Safaricom has pushed out a new update to My OneApp, and the headline feature is zero-rated access. Starting with Android version 5.1.9 and iOS version 5.1.7, users can open and use the app without eating into their data bundles.
You still need an active internet connection, either mobile data or Wi-Fi, to get the app running, but once you are in, the app stops counting against your data balance.
This matters more than it sounds. My OneApp launched in April as a consolidation of the old M-PESA app and the MySafaricom app, combining payments and account management into one place.
However, the app would sign users out the moment they lost Safaricom connectivity, and getting back in required a Safaricom SIM physically in the device, Safaricom mobile data specifically (not Wi-Fi), and no VPN running.
For diaspora users without a local Safaricom bundle, that was a complete dead end.
A previous update addressed that by keeping users logged in even when on a non-Safaricom network, which was arguably the most disruptive problem the app had. This new update builds on that momentum.
Beyond zero-rating, the update adds Send to Bank Hakikisha, which puts an extra confirmation step on bank transfers to reduce accidental or incorrect payments.
QR scan functionality has also been improved for faster payments, and the update brings in Daima Service integration and Home Internet Family Share support. There are also general bug fixes and performance improvements across the board.
The app has had a difficult few months since launch, and Safaricom has been steadily patching the holes. Zero-rated access removes a real friction point, especially for lower-income users who are careful about data consumption.
