Bells HardingstoneLosing access to your mobile number in South Africa is more than just an inconvenience it cuts you off from banking, WhatsApp, and two-factor authentication. If you are reading this, you likely need to perform a Vodacom SIM swap because your SIM is damaged, lost, stolen, or you are upgrading to a newer nano or eSIM format.
However, the process has changed drastically over the last 24 months. Due to the rise in SIM swap fraud, where criminals trick networks into porting a number to a SIM in their possession, Vodacom has locked down the process. You can no longer dial 135 or call 111 to swap your SIM without biometric verification.
This guide covers the exact, legitimate methods to swap your SIM in 2026, the costs involved, how long it takes, and most importantly, how to protect yourself from hijacking during the process
How To Do A Sim Swap On Vodacom: The Complete Guide
What Is A SIM Swap And Why Is Vodacom So Strict Now?
A SIM swap is the process of transferring your existing mobile number, for example, 082 XXX XXXX, from an old, damaged, or lost SIM card to a new SIM card.
Why it used to be easy:
Previously, a consultant could swap a line with just your ID number and answer to a secret question. This was exploited heavily by syndicates who would bribe retail staff or use social engineering over the phone.
Why it is hard now:
Vodacom now treats every SIM swap request as a potential fraud risk. In 2024 and 2025, the company implemented mandatory RICA re-verification at the point of swap. This means that to get a new SIM, you must physically or digitally prove who you are against the Home Affairs database.
Method 1: The MyVodacom App, The Old SIM Method
Best for: Users whose current phone is still working, the screen is not broken, and you have access to the app or data.
If you have dropped your phone in water and the screen is flickering, or your SIM is physically cracking, but the phone still turns on, this is the fastest route. You do not need to visit a store.
Step-by-Step:
1. Connect to Wi-Fi or Mobile Data: Ensure you have an internet connection. If your SIM is failing, switch to Wi-Fi.
2. Open MyVodacom App: If you are not logged in, you will need an OTP sent to your current, soon to be old, SIM. This verifies you are the legitimate owner.
3. Navigate: Tap on the Menu found at the bottom right, then select Shop, followed by SIM Cards.
4. Select Replace or Upgrade SIM: You will be offered either a physical SIM delivery or, if your device supports it, an eSIM activation.
5. Payment: As of 2026, standard SIM delivery costs R99. This covers courier and the SIM card.
6. Delivery: The SIM arrives within one to three business days. It comes with a leaflet containing a unique activation USSD code.
7. Activation: Insert the new SIM. Dial the activation code provided. The old SIM will die immediately, and the new one will spring to life within two minutes.
Pros: No queuing, no paper forms.
Cons: Costs R99 versus R25 in-store, requires a working phone to order.
Method 2: In-Store SIM Swap, The Lost or Stolen Method
Best for: Broken phones, lost devices, or users who do not use the MyVodacom app.
If you cannot log into the app because your phone is stolen, this is your only option. Do not call the call centre expecting them to do it over the phone. They will refuse.
What to bring:
– Valid South African ID: Green ID book, Smart ID card, or passport if you are a foreign national, with valid documentation.
– Proof of Residential Address: This is now mandatory for contract customers. It must be dated within the last three months. Acceptable documents include a municipal bill, bank statement, or retail store account statement.
– The new SIM card: Purchased at the store for approximately R25.
– The old SIM card: If you still have it, for example, if it snapped in half, hand it in.
The Process:
1. Go to a Vodacom Franchise or Vodashop. Avoid informal street vendors for swaps. Only use corporate stores or accredited franchises.
2. Take a queue ticket and request a SIM Swap or RICA.
3. The consultant will scan your ID and take your photo or biometrics.
4. You will be required to re-RICA the line. This legally links the new SIM card to your ID.
5. Insert the new SIM. The consultant will guide you to dial a confirmation USSD, usually 135 or a store-specific code.
6. Wait time: The swap is usually instant, but network propagation can take up to two hours.
Pros: Instant gratification, cheap SIM card.
Cons: Queues, transport costs, need for physical documents.
Method 3: eSIM Activation, The No Plastic Method
Best for: iPhone 14, 15, and 16 users, Samsung Galaxy S23, S24, and S25 users, and Huawei P-series users.
Vodacom fully supports eSIMs. This is technically a SIM swap because you are moving your number from a physical plastic SIM to an embedded digital SIM.
How to do it:
1. Ensure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi.
2. Open the MyVodacom App.
3. Navigate to Shop, then SIM Cards, and select eSIM.
4. Pay the R99 activation fee.
5. Vodacom will email you a QR code and an activation code.
6. Go to your phone settings:
On iPhone: Settings, then Mobile Data, then Add eSIM, then Scan QR Code.
On Android: Settings, then Connections, then SIM Manager, then Add eSIM.
