How To Send A Please Call Me On Vodacom (2026)

Posted on Author Bells Hardingstone

The Please Call Me message is a South African institution. When you have zero airtime, zero data, and an urgent need to speak to someone, this humble text request has saved millions of conversations. It is free, it is quick, and it works on the most basic phone.

However, Vodacom has made changes to this service over the years. The number of free messages has been reduced, the advertising has increased, and many users are unsure if the old codes still work.

This guide covers every method to send a Please Call Me on Vodacom in 2026. You will learn the original USSD code, the app method, how to send one from a Telkom or MTN line to a Vodacom user, and how to get more free messages when you run out.

How To Send A Please Call Me On Vodacom: The Complete  Guide

Quick Reference: Vodacom Please Call Me Codes

Action Code
Send standard Please Call Me 140 recipient number
Send Please Call Me with your name 141 recipient number
Send Please Call Me with a custom message 142 recipient number
Check remaining free messages 140 8

Example:
To send a Please Call Me to 082 123 4567, dial:

1400821234567

and press send.

These codes are handy when you’re out of airtime but need someone to call you back.

What Is A Please Call Me?

A Please Call Me, often abbreviated as PCM, is a free text message sent from a Vodacom prepaid or Top-Up customer to any other South African mobile number, including MTN, Telkom, Cell C, and Telkom Mobile.

The recipient receives an SMS that reads:

Please call me from Your Number. Free msg sent via Vodacom 4U. Dial 140YourNumber to send free Msg.

The sender pays nothing. The recipient can then call the sender back.

Vodacom introduced this service in the early 2000s, and it remains one of the most used free services on the network. However, Vodacom limits the number of free PCMs you can send per day. Once you exceed the limit, you are either blocked until the next day or you must pay for additional messages.

Method 1: The Original USSD Code, 140

Best for: Anyone with a dialler, zero airtime, and a basic phone.

This is the original method. It works exactly as it did twenty years ago.

Step-by-Step:
1. Open your phone dialler.
2. Type 140 followed immediately by the 10-digit cellphone number you wish to notify.
– Correct format: 1400821234567
– Incorrect format: 140 082 123 4567, do not use spaces
3. Press the call button.
4. You will hear a tone or a robotic voice confirming the message has been sent.
5. You do not need to stay on the line. Hang up immediately.

The recipient will receive the SMS within a few seconds.

What happens if you dial incorrectly?
If you dial 140 without a number, you will enter the Please Call Me menu. Vodacom will SMS you instructions and inform you how many free messages you have remaining for the day.

Method 2: Please Call Me With Your Name, 141

Best for: Sending to contacts who may not recognise an unknown number.

The standard Please Call Me only displays your number. If you are calling a plumber, a potential employer, or someone who does not have your number saved, they may ignore it.

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Vodacom allows you to add your name to the message.

Step-by-Step:
1. Open your dialler.
2. Type 141 followed immediately by the 10-digit recipient number.
– Example: 1410821234567
3. Press call.
4. You will be prompted to enter your name. Type it using your keypad.
– For an alphanumeric keypad, press the corresponding numbers. For example, 2 for A, B, or C.
– For a smartphone, the keypad will allow you to type normally.
5. Press send or the hash key to confirm.

The recipient receives: Please call me from Your Name. Free msg sent via Vodacom 4U.

This significantly increases the chance of a callback.

Method 3: Please Call Me With Custom Message, 142

Best for: Urgent situations where you need to convey context without airtime.

If you need to say, Emergency, call now or I am at the gate, you can attach a short custom message.

Step-by-Step:
1. Open your dialler.
2. Type 142 followed immediately by the 10-digit recipient number.
– Example: 1420821234567
3. Press call.
4. You will be prompted to enter your custom message. You are limited to approximately 50 to 80 characters.
5. Type your message.
6. Press send or the hash key to confirm.

The recipient receives: Please call me from Your Number. Msg: Your Custom Message. Free msg sent via Vodacom 4U.

Note: This method consumes two of your free messages instead of one. Use it sparingly.

Method 4: Please Call Me Via The MyVodacom App

Best for: Smartphone users who prefer a graphical interface.

Vodacom has integrated the Please Call Me function into the MyVodacom app. This is useful if you struggle with USSD codes or want to select contacts directly from your phonebook.

Step-by-Step:
1. Open the MyVodacom app.
2. Log in. If you have no data, you will need Wi-Fi or the app will not load.
3. On the home screen, scroll down or look for the section labelled Free Services or Please Call Me.
4. Tap on Send Please Call Me.
5. Select a contact from your address book or manually type the number.
6. Choose whether to send a standard request or add your name.
7. Tap Send.

The app will confirm that the message has been sent.

Pros: Easy contact selection, visual confirmation.
Cons: Requires data or Wi-Fi. If you have zero balance, you likely have zero data, making this method inaccessible unless you are connected to free Wi-Fi.

Method 5: Send A Please Call Me To Vodacom From Another Network

Best for: MTN, Telkom, or Cell C users trying to reach a Vodacom customer.

Please Call Me is a Vodacom service. You cannot send a Please Call Me from an MTN SIM card to a Vodacom number using the 140 code. It will not work.

However, you can still request a callback for free.

Option A: Send an SMS via 112, free on most networks
– Dial 112.
– Follow the prompts to send a free SMS to any network. This is a government-mandated emergency communication service that is often free. However, it is intended for distress situations. Use it sparingly.

