Learning how to update mobile banking details matters more than most people realise. Your bank in the UAE uses your registered mobile number, email address, and identity documents for everything from one-time passwords to fraud alerts, so when any of them changes, your banking app can quietly stop working properly — or worse, you can lose access to your money at the worst moment.
This guide walks you through updating every detail banks ask for in the UAE: your mobile number, email address, residential address, Emirates ID, and employment information. It covers what you can change inside the app, what needs a branch or ATM visit, and how long each change usually takes.
Quick Answer
Most UAE banks let you update simple details like your email address and communication preferences inside the mobile app or online banking, with verification by OTP. Changing your registered mobile number or Emirates ID almost always requires extra identity verification — usually a branch visit, an ATM transaction with your card, or UAE PASS — because these are used for security and regulatory checks. Have your Emirates ID and your old or new number handy before you start.
Why Keeping Your Details Current Matters
Banks in the UAE are legally required to keep your information up to date, and they enforce this more strictly than many newcomers expect. An expired Emirates ID on file is a common reason accounts get restricted or cards get blocked, sometimes with no warning. Banks will freeze transactions rather than let an out-of-date identity record sit on their system.
Your registered mobile number is just as critical. In the UAE, this is the number that receives OTPs for logins, transfers, and card payments. If you change your SIM and forget to tell the bank, you will not be able to approve payments or log in to some services, because the codes go to a number you no longer control. The same applies to your email, which receives statements, confirmations, and security notices.
An outdated address can cause problems too — cards and PIN mailers go to the wrong place, and some banks use your address for identity verification questions. Updating it takes a few minutes and saves real headaches.
What You Can Update Online vs. What Needs a Branch Visit
Every bank has its own rules, but the pattern across UAE banks is fairly consistent:
| Detail | Usually updated in the app | Usually needs branch/ATM/UAR PASS |
|---|---|---|
| Email address | Yes, with OTP verification | Rarely |
| Communication preferences | Yes | Rarely |
| Residential address (same city) | Often, may need proof of tenancy | Sometimes |
| Registered mobile number | Sometimes | Usually |
| Emirates ID details | Rarely | Almost always |
| Employment / salary details | Rarely | Usually (needs documents) |
The divide makes sense: the details that secure your account are the ones banks guard most closely. A fraudster who could change your registered number online without checks could take over your whole account, which is why the two-factor process around mobile number changes is strict.
How to Update Mobile Banking Details in the App
Start here — it handles most routine updates in a few minutes.
- Log in to your bank’s mobile app with your usual credentials.
- Open the profile, settings, or “more” menu (the exact name varies by bank).
- Look for “Profile”, “Personal Details”, “Contact Details”, or “Update Information”.
- Select the detail you want to change — email, address, or communication preferences.
- Enter the new information carefully and confirm.
- Verify with the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
- Look for a confirmation message or reference number, and save it.
Simple changes like your email usually take effect immediately or within a few hours. If you have not set up the app yet, our guide on how to set up mobile banking covers the registration steps first.
How to Update Details Through Online Banking (Desktop)
The steps on a bank’s website are very similar, and some people find the bigger screen easier for checking details.
- Log in to your bank’s official online banking portal.
- Go to “Profile”, “Settings”, or “Service Requests”.
- Choose the update you want to make and fill in the new details.
- Complete the OTP or security-question verification.
- Submit and note the reference number for the request.
Many banks also let you upload documents here — for example, a new tenancy contract when updating your address — which can save a branch trip.
Updating Your Registered Mobile Number
This is the update most people struggle with, and it is deliberately harder than changing an email. In most UAE banks, your registered mobile number is tied to your customer ID, and banks treat changing it as a security-sensitive request.
Here is how it usually works:
- Through the app: Some banks allow it if you can verify with an OTP sent to the old number plus another factor such as your card PIN or Emirates ID. If you still have the old SIM, this is the easiest path.
- At an ATM: Some banks let you update your registered number at their ATMs using your debit card and PIN, followed by verification steps. It is faster than a branch visit and works outside branch hours.
- At a branch: If you have lost the old number or cannot receive OTPs, you will usually need to visit a branch with your original Emirates ID. The bank verifies your identity and updates the number manually.
- Via UAE PASS: Banks that support UAE PASS sometimes accept it as identity verification for contact updates.
If you have lost access to the old number entirely, expect the process to take longer — banks may add extra verification steps before linking a new number, since this is exactly how account-takeover fraud happens.
