Messaging
Docs / Messaging

USSD menus

Build and test a versioned menu that works on any phone, without data.

USSD menus work on every phone, without data or a smartphone. People dial a code such as *123*45# and move through screens by number.

Open Messaging › USSD.

Registering a service#

  1. Enter a service name, the shortcode and an optional extension.
  2. Choose Register USSD service.
  3. For live traffic, the Sauti team requests network approval and configures the callback with the USSD provider. Until then, test in the simulator.

Building the menu#

Use the visual menu builder. Each screen has English and Kiswahili text, a type (menu, question or message) and where each answer leads. Save a draft, test the path, then publish a version. Published versions do not change; edit by publishing a new version.

Running it#

  • Set the service to Active or Paused.
  • Review aggregate session outcomes: how many people reached each screen and finished.

Every caller's number is sealed as soon as it arrives. The live callback checks a secret token and the source address before processing a caller.