Option B: Use a third-party app
– If you have Wi-Fi, use WhatsApp, Telegram, or Messenger to send a text request.
– If you have no data, find a public Wi-Fi hotspot or ask someone nearby to hotspot you.

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Option C: Flash or Beep
– Call the Vodacom number and hang up immediately before they answer. This is not official, but South Africans understand that a missed call means call me back.

How Many Free Please Call Me Messages Do You Get?

Vodacom does not publish a fixed number, and it varies based on your usage profile and recharge history.

General guidelines:
– New or low-usage prepaid customers: 3 to 5 free PCMs per day.
– Regular prepaid customers who recharge monthly: 5 to 7 free PCMs per day.
– Top-Up or Contract customers: Often unlimited, or a very high daily cap.

How to check your remaining messages:
Dial 1408 and press send.
You will receive an SMS stating: You have X Please Call Me messages left for today.

What happens when you run out?
Vodacom will block further free PCMs. You will receive an SMS stating: You have reached your daily limit. Please try again tomorrow.

You cannot buy additional Please Call Me messages individually. However, you can buy airtime and then send an SMS or make a brief call instead.

The Advertisement Problem: Why Please Call Me Is Slower Now

If you have used Please Call Me recently, you may have noticed that the recipient does not receive the message immediately. Sometimes it takes five minutes. Sometimes it takes an hour.

This is not a technical fault.

Vodacom has inserted an advertisement delay into the free Please Call Me service. Before the SMS is delivered to the recipient, Vodacom attaches a promotional message, usually advertising data bundles, airtime advances, or Vodacom Plus.

How to bypass the delay:
There is no official way to bypass it. It is intentional. However, sending a Please Call Me with your name, using the 141 code, sometimes delivers faster because it appears more personal and may skip certain advertising queues.

Please Call Me vs. NjeMore: What Is The Difference?

Many users confuse Please Call Me with NjeMore. They are different services.

Feature Please Call Me NjeMore
Cost Free Borrowed, repaid later
What you send A text request for a call Actual data or airtime
Recipient Anyone in SA Yourself
When to use You need someone to call you You need data immediately

Notes:

  • Please Call Me is ideal when you’re out of airtime and need someone else to call you back.
  • NjeMore works like a short-term loan of airtime or data, which you’ll repay later when you recharge.

Summary:
– Use Please Call Me, 140, to ask someone to phone you.
– Use NjeMore, 135822, to borrow data or airtime from Vodacom.

Common Questions, SEO FAQ Section

Is Please Call Me really free?
Yes. Vodacom does not deduct airtime or data when you dial 140, 141, or 142. It is a completely free service, supported by the advertisement attached to the message.

Can I send a Please Call Me to an international number?
No. The service only works for South African mobile numbers. You cannot send a Please Call Me to a number in Zimbabwe, the UK, or any other country.

Why is my Please Call Me not sending?
There are three common reasons:
1. You have reached your daily limit. Check by dialling 1408.
2. You entered the number incorrectly. Ensure there are no spaces and you have included the 0, for example, 082, not 82.
3. The recipient number is ported to another network. Please Call Me works across all networks, but sometimes ported numbers experience routing delays.

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Can I block Please Call Me messages on my phone?
Yes. If you are receiving unwanted Please Call Me requests, you can block them.
– On iPhone: Go to Settings, then Messages, then Block Unknown Senders.
– On Android: Open the Messages app, tap the three dots, go to Settings, then Block Numbers.
Alternatively, you can contact Vodacom at 082 111 and request to be opted out of the Please Call Me service entirely.

Does Please Call Me work on eSIM?
Yes. The service is linked to your mobile number, not the physical SIM format. Whether you use a plastic SIM or an eSIM, dialling 140 works the same.

Can I send a Please Call Me from a Telkom SIM to Vodacom?
No. The 140, 141, and 142 codes are proprietary to Vodacom. They will not work on other networks. The recipient must be on Vodacom, but the sender must also be on Vodacom.

What happened to the Please Call Me lawsuit?
You may recall that Vodacom was sued by Nkosana Makate, the inventor of the Please Call Me service, for billions of rands. As of 2026, the legal battle continues. However, this has not affected the availability of the service. It remains free and operational.

Can I send a Please Call Me to myself?
Yes, but it is useless. You will receive a message asking yourself to call yourself. Use it only to test if your number is working.

The Future Of Please Call Me

Vodacom has shown no signs of retiring the Please Call Me service. Despite being over twenty years old, it remains deeply embedded in South African mobile culture. For millions of users who live on tight airtime budgets, it is the only way to reach out when their balance hits zero.

However, expect the daily limits to potentially shrink further and the advertisement delays to lengthen. Vodacom is a business, and free services are always under review.

Summary: Which Method Should You Use?

If you are in a hurry and the recipient has your number saved: Dial 140 followed by their number. It is the fastest.

If you are contacting someone who does not know you: Dial 141 followed by their number and type your name. You will double your chances of a callback.

If you need to convey urgency: Dial 142 and type a short message. Remember, this uses two messages from your daily allowance.

If you have Wi-Fi but no airtime: Use the MyVodacom app. It is easier and you can select contacts from your phonebook.

Final Reminder: Please Call Me Etiquette

A Please Call Me is a request, not a demand. The recipient pays for the call, not you. If you send multiple Please Call Me messages to the same person in quick succession, or if you send them late at night, you risk annoying the very person you need help from.

Use the service respectfully, and it will remain a reliable lifeline when you need it most.

Official Vodacom Support: 082 111 or www.vodacom.co.za