📑 In this guide
You've bought a bundle – now what? How do you know how much data, minutes, or SMS you have left? Running out of data in the middle of an important video call or exhausting your minutes before a crucial conversation is frustrating.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you exactly how to check your bundles balance on Safaricom and Airtel. Whether you want to check data, voice minutes, or SMS balances, we've got you covered with step-by-step instructions, USSD codes, and app methods.
What is a Bundles Balance?
A bundles balance shows you how much of your purchased data, voice minutes, or SMS you have left before the bundle expires. Checking your balance regularly helps you:
- Avoid running out of data unexpectedly.
- Plan your usage better.
- Know when to buy a new bundle.
- Track your spending and avoid waste.
📌 Key fact: Bundles have different validity periods – some last hours, others days or weeks. Always check the expiry date when you check your balance.
How to Check Safaricom Data Balance
Safaricom offers multiple ways to check your data balance:
Method 1: USSD (*544#)
- Dial *544# and press send.
- Select Option 2 (Data Bundles).
- Select Option 1 (Check Balance).
- Your screen will display your remaining data in MB or GB.
⚡ Quick Reference (Safaricom Data)
| USSD Code | *544# |
| Menu Path | Option 2 → Option 1 |
| Shortcut | *544*2# |
Method 2: MySafaricom App
- Open the MySafaricom App and log in.
- Your data balance is displayed on the home dashboard.
- Tap on it to see a detailed breakdown of all active data bundles.
Method 3: SMS
- Send "DATA" to 544.
- You'll receive an SMS with your remaining data balance.
How to Check Safaricom Minutes Balance
Voice minutes on Safaricom can be checked using these methods:
Method 1: USSD (*544#)
- Dial *544# and press send.
- Select Option 3 (Voice Bundles) or Option 2 (Data Bundles) depending on your menu.
- Select "Check Balance" or "My Bundles".
- Your remaining minutes will be displayed.
⚡ Quick Reference (Safaricom Minutes)
| USSD Code | *544# |
| Menu Path | Option 3 → Check Balance |
| Alternative | MySafaricom App → Voice Bundles |
Method 2: MySafaricom App
- Open the app and go to "Voice Bundles".
- Your remaining minutes and expiry date will be shown.
How to Check Safaricom SMS Balance
Safaricom SMS bundles are less common but still available. Here's how to check:
- USSD: Dial *544# → Option 5 (SMS Bundles) → Check Balance.
- MySafaricom App: Navigate to the SMS bundles section.
- SMS: Send "SMS" to 544.
⚠️ Note: SMS bundles are less popular now due to WhatsApp and other messaging apps. Most users no longer need dedicated SMS bundles.
How to Check Airtel Bundles Balance
Airtel's menu is slightly different. Here's how to check your balances:
Data Balance
- Dial *544# and press send.
- Select Option 2 (Data Bundles).
- Select Option 1 (Check Balance).
- Your remaining data will be displayed in MB or GB.
⚡ Quick Reference (Airtel Data)
| USSD Code | *544# |
| Menu Path | Option 2 → Option 1 |
| Shortcut | *544*2# |
Voice Minutes & SMS Balance (Airtel)
- When you check your data balance on Airtel (*544# → Option 2 → Option 1), it also displays your remaining voice minutes and SMS balance.
- Alternatively, use the MyAirtel App to see all balances in one place.
💡 Pro Tip: Airtel combines data, minutes, and SMS balances in one menu. So checking data balance automatically shows you everything!
Quick Reference – All USSD Codes
| Network | Balance Type | USSD Code | Menu Path |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safaricom | Data Balance | *544# | Option 2 → Option 1 |
| Voice Minutes | *544# | Option 3 → Check Balance | |
| SMS Balance | *544# | Option 5 → Check Balance | |
| Airtel | Data Balance | *544# | Option 2 → Option 1 |
| All Balances | *544# | Option 2 → Option 1 (shows all) |
Using Apps & SMS to Check Balances
If USSD isn't convenient, here are the alternatives:
MySafaricom App (Safaricom)
- Download from Play Store or App Store.
- Log in with your phone number and PIN.
- Your balances are displayed on the dashboard.
- Tap on each bundle to see details and expiry dates.
MyAirtel App (Airtel)
- Download from Play Store or App Store.
- Log in with your Airtel number.
- Your data, minutes, and SMS balances are shown on the home screen.
SMS Balance Check (Both Networks)
- Safaricom: Send "DATA", "MINUTES", or "SMS" to 544.
- Airtel: Send "BALANCE" to 544 – you'll receive a summary of all balances.
⚠️ Note: Standard SMS rates apply to balance check messages. If you have zero airtime, you may not be able to send the SMS.
Troubleshooting – What If You Can't Check Your Balance?
- USSD not working: Check your network signal. Move to a location with better coverage and try again.
- Menu option missing: Different versions of the USSD menu may have different options. Look for "My Bundles" or "Active Subscriptions" as alternatives.
- No balance displayed: You may not have any active bundles. Consider buying a new bundle from Bingwa Data.
- App issues: Update your app or reinstall it. Also, check that you have a stable internet connection.
🛒 Don't have any bundles left? Visit datasokoni.com to buy affordable data, minutes, and SMS bundles. Pay via M‑PESA Till 509947 and get instant delivery. Check your balances after buying to confirm delivery!
Frequently Asked Questions
Dial *544# and select Option 2 (Data Bundles) then Option 1 (Check Balance). You can also dial *544*2# as a shortcut, or use the MySafaricom App to see your data usage.
Dial *544# and select Option 2 (Data Bundles) then Option 1 (Check Balance). You can also dial *544*2# or use the MyAirtel App to see your remaining data and minutes.
On Safaricom, dial *544# and select Voice Bundles then Check Balance. On Airtel, dial *544# and select Data Bundles then Check Balance – your minutes balance will be displayed alongside data. You can also check via the MySafaricom or MyAirtel apps.
Yes. You can use the MySafaricom App (Safaricom) or MyAirtel App (Airtel) to view all your balances. You can also send 'BALANCE' to 544 via SMS to receive a summary of your data, minutes, and SMS balances.