How to Buy Safaricom Data Bundles for Another Number

Staying connected in Kenya is crucial—whether for work, family chats, or tracking maandamano (protests). Safaricom, Kenya’s leading telecom, lets you buy data bundles for friends, family, or coworkers, ensuring they stay online even when their data runs out. From helping a pal to gifting data for a birthday, this feature is a game-changer. This guide walks you through 5 easy methods using USSD codes (*544#, *456#, *100#) and Internet Sambaza, plus tips to avoid hiccups. Let’s keep everyone connected!

Things You Should Know

• Why It’s Useful: Buy data for others to help friends, surprise loved ones, or support employees—Safaricom makes it fast and flexible.
• USSD Codes: Use *544#, *456#, or *100# on any Safaricom phone (even basic ones) without internet—perfect for Kenya’s mobile-first users.
• Payment Options: Pay with airtime or M-Pesa (via Pay Bill 306060)—ensure you’ve got enough balance first.

Steps

Method 1: Buy Data Using *544# USSD Code (Standard Bundles)

1. *Dial 544#: Open your phone’s dialer, type *544#, and press the call button.
2. Select “Data Bundles”: From the menu, choose option 3 (may vary slightly—look for “Data Bundles” or “Internet”).
3. View More Options: Enter 7 or 98 to access additional menu items—skip if “Buy for Other” shows directly.
4. Pick “Buy for Other Number”: Choose option 10 (sometimes 7 or 6, per techweez.com, tuko.co.ke)—it’s labeled “Buy for Other” or “Buy for Another Number.”
5. Enter Recipient’s Number: Type the 10-digit Safaricom number (e.g., 0723123456)—double-check for accuracy.
6. Choose a Bundle: Select a plan (e.g., KES 50 for 200MB daily, KES 1,000 for 10GB monthly)—see safaricom.co.ke/bundles for options.
7. Confirm Payment: Reply with 1 for “Accept” or 2 for “Decline.” Pick payment (1 for airtime, 2 for M-Pesa) and enter your M-Pesa PIN if needed.
   
   • Time Estimate: Takes 1-2 minutes—recipient gets an SMS confirming the bundle.

Method 2: Buy Data Using *456# USSD Code (Alternative)

1. *Dial 456#: Open your dialer, type *456#, and press call—Safaricom’s unified menu (per jitimu.com, helloduty.com).
2. Select “Buy”: Choose option 1 from the menu.
3. Pick “Data Bundles”: Select option 3 (or 4561*3# directly, per niabusiness.com, ugtechmag.com).
4. View More Options: Enter 98 to see additional items if “Buy for Other” isn’t visible.
5. Choose “Buy for Other Number”: Pick option 13 (sometimes 7 or 10, per money.ke, afritechmedia.com).
6. Enter Recipient’s Number: Input the Safaricom number—verify it’s correct.
7. Select Bundle and Pay: Choose a data plan, confirm with 1 (Accept) or 2 (Decline), and pick airtime or M-Pesa to pay.
   
   • Tip: Use *456# for quick access to all Safaricom services, per safaricom.co.ke.

Method 3: Buy Data Using *100# USSD Code (With Expiry)

1. *Dial 100#: Type *100# and press call—Safaricom’s prepaid self-care menu (per kenyanmagazine.co.ke, jitimu.com).
2. Select “Buy”: Choose option 7 from the menu.
3. Pick “Normal Data Bundle WITH EXPIRY”: Select option 3 (or enter 7/98 for more options, per techweez.com, ugtechmag.com).
4. Choose “Buy for Other Number”: Pick option 10 (may be 7 or 6 on some menus, per niabusiness.com).
5. Enter Recipient’s Number: Type the 10-digit Safaricom number—ensure no typos.
6. Select Bundle Plan: Choose a bundle (e.g., KES 100 for 500MB weekly)—see safaricom.co.ke/bundles for details.
7. Confirm Payment: Reply 1 (Accept) or 2 (Decline), then pick 1 for airtime or 2 for M-Pesa, entering your PIN if needed.
   
