As part of Vodacom’s endless service for its customers, the Telco company has introduced a Vodacom Sim Swap USSD code which will help its users. SIM swap is when you request a new SIM card and transfer your existing phone number and data to the new SIM card.
In a situation where you unintentionally damaged, misplaced, or need to exchange your normal-sized SIM card for a smaller MicroSIM or NanoSIM in order to fit into a new device (phone, tablet, or router), that’s when the SIM swap becomes necessary.
Assuming you’ve been using a SIM card all these years and unfortunately, you lose it. Although you can get yourself a new SIM card, what about your contacts, how do you get them? In such a situation, you can do a SIM swap
Always remember after a SIM card swap, all your previous services on the lost or destroyed SIM card will remain unchanged. In this article, we will take you through the requirements and steps of doing a SIM swap without necessarily going to a Vodacom office.
Vodacom SIM Swap USSD Code
The Vodacom sim swap ussd code is *136# or better still dial 136 on your phone.
Vodacom Sim Swap Requirements
The Vodacom sim swap requirements will be dependent on lots of factors that depend on the type of sim card the customer is using. For prepaid customers, their requirements will be different from the requirements of contract customers.
Prepaid Sim Swap Requirements
- Proof of ownership
- Account Verification
- Report of lost or stolen phone
What Are the Benefits of a Vodacom Sim Swap?
Depending on the conditions and purposes for which it is carried out, a SIM swap, also known as a SIM card replacement, may provide several advantages. A SIM change might provide the following advantages:
- Phone Lost or Stolen: By completing a SIM swap, you can move your mobile service and number to a new SIM card and device if your phone has been misplaced or stolen. Because of this, you can use your current phone number on a different one.
- Damaged or Malfunctioning SIM Card: A SIM swap enables you to swap out your SIM card for a new one if it is broken or not working properly, preserving the continuity of your mobile service.
- Upgrade to a New Phone: To transfer your cell number and service to the new phone while upgrading, you might need to complete a SIM swap. This happens frequently when converting from one SIM card size to another, such as from a normal SIM to a nano-SIM.
- Better Network Compatibility: A SIM exchange may be required to assure compatibility with the new network if you’re switching to a new phone that uses a different network technology (such as going from 3G to 4G or 5G).
- A SIM swap will be necessary to activate the SIM card for the new network if you are changing mobile network providers while keeping your current phone number (porting).
- Security and Account Protection: Performing a SIM swap can assist in preventing unwanted access to your contacts, personal information, and other sensitive data saved on your device in the event that your phone is lost or stolen.
- Service Activation: A SIM swap may be required to activate the new SIM card and start utilizing the service for new subscribers or those migrating to a different mobile network.
- Contacts and Settings Are Preserved: By switching SIM cards, you may save your contacts, saved messages, and other settings related to your cell number, which makes the transfer to a new handset easier.
How Do I Do Vodacom SIM Swap?
There are a lot of circumstances that can lead to the loss of your SIM card. For this reason, Vodacom South Africa makes it possible to replace your lost SIM card in a few easy and simple steps.
Note that, with the SIM swap process, all data on the old phone number are transferred to a new SIM card but your phone number won’t be changed. On Vodacom, you are either subscribed as a prepaid or a contract customer.
However, a large number of subscribers are on the prepaid service. Below are the steps to follow to SIM swap as a prepaid customer. (You need your South African ID or passport and proof of residence)
- Buy a new Vodacom prepaid starter pack
- RICA your new Vodacom SIM
- With your new SIM in your phone, dial 136 and call
- With a number of options, choose ‘continue using your old phone number’
- You will be directed over to Vodacom’s customer care staff. He or she will do the SIM Swap on your behalf.
After this process, you will have to still keep the new SIM in your phone while waiting for it to be activated. If you are on a Vodacom contract, then follow the steps below SIM swap. (You need your South African ID or passport and proof of residence)
- Buy a new Vodacom contract SIM starter pack
- RICA your SIM.
- Visit the nearest Vodacom shop
- The agent will do the contract SIM swap on your behalf but you will have to fill out some documents
After going through each process, either prepaid or contract, you will have to wait for a period of 2 to 24 hours for the SIM to be activated.
How To Do A SIM Swap on Vodacom Without The Old SIM
When switching SIM cards without the old SIM card, it usually happens under special circumstances, like when a phone is lost or stolen. To protect the security of your account and data under such circumstances, you will need to follow a particular procedure. Following are some general instructions for switching SIM cards on Vodacom without the old SIM card:
- Purchase a fresh prepaid starter pack and enroll it in RICA. From the new SIM, dial 136. Select the option to utilize your previous mobile number. Once you are connected, a contact center professional will switch your SIM card for you. The replacement card will be active in two to twenty-four hours.
Customers on contracts must seek assistance at the closest Vodacom store. For RICA registration of the new SIM, keep your South African ID or passport, current Vodacom phone number, replaceable contract SIM, and evidence of residency with you at all times.
How To Do A SIM Swap On Vodacom Without Calling
If you’d rather trade than call Vodacom, use USSD. Pick the option to utilize your previous number by dialing *136# after getting a new card from a Vodacom retailer, then follow the on-screen instructions. You can also get assistance from a Vodacom representative by going to the nearby Vodacom store to finish the procedure.
