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For nearly a decade, the mySafaricom App served its purpose well. It let users top up airtime, pay for Home Fiber, and check Bonga points—and little else.

Now, Safaricom is shifting gears with My OneApp, a consolidated platform that merges the traditional mySafaricom experience with M-PESA, adds AI-powered tools, and introduces a rich ecosystem of third-party mini-apps.

Key Upgrades: What My OneApp Does Differently

1. Unified Home Screen

No more switching back and forth between apps or tabs to check your balances. My OneApp displays your M-PESA balance right alongside your airtime, data, SMS, and Bonga points on a single home screen.

2. Advanced Payment Tools

• AI Pay: Automatically scans PayBill receipts to fill in payment details, eliminating manual entry.

• Scan to Pay & NFC: Supports QR code scanning and NFC tap-to-pay terminals for seamless merchant checkouts.

3. An 80+ Mini-Apps Ecosystem

Unlike the closed mySafaricom app—which only hosted Safaricom’s native services—My OneApp acts as a gateway for over 80 third-party mini-apps. Users can book transport, manage insurance, and handle everyday tasks without downloading external apps.

4. A Smarter, Conversational Zuri

Zuri has been overhauled. Instead of forcing users through rigid, scripted menu trees, the updated assistant uses natural, conversational language. It is accessible natively in the app, on WhatsApp, or as a voice assistant during customer care calls.

5. SIM-Tied Security

To combat SIM-swap fraud, My OneApp verifies your identity by linking directly to the physical Safaricom SIM in your device using mobile data, combining it with your PIN and biometrics.

6. Zero-Rated Data Access

Safaricom has optimized the app so that it is zero-rated (consuming no data bundles), provided mobile data is turned on to allow the backend SIM-verification check to run.

Where the Legacy mySafaricom App Still Holds an Edge

While My OneApp represents the future, it currently comes with a few trade-offs:

• Wi-Fi and Roaming Limitations: Because My OneApp relies on active SIM mobile data to verify identity, users on pure Wi-Fi connections or roaming abroad may encounter more frequent logouts compared to the old password-based system.

• Dual-SIM Restrictions: My OneApp binds strictly to a designated primary SIM slot, making it less flexible on dual-SIM devices or older phones than mySafaricom.

• Separate Business Tills: Dedicated merchant solutions like the M-PESA Business App remain outside My OneApp as standalone apps for now.

Side-by-Side Comparison

The Bottom Line

The legacy mySafaricom app wasn’t flawed—it was simply built for a narrower era of digital services. However, as Safaricom transitions the ecosystem to My OneApp, the older app’s narrow advantages (like Wi-Fi friendliness) are quickly being outweighed by a vastly more powerful, unified platform.