As technology improved and became more prominent, data bundles became vital in Kenya for communication, work, and even entertainment. Safaricom, among the best mobile service providers, made the purchase of bundles quite easy through its mobile money service called M-Pesa. But perhaps what you may not know is that you can buy not only for yourself but also for another person through M-Pesa. Whether you send the bundles to your friend, family member, or colleague, the process has been simplified and is quite efficient.

This comprehensive guide will take you through the steps of buying bundles for another number using M-Pesa and highlight other related features you should be aware of in Kenya.

1. Why You May Want to Buy Bundles for Someone Else

Purchasing bundles for another number is convenient and useful in various situations:

You may want to support a family or friend who has run out of data or just want to show a gesture of goodwill. This is giving; you may be in a position to buy bundles for your loved ones, especially knowing they use the internet more often. Professional ends: Employers or businesses may send them to employees because they have work or any other communication they may want to have with employees.

For whatever reason, Safaricom has ensured a smooth and efficient process for buying data bundles through M-Pesa.

2. How to Buy Bundles for Another Number via M-Pesa

Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can buy bundles for another person using your Safaricom line and M-Pesa:

Method 1: Using USSD Short Code

  • Dial 544# on your Safaricom line.
  • Among the options displayed, select option 2: Buy for Other Number.
  • Enter the mobile number of the person you're purchasing the bundles for.
  • Choose the type of bundle you want to buy; these include Daily Bundles, Weekly Bundles, Monthly Bundles, or No Expiry bundles, which are very popular for those wanting flexibility.
  • Choose how much data you want to purchase.
  • Confirm the purchase, and Safaricom will deduct that amount from your M-Pesa balance.

The recipient will receive a notification that they have received data bundles, and this transaction will appear on your M-Pesa statement.

Method 2: Via Safaricom App (MySafaricom App)

  • Go to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, download, and install the MySafaricom App.
  • Launch the app and log in using your Safaricom number.
  • On the dashboard, click "Buy Data" or "Buy Airtime".
  • Click to buy for another number.
  • Enter the phone number and the bundle plan you would like to purchase.
  • Make the payment using M-Pesa.

The application also allows one to access other features. This includes checking data usage, purchasing airtime, or managing one's account.

3. Other Related Features and Options

Airtime to Data Conversion

In cases where you have already purchased airtime for someone and they prefer data, Safaricom allows conversion from airtime to data bundles.

  • Dial 544# on the recipient's phone.
  • Select Data from Airtime and follow the prompts to complete the conversion.
  • You can then select the preferred data bundle to which the credit should be converted.

This approach will be useful in that it will enable you to have data rather than airtime bought in error.

Data Sambaza - Transfer Data to Another Number

Safaricom also introduced the service called Data Sambaza, which allows customers to transfer data bundles from their line to another Safaricom number.

  • Dial 544#.
  • Select Sambaza Internet.
  • Input how much data you would like to sambaza.
  • Put the receiver's number and OK the transaction.

The amount transferred will be deducted from your active data bundles.

4. Precautions to Take When Buying Bundles for Another Number

One should keep a few things in mind when buying bundles for another number, like:

  • Put the correct phone number: One should be keen on the recipient's number to avoid transferring to the wrong person.
  • Ensure sufficient M-Pesa balance: Ensure that before initiating the transaction, you have enough funds in the M-Pesa wallet.
  • Date validity: Packages differ in their date validity; thus confirm the date such that by the time the receiver gets it, they have ample time to use the data before it expires.
  • Data sambaza limit: There may be a limit to the amount of data one is able to sambaza within a certain period; hence, this should be considered if one intends to share data often.

5. Benefits of Using M-Pesa for Buying Bundles for Another Number

There are several advantages to using M-Pesa in purchasing data bundles, which include but are not limited to:

  • Instant transfer: The recipient instantly gets the bundles, allowing them to be connected without delay.
  • Convenience: You can buy bundles anywhere, whether at home, in the office, or even while on the go.
  • No transaction fees: Purchasing data through M-Pesa doesn't attract additional charges, meaning what you pay is purely for the bundles.
  • Flexible options: You can purchase anything from as low as a day's data to no-expiry bundles, ensuring you meet the specific needs of the recipient.

6. What to Do If the Bundle Purchase Fails

Sometimes, you might experience issues when paying for bundles with M-Pesa. Below are steps you can take in an attempt to resolve the problem:

  • Check your M-Pesa balance: You might not have enough cash for the transaction.
  • Network issues: If the transaction is unsuccessful, it might just be due to network issues. Try again after a few minutes.
  • Safaricom customer care: You can reach out to Safaricom's customer care on 100 if the issue persists.

7. How to Buy Bundles without Using M-Pesa

Although M-Pesa is the most commonly used means of buying bundles in Kenya, there are other alternatives you can consider:

  • Scratch cards: Buy airtime scratch cards and convert the airtime to bundles by dialing 544#.
  • Bank apps: Some banking apps allow you to buy bundles directly from your bank account, providing an alternative to M-Pesa.
  • PayBill services: You can also use Safaricom's PayBill option through several apps or websites to buy bundles for another number.

Conclusion

With M-Pesa, buying bundles for another number is quick and efficient. Gifting data to a friend or helping a family member out is as effortless as dialing a code or using the MySafaricom app. Additionally, with features like Data Sambaza and airtime-to-data conversion, Safaricom ensures you have all the flexibility you need to stay connected in Kenya.