Relocating to a new city can be daunting but gone are the days where you need a compass and map to navigate around unknown surroundings.
What you do need, however, are these essential Dubai apps.
At the touch of a button, you can save time (and money) by using your mobile phone to hail a cab, order groceries and even find a place to live, freeing up your schedule so you can do the really important things – making friends, enjoying brunch and taking in the sights.
Time Out has tried and tested the Dubai apps that are essential for newcomers arriving in the UAE. Look no further to know which you need to download in quick time.
15 must-have Dubai apps to make life easy peasy
Airalo
While you can nab a free sim card on arrival in Dubai, an e-sim offers extra convenience. If you’re wondering how to get started, download Airalo. This e-sim app gives you local data instantly and is available in over 200 countries and regions. A range of affordable plans are available to suit your pocket, ensuring your Insta grid doesn’t fall behind.
airalo.com
Careem
Chances are you will need a taxi as soon as you touch down in Dubai to get to your accommodation. Look no further than the Careem app.
Whether you want the cheapest ride to get from A to B or prefer to ride in style in a flashy Lexus, the easy-to-use app allows you to select your preference every time you search for a journey.
There’s also an option to pay with cash or through your phone wallet – meaning there is no need to stop off at an ATM.
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But there’s much, much more to Careem than taxi services. You can order takeaway food, your groceries, book cleaning services, arrange car rental services and more.
And, if you sign up for Careem Plus at a cost of Dhs19 per month, there are even more features up for grabs – including the option to claim discounts at some of the city’s top bars and restaurants.
careem.com
Cobone
Whether you’re looking to try some of Dubai’s top attractions, need some budget friendly staycation packages, foodie deals or need a discount on spa treatments, daily discount app Cobone is a must. This Middle Eastern app gives you access to discounts across Saudi Arabia and the UAE so cash in your favourite pocket-friendly experiences.
cobone.com
Dubizzle
You can buy and sell everything you need on Dubizzle. The website is the leading free classified site in the UAE and the app allows you to access it on your handheld device.
Whether looking for a job, needing some second hand furniture for your new place or want to buy a car, then you can search for your needs and secure a deal with ease.
dubizzle.com
Duolingo
Want to get clued up on the local lingo in a jiffy? Download the Duolingo app and get started. The app is free to use with options to learn Arabic and a range of other languages. Best of all, you’ll get daily reminders to sign in so you don’t lose focus.
duolingo.com
Entertainer
Why pay for one when you can buy-one-get-one? Enter the Entertainer app. This two-for-one application will make exploring Dubai more pocket-friendly with deals for dining, fitness experiences, theme parks and much more. An annual membership starts from Dhs595 per year but certain banks (including HSBC) provides a complimentary membership.
theentertainerme.com
Instashop
Gone are the days of having to pop back to shop for forgotten milk and teabags when living in Dubai.
It is possible to have everything you need – from fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, pharmacy goods, pet food and make-up – dropped to your door with the Instashop app.
Making it even better, deliveries usually turn up within 30 to 60 minutes. Prefer to schedule a time? You can. Ensuring the shopping experience is smooth, there is an option to pay by cash or card. This super-convenient app is a must in Dubai, especially when the summer heat kicks in.
Instashop.com
Ministry of Interior (MoI) app
In addition to the official police force apps in your emirate, there is an all-in-one app to know about, by Ministry of Interior (MoI), which oversees all police forces across the Emirates.
Once you’ve downloaded it, download the MoI app and you’ll find your records all in one place (including your Emirates ID and vehicle licence), regardless of the emirate you live in.
moi.gov.ae
Noon
E-commerce platform noon is the one-stop platform for all your daily needs. Need groceries in under 20 minutes? Secure the goods with the noon 15 minutes option. You can also buy everything from electronics to clothing, homeware, food takeaways and more via Noon.
noon.com
RTA app
The RTA (Roads & Transport Authority) app is so handy for travelling around Dubai on public transport or driving.
Allowing you to plan routes, read schedules, check traffic and validate parking – this is the app that will help you find your way around Dubai.
One of the most helpful features of the app is that you are able to top up your nol travel card (which is used to tap into the Metro and bus) so that it is easy to keep enough money on the card to allow you to travel around stress-free.
rta.ae
talabat
Whether you’re looking for a fast grocery delivery in under 20 minutes, in need of some last minute flowers, urgent delivery from a pharmacy or dinner from your favourite restaurant, talabat – one of the region’s leading everyday delivery apps has everything covered – no need for you to leave the house, no matter how small the item.
talabat.com
UAE Pass
One of the most practical apps that you need on your mobile phone home screen is the UAE Pass. It isn’t the most fun but it is useful for signing into all the different government websites and services.
You cannot access the app until you have received your Emirates ID card as it is needed for the verification process but once you can sign up you are able to use the app to paying utility bills to Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and Emirates post. The time-saving app can also be use for extending visa applications.
selfcare.uaepass.ae
UAE ICP app
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has created an app for services and information that are related to your residency, including visa and Emirates ID.
Through the UAE ICP app, you can easily access the digital version of your residence visa and Emirates ID. Easy peasy, indeed.
icp.gov.ae
Waze
Struggling to find your way around the city? Community-based traffic and navigation app Waze can help. It offers real-time traffic updates, shortcuts to destinations and drivers can log accidents to help keep everyone safe. Similar to Google Maps, you have to enter your destination and it will calculate the time it will take to get there and provide easy-to-follow directions.
waze.com
YouCater
Introducing YouCater, the city’s newest app to connect users in Dubai to its top culinary talent. Sure, stepping into Dubai’s big named restaurants such as REIF Japanese Kushiyaki or French restaurant L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (which won our award for best French restaurant in 2024) is an unmissable experience in itself, but this app offers a tier above your usual.
With YouCater, you can now have the likes of Kushiyaki and Robuchon in your own kitchen, creating their signature dishes for a work function or at-home occasion. Many other services on the app include hiring food trucks with your favourite dishes, bespoke hampers and everything you would need for a party.
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