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How to Send Money with M-PESA

Open the M-PESA menu on your SIM toolkit (or dial *334#), choose Send Money, enter the phone number and amount, then your M-PESA PIN. Check the recipient’s name and the charge on the confirmation screen before you accept. You can also send from the M-PESA app or the Safaricom app.

Updated
Time
2 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Applies to
Android, iPhone

By Published Oct 6, 2026

Quick answer

  1. 1 Open M-PESA in your SIM toolkit, or dial *334#.
  2. 2 Choose Send Money.
  3. 3 Enter the recipient’s phone number and the amount.
  4. 4 Enter your M-PESA PIN.
  5. 5 Check the name, amount and charge, then accept.
  6. 6 Wait for the confirmation SMS.
On this page
  1. Before you start
  2. Use the SIM toolkit menu (any phone)
  3. Dial *334#
  4. Use the M-PESA app
  5. Sent money to the wrong number?
  6. Troubleshooting
  7. Frequently asked questions

Before you start

  • A registered Safaricom M-PESA line with enough balance
  • Your M-PESA PIN
  • The recipient’s phone number

Method 1 Use the SIM toolkit menu (any phone)

  1. Step 1: Open M-PESA

    Open the SIM Toolkit (called Safaricom on many phones) and select M-PESA.

  2. Step 2: Choose Send Money

    Select Send Money, enter the recipient’s phone number and the amount.

  3. Step 3: Enter your PIN

    Enter your M-PESA PIN and select OK.

  4. Step 4: Check and accept

    A screen shows the recipient’s name, the amount and the transaction cost. If it’s correct, choose Accept; otherwise cancel.

Method 2 Dial *334#

  1. Step 1: Dial the code

    Dial *334# and select Send Money, then Send Money again.

  2. Step 2: Enter the details

    Enter the phone number, the amount and your PIN.

  3. Step 3: Confirm

    Check the name and charge on the prompt and confirm. You’ll receive an SMS with the transaction code.

Method 3 Use the M-PESA app

  1. Step 1: Open Send and Request

    Open the M-PESA app (or the M-PESA section of the Safaricom app) and choose Send and Request > Send Money.

  2. Step 2: Pick the recipient

    Choose a contact or type the number, then enter the amount.

  3. Step 3: Authorise

    Confirm with your M-PESA PIN or fingerprint. The app shows the receipt and keeps it in your statement.

Sent money to the wrong number?

Don’t call the recipient asking them to send it back yourself. Forward the M-PESA confirmation SMS to 456, or call customer care on 100, to request a reversal. Do it within 24 hours: Safaricom replies with an update, and the reversal only works if the money is still in the recipient’s account.

Troubleshooting

“Insufficient funds”

Your balance must cover the amount plus the transaction charge. Check your balance in the M-PESA menu under My Account.

I forgot my M-PESA PIN

Dial *334# and choose the PIN reset option, or use the M-PESA or Safaricom app, and answer your security questions. You can also visit a Safaricom shop with your ID.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to send money?

Charges depend on the amount and whether the recipient is registered. The exact charge is shown before you confirm, and Safaricom publishes the current tariffs on its website.

Can I send to someone not on M-PESA?

Yes. They receive an SMS and can collect the cash at an M-PESA agent with their ID. Charges for unregistered users are higher.

Summary

Open M-PESA > Send Money in the SIM toolkit, dial *334#, or use the M-PESA app. Enter the number, amount and PIN, and always check the recipient’s name before accepting. If you send to the wrong number, forward the SMS to 456 straight away.

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Written by

James Chambo

Founder

James is the Founder and Senior Editor of OnlineHow with more than 20 years of experience in internet publishing.