For South Africans thinking about getting a phone through PayJoy, or already paying one off, who want to know what it really costs, what happens if a payment is missed and how to own the phone at the end.
In short: PayJoy lets you take home a new Android smartphone with your ID, an active phone number and an upfront payment of up to 30% of the price. You then pay a fixed weekly or monthly amount over 3, 6 or 9 months. PayJoy calls this a rental agreement with an option to purchase, not a loan. There are no late fees, but if you miss a payment your phone locks until you catch up. It is easy to get, but it costs more than paying cash, so always work out the total before you sign.
On this page: What PayJoy is | How it works | Who qualifies | Stores and phones | Upfront payment | Payments and terms | Worked example | Fees and NCR status | Missed payments and locking | How to pay | When it is paid off | Cancelling and repairs | Pros and cons | Alternatives | FAQ
What is PayJoy?
PayJoy is a company that helps people get a smartphone without a bank account, payslip or credit history. In South Africa it trades as PayJoy SA (Pty) Ltd and works through its own kiosks in shopping centres and through partner phone stores.
The important thing to understand is the type of agreement. PayJoy’s South African site describes it as a rental agreement with an option to purchase and a clear path to ownership. You use the phone while you pay, and the phone itself is PayJoy’s security. If you stop paying, PayJoy does not send you to debt collectors first. It locks the phone.
PayJoy is one of several phone rental services in South Africa. MyBroadband names PEP’s FoneYam, PayJoy and MyFlex as the main players, and notes that they rely on software that lets the provider disable the phone if payments stop.
How PayJoy works, step by step
- Check if you qualify. You can check your eligibility online with your SA ID, or ask at a kiosk or partner store. You get a decision in minutes.
- Visit a kiosk or partner store. Take your ID and your upfront payment. If you checked online, PayJoy says the offer is valid for 10 days from the date you applied.
- Choose your phone and term. Pick from the phones available to you and choose 3, 6 or 9 months.
- Pay the upfront amount. This is up to 30% of the phone price, depending on your risk profile.
- Read and accept the agreement. Your contract is emailed to you and your payment amount also shows in the PayJoy app. Check the total before you sign.
- Take the phone home. The PayJoy app is set up on it. Your first payment is due about 7 days after you get the phone.
- Keep paying on time. Pay weekly or monthly until the agreement ends. You can only have one PayJoy phone at a time.
Who qualifies for PayJoy?
PayJoy’s requirements are short. According to its Get a phone page and store FAQ, you need:
- A valid photo ID (SA ID book or card, or a passport)
- An active phone number
- An email address is useful, because your contract is sent by email
- The upfront payment
You do not need a bank account, a payslip, a credit history or proof of residence. PayJoy says it does not run traditional credit checks, but it does review background information. It also says that 9 out of 10 applicants are approved.
If you are declined, PayJoy’s customer FAQ says you can try again after 31 days.
Where to get PayJoy, and which phones
You apply in person at a PayJoy kiosk or a PayJoy partner store. PayJoy runs kiosks in shopping centres across the country, with the most in Gauteng, followed by Limpopo, KwaZulu Natal, the Western Cape and North West. Use the PayJoy kiosk locator to find the nearest one. Partner stores change, so ask PayJoy or check the store locator rather than assuming a particular chain offers it.
PayJoy only offers Android phones. Brands listed on its South African pages include:
- HONOR, HUAWEI, Samsung, OPPO, vivo and realme
- Xiaomi (Redmi), motorola and ZTE
- TECNO, Infinix and itel
Recent examples on PayJoy SA’s website range from entry models such as the HONOR X5c, Samsung Galaxy A06 and Redmi A5 to mid range phones such as the HONOR X9b and Samsung Galaxy A56 5G. The range varies by store and by what you are approved for.
PayJoy does not offer iPhones, laptops or tablets.
How much is the upfront payment?
PayJoy says the upfront payment is up to 30% of the phone price, depending on your risk profile. Someone with a good record with PayJoy may pay less upfront than a first time customer. You pay this when you collect the phone, at the kiosk or store.
Bring the upfront amount with you, but note that PayJoy kiosks do not accept cash for account payments. Ask the kiosk how they want the upfront payment made before you go.
Weekly and monthly payments and terms
PayJoy offers terms of 3, 6 or 9 months. Your payment is fixed for the whole term, so the amount you agree to on day one is what you pay each time.
- Payment frequency: You can choose to pay every 7, 14, 21 or 30 days.
- First payment: Due about 7 days after you get the phone.
- Changing your term: Once you have chosen 3, 6 or 9 months, you cannot change it. You can change how often you pay.
- Where to see your amount: In the contract emailed to you and in the PayJoy app.
PayJoy does not publish a price list. It says pricing depends on the phone and the plan, and that a PayJoy clerk at a kiosk or partner store will give you an exact quote.
