New M-PESA app 2026: features, download, and what changed

Safaricom rolled out a redesigned M-PESA app over 2024-2025, replacing the older utilitarian app with a fresh interface, deeper feature integration, and a cleaner on-boarding flow. Most Kenyans have now seen the change — others are still on the older version waiting to update. This guide covers every feature in the new app, how to download it, what changed, the common gotchas, and how it compares with Safaricom OneApp (the broader Safaricom super-app).

What changed in the new M-PESA app

The biggest visible changes from the older M-PESA app:

• Cleaner home screen. Balance, recent transactions, and quick actions are surfaced immediately. No more buried menus.
• Native Ziidi integration. The new savings/MMF product is a first-class tab, not an afterthought. See our Ziidi guide for details on the product itself.
• Better M-Shwari and KCB M-PESA visibility. The lending and savings products are easier to find and use without leaving the app.
• Improved transaction history with search. You can search by recipient, paybill, date, or amount. The old app only let you scroll a recent list.
• Spending insights. Monthly and weekly summaries showing where your M-PESA spend has gone — categorised by paybill, send money, withdraw, and Buy Goods.
• Bill payment shortcuts. Frequently-paid paybills are pinnable, so paying KPLC or DStv each month is one tap.
• Faster STK push payments. Web checkout flows that route through M-PESA app push are faster than the old SIM-toolkit prompts.

Download and install

Android

1. Open Google Play Store
2. Search for "M-PESA" (the official one is published by Safaricom Plc)
3. Tap Install. App size is roughly 60-90 MB depending on version
4. Open the app
5. Sign in with your Safaricom phone number — you'll receive an OTP via SMS
6. Set up an M-PESA app PIN (separate from your M-PESA SIM PIN, but you can choose to keep them the same)

iOS (iPhone)

1. Open the App Store
2. Search "M-PESA" — published by Safaricom Plc
3. Tap Get / Install (Face ID or Touch ID confirmation)
4. Open and sign in as above

Every feature in the new M-PESA app

Payments and transfers

• Send Money to phone numbers
• Pay Bill (paybill payment)
• Buy Goods (till payments)
• Pochi la Biashara — pay to a personal till
• Lipa na M-PESA — broad payment hub
• Withdraw from agent or ATM

Savings and investment

• Ziidi — money market fund
• M-Shwari — NCBA savings + lending
• KCB M-PESA — KCB savings + lending
• Mali — discontinued for new users in 2024 but still visible for existing balances

Credit

• Fuliza — M-PESA overdraft
• M-Shwari Loan — through NCBA
• KCB M-PESA Loan — through KCB

Account management

• M-PESA balance and statements
• Transaction history with search and filter
• M-PESA PIN reset
• Daily and monthly limits view
• Linked accounts (KCB, Equity, Co-op cards linked to M-PESA)

Lifestyle and merchant features

• Buy airtime and data bundles
• Pay DStv, GOtv, StarTimes, Zuku via paybill shortcuts
• Pay KPLC (postpaid + prepaid)
• Pay water utilities
• SGR ticket booking integration (where available)

M-PESA app vs Safaricom OneApp

Safaricom currently maintains two consumer apps:

For most users who only need M-PESA, the dedicated M-PESA app is enough. If you also manage a postpaid line, want to track Safaricom data usage in detail, or use mySafaricom features, OneApp is the broader choice. See our OneApp guide for more.

Security in the new app

• Separate M-PESA app PIN. The app uses its own PIN for log-in, separate from your M-PESA SIM PIN. You can use the same digits for both, but they are technically independent.
• Biometric login. Fingerprint and face unlock supported on most devices.
• Device binding. The app binds to one device at a time. Logging in on a new phone signs you out of the old one and may require an SMS OTP re-verification.
• SIM-swap protection. Recent versions detect SIM swap activity and require additional verification before allowing transactions.

Common issues and fixes

1. "Service unavailable" error. Usually a Safaricom backend issue rather than your app. Try again in 5-10 minutes. If persistent, fall back to USSD *334#.
2. App crashes on opening. Update to the latest version from Play Store / App Store. Old app versions stop working when Safaricom updates the backend protocol. Clear cache as a fallback.
3. SMS OTP not arriving. Check that your Safaricom line is active and has SMS service. Some bundle-only plans without SMS will not receive OTP. Top up KES 10 of airtime if needed.
4. Cannot install on older Android. The app currently requires Android 7.0 (Nougat) or later. iOS 13 or later. Older devices fall back to USSD *334#.
5. Login loops back to OTP screen. Sign out fully, force-stop the app, re-open. Then re-enter your phone number for a fresh OTP.
6. Balance shows wrong / out of sync. Pull to refresh on the home screen. If still wrong after 5 minutes, sign out and back in.

When to use the app vs USSD

The trade-offs:

• App is faster for repeated payments — pinned paybills, saved recipients, biometric login
• App has spending insights — USSD shows transactions but no analytics
• App requires data — at least a few KB per session. USSD works without data
• USSD works on any phone — including KaiOS (Lite) phones and basic feature phones
• USSD works when the app is down — independent of app server status

Most Kenyans use both. App for daily transactions when you have data, USSD as a fallback when on a flight, in a poor-coverage area, or when the app misbehaves.

Migrating from the old M-PESA app

If you're upgrading from the older app (or coming from Safaricom OneApp before the split), the process:

1. Update via Play Store or App Store — same app, just newer version
2. Open the app — it picks up your existing M-PESA registration based on your phone number
3. Re-set your app PIN if prompted
4. Re-link biometric login if you used it before
5. Saved recipients and pinned paybills carry over from the old app

No data migration required. Transaction history is server-side, so it's available immediately on the new app.

FAQ

How do I download the new M-PESA app?

Search "M-PESA" on Google Play (Android) or App Store (iOS). Install the official app published by Safaricom Plc.

M-PESA app or OneApp?

M-PESA app if you mainly transact M-PESA. OneApp if you also manage your Safaricom line, postpaid bills, and want detailed data usage analytics.

Does the app charge extra fees?

No. Standard M-PESA tariff applies regardless of channel (app, USSD, or SIM toolkit). See the 2026 charges guide.

My phone is too old to install the app. Can I still use M-PESA?

Yes — USSD *334# works on any Safaricom-registered phone, including basic feature phones with no app support.

Can I install the app on two phones?

You can install on multiple devices, but only one is signed in at a time. Logging in on a new phone signs you out of the previous one.

What if I forget my M-PESA app PIN?

Use the "Forgot PIN" option on the login screen. You'll go through SMS OTP verification and may need to confirm your ID. The app PIN is independent of your SIM M-PESA PIN.

Resources

• Safaricom OneApp explained — broader app
• Ziidi explained — the new savings feature
• M-PESA charges 2026
• M-PESA on Google Play
• M-PESA on the App Store