Top 20 Mobile Apps for Life in Dubai

Dec 13, 20245 min read

Living in a new country often means many of the apps we rely on back home are not available. In this post, I'll let you know all the apps I use and apps that I know others find useful too. I have no affiliations or sponsorships with any of these apps or services, so you can be sure I'm giving you genuine, helpful information. Here are 20 of the most useful apps, grouped into categories to make your life in Dubai easier.

Transportation & Navigation

Careem

Careem is my go-to app. It offers the best value ride-hailing services, bike rentals, and more. You can schedule rides in advance, but in my experience, the drivers often cancel at the last minute, so I wouldn't rely on this for something important (best to leave adequate time to wait for the next available when booking).

Hint: When you arrive at the airport there will be many, many Hala cabs waiting. The attendant will try and direct you to the more expensive Black Ubers - ignore them and go to a beige Hala cab with a coloured roof (pink means female driver), its significantly better value.

RTA Dubai

Essential if you have a car, the RTA app provide facility to pay for parking, toll charges (Salik) and enables top up of your nol card (access to metro and tram). You can also complete admin tasks on the app, such as updating your licence and paying fines.

Waze

Dubai’s road network can be confusing, and Waze helps you navigate with real-time traffic updates and the best routes to your destination. Many use this app due to additional lane guidance, which is essential with the disorientating road layouts here.

Zofeur

Need a personal driver to take you home in your own car? Zofeur offers pay-per-minute driver services for added safety and convenience. Great if you change your mind about boozing half way through the evening!

Cafu

Cafu delivers petrol directly to your location, saving you a trip to the petrol station. They have little fuel vans that can come anywhere at relatively short notice. They also have car washing, mechanical/maintenance services, and will even rescue you from the side of the road following a breakdown.

Shopping & Groceries

Carrefour

If you're looking for the best blend of value and quality, you can shop for groceries, electronics, and household items through the Carrefour app. It’s a lifesaver for stocking up on essentials and even has a 60 minute delivery option on a limited selection of goods.

Spinneys

Known for high-quality products, the Spinneys app allows you to order fresh groceries straight to your door. If you don't mind paying a little extra for your shop, its a great option as you'll find a wider selection of products that you'd find in the UK. I shop spinneys if I'm looking for pork products, fresh cream or a particular ingredient that I haven't been able to source from Carrefour.

Instashop

Perfect for last-minute needs, Instashop connects you to local grocery stores, pharmacies, and more, delivering within an hour. It's great if your looking for items outside of grocery items. If you have a particular shop in mind, you can shop quite specifically.

Amazon

From electronics to home goods, Amazon has everything you need with fast delivery options across Dubai. You can also add on installation and assembly services with many products. If you were a Prime member in your home country, you'll need a new Prime account to access the benefits - many home internet providers offer Prime membership with their packages, so hold fire to make use of this benefit when you get your longer term accommodation.

Food Delivery

Careem

It's not just for your transportation needs, Careem offers all sorts of services, from grocery and takeaway delivery, to cleaning and laundry services, all direct to your door.

Talabat

With a wide range of restaurant options, Talabat makes ordering your favourite meals quick and easy. It also supports grocery and pharmacy deliveries.

The Entertainer

While primarily known for its 2-for-1 deals, The Entertainer app also features food delivery discounts, making dining out or ordering in more affordable. There is an annual fee, but it's well worth the nominal cost after the first few uses.

Real Estate & Property

Property Finder

When searching for your dream home or apartment in Dubai, Property Finder provides detailed listings with photos, prices, and contact details for agents. It's a bit like Rightmove, with map views, images and useful filter options.

Bayut

Another top real estate app, Bayut offers a user-friendly interface for browsing properties, whether you're buying or renting. It also has very informative listings for areas and buildings, so you can get to grips with finding a place with the facilities you need.

Dubizzle

Beyond property listings, Dubizzle is great for finding second-hand furniture, electronics, and more. It’s a handy marketplace for expats, especially the environmentally conscious.

Finance & Utilities

Xe Currency Converter

Managing multiple currencies is easy with Xe. This app provides live exchange rates and quick conversions, perfect for expats managing international finances, and while you get to grips with the currency differences during grocery shopping.

UAE PASS

Simplify your interactions with government services through UAE PASS. It provides secure digital identification, allowing you to sign and authenticate documents online and I believe you can use it to pay other bills too.

Community & Socialising

WhatsApp is essential for staying connected in Dubai. You'll be surprised how much this app is used here. Every business uses it for communicating and even when your expecting deliveries, as the address format can be a little confusing, you can ensure you receive your orders using the location pin function. You won't be able to use the video call function in Dubai without a VPN installed on your phone.

Meetup

Meetup helps you find events and activities aligned with your interests, from fitness groups and social circles, to business networking and online workshops. It's a great resource and very popular here with the extensive expat community.

Safety & Healthcare

Dubai Police

This app ensures you’re well-informed about safety in Dubai. It allows you to report incidents and car accidents, pay fines, and access emergency services. It's important to have if you're driving as reporting bumps is required.

[Insurance] App

For convenience, I recommend downloading your health insurance provider's app (where available). You'll be able to access useful contact numbers and upload claim information more easily, as well as finding your cover information.