How to Send Data Bundles to Another Number (Safaricom)
You might find yourself in a situation where someone close to you is out of data but you have plenty. It feels good to share, and Safaricom lets you do that with its Sambaza Internet service. Whether you want to transfer just a little data in a crunch or buy a full bundle for someone else, this guide walks you through what to do so it works smoothly.
Quick Answer — At a Glance
Use Sambaza Internet via *544# to send data to another Safaricom number
Or send an SMS to 450 in the format [amount]×[recipient number]
If Sambaza limits are too small, buy a bundle for the other number using “Buy for Other Number” in the *544# menu
Confirm you have enough data or airtime/M-Pesa to pay
Step-by-Step Guide
Check you are eligible
Your line must be active (not expired, suspended, or roaming).
You must have ordinary (non-promotional) data bundles. Bonus or free data often cannot be shared, according to Safaricom.
Transfer a small amount of data using Sambaza Internet
Dial *544# on your Safaricom phone.
Select “Internet Sambaza” or “Sambaza Data.”
Enter the amount of data in MB (minimum 5 MB, maximum 10 MB per session).
Enter the Safaricom number you want to send the data to.
Confirm. You’ll receive a message once the transfer is complete. Details are explained on Safaricom’s FAQ page.
Buy a full bundle for another Safaricom number
Dial *544# again.
In the menu, look for “Buy Bundles / Data.”
Select “Buy for Other Number.”
Enter the recipient’s phone number carefully.
Choose which data bundle plan you want (daily, weekly, monthly, no expiry, etc.).
Choose payment method (airtime or M-Pesa).
Confirm and wait for SMS confirmation. Step-by-step guidance is also shared on Nia Business.
Be mindful of limits and rules
Sambaza daily data bundles cannot be transferred. Only regular “volume” data bundles with expiry can usually be shared, as noted by Safaricom.
You may only send up to 20 MB per day via Sambaza, according to Jitimu.
Once data is sent, it cannot be reversed. Double-check the recipient number before confirming.
Important Notes & Tips
Make sure you type the correct recipient phone number. If you send to the wrong person, you can’t undo it.
Always check your data balance first so you don’t send more than you have.
If you need to send larger amounts often, buying a full bundle for another number is usually easier and gives more flexibility.
The expiry date of shared data may follow the donor’s expiry or merge with the recipient’s depending on which date is later.
FAQs
Is there a minimum data size I can send?
Yes. The minimum is 5 MB for Sambaza.
Can I send free or bonus data?
No, bonus or free (promotional) data is usually excluded from data sharing.
What’s the maximum data I can send in a day?
Typically up to 20 MB in total via Sambaza.
Does the recipient get the expiry of my data or theirs?
It depends. If your data expiry is longer, the recipient may get yours. Otherwise, their existing expiry date applies.
What if the recipient doesn’t get the data?
Check that the number is correct, ensure their line is active, and confirm the transfer. If it still fails, contact Safaricom support.
