📑 In this guide
Auto‑renewal sounds convenient – until you realise it's quietly eating your airtime every day or week, even when you don't need the data. Many Kenyans are paying for bundles they barely use, simply because they forgot to turn off the automatic renewal.
In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to stop auto‑renewal on Safaricom and Airtel bundles using USSD codes, apps, and SMS. You'll regain control of your spending and only buy data when you actually need it.
Why You Should Stop Auto-Renewal
- Unnecessary charges: Daily bundles like Safaricom 1GB for Ksh 100 can cost you over Ksh 3,000 a month if you forget to cancel.
- Better deals available: Platforms like Bingwa Data offer much cheaper bundles – you can buy 14GB for Ksh 149, which lasts 30 days, instead of daily renewals.
- Control your budget: You decide when to buy, not the network. This helps you track your spending more effectively.
⚠️ Did you know? Many users don't realise they've been charged for auto‑renewals for months. Check your M‑PESA statements – you might be surprised.
How to Stop Auto-Renewal on Safaricom
Safaricom offers several ways to manage your subscriptions. Here are the most reliable methods:
Method 1: Via USSD (*544#)
- Dial *544# and press send.
- Select Option 3 (My Bundles) or Option 2 (Data Bundles) depending on your menu version.
- Select "Manage Subscriptions" or "View Active Bundles".
- You'll see a list of your active bundles with auto‑renewal enabled.
- Select the bundle you want to stop, then choose "Cancel" or "Stop Auto-Renewal".
- Confirm the cancellation. You'll receive a confirmation SMS.
⚡ Quick Reference (Safaricom)
| USSD Code | *544# |
| Menu Path | Option 3 → Manage Subscriptions → Cancel |
| Alternative Shortcut | *544*3# |
Method 2: Via MySafaricom App
- Open the MySafaricom App and log in.
- Tap on "Bundles" or "My Subscriptions".
- You'll see all active bundles with a toggle for auto‑renewal.
- Turn the toggle OFF for the bundle(s) you want to stop.
- Confirm the change – the app will show a success message.
How to Stop Auto-Renewal on Airtel
Airtel's process is similar, with slightly different menu options:
Method 1: Via USSD (*544#)
- Dial *544# and press send.
- Select Option 2 (Data Bundles).
- Select "Manage Subscriptions" or "Active Plans".
- Choose the bundle you want to stop auto‑renewal for.
- Select "Cancel" or "Stop Auto-Renewal".
- Confirm and wait for the SMS confirmation.
⚡ Quick Reference (Airtel)
| USSD Code | *544# |
| Menu Path | Option 2 → Manage Subscriptions → Cancel |
| Alternative Shortcut | *544*2# |
Method 2: Via MyAirtel App
- Open the MyAirtel App and log in.
- Go to "Bundles" or "My Plans".
- Find the active bundle and tap on it.
- Toggle off "Auto-Renew".
- Confirm the change.
Using the Apps to Manage Renewals
Both MySafaricom and MyAirtel apps give you a clear dashboard of all your active subscriptions. Here's why using the app is better:
- Visual overview: See all your bundles in one place, with expiry dates and renewal status.
- One‑click cancellation: Toggle auto‑renewal on/off with a single tap.
- Notifications: Get reminders before a bundle renews, so you can decide to stop or continue.
What Happens After You Stop Auto-Renewal?
- Your current data remains active until the validity period ends. For example, if you have a daily bundle that renews at midnight, cancelling before renewal means you keep the remaining data for the day.
- No further deductions will be made from your airtime for that bundle.
- You can always manually buy the bundle again later via USSD or from platforms like Bingwa Data.
💡 Tip: If you want to keep using the bundle occasionally, write down the USSD code for manual purchase so you can reactivate it quickly when needed.
A Smarter Alternative: Buy When You Need
Instead of relying on auto‑renewal, which locks you into recurring payments, consider this approach:
- Buy bundles from Bingwa Data – we offer cheaper deals with no auto‑renewal. You pay once and use the data for the specified validity period.
- Choose longer validity bundles like 14GB for 30 days (Ksh 149) instead of daily bundles. You'll save money and avoid frequent renewals.
- Buy when you need – check your data usage, then purchase a bundle that matches your needs for that day or week.
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Frequently Asked Questions
You can stop auto-renewal on Safaricom by dialing *544# and selecting 'Manage Subscriptions' or 'My Bundles' to see your active plans and cancel auto-renewal. Alternatively, use the MySafaricom App to turn off auto-renewal for each bundle.
For Airtel, dial *544# and choose 'Data Bundles' then 'Manage Subscriptions' to cancel auto-renewal. You can also use the MyAirtel App to disable auto-renewal for daily, weekly, or monthly plans.
Yes. Cancelling auto-renewal only stops the next automatic purchase. You keep all unused data until the current validity period expires. You can manually buy a new bundle later when you need it.
Auto-renewal can lead to unnecessary charges if you don't use the data. By stopping it, you only buy bundles when you actually need them, saving money. Also, you can compare cheaper deals from platforms like Bingwa Data before renewing.