Your mobile number is the key to almost everything you do in the UAE. Bank logins, salary transfers, visa renewal notices, utility bills, delivery riders, and your UAE Pass account all run through that one number. So knowing how to update mobile number information matters more than it sounds — a wrong or outdated detail on your SIM registration can lock you out of services that have nothing to do with your phone plan.
Every SIM card in the UAE must be registered under the real identity of its user. That rule comes from the country’s telecom regulator, and both Etisalat by e& and du enforce it at registration and re-verification. If your Emirates ID details changed, if you bought a number that was registered under someone else’s name, or if you simply need to swap the number linked to your bank and apps, this guide walks you through each route — what to prepare, where to go, and what to expect.
Quick Answer
To update the personal information on your UAE mobile number, visit your provider’s app, website, or any official store with your original Emirates ID and ask for a registration update. For a prepaid number you can often do it through the provider’s self-service app with an Emirates ID scan. To change the actual number on your account — for example, switching to a new one — request a number change through the app or at a store; a small fee may apply, so check the official portal first. To update the number linked to your bank, utilities, or government accounts, change it separately with each of those services, because your telecom provider cannot do that for you.
Why Keeping Your Mobile Number Information Updated Matters
In the UAE, your mobile number is part of your digital identity, not just a way to make calls. Here is what quietly depends on it:
- Banking and payments. One-time passwords (OTPs) for transfers, card payments, and app logins go to your registered number. If the number on file is old or wrong, you cannot complete transactions. Anyone opening an account should read our guide on opening a bank account in the UAE, because the number you give the bank at sign-up becomes your verification channel for years.
- UAE Pass and government services. Visa applications, traffic fine payments, and tenancy contracts often send verification codes to the number linked to your Emirates ID.
- SIM re-verification. The telecom regulator’s “My Number, My Identity” campaign requires that every active number matches the identity of its actual user. Numbers registered under someone else’s documents — a common situation when a friend or employer bought the SIM for you — can be suspended until the registration is corrected.
- SIM replacement and disputes. If you lose your phone and need a replacement SIM, the provider will only issue it to the person whose name and ID are on the registration. A mismatch means a rejected request.
What “Updating Mobile Number Information” Can Mean
People use this phrase for three different things, and each one has a different process:
1. Updating your personal details on an existing registration
This is the most common case: your name spelling changed, your Emirates ID was renewed with new details, or the number is still registered under a previous owner. You are keeping the same number but correcting who it belongs to on paper. This is done through your provider’s registration update process.
2. Changing the number linked to your accounts
Your bank, your utility company, your employer’s HR portal, and apps like Careem each store a copy of your number. If you switch numbers, you must update each service individually. Your telecom provider only controls the SIM itself — it cannot reach into your bank’s records.
3. Changing your actual mobile number
Sometimes you want a different number entirely — a memorable one, or a fresh start after too many spam calls. Both Etisalat by e& and du let you pick a new number on an existing account, usually through the app or at a store.
How to Update Mobile Number Information: Step by Step
Updating your registration details (same number)
- Try the provider’s app first. Both the Etisalat by e& app and the du app have self-service sections for updating registration details. Look for options like “Update ID,” “Registration,” or “My Profile.” You will typically be asked to scan your Emirates ID and take a quick selfie or face verification.
- Visit a store if the app does not work. Take your original, valid Emirates ID to any official Etisalat by e& or du store (not a third-party reseller). Tell the staff you want to update the registration information on your number. They will verify your identity, update the records, and give you a confirmation — usually by SMS or on a printed receipt.
- Confirm the update. After the change, check that your details show correctly. You can learn how in our guide on how to check mobile number registration details.
Changing your number on the same account
- Open your provider’s app and look for “Change number” under account or SIM settings, or visit a store.
- Browse the available numbers and pick one. Premium or “gold” numbers cost more; standard numbers are the cheapest option.
- Confirm the change. The new number becomes active on your existing SIM — no new SIM card is needed in most cases, though some customers are issued one.
- Update your number everywhere it matters: bank, employer, utilities, delivery apps, and UAE Pass-linked services.
| Method | Best for | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Provider app (Etisalat by e& / du) | Quick registration updates and number changes | Emirates ID scan, face verification |
| Official store visit | Complex cases: ownership transfer, mismatched IDs, company lines | Original Emirates ID, and any supporting documents |
| Customer care call / chat | Simple queries and confirming requirements | Your registered number and ID details for verification |
Documents You May Need
For most updates, your valid Emirates ID is the main document. Depending on the situation, you may also be asked for:
- A copy of your passport (sometimes requested alongside the Emirates ID).