7. Once scanned, the eSIM activates. The physical SIM will deactivate.
Important: If your phone is lost and you have an eSIM, you cannot simply buy another eSIM online. You must go to a Vodacom store with your ID to request a resend of the QR code, as this is a security risk.
| Method | SIM Card Fee | Delivery Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Store | R25 | N/A | R25 |
| MyVodacom App | Included | R99 | R99 |
| eSIM | N/A | N/A | R99 |
Notes:
- For Top-Up or Contract customers, the R99 fee may be billed directly to your Vodacom account.
- For Pre-paid users, payment must be made instantly via card or airtime.
How Long Does A Vodacom SIM Swap Take?
In-Store Activation: Five minutes for administration, plus up to two hours for network propagation.
MyVodacom Delivery: One to three days for the SIM to arrive, plus two minutes to activate.
eSIM: Instant, usually within 60 seconds of scanning the QR code.
Troubleshooting: If your new SIM is showing SOS Only or Emergency Calls Only after four hours, call 082 111. The swap may be pending manual approval from the fraud department, which can happen if you swap in a different city than your usual billing location.
The Big Rule That Catches Everyone: RICA
You cannot escape RICA. The Regulation of Interception of Communications Act requires every SIM card in South Africa to be linked to a verified ID.
When you perform a SIM swap:
1. The old SIM is deregistered.
2. The new SIM must be registered.
If you buy a new SIM from a supermarket and try to call Vodacom to swap your number onto it, they cannot do it unless you are physically present in a store or using the app to verify your face or ID.
Lost your ID? You cannot perform a SIM swap. You must first get a temporary ID from Home Affairs or use the eHomeAffairs app to get a digital copy.
SIM Swap Fraud: How To Know If You Are Being Targeted
Criminals want to perform a SIM swap on your number. Once they have it, they click Forgot Password on your bank app, and the OTP goes to their phone, not yours.
Red Flags:
1. Sudden Loss of Service: If your phone shows No Service or SOS Only and you are in a strong reception area, do not assume it is a tower fault. Immediately check if your SIM is still active by calling another phone. If it rings on your friends phone but yours is dead, you may have been swapped.
2. Fake Vodacom Calls: You receive a call from 083 100 111, a spoofed number, saying, We are upgrading the towers, please SMS us your OTP.
3. Bank Notifications: You receive a SIM Swapped SMS from your bank regarding your profile being updated.
What to do:
1. Call Vodacom immediately on 082 111. Use a landline or borrow a friends phone.
2. Ask them to Bar All Services on your line immediately.
3. Contact your bank using the Emergency Block Card number, usually found on the back of your bank card.
4. Visit a Vodacom store with your ID to reverse the swap.
Common Questions, SEO FAQ Section
Can I do a Vodacom SIM swap online?
Yes, but only via the MyVodacom App. There is no web-based portal for SIM swaps due to security risks.
Can I do a SIM swap at a Pep or Pick n Pay?
Yes, if they have a Vodacom kiosk. However, they often do not have the ability to resolve blocked swaps. If your swap is routine, it is fine. If the system flags you, for example, with an ID verification required message, you will be sent to a main branch.
Can I swap from a damaged SIM without going to the store?
Yes, if you can still log into the app. If the SIM is so damaged the phone does not recognize it, you cannot get the login OTP. Therefore, you must go to the store.
What is the USSD code for Vodacom SIM swap?
There is no working USSD code to initiate a swap anymore. Codes such as 1359 and similar have been deprecated for security. USSD codes are only used to activate the SIM once you have received it.
Will I lose my contacts and photos?
Yes. A SIM card only stores your number and a small amount of SMS or contacts, usually less than 250. Your photos, apps, and WhatsApp chats are stored on the phone memory or cloud. Back up your WhatsApp before swapping.
Can I keep my old SIM card?
No. Once the swap is processed, the old SIM card is permanently dead. It cannot be reused. Throw it away or shred it.
Does Vodacom charge for a SIM swap?
Yes. R25 for in-store swaps or R99 for app or eSIM delivery. There are no free swaps unless it is a warranty replacement for a faulty SIM purchased directly from Vodacom within six months.
How many times can I swap?
There is no official cap, but if you perform more than three swaps in 30 days, Vodacoms fraud system will automatically flag your account and lock all SIM swap functionality. You will be required to visit a store with certified ID to unlock it.
Summary: Which Method Should You Choose?
If your phone works: Use the MyVodacom App. Pay the R99 delivery fee and avoid the taxi queue.
If your phone is lost, stolen, or broken: Go to a Vodacom Store with your Green ID Book.
If you want a modern phone setup: Switch to an eSIM via the app.
Performing a SIM swap correctly is about patience and security. Never hand your phone to a helper at the mall to do it for you, and never share the six-digit activation code that appears when you insert your new SIM.
Official Vodacom Support: 082 111 for fraud or assistance, or visit www.vodacom.co.za.