How To Do A Prepaid SIM Swap
If you want to do a Prepaid Sim swap on Vodacom, you need to follow these;
- First and foremost, you will need to purchase a prepaid starter sim card, and RICA it
- Proceed by dialing 136 from the new sim
- Then you may select the option that allows you to use your old sim number
- You will then be redirected to a call center consultant who will take charge to do the sim swap for you
- You can now insert your new sim into the phone. This will take between 2 to 24 hours to work
How To Do A Contract SIM Swap
If you have to swap your sim card on Vodacom and you are on a contract, all you have to do is to find the nearest Vodacom shop. Once you get there, an assistant will help you with the process. You have to bear in mind that, the sim swap may come with a charge or fee.
Also, remember to take the following documents;
- Either your South African ID or passport
- Your current Vodacom number if it is available
- A contract sim that is replaceable can be purchased at the Vodacom store
- You will have to RICA your Sim as well which will grant you proof of residence
How To Get Rid of Fraudulent SIM Swap
It’s critical to act quickly to safeguard your cell number, personal information, and accounts if you believe a fraudulent SIM switch has taken place or is likely to do so. What you can do to address and stop fraudulent SIM swaps is listed below:
- Call your mobile phone number customer service the moment you suspect any fraudulent activity on the Sim
- Proceed to provide your account details, personal details and identification details.
- You can inform the customer service personnel of any fraudulent activities on your sim card
- Request to secure your account
- Review your account activity
- Change passwords
- Proceed to enable two-factor authentication
- Monitor your financial statements
- File a report
Contract Sim Swap Requirements
- Proof of identity
- Proof of ownership
- Account Verification
- Reason for a sim swap
Vodacom Sim Swap Security Questions And Answers
- The last five numbers you called from your Vodacom phone. The numbers should not be more than three weeks old
- Your last airtime recharge amount
- The last time your recharged your phone
- The last time you used the Sim
- The subscription services you are on
- The amount of airtime you have on your Vodacom sim
Reasons For Vodacom Sim Swap
The reasons for Vodacom sim swap are many and may vary from person to person. Here are a few;
- Lost or stolen phone
- Faulty or damaged sim card
- Upgrading to a new phone
- Network technology upgrade
- Security concerns
- Change in network provider
- Account related changes
- Data migration
Vodacom Sim Swap FAQS
- What is a Sim Swap
- How can start a sim swap with Vodacom
- What documents do I need for a Vodacom sim swap
- Can I do a Vodacom sim swap without the old sim card?
- How long does a sim swap take?
- Must I backup my data before doing a Vodacom sim swap
- Is my account balance and data bundles be transferred during a sim swap?
- Can I cancel a sim swap request?
- Will I need to pay money for a sim swap?
- What if I suspect fraudulent activity on the sim
How Long Does A Vodacom Sim Swap Take?
Once you do a Vodacom sim swap, you will be in a haste to know when you will be able to use the sim card. Well, following a sim card swap, your new sim will be ready for use between 2 to 24 hours time.
How Do I Check My Vodacom Sim Swap Status
To find out if your Vodacom sim swap was successful or to find out the status of your Vodacom sim swap, you may have to call the Vodacom customer care number or dial 136 and follow the prompts.
How Do I Do A Vodacom SIM Swap Without Calling
If you want to do a Vodacom sim swap without calling, all you have to do is to dial *136# and follow up with the prompts.
What is Vodacom Sim Swap WhatsApp Number
The Vodacom Sim swap WhatsApp number is 082 009 8624.
How Much Does Vodacom Charge For A Sim Swap?
Sim swaps are done for free.
Other Ways To Swap Vodacom SIM Swap
For now, the only option is the use of the code‘136’. According to Vodacom South Africa, this is to curb the activities of criminals who intend to do fake SIM swaps to gain access to subscribers’ details.
Therefore in order to combat fraud, Vodacom has restricted all other services to ‘136’. If you personally requested a SIM swap, it will be processed within 24 hours but if you didn’t, you can cancel the request before by calling 135.
What Is Needed To Do Vodacom Sim Swap
Before you plan a SIM swap, there are requirements. You have to know your old misplaced or damaged Vodacom SIM card number, buy a new starter pack (prepaid or contract), a valid South African ID card or a passport, and proof of residence. With these, you are good to go.
Does It Take Long To SIM Swap
This question is asked by many. A number of Vodacom users are of the view that it takes a longer period of time to SIM swap and they might be out of touch with friends and family. But this is not so. According to Vodacom, a SIM swap takes between 2 and 24 hours to be activated.
Why Do Subscribers Do SIM Swap?
There’s a reason for everything under the sun. As stated earlier, a SIM swap is when you request a new SIM card to transfer your existing phone number and data to the new SIM. For this reason, a subscriber might decide to do a SIM swap in order to recover all data and relevant information from their lost or damaged SIM card.
What Questions Do They Ask When Doing A SIM Swap Vodacom?
Before a SIM Card swap will be done and activated, Vodacom has to first verify if indeed the individual is the real owner of the lost or damaged SIM card. Therefore, a subscriber individual would be asked a few security questions. Below are some of the questions.
- What were the last 5 phone numbers that you called from your Vodacom?
- What was your last airtime recharge amount?
- When did you last use the SIM?
- How much airtime do you have in your Vodacom SIM?
- What subscription services are on your phone?
- When did you last recharge your phone?