Updating Your Emirates ID Details
When you renew your Emirates ID, your bank needs the new one on file. Most banks send a reminder, but it is your responsibility to update it — accounts with expired ID records can face restrictions.
- Check your bank’s app first: some now let you scan or upload the new ID directly.
- If the app does not support it, visit a branch with your original Emirates ID.
- Bring your passport as backup identification, especially if your visa status changed at the same time.
- Ask the bank to confirm that your ID expiry date is updated in their records, not just filed in a drawer.
New residents should know this applies from day one: banks validate your Emirates ID during account opening, and details are re-checked on renewal. If you are still in the process of opening an account, our guide to opening a UAE bank account as an expat explains what documents to expect.
Updating Your Address and Employment Details
Address updates are usually straightforward but sometimes need proof — a tenancy contract, utility bill, or Ejari registration. Some banks accept uploads in the app; others want to see originals at a branch. If you have only moved within the same area, the process is usually quick.
Employment and salary updates matter more than people think: your salary transfer arrangement affects card limits, loan eligibility, and fee structures. If you changed jobs, update your employment details and salary transfer with the bank, and bring a salary certificate or employment letter. Some banks charge different fees depending on your account package, so check your banking fees and charges after a package change.
How Long Changes Take and What to Watch For
Timelines vary by bank and by the type of change:
- Immediate: Email changes and communication preferences usually apply within minutes of OTP confirmation.
- Same day: Address updates submitted with documents are often processed within hours.
- 1–3 working days: Mobile number changes and ID updates frequently need back-office verification before taking effect.
- Longer: Employment and salary changes tied to account packages can take several days, especially if they trigger a product review.
After updating, test the change: send yourself a small transfer to trigger an OTP on the new number, or check that statements arrive at the new email. If a change has not taken effect after the bank’s stated timeline, follow up with the reference number you saved.
If the App Won’t Accept Your Change
It happens — the app throws an error, the OTP never arrives, or the update option is greyed out. Work through these in order:
- Update the banking app to the latest version; old versions sometimes block profile updates.
- Check your internet connection and try again on mobile data versus Wi-Fi.
- Make sure the new number or email is not already registered to a different customer profile.
- If OTPs are not arriving, check whether the bank’s sender ID is blocked on your phone.
- Call the bank’s helpline and quote your reference number or customer ID.
- As a last resort, visit a branch with your Emirates ID — they can update anything manually.
If the problem is that you are locked out of your account entirely, our guide on recovering a mobile banking account covers the full process.
Security Precautions When Updating Details
Updating your details is safe when done through official channels, but be alert to scams that mimic the process:
- Only update details inside the bank’s official app or website — never through links in emails or SMS.
- Banks in the UAE never ask for your full card number, CVV, or OTP by phone. Anyone asking is a scammer.
- After a mobile number change, watch for the first few OTPs and statements to confirm nothing is going astray.
- Never update banking details on public Wi-Fi; use your mobile data or a trusted network.
- Report any suspicious call or message asking you to “confirm” or “update” your details to your bank immediately.
For a fuller rundown of safe habits, read our guide on staying safe while using online banking and the UAE banking fraud protection guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I update my registered mobile number entirely online?
It depends on the bank. Some allow it in the app if you can still receive OTPs on the old number and pass additional verification. If you have lost access to the old number, most banks require a branch visit or ATM verification with your Emirates ID. Call your bank first to learn its exact process — policies differ.
What happens if my Emirates ID expires and I don’t update the bank?
Your account can be restricted — cards may stop working and transfers may be blocked until a valid ID is on file. Update the bank as soon as you receive your renewed Emirates ID.
Is there a fee for updating my details?
Routine updates like email, address, and mobile number changes are typically free. Document re-verification at a branch is also usually free. Check your bank’s schedule of charges if you are unsure.
How do I know my update went through?
You should receive an SMS or email confirmation, and the new details should appear in your app’s profile section. Test the change — for example, by receiving an OTP on a new number — before you need it urgently.
Can someone else update my details for me?
Not without proper authorisation. Banks require the account holder to verify personally, or a legally appointed representative with a power of attorney accepted by the bank.
The Bottom Line
Updating mobile banking details in the UAE is straightforward for simple changes — email and preferences go through in minutes inside the app. The registered mobile number and Emirates ID need stronger verification, often at a branch or ATM, because they are what protect your account. Keep your Emirates ID current, update your number the moment your SIM changes, and always save your confirmation reference.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.