Buy airtime is a service that allows you to purchase airtime via funds available in your M-PESA. You can buy airtime for self or other numbers. Buying airtime through M-Pesa is one of the most convenient and popular features of the mobile money service, allowing you to top up your phone or someone else's phone instantly using your M-Pesa balance.
Using M-Pesa to Buy Airtime via Safaricom Menu/SIM Toolkit
This is the traditional method using your phone's built-in M-Pesa menu.
Steps:
- Access M-Pesa Menu
- Go to Safaricom Menu or SIM Toolkit
- Navigate to Airtime Purchase
- Select M-PESA
- Select Buy Airtime or Bundles
- Select Buy Airtime
- Choose Recipient
- Select My Phone (if you intend to buy airtime for your line)
- OR Select Other Phone (if you would like to buy airtime to other number)
- Complete Transaction
- Enter the amount for airtime purchase
- Enter your M-Pesa PIN
- Wait for confirmation SMS
Buy Airtime Using M-Pesa Super App
The M-Pesa Super App provides a modern, user-friendly interface for airtime purchases.
Steps:
- Launch the App
- Launch the M-PESA Super App
- Select Airtime Option
- Select Airtime icon from the home screen
- Choose Purchase Type
- Select either "Buy For My Number" or "Buy for Other Number"
- Enter Details
- If buying for another number, enter the number and amount you wish to spend on airtime
- Confirm Purchase
- Select enter amount and confirm
- Complete the transaction using M-PESA PIN or biometric authentication
- Receive Confirmation
- Get SMS confirmation of successful airtime purchase
Buy Airtime Using My Safaricom App
The My Safaricom App integrates airtime purchases with other Safaricom services.
Steps:
- Open the App
- Launch My Safaricom App
- Access Airtime Section
- On the home screen, select Airtime Top up
- Choose Payment Method
- You can buy airtime through M-PESA or top up with a scratch card
- If buying airtime using M-PESA, select M-PESA option
- Select Recipient
- Select either top-up to "My Number" or "Other Number"
- Enter Purchase Details
- If buying for another number, enter the number or select number from phone book
- Enter amount or select from the denomination displayed on the screen
- Complete Transaction
- A pop-up message appears, select buy
- Enter your M-PESA PIN
- A pop-up message appears showing the transaction details. Select done
Buy Airtime Using M-Pesa via USSD (*334#)
The USSD method works on all phone types and doesn't require internet connectivity.
Steps:
- Dial USSD Code
- Dial *334# from your Safaricom line
- Select Airtime Purchase
- Select buy airtime from the menu
- Choose Recipient
- Choose either my phone or other phone
- Enter Details
- To buy for other number enter the number or choose from the phonebook
- Enter the amount you wish to spend on airtime
- Authorize Transaction
- Enter M-PESA PIN
- Confirm (For Other Numbers)
- If buying for another number, Hakikisha prompt will pop up that prompts you to either select Accept or 2. Cancel
- Receive Confirmation
- You will receive a pop-up confirmation that your request is being processed and an SMS confirmation that the airtime purchase was successful