What a PayJoy phone really costs: a worked example
Because PayJoy does not publish prices, the example below uses made up numbers to show you how to do the sum. They are not PayJoy prices. Use the figures from your own quote.
| Item | Example amount |
|---|---|
| Cash price of the phone at a normal store | R2,500 |
| Upfront payment (30%) | R750 |
| Weekly payment | R110 |
| Number of weekly payments (6 month term) | 26 |
| Total of weekly payments (R110 x 26) | R2,860 |
| Total you pay (R750 + R2,860) | R3,610 |
| Extra cost compared with paying cash | R1,110 (about 44% more) |
To work out the real cost of your own quote, use this simple sum:
Upfront payment + (payment amount x number of payments) + any final payment = total cost. Then subtract the cash price of the same phone at a normal shop. The difference is what the convenience costs you.
Ask about any final payment. PayJoy’s agreements are rental agreements, and PayJoy’s own competition terms refer to a final fair market value payment set out in the rental agreement, after which ownership of the device passes to the customer. Ask the clerk to show you this amount in your contract before you sign.
Also compare the cost with saving. In the example, putting away R110 a week would buy the same phone for cash in about 23 weeks. If your current phone still works, saving can be the cheaper route.
Interest, fees and NCR registration
PayJoy’s South African pages say:
- There are no late fees. Missing a payment locks the phone but does not add charges.
- There are no monthly service fees.
- There are no hidden interest fees and the debt does not grow.
- Your rate is set at the time of purchase, and you see the costs before you commit.
That does not mean the phone is cheaper than cash. The extra you pay is built into the upfront and regular payments, as the worked example shows.
Is PayJoy registered with the NCR?
When we checked the National Credit Regulator’s online register on 29 October 2026, PayJoy SA (Pty) Ltd was listed among voluntarily cancelled credit providers, with a cancellation date of 10 July 2026, and it did not come up in the search of currently registered credit providers. This fits with PayJoy now offering a rental agreement rather than a credit agreement.
Why this matters: rental agreements are usually treated differently from loans and store credit under South African law. Protections built for credit, such as affordability assessments and caps on interest and fees, may not apply in the same way. Before you sign, ask PayJoy what law your agreement falls under and how to complain if something goes wrong.
PayJoy does report to credit bureaus. Its FAQ says it reports both on time and missed payments, so paying on time can help your credit record, and missed payments can hurt it. You can get your free credit report to check what has been listed.
What happens if you miss a payment
If you miss a payment, your phone locks. You will not be able to use it normally until you pay what is due. While it is locked you can still:
- Make emergency calls
- Contact PayJoy support
- Use the in app chat, including to ask for help
PayJoy’s customer charter says you have the right to know how and when the lock will be engaged and how your payment will unlock the device.
Can you get more time to pay?
Yes, you can ask. PayJoy’s FAQ says you can request a payment extension through the in app chat, which works even when the phone is locked. Ask before your due date if you can, not after the phone locks.
Common problems people report
PayJoy has a mixed record on Hellopeter. Recent complaints include payments that do not reflect, phones that stay locked after payment, and difficulty cancelling. To protect yourself:
- Pay only through official channels and keep every receipt or proof of payment.
- Make sure the phone has a data connection after you pay, because the app needs data to update and unlock.
- Save PayJoy’s official contact details from this page and never pay into a bank account someone sends you.
How to pay your PayJoy account
PayJoy lists these official payment options:
- At a PayJoy kiosk. Kiosks do not accept cash.
- In the PayJoy app. Tap Make Payment and follow the prompts.
- With Pay@ online. Scan the QR code on your payment notice with your banking app, or go to payat.io and enter your Pay@ reference number.
- With vouchers. Pay using a voucher through Pay@, with the same reference number.
- With cash or card at major retailers. Give your Pay@ reference number at the till.
Watch out: PayJoy says deposits into bank accounts are not an authorised payment channel, and that it is not responsible for payments made through unauthorised channels. If anyone asks you to pay into a bank account, treat it as a possible scam.
If your phone does not unlock after you pay
- Check that mobile data or Wi-Fi is on, then open the PayJoy app so it can update.
- Wait a short while and restart the phone.
- If it still asks for an authorisation code, email infosa@payjoy.com or call 087 250 0706, and have your proof of payment ready.
When your PayJoy phone is paid off
Once you have made all your payments, including any final payment set out in your agreement, the phone should be yours and the PayJoy lock should no longer apply. Before you treat the phone as fully yours:
- Check the PayJoy app shows a zero balance.
- Ask PayJoy to confirm the agreement is closed and keep that message.
- Keep your final receipts in case of a dispute later.
- If the phone stays locked after you have paid everything, contact PayJoy support with your proof of payment.
After you finish paying, you can apply for another phone if you want one.
