to compare deals, check usage graphs, or buy special Just 4 You offers.
The MyVodacom app is Vodacoms flagship platform. It often contains exclusive discounts that are not available via USSD.
Step-by-Step for the App:
1. Download the MyVodacom app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
2. Log in. You will receive an OTP via SMS to verify your number.
3. On the home dashboard, you will see your current data balance prominently displayed.
4. Tap on Buy Data or Shop.
5. You will see two main categories:
– Anytime Data: Standard data that works 24/7.
– Night Owl: Cheap data for use between midnight and 5:59 AM.
– Social Mega: Data for WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok only.
6. Select your bundle.
7. Payment options:
– Airtime: Deducted instantly from your main balance.
– Debit or Credit Card: Visa or Mastercard.
– Vodacom Wallet: If you have money in your Vodapay wallet.
8. Confirm. The data loads immediately.
Pro Tip: Check the Just 4 You tab inside the app. Vodacom frequently gives users 1GB or 2GB for half price based on their spending habits.
Method 3: Buying Data Via Airtime Advance, NjeMore
Best for: Users who have zero airtime but need data urgently.
If you are sitting at a taxi rank with R0.00 on your phone and you need to send an important email, Vodacom allows you to borrow data. This product is called NjeMore.
How it works:
Vodacom lends you data. You pay it back when you next recharge.
How to buy:
1. Dial 135822.
2. You will be presented with options:
– 50MB for R5
– 250MB for R15
– 500MB for R25
3. Select your bundle.
4. Vodacom confirms the advance. The data is loaded.
5. Repayment: When you next buy airtime, Vodacom automatically deducts the amount you borrowed plus a small service fee, usually R2 to R5 depending on the bundle.
Requirements:
– You must be a prepaid customer for at least 61 days.
– You must have a history of recharging.
– You cannot have outstanding advances.
Method 4: Buying Data For Someone Else
Best for: Parents sending data to children, friends helping friends.
Vodacom allows you to buy data for another Vodacom number. You cannot send data to MTN, Telkom, or Cell C.
Via USSD:
1. Dial 135.
2. Navigate to Data Bundles.
3. Select Buy for someone else.
4. Enter the recipients 10-digit Vodacom number, for example, 082 XXX XXXX.
5. Select the bundle size.
6. Confirm payment from your airtime or bank.
Via App:
1. Open MyVodacom.
2. Tap on Shop.
3. Select Data.
4. Look for the Gift icon or toggle that says This is a gift.
5. Enter the recipients number.
6. Pay.
Important: You cannot send Night Owl or Social Mega data as a gift. Only Anytime data is transferable.
Method 5: Buying Data Via Banking Apps
Best for: Users who prefer to keep all transactions inside their bank app.
All major South African banks, including FNB, Standard Bank, Absa, Capitec, and Nedbank, allow you to buy Vodacom data directly from your banking app.
How to do it:
1. Log into your banking app.
2. Navigate to Buy Airtime or Data.
3. Select Vodacom.
4. Enter your cellphone number.
5. Select Data Bundle, not airtime.
6. Choose the size, for example, 1GB, 2GB, or 5GB.
7. Authorise the payment.
Pros: Data is usually cheaper here than dialling 135. Banks negotiate bulk discounts with Vodacom.
Cons: Limited to standard Anytime bundles. You cannot buy Night Owl or Social bundles via banking apps.
Vodacom Data Types: What Are You Actually Buying?
To avoid wasting money, you need to understand the different data buckets.
Anytime Data:
– Works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
– Can be used for anything: browsing, streaming, hotspot, email.
– Rollover: Yes, if you have 1GB or more remaining and you recharge before expiry, it rolls over for 30 days.
Night Owl Data:
– Works only from 00:00 to 05:59.
– Extremely cheap, for example, 10GB for R99.
– Does not roll over.
– Ideal for downloading large files, updates, or Netflix episodes overnight.
Social Mega:
– Works on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, now known as X.
– Does not work on YouTube, Chrome, or email.
– Cheap, for example, 1GB Social for R15.
– Does not roll over.
Weekend Data:
– Works from Friday 00:00 to Sunday 23:59.
– Cheaper than Anytime.
