Short answer: Safaricom is moving customers from the separate M-PESA app and MySafaricom app to a single app, My OneApp, and plans to remove the old apps. M-PESA itself isn’t going away; only the old smartphone apps are being retired. If you use either old app, switch to My OneApp now while they still work, and check that your saved favourites and paybills have moved across.
Updated: 8 November 2026. By the 254.ke news desk, from reports by HapaKenya, TechCabal and Business Daily.
What happened
Safaricom will phase out its M-PESA and MySafaricom apps in favour of its unified My OneApp, HapaKenya reported on 6 November 2026. My OneApp brings the features of both apps into one place. Safaricom first moved M-PESA app users to it when it launched in early April 2026, as TechCabal reported at the time.
When My OneApp launched, Safaricom was reported as saying it intended to decommission the M-PESA app and the MySafaricom app six months after the launch. As of 8 November 2026, we could not find a confirmed shutdown date published by Safaricom. Treat any specific “last day” you see on social media with caution unless it comes from Safaricom’s official channels.
Who is affected
| If you… | What changes |
|---|---|
| Use the M-PESA app to send money, pay bills or buy goods | Move to My OneApp. The old app is due to be removed from app stores. |
| Use the MySafaricom app for airtime, data bundles or account services | Those services are moving into My OneApp too. |
| Use M-PESA through the SIM menu or USSD codes on a basic phone | The reported changes concern the smartphone apps, not M-PESA itself. |
| Have an older or low-memory smartphone | Safaricom has been reported to be introducing a lighter web version of the app for low-capacity phones and 3G networks. Check Safaricom’s official channels for availability. |
What to do now: step by step
- Download My OneApp from the official Google Play Store or Apple App Store only. Check that the publisher is Safaricom. Never install an app from a link in an SMS or WhatsApp message.
- Put your Safaricom line in SIM slot 1 and turn on Safaricom mobile data for the first login. Early users who had login problems were advised to do this, because a one-time password (OTP) is sent to and verified on your Safaricom SIM, as TechCabal reported.
- Log in and check your details: your name, M-PESA balance and recent transactions.
- Check your saved favourites and paybill numbers. Business Daily reported that some users found data such as favourite paybills had not carried over from the old M-PESA app. Write down any important account numbers (school fees, rent, KPLC, water) before you uninstall the old app.
- Only then remove the old apps, once My OneApp works for the payments you make most often.
Watch out for scams during the switch
App changes are a favourite moment for fraudsters. Safaricom staff will never ask for your M-PESA PIN. Ignore messages asking you to “update” or “verify” M-PESA through a link, and never share the OTP sent to your phone with anyone. Kenya’s growing cyber threats are covered in our report on cyber threats in Q3 2026.
Background: why Safaricom is doing this
Safaricom has been building M-PESA into a wider financial and lifestyle platform, adding savings, investment and insurance products. See what’s live on M-PESA now. Running one app instead of two lets the company add services in one place. The move comes as M-PESA faces other changes, including talks on KRA tax invoicing for small traders using M-PESA. For the company’s wider performance, see Safaricom’s FY26 societal value report.
Frequently asked questions
Is Safaricom shutting down M-PESA?
No. The changes concern the separate M-PESA and MySafaricom smartphone apps, which are being replaced by My OneApp. M-PESA as a service continues.
When will the M-PESA app stop working?
Safaricom was reported to plan decommissioning the old apps about six months after My OneApp’s April 2026 launch, but as of 8 November 2026 we found no confirmed shutdown date. Switch now so you’re not caught out.
Will I lose my M-PESA money or transaction history?
Your M-PESA balance is held in your M-PESA account, not in the app. Some users reported that favourites such as saved paybills did not transfer, so note down important numbers before deleting the old app.
Why can’t I log in to My OneApp?
Make sure your Safaricom line is in SIM slot 1, use Safaricom mobile data (not Wi-Fi or a VPN) for the first login, and enter the OTP sent to your Safaricom number. If it still fails, contact Safaricom through its official customer care channels.
Sources
- HapaKenya: Safaricom to phase out M-PESA and MySafaricom apps in push toward unified “One App” (6 November 2026)
- TechCabal: Safaricom migrates M-PESA app users to My OneApp (7 April 2026)
- TechCabal: login failures hit My OneApp days into rollout (9 April 2026)
- Business Daily: some subscribers suffer hiccups after M-Pesa app overhaul
