In short
For Safaricom, set the APN to safaricom with username saf and password data. Below are the mobile data settings for both carriers in Kenya: Safaricom and Airtel Kenya. Tap a value to copy it, and open the MMS settings if picture messages fail.
Updated 1 October 2026 · SimVala editorial
2 carriers in Kenya
Safaricom APN
safaricom
Username saf, password data
Checked 2026-10-01
APN for mobile data
MCC and MNC are 639 and 02.
We found no separate MMS settings for Safaricom. Picture messages usually work with the APN above, or your phone sets them itself.
APN for mobile data
One profile covers internet and MMS. Leave MCC and MNC blank, and text ALL to 232 to get the settings sent.
Go to Settings > General > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Network and enter internet as the APN.
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2
Carriers in Kenya
1
From the carrier's own pages
1
With MMS settings
1
Need a username
The main internet APN for every carrier in one table. The cards above have the full settings, other APNs and the MMS values.
| Carrier | APN | Username / password | MMS | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safaricom Safaricom | safaricom | saf / data | Not listed | Own network |
| Airtel Kenya | internet | blank | Listed | Own network |
Both carriers on this page run their own network. Each one has its own APN, so make sure you copy the settings for the carrier named on your SIM, not the one with the best coverage.
Safaricom is the only carrier here that uses a username and password in the APN. For the others, leave both fields empty: a username where none is needed can stop data from working. Where an authentication type is given: Safaricom uses None or PAP and Airtel Kenya uses PAP.
Airtel Kenya lists separate settings for picture messages (MMS). If texts work but photos in messages do not, those are the values to check.
The carriers here use the mobile country code 639, the first three digits of every network code in Kenya. Android usually fills in the MCC and MNC from the SIM, so you rarely need to type them.
Visiting Kenya with your own SIM? Keep your home APN: roaming data still goes through your home carrier. You only need these settings with a local SIM bought in Kenya. Or skip the SIM shop with a Kenya eSIM, which sets its own APN.
iPhone
No Mobile Data Network option? Your carrier locks it, and the iPhone sets the APN for you.
Android
Made a mess of it? Reset to default in the same menu brings the original settings back.
Data and roaming on
Mobile data must be on, and airplane mode off. On a local SIM, data roaming can stay off.
The APN, letter for letter
For Safaricom that is safaricom. One wrong dot or capital is enough to block data.
Username only if listed
Only Safaricom needs one here. Leave it blank for the rest.
Select it and restart
On Android, tap the entry so its dot is filled. Then restart the phone and open a website.
Calls and texts work, only data does not? That points to the APN, because calls and normal texts do not depend on it. If nothing works at all, the SIM itself may not be active yet: ask the shop or the carrier.
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Each carrier card names its own sources. Checked 2026-10-01.
The Safaricom internet APN is safaricom, with username saf and password data.
The Airtel Kenya internet APN is internet, with the username and password left blank.
Safaricom uses a username and password in the APN. For the others, leave both fields blank.
Usually not. Your phone reads the APN from the SIM and sets it for you. You only need to add it by hand if mobile data does not work, often after moving a phone between networks or on an unlocked import.
Not if you use your own SIM: roaming uses your home carrier's APN. You only need the settings on this page if you buy a local SIM from a carrier in Kenya.
No. At worst, mobile data or picture messages stop working until you fix it. On Android, Reset to default in the APN menu puts the carrier's own settings back.
A travel eSIM installs before you fly and usually sets its own APN. Pay in crypto, no ID, no email.