- A visa copy or labour card, if the registration involves an employer-sponsored line.
- A no-objection letter from the company, for lines registered under a business.
- Proof of the name change, such as an updated Emirates ID, if you are correcting the registered name — see our guide on how to change the name on a mobile account for that specific process.
For a full breakdown of what each provider accepts, see SIM card requirements and documents. If your Emirates ID itself has outdated details, sort that out first — our guide to UAE Emirates ID renewal covers the process, and the card itself is issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.
Updating the Number Linked to Your Bank and Other Services
This is the step most people forget, and it causes the most headaches. Your telecom provider updates your SIM records only. Everything else that holds your number needs a separate update:
- Banks: Update it through online banking, the bank’s app, or at a branch. Many banks require an in-person visit or ATM verification for number changes because the number is a security credential.
- Employer and payroll: Inform your HR department, especially if salary notifications or WPS records use your number.
- Utilities (DEWA, SEWA, ADDC): Update the contact number on your utility account so outage alerts and bills reach you. Our overview of UAE utility connection requirements explains how these accounts are set up.
- Government portals and UAE Pass: Check the number registered on services you use regularly.
- Delivery and ride apps: Update your profile in each app so riders can reach you.
Do this the same day you change numbers if possible. The gap between an old number deactivating and your accounts updating is exactly when important OTPs go missing.
Fees and Processing Time
Updating your registration details — correcting your name or ID information on the same number — is typically free at official stores and through the apps. Changing to a new number usually carries a one-time fee that varies by provider and by the type of number you choose; standard numbers cost less than premium ones. Check the official Etisalat by e& website or the du website for current fees before you go, since charges change from time to time.
Registration updates are usually processed within minutes at a store, or within a few hours through the app once verification is complete. Number changes on an existing SIM typically take effect the same day, though in some cases the switch happens overnight.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
The number is registered under someone else’s name
This happens when an employer, friend, or family member bought the SIM for you. You will need both parties’ cooperation: the current registered owner and you must visit the store together (or follow the provider’s transfer process) with both Emirates IDs. If the other person is unreachable, explain the situation to the provider’s customer care — they have procedures for this, but it takes longer.
Your Emirates ID details do not match the provider’s records
Renew your Emirates ID first, then update the mobile registration with the new ID. Providers verify against the federal identity database, so the ID has to be current.
OTPs go to the old number during the switch
Keep the old SIM active until every important account shows the new number. Do not surrender or cancel the old number until bank logins, email recovery numbers, and two-factor authentication apps are all moved over.
The app rejects your ID scan
Poor lighting, a scratched card, or an expired ID are the usual causes. Try again in good light, or skip the app and visit a store where staff can verify you in person.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I update my mobile number information online without visiting a store?
In many cases, yes. Both Etisalat by e& and du let you update registration details through their official apps using an Emirates ID scan and face verification. Complex cases — ownership transfers, company lines, or mismatched documents — usually still require a store visit.
How long does it take to update registration details on a UAE SIM?
At a store, the update is usually done within minutes once your identity is verified. Through the app, it can take a few hours for verification to complete. You will normally receive an SMS confirmation when the records are updated.
Is there a fee for updating my mobile number information?
Correcting your personal details on an existing number is typically free. Changing to a completely new number usually involves a one-time fee that depends on the provider and the number you choose. Check the official provider website for the current charges.
Can I update the number linked to my bank account at the telecom store?
No. Your telecom provider can only update its own records. Your bank, utility companies, and apps each need to be updated separately through their own channels.
What happens if my SIM is registered under someone else’s name?
You may face problems with SIM replacement, re-verification, and account disputes. The registered owner and you should visit the provider’s store together to transfer the registration into your name, each bringing a valid Emirates ID.
Do I need a new SIM card when I change my number?
Usually not — the new number is activated on your existing SIM. In some cases the provider may issue a replacement SIM, especially if you are also upgrading to a newer SIM type, and the standard SIM replacement process applies.
The Bottom Line
Keeping your mobile number information accurate in the UAE is a small task with outsized importance. Update your registration details through your provider’s app or at an official store with your Emirates ID, change the number on your bank and utility accounts separately, and never cancel an old number until every OTP-dependent service has moved over. Do that, and your number stays what it should be: a reliable key to your digital life in the Emirates.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Asandada24, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Asandada24 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.