   • Note: This method includes expiry dates (e.g., 30 days)—ideal for time-sensitive gifts.

Method 4: Buy No Expiry Data Bundles for Another Number

1. *Dial 544#: Open your dialer, type *544#, and press call (per safaricom.co.ke, tuko.co.ke).
2. Select “No Expiry”: Choose option 5 from the menu.
3. Pick “No Expiry” Again: Select option 1 (per techweez.com, money.ke).
4. Choose “Buy for Other Number”: Pick option 2 (sometimes 7 or 10, per niabusiness.com).
5. Enter Recipient’s Number: Input the Safaricom number—verify it’s correct.
6. Select Package: Choose a no-expiry bundle (e.g., KES 500 for 2GB)—check safaricom.co.ke/bundles for options.
7. Complete Payment: Confirm with 1 (Accept) or 2 (Decline), then pay via airtime or M-Pesa with your PIN.
   
   • Tip: No expiry bundles suit long-term needs, per safaricom.co.ke—great for ongoing support.

Method 5: Use Internet Sambaza to Share Data

1. *Dial 544#: Type *544# and press call (per safaricom.co.ke, tuko.co.ke, niabusiness.com).
2. Select “Internet Sambaza”: Choose option 0 (or 14, per money.ke, techweez.com)—look for “Share Data” or “Sambaza Internet.”
3. Pick Bundle Type: Select normal or no-expiry bundles based on your active data (e.g., share 200MB).
4. Enter Data Amount: Input the data to share (5MB-5,120MB, per money.ke, tuko.co.ke)—ensure you have enough.
5. Enter Recipient’s Number: Type the 10-digit Safaricom number—double-check for errors.
6. Confirm Transaction: Reply 1 (Accept) or 2 (Decline)—data deducts from your balance instantly.
   
   • Note: Requires active bundles on your line, per safaricom.co.ke—no extra fee, but limits apply (max 5,120MB).

Tips

• Check Balance First: Dial 54444# or *450# (per jitimu.com, niabusiness.com) to confirm your airtime/M-Pesa balance before buying.
• Top Up if Needed: Use Pay Bill 306060 (per safaricom.co.ke) or 141PIN# (per helloduty.com) to add airtime—minimum KES 5 for Sambaza.
• Use mySafaricom App: For a modern twist, open the app, log in, tap “Buy Bundles” > “Buy for Other,” enter the number, pick a plan, and pay via M-Pesa (per money.ke, techweez.com).
• Verify Recipient: Always confirm the number—wrong digits waste your data (per tuko.co.ke, afritechmedia.com).
• Explore Deals: Dial *444# for data offers or *555# for youth bundles (Blaze)—sometimes cheaper options for gifting (per majira.co.ke, safaricom.co.ke).

Warnings

• Safaricom Only: These methods work only for other Safaricom numbers—can’t buy for Airtel, Telkom, etc. (per techweez.com, kenyanmagazine.co.ke).
• Payment Limits: Ensure enough airtime (min KES 5) or M-Pesa balance—Okoa Jahazi works but must be repaid first (per safaricomplc.medium.com).
• No Reversals: Once confirmed, you can’t undo a purchase—double-check before hitting 1 (per money.ke, tuko.co.ke).
• Expiry Risks: Normal bundles expire (e.g., 30 days)—buy no-expiry if long-term use is needed (per safaricom.co.ke).
• Fraud Alert: Avoid third-party apps or codes claiming to buy data cheaper—stick to *544#, *456#, *100#, or mySafaricom (per niabusiness.com, techweez.com).

Conclusion

Buying Safaricom data bundles for another number is a quick, caring way to keep loved ones connected in Kenya. Use *544#, *456#, or *100# for standard or no-expiry bundles, or share via Internet Sambaza (*544#). Verify funds, double-check numbers, and stick to official methods to avoid scams. Follow these steps, and you’ll spread connectivity effortlessly—start today and help someone stay online!