– Does not roll over.
LTE or Hybrid Data:
– Specifically for Vodacom LTE routers or fixed-wireless connections.
– Cannot be used on a standard cellphone SIM unless you have a specific LTE contract.
How To Stop Out-Of-Bundle Data Bleed
Vodacom out-of-bundle rates are R0.29 per MB. That is R290 per GB, which is approximately ten times more expensive than a standard bundle.
If you run out of data, Vodacom will continue charging you R0.29 per MB unless you switch this feature off.
How to block out-of-bundle data:
1. Dial 1355.
2. Select Block Out of Bundle.
3. Confirm.
Alternatively, via the App:
1. Go to Settings or Profile.
2. Find Usage Controls.
3. Toggle Block OOB Usage to ON.
Once blocked, when your data finishes, your internet simply stops. You will not be charged until you manually buy a new bundle.
| Bundle Size | Anytime Data Price | Social Mega Price | Night Owl Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100MB | R15 | Not available | Not available |
| 500MB | R49 | R15 | Not available |
| 1GB | R85 | R25 | R25, 1GB |
| 2GB | R149 | R45 | R45, 2GB |
| 5GB | R299 | Not available | R69, 5GB |
| 10GB | R499 | Not available | R99, 10GB |
| 20GB | R799 | Not available | Not available |
Notes:
- Prices are estimates for 2026 and may shift depending on Vodacom’s Just 4 You discounts or promotional offers.
- Social Mega bundles are mainly for apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok.
- Night Owl bundles apply only between 00:00 – 05:59.
Common Questions, SEO FAQ Section
Can I buy data with airtime?
Yes. When dialling 135 or using the app, you can select Pay with Airtime. The full bundle cost will be deducted from your main balance.
Why is Vodacom data so expensive?
Vodacom is a premium network with the widest coverage in South Africa. To save money, buy during promotions, use Night Owl, or check banking apps for discounted vouchers.
Does Vodacom data expire?
Yes. Anytime data expires after 30 days. Night Owl, Social, and Weekend data expire after 7 days or at the end of the period. Rollover applies only to Anytime data if you recharge before expiry.
What is the difference between 1GB and 1GB Social?
1GB Anytime works on any app or website. 1GB Social only works on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. If you open Google Chrome, it will not use Social data.
Can I share my data with family?
Yes, if you are on a Vodacom Top-Up or Contract plan with Data Share enabled. Prepaid users cannot share data. They must buy for someone else separately.
How do I check my data balance?
Dial 1358 and press send. You will receive an SMS with your remaining Anytime, Night Owl, Social, and Bonus data.
Can I buy data while roaming?
Yes. Vodacom data bundles work in African roaming zones, including Zambia, Mozambique, and the DRC, but may be subject to fair usage policies. Check the specific roaming zone before streaming.
What is Vodacom Bonus Data?
Bonus data is free data given as a promotion. It is used after your purchased Anytime data but before Night Owl. Bonus data usually expires faster than purchased data, often within 7 days.
Summary: Which Method Is Best For You?
If you have airtime and want speed: Dial 1351001 for 1GB. It takes 10 seconds.
If you want the cheapest price: Open your banking app and check for discounted data bundles. FNB and Capitec often have the best rates.
If you have zero balance: Use NjeMore by dialling 135822.
If you need data for social media only: Buy Social Mega via the app or 135104.
If you stay up late or want to download movies: Buy Night Owl. 10GB for R99 is the best value deal in South Africa.
Final Warning: The Auto-Renewal Trap
If you buy a monthly bundle via the MyVodacom app, look carefully at the checkbox. Vodacom often defaults to Auto-Renewal. This means every 30 days, they will deduct the same amount from your airtime or card and buy the same bundle again.
To cancel auto-renewal:
1. Open MyVodacom.
2. Go to Shop.
3. Tap on My Bundles or Subscriptions.
4. Find the active auto-renewing bundle.
5. Toggle Off.
Buying data on Vodacom does not need to be stressful. Stick to the USSD codes for quick purchases, use the app for exclusive discounts, and always, always block out-of-bundle usage. Your airtime balance will thank you.
Official Vodacom Support: 082 111 or www.vodacom.co.za.