Safaricom is Merging the MySafaricom and M-PESA Apps into One

For years, Safaricom customers have lived in a strange reality: two apps doing nearly the same thing. On one hand, you had the M-PESA app designed to be the hub of your mobile money life, complete with mini-apps and shortcuts to Paybill and Send Money screens. On the other, the MySafaricom app, a more rounded experience, offering everything from airtime purchases to Safaricom Home integration, all wrapped in a friendlier interface.

Like many users, I’ve always found myself leaning more toward the MySafaricom app. The layout is easier to navigate, and it keeps my Safaricom Home needs front and center. Meanwhile, the M-PESA app often felt a little cluttered, though I’ll give it credit for making transactions slightly quicker.

But really, did we ever need two separate apps from one companydoing pretty much the same thing? Safaricom itself seems to have asked the same question.

Safaricom should consider bundling the MPESA app into the MySafaricom app. The MPESA tab at the bottom of MySafaricom app should open into the MPESA app. There are bright enough brains with handsome payslips over there who can make this happen. We don't need two apps.

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— Himp Man (@keverenge98) September 9, 2024

One app to rule them all

Earlier this year, whispers started circulating that Safaricom was cooking up a plan to merge its two big apps into a single, streamlined experience. A Reddit thread even surfaced showing early tests of this “one app to rule them all” concept. And now, it looks like the new merged app is slowly rolling out, at least for some lucky iOS and Android users on the latest beta version.

Screenshots shared online (and which we’ve also seen) confirm the new app is alive and kicking. It appears Safaricom has folded the best of both worlds into one interface. You’ll still get the financial muscle of M-PESA, but with access to other Safaricom services like Home Internet in the same app.

I have this change on my Android version of the app, but I don’t have the “Safaricom Home” section for managing my 5G router as seen in the screenshot below. But these differences are expected during the beta testing phase.

What’s changing

From what we’ve seen so far:

• The new app combines both M-PESA and Safaricom services under one roof.
• You’ll still be able to transact easily—Send Money, Paybill, Withdraw, Buy Airtime.
• Features from MySafaricom like Safaricom Home management and Twaweza-style deals are present.
• Mini-apps from the old M-PESA app remain a thing.
• The interface feels cleaner and more modern, borrowing heavily from MySafaricom’s UI polish.

Interestingly, the new app reportedly works without the SIM card initially, but it may later require reverification. This ties in with what we noted just weeks ago: both the current M-PESA and MySafaricom apps may have quietly removed the ability to fully operate without a SIM.

Why this matters

For everyday users, this move eliminates the app-juggling act. No more deciding between two green icons when you just want to pay your bills, check your airtime, or renew your home Wi-Fi. For Safaricom, it’s less about aesthetics and more about practicality. I mean, why maintain two apps when one can do the job?

And yet, not everyone has the new app just yet. Reports are still limited, which suggests Safaricom is doing a staggered rollout or possibly a beta test before a full public launch. Either way, it’s now just a matter of time before the rest of us get it.

Safaricom has clearly decided: the future lies in a single, unified app. And honestly? It’s about time.

NOTE: The article has been updated to highlight the difference of the UI on Android compared to the iOS version.