Cancelling, returns, repairs and insurance
Cancelling and returning the phone
PayJoy says you can cancel and return the phone. Start by sending a WhatsApp to 079 803 6072, then return the phone to the store where you got it. The phone must:
- Work properly, with no scratches or dents
- Have your Gmail and other accounts removed
- Come with the box and all accessories
Important: PayJoy states that payments are not refunded for returned and cancelled devices. You lose what you have already paid.
Repairs and warranty
Phones come with a manufacturer’s warranty for manufacturing defects. For a repair, go back to the store where you bought the phone with your name, mobile number, email address, ID, sales receipt and the box with accessories. For warranty questions, PayJoy lists supportsa@payjoy.com.
Insurance
PayJoy does not offer insurance. If the phone is lost or stolen, you usually still owe the payments, so consider separate phone insurance.
PayJoy pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No bank account, payslip, credit history or proof of address needed | You pay more in total than the cash price |
| Quick decision, and most applicants are approved | Upfront payment of up to 30% |
| Fixed payments, with no late fees or growing debt | The phone locks if you miss a payment |
| Flexible payment frequency: every 7, 14, 21 or 30 days | No refund of payments if you cancel and return the phone |
| Short terms of 3, 6 or 9 months | No iPhones, laptops or tablets, and no insurance offered |
| On time payments are reported to credit bureaus | Missed payments are reported too, and some customers report unlocking problems |
Alternatives to PayJoy
- Save and buy cash. The cheapest option if your current phone still works.
- FoneYam (PEP group). Another phone rental service, offered at selected PEP, Ackermans, Dunns and HiFi Corp stores. According to its FAQ, you pay 30% upfront, then a day 7 payment and 12 monthly payments over 13 months and 7 days. Missed payments also lead to a locked phone.
- hiFlex (TFG stores). A 12 month phone rental with an upfront fee of a third of the phone’s cost. It asks for ID and proof of address but no bank account.
- Buy now, pay later. If you have a bank card, services such as PayJustNow or the options in our PayFlex vs MoreTyme comparison split a purchase into a few interest free payments, usually over a few weeks.
- Store accounts. Some retailers sell phones on credit. Read our store cards guide first, as interest and fees can add up.
- Network contracts. Usually need a credit check and proof of income, but include airtime and data.
Whatever you choose, compare the total you will pay, not just the weekly amount. If you are already struggling with repayments elsewhere, read our debt review guide before taking on another commitment.
PayJoy contact details
- Email: infosa@payjoy.com
- Phone (locked phone or authorisation code): 087 250 0706
- WhatsApp (cancellations and returns): 079 803 6072
- Warranty questions: supportsa@payjoy.com
- In app chat: works even if the phone is locked
If you cannot resolve a complaint with PayJoy, you can approach the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud or the National Consumer Commission.
Frequently asked questions
A valid photo ID or passport, an active phone number and the upfront payment. You do not need a bank account, payslip, credit history or proof of residence.
PayJoy calls it an upfront payment. It is up to 30% of the phone price, depending on your risk profile, and you pay it when you collect the phone.
You choose a term of 3, 6 or 9 months. You cannot change the term later, but you can choose to pay every 7, 14, 21 or 30 days.
PayJoy says it does not run traditional credit checks, but it reviews background information. If you are declined, you can try again after 31 days.
Your phone locks until you pay what is due. PayJoy does not charge late fees. You can still make emergency calls and contact PayJoy, and you can ask for a payment extension in the app chat.
The app needs a data connection to update after a payment. Turn on data or Wi-Fi, open the PayJoy app and restart the phone. If it still asks for a code, email infosa@payjoy.com or call 087 250 0706 with your proof of payment.
No. PayJoy does not offer Apple devices, laptops or tablets. It offers Android phones from brands such as Samsung, HONOR, OPPO, vivo, Xiaomi and TECNO.
On 29 October 2026 the National Credit Regulator’s register listed PayJoy SA (Pty) Ltd as a voluntarily cancelled credit provider, with a cancellation date of 10 July 2026. PayJoy now describes its product as a rental agreement with an option to purchase.
You can cancel and return the phone in good condition with the box and accessories, starting with a WhatsApp to 079 803 6072. PayJoy says payments are not refunded for returned and cancelled devices.
Yes. PayJoy reports both on time and missed payments, so paying on time can help build your record and missing payments can harm it.
Related reading: PayJustNow explained, store cards in South Africa and how to get your free credit report.
Last checked: 29 October 2026, against PayJoy’s South African Get a phone, customer information, store FAQ, customer charter and payment options pages, the National Credit Regulator’s register, FoneYam and hiFlex pages, Hellopeter and reporting by MyBroadband. Prices and terms change, so confirm everything in your own PayJoy contract before you sign.
This article is general information, not financial advice. Code Cash is not affiliated with PayJoy or any company mentioned.