Idea customer care phone no: the definitive, up-to-date guide for India (2025)

Idea Cellular merged with Vodafone India and, in September 2020, the combined brand was reintroduced as “Vi” (Vodafone Idea). If you’re looking for the old “Idea customer care” numbers, the working helplines are now operated by Vodafone Idea Limited (Vi) across all circles in India. This guide lists the correct numbers, how to use them effectively, and what to do if your issue is not resolved.

Below you’ll find the nationwide complaint and service helplines that continue to work from any Vi/Idea mobile number, how to get a person on the line quickly, and the official escalation path (including addresses) if you need to take a matter further. Where circle-specific numbers are required (e.g., calling from a non-Vi number), we explain how to fetch the correct number from the official site to avoid outdated or fraudulent listings.

The phone numbers that actually work nationwide

The following short codes are active across India for Vi (formerly Idea) and are the fastest way to reach support without hunting for circle-wise numbers. These are standard, regulator-recognized lines for consumer care and complaints.

• 198 — Complaints (toll-free) from a Vi/Idea number. Use this to report billing disputes, network/service failures, wrongful VAS charges, SIM swap fraud, or unresolved issues. IVR is 24×7; live-agent availability varies by circle and hour but is typically offered during business hours.
• 199 — General care/requests from a Vi/Idea number. Use this for plan information, recharge issues, data settings, eSIM/SIM swap queries, and international roaming. Standard call charges as per your plan may apply.
• 1909 — DND (Do-Not-Disturb) activation/deactivation, toll-free from any operator in India. You can also send START/STOP via SMS to 1909 for category-specific preferences.
• Calling from a non-Vi number or from abroad: use the circle-wise long numbers listed on the official site. Go to https://www.myvi.in/ and navigate to Help/Support → Contact Us → Select your State/UT to get the current customer care and appellate contacts for your circle.

Avoid third-party websites that list legacy “Idea” numbers that no longer route correctly. Always verify through the official Vi site or the Vi app. Numbers such as 121 or 12345 are not the current Vi care numbers in most circles; 198 and 199 are your primary entry points from a Vi/Idea SIM.

Tip: Keep your Vi number handy and ensure outgoing calls are enabled before you dial. If you are dual-SIM, place the call from the Vi/Idea SIM for the IVR to recognize your account automatically.

When to call which line

Use 198 the moment you suspect an account-impacting issue: sudden balance deductions you don’t recognize, repeated call drops in one location, failed recharge with money debited, unexpected roaming charges, SIM swap attempts, or eSIM provisioning failures. Because 198 is designated for complaints, it is toll-free and designed to log a formal docket with an Estimated Resolution Time (ERT).

Use 199 for informational requests and routine account operations: understanding current packs, best offers, changing postpaid plan, activating/deactivating value-added services (caller tunes, OTT packs), international roaming activation prior to travel, or to request configuration settings. If your request reveals a problem (e.g., a double charge), ask the agent to transfer you to the complaint desk or re-dial 198 and quote the details.

For unwanted commercial calls and SMS, 1909 is the correct channel as mandated by India’s DND regulations. You can lodge category-specific DND preferences via IVR or by SMS, and you should receive confirmation within minutes. If spam persists after DND activation, log a misuse complaint on 198 with specific sender IDs and timestamps.

Get a human on the line faster

IVR menus evolve, but a reliable approach is: dial 199 from your Vi number, choose your language, select the option related to “existing connection” or “plan/recharge,” then look for “more options” or “speak to an executive.” On 198, pick the category that best matches your complaint (billing/network/activation) to be routed to the correct queue. If the IVR offers a call-back, accept it—it often reduces wait time during peak hours.

Have the essentials ready before you call: your Vi mobile number, last recharge or bill amount and date, the exact error message (if any), and timestamps/screenshots for failed transactions. For device/network issues, note the location (with PIN code), indoor/outdoor condition, the device model, and whether the problem reproduces on 2G/3G/4G/4G+ or 5G.

If you prefer not to wait on hold, open the Vi app (Android/iOS), go to Help/Support → Raise a request, or start Live Chat; you can request a call-back from an agent in many circles. Submitting via the app also creates a trackable ticket without calling.

