How to Stop Using Airtime When Data is Finished
November 4, 2025
It’s so frustrating when you’ve run out of data and your phone starts munching away at your airtime. I remember one time I was streaming a video, my data ran out, and before I knew it, my airtime was gone! It’s a common problem, but luckily, there are ways to stop it from happening. The quickest way to stop your phone from using airtime for data is to change your phone’s settings to prevent it from using mobile data once your bundle is finished.
How to Stop Your Phone From Using Airtime for Data
Here are a few ways to stop your phone from using your airtime for data, depending on your network provider:
- Change Your Phone’s Settings: The simplest method is to go into your phone's settings, find the "Mobile Data" or "Network & Internet" section, and turn off mobile data completely when you're running low. This is what I do now, and it has saved me a lot of money. It’s a bit of a manual process, but it’s a surefire way to avoid any surprises.
- Use USSD Codes: Most South African mobile networks have USSD codes that you can dial to manage your out-of-bundle data settings. For example, with Vodacom, you can dial \*135# and follow the prompts to disable out-of-bundle data usage. With MTN, you can dial \*136\*5# to manage your data settings. It's a good idea to check your network provider's website for the specific code you need.
- Network Provider Apps: Many network providers have their own apps that allow you to manage your account and settings. You can usually find an option in the app to disable out-of-bundle data usage. I once helped my grandmother install her network provider's app on her phone, and she found it much easier to manage her data this way. She could see her data balance and turn off out-of-bundle usage with just a few taps.
It's a good idea to be proactive and set this up before you run out of data. This way, you won't have to worry about your airtime disappearing unexpectedly.
And if you're ever in a pinch and need some extra airtime, you can always earn free airtime by completing surveys and playing games on the Points Castle app.
