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How to Activate DU SIM Card

Activate DU SIM Card

DU is one of the two mobile network service providers in the United Arab Emirates, alongside Etisalat. The two are in a neck-to-neck competition and share a monopoly over the country’s needs. To be more precise, DU is dominant in the free zones while Etisalat dominates other areas. Customers also recognize the carrier through its subsidiary named Edara, also known as Telco Operations, and have welcomed the carrier’s introduction of 5G network coverage in June 2019. Those are some of the reasons to learn how to activate a DU SIM card. So, let’s get into it.

1. Activate DU SIM card as a traveler

DU has a special program where they give out free prepaid SIM cards at the immigration counters. They carry a small number of minutes and mobile data and can be recharged. With that said, activating a DU SIM card for tourists works like this:

  1. Insert the SIM card into your phone and turn it on.
  2. Bypass the PIN (0000) and dial *122#.
  3. You’ll be asked for your passport number, date of arrival, and country you arrived from.
  4. If the system detects you’re eligible and you entered the correct details, a notification stating that your request is being processed will appear.
  5. Once approved, you’ll receive an SMS notification. It will also list the SIM card phone number you were assigned.
  6. Dial 135 to select a language for the mobile network services.

2. Activating a DU SIM card for residents

Since 2012, it’s mandatory to tie a valid ID to the SIM card. So, if you purchased a prepaid SIM card from an authorized dealer, changed documents, or discovered your postpaid SIM card stopped working, you need to update the personal information. This is how renewal or activation of a DU SIM card for Emirati works:

  1. Visit DU’s Account Renewal page and sign in.
  2. At the ID Renewal page, enter your phone number, solve the reCAPTCHA, and click on Renew Registration.
  3. You’ll receive a 4-digit PIN as an SMS. Enter the PIN to proceed.
  4. You’ll be taken to the Upload your new Emirates ID page. Here’s what to do before clicking on Continue:
    1. Upload two pictures of your ID, of the front and the back side. You can scan them or take pictures with your smartphone camera.
    2. Enter your Emirati ID number and expiration date.
  5. If everything is in order, agree to the ToS before clicking on Confirm.
  6. You’ll have to wait for up to 48 hours for it to go through. Save the displayed reference number somewhere.
  7. Optional. Visit the Check your ID Renewal Status page and use the reference number to track the progress. Alternatively, send an SMS containing “STATUS” to 6664. 

3. Contact DU Customer Support

Here are 3 ways to reach out to DU Customer Care:

1. Call them

Do this to get in touch with DU via phone:

  • In the United Arab Emirates? Call 800 155 or 155.
  • Want to be assigned to an available DU representative? Dial *177#.
  • Currently overseas? Dial +971 5 55678155.

2. Chat with them

Do this to exchange texts with DU representatives:

  • Messenger. Search for the official handle mentioned below.
  • WhatsApp. Add 971582428268 to your contacts.

3. Get in touch via social media

They’re on Instagram and Facebook under the handle @du and Twitter under @dutweets.

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