Want to learn how to check expired bundle balance on Safaricom? I am going to show you the step-by-step instructions you can follow to get your balance.
I am also going to show you how to use various Safaricom USSD shortcodes (*544#, *100# and *456#) to get your expired bundle balance.
What is an expired bundle balance? Say you purchase a 2GB monthly data bundle and only end up using 1GB in 30 days, once the bundle expiry date passes, the remaining 1GB of data you didn’t use will be considered expired. You can’t use it but it is there. It is idle, inactive – but you can get it back. How you ask? By simply purchasing a similar bundle.
So, in our example here, all you need to do is go to the bundles menu on your device by dialing *544# -> 30 Day Bundle -> then purchase the Kenya Shillings 500 (2 GB + WhatsApp) bundle. The moment you complete the purchase, Safaricom will automatically make your once inactive 1 GB of data active again.
You will then have a total of 3 GB – the 2GB bundle you just bought + the once inactive 1GB that is now active.
And to see if the expired bundle balance is now active, just dial *544*44# the way you usually do when checking your data bundle balance. The SMS you receive will mention something about recovered data.
Here’s an example text message (do note that the bundle in this example is a Giga Bundle): ‘Dear customer, Your Giga Bundle balance is 500MB. Your remaining Recovered Giga Data: 606 MB, Expiry: 05/01/2019 13:10:14.’
I think this is just a way the mobile phone service provider is trying to protect their customers – and build loyalty among its users. I mean why take something from someone if they have already paid for it?
Why is this feature even important to people who use Safaricom to access the internet? I’ve seen people lose their money because they didn’t know about expired bundles and how the whole thing works. So, you find someone buying a monthly bundle – 2 GB for example – and only end up using half of it – 1GB – then they buy the same bundle again but only after the window for recovery has passed. So, that is money lost.
Here’s an example of something / SMS that illustrates my point: ‘Expired Bundle: Daily Internet Bundle 17MB expired on: 03-10-2019. Purchase a similar bundle within 7 days of the expiry date to recover the bundle.’
When I check my expired bundle balance right now (using the methods below) that is what I see. See the time limit I’m given there? If I wait for more than seven days to buy another / similar Daily bundle, the 17MB will be gone, never to be seen again. But if I top up my line and buy a similar bundle within that window, the 17MB will be reactivated – given back to me to use as I please.
I hope you now understand how this whole thing works.
To check Safaricom expired bundle balance:
- Dial *544# on your feature phone, smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer (if using your SIM in a modem or router)
- Select option 3: Normal Data Bundle WITH EXPIRY
- Enter 7 to view more items on the menu
- Enter 98 to view even more items
- Select option 18: Expired Bundle Balance
If you have zero balance, you’ll see the following: ‘You don’t have any expired bundle’
OR
- Dial *456#
- Select option 1: Buy
- Select option 3: Data Bundles
- Enter 98 to go to the next page on the menu
- Select option 18: Expired Bundle Balance
OR
- Dial *100#
- Select option 7: Buy
- Select option 3: Normal Data Bundle WITH EXPIRY
- Enter 7 to go to the next page
- Enter 98 to view even more items on the menu
- Select option 18: Expired Bundle Balance
If you have a balance, you will see the following: ‘Expired Bundle: Daily Internet Bundle 17MB expired on: 03-10-2019. Purchase a similar bundle within 7 days of the expiry date to recover the bundle.’
Enjoyed the post? You might find these four interesting as well:
- Safaricom Online Portal and How to Buy Data Bundles on It
- How to Buy Safaricom Daily, 7 Day, 30 Day & 90 Day Data Bundles
- Safaricom All In One Bundles: How to Buy
- How to Top Up Safaricom with Scratch Cards, M-PESA, Equitel or Online
To read my other posts, go to the Safaricom category here.
To read my recent articles, go to Niabusiness.com.