Vodafone India (Vi) customer care number: complete, practical guide

Official customer care numbers you can dial today

Vodafone India now operates under the unified brand “Vi” (Vodafone Idea) since 2020. For phone support from a Vi mobile, the two most important short codes remain 199 and 198. Dial 199 for general customer care (plan information, recharges, data/voice add-ons, SIM/eSIM, balance and validity, VAS activation/deactivation, roaming packs, handset/network troubleshooting). Dial 198 for complaints; this line is toll-free and intended specifically for service-related grievances such as billing disputes, wrongful deductions, persistent network issues, or unresolved requests.

Both 199 and 198 are available 24×7 with IVR self-service and a route to a human agent. Keep your Vi mobile number, last recharge amount/date, and any error messages handy to speed up verification. If you’re calling from a non-Vi number or from a landline, use the circle-wise numbers published on the Vi support site. The canonical website for support and live chat is https://www.myvi.in/help-support, and the Vi Store/Service Center locator is at https://www.myvi.in/stores.

• 198 (toll-free): Register a complaint (billing, VAS, network, porting issues). From a Vi connection.
• 199: General customer care for requests and information. From a Vi connection (IVR is free; agent assistance may be chargeable as per your plan).
• 1909: National Do Not Disturb (DND). SMS “START 0” to 1909 to allow only transactional SMS; “STOP” to register full DND; “HELP” for menu.
• 1900: Mobile number portability (MNP). SMS “PORT <10-digit-number>” to 1900 to receive your Unique Porting Code (UPC).
• *199#: Vi USSD self-service menu for best offers, balance/validity, data usage, and quick recharges without data.
• From other networks/overseas: Use the circle-specific care numbers listed at https://www.myvi.in/help-support/contact-us or start web/app chat at https://www.myvi.in.

What to expect when you call, and how to prepare

On 199 and 198, you’ll first hear an IVR with language selection (English/Hindi/regional). Most common actions—checking data balance, plan validity, best offers, VAS status, or raising a standard ticket—can be completed via IVR in under 2 minutes. If you choose to speak with an agent, ensure you have your Service Request (SR) number from any previous interaction; this allows the advisor to pull up history and prevents duplicated troubleshooting steps.

For prepaid issues, note your last recharge amount, date/time, and the payment channel (UPI, card, wallet, retailer). For postpaid, keep your last bill amount, bill date, and payment receipt reference. For network complaints, capture specifics: affected locations (with landmark or PIN code), time windows (e.g., “6–10 pm”), type of failure (no data, call drops, VoLTE off, SMS not delivered), handset make/model, and whether the issue persists on 2G/3G/4G/5G. These details directly influence how quickly a network ticket is triaged.

Escalation path and resolution timelines

If your issue is not resolved to your satisfaction through 198/199 or within the timeframe communicated in the SR (commonly 24–72 hours for most categories), escalate as per the Telecom Consumers Complaint Redressal framework. Each Licensed Service Area (circle) has a designated Nodal Officer and an Appellate Authority. Their names, email IDs, phone numbers, and office hours are published on the Vi site under Help & Support. When escalating, provide your SR/complaint number, date/time of prior interactions, concise description, and any proofs (screenshots, bills, recharge receipts).

Escalations typically proceed in two steps: Nodal Officer first, then Appellate Authority if still unresolved or if you receive an inadequate closure. Appeals generally require you to file within a reasonable window from the last resolution attempt; the Appellate team may offer a hearing slot and must provide a reasoned decision. Always keep the SMS/e-mail acknowledgements of complaints and appeals, and ask for the new SR/Appeal Reference ID at each step.

Digital-first support: app, web, and social

The Vi App (Android/iOS) is the fastest way to fix most account-level issues without waiting on a call. You can check balances and validity, recharge, browse packs, activate/deactivate international roaming, raise and track tickets, change plan, manage family add-ons, block SIM, and download bills. The app also exposes contextual troubleshooting (e.g., SIM/eSIM, VoLTE/Vi Wi-Fi Calling). Download it from your phone’s app store by searching “Vi App” or through links at https://www.myvi.in.

On the web, sign in at https://www.myvi.in for the same self-care features plus live chat. For social support, the official handle is @ViCustomerCare on X (Twitter). Use DMs for account-specific details and avoid posting your full number, OTPs, or personal documents publicly. For WhatsApp assistance, start the conversation from the official link within the Vi App or the Help & Support page to ensure you connect to the verified business account.

Special situations: roaming, SIM loss, spam, and fraud

International roaming can be activated through the Vi App, via 199 IVR, or at a Vi Store. Activation is near-instant for most postpaid connections and typically faster if requested at least a few hours before travel. As of 2024–2025, Vi offers country/region packs of varying validity; pricing and inclusions change periodically, so confirm the latest tariffs on https://www.myvi.in or *199#. For domestic roaming within India, most plans include incoming/outgoing usage; verify your plan’s fair usage and per-unit rates in the app.

If your phone/SIM is lost or stolen, immediately block the number from another phone via 198/199 or by using the Vi App/web self-care. Follow up with SIM replacement at a Vi Store with valid ID; eSIM users can request a fresh QR through secure verification. To reduce spam, register DND by SMS to 1909; to report fraudulent communications or financial cybercrime, call India’s national helpline 1930 and file at https://cybercrime.gov.in. Never share OTPs, full card details, or UPI PIN with anyone claiming to be “support.”

• Before you call: note your Vi number, recent recharge/bill details, SR numbers, handset model/OS, and exact error messages.
• For network issues: collect location (PIN/landmark), timestamps, affected services (voice/SMS/data/VoLTE), and whether the issue is indoor/outdoor.
• For billing disputes: keep the bill PDF, itemized charges in question, your payment reference, and screenshots from bank/UPI apps.
• For porting: obtain your UPC by SMS “PORT <number>” to 1900; UPC is valid for a limited period (usually 4–7 days), so submit it promptly.
• From non-Vi numbers: use the circle-wise contact list at https://www.myvi.in/help-support/contact-us or start live chat on web/app.

At-a-glance recap

Dial 198 (toll-free) to lodge a complaint; dial 199 for general care and IVR self-service. Use 1909 for DND, 1900 to generate your porting code, and *199# for quick USSD actions. For everything else, the Vi App and https://www.myvi.in are your always-on channels to resolve issues fast, with escalation options to Nodal/Appellate if required.

Vi serves over 200 million subscribers across India’s 22 service areas. Having your details ready and choosing the right channel for the issue—IVR/app for quick fixes, 198 for complaints, and circle-wise escalation when needed—will typically get you a resolution in the shortest possible time.