Escalation that gets results (docket numbers, nodal, appellate)

Every time you contact 198/199, you should receive a complaint or request docket number by SMS almost immediately, along with the ERT (Estimated Resolution Time). Save that SMS. If the ERT passes without a fix—or if the resolution message does not address your issue—begin escalation. India’s telecom consumer regulations require transparent complaint handling with time-bound resolution and a clear appellate path.

• Step 1 — First contact (198/199): Obtain and keep the docket number plus the ERT sent by SMS. If promised a call-back or field visit, ask for the date/time window.
• Step 2 — Nodal Officer (circle-level): If not resolved by the ERT or within about 3 working days, escalate to your circle’s Nodal Officer. Get the exact contact from https://www.myvi.in/ → Help/Support → Contact/Grievance. Provide your docket, dates, and supporting proofs.
• Step 3 — Appellate Authority: If the nodal stage is unsatisfactory, file an appeal within 90 days of the original docket closure. As per the Consumer Complaint Redressal Regulations, the Appellate Authority must issue a decision within 39 days of your appeal. You’ll receive an appeal docket by SMS/email.
• Step 4 — External: Persisting disputes (e.g., large billing errors, number portability issues) can be taken to consumer courts or raised on the national grievance portal (https://pgportal.gov.in/) under the Department of Telecommunications with your docket trail attached.

For formal correspondence, you can write to Vodafone Idea Limited at these official addresses (use speed post and keep acknowledgment):

Registered Office (as per recent annual filings): Vodafone Idea Limited, Suman Tower, Plot No. 18, Sector 11, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382011, India.

Corporate Office (Mumbai): Vodafone Idea Limited, Birla Centurion, Century Mills Compound, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400030, India.

Attach copies (not originals) of invoices, payment proofs (UTR/reference numbers), screenshots of failed recharges, and any SMS/email acknowledgments. For postpaid billing disputes, include at least the last three bills and the specific pages/line items you contest.

Safer alternatives and digital self‑service

The Vi app and website are often the quickest path for common fixes—no calls required. From the Vi app, you can check balance and pack validity, download bills, raise and track complaints, switch plans, activate roaming, and request SIM/eSIM changes. Start at https://www.myvi.in/ and choose Help/Support to access the same options on the web; the site will prompt you to log in with OTP on your Vi number.

If you prefer chat-based help, start WhatsApp Care only through the Vi app or by clicking the verified link on https://www.myvi.in/ to ensure you’re messaging the official, verified business account. Do not trust WhatsApp numbers copied from social media; Vi will never ask for your full card details, UPI PIN, or OTP over chat or calls.

Need in-person assistance (e.g., SIM swap due to loss/damage or KYC updates)? Use the Store Locator linked from the myvi.in homepage to find the nearest exclusive Vi store. Carry original, valid ID/address proof for KYC, plus a softcopy/photo if possible. Fees and processing times for SIM replacement or eSIM requests can vary by circle; staff will confirm current charges before proceeding.

Final checklist before you call

Confirm you’re dialing from your Vi/Idea SIM for 198/199, note your last recharge/bill details, and keep a pen ready to jot your docket number. If you escalate, compile a brief timeline with dates and screenshots—it dramatically speeds up resolution at the nodal/appellate stages. And always verify contact details on the official site (https://www.myvi.in/) to avoid outdated or fraudulent numbers.

What is the phone number for ideas?

helpline details

Vi Helpline Number Details	Vi Contact Number
Data Activation/ Deactivation	1925
Televerification	59059
Mobile Number Portability Helpline	18001234567
COCP/Enterprise	55666

What is contact vi?

You can call us on 199. Connect with us via Vi WhatsApp number 9654297000. Reach us at [email protected]. Or chat with us via the Vi chatbot (Vic — available 24×7)

How do I contact Vodafone customer services?

Existing customers can call 191 for free from a Vodafone mobile.

How do I contact Idea?

Contact IDEA

1. Email us: [email protected].
2. Text us: +1 301-678-3210.
3. Write us: