Mobile Data Budget Under 100 AED

Action checklist

Complete these steps in order for the fastest, safest setup.

• 1du prepaid: 'Go' plans start at 35 AED/month — 10GB data, sufficient for moderate use
• 2Etisalat prepaid: 'Visitor' plans 40–55 AED/month with 10–20GB
• 3Avoid postpaid in month one — requires Emirates ID and credit check
• 4Turn off background app refresh on iPhone / data saver on Android to stretch data
• 5Use WiFi at home and office, keep mobile data for commutes and out-of-office
• 6Upgrade plan online — no need to visit a store, both du and Etisalat apps allow upgrades

Plans under 100 AED (2025)

du Tourist SIM: 35 AED — 10GB, 30 days, local calls included. Available at airport and du shops. du Prepaid (resident): 65–89 AED/month — 15–25GB, renewable monthly. Etisalat Visitor SIM: 40–55 AED — 10–20GB, 30 days. Etisalat Prepaid: 75–95 AED/month — 20GB, local calls. Note: prices change frequently — check du.ae or etisalat.ae for current offers before buying.

How to make 10GB last a month

10GB is enough for: social media (light use), WhatsApp (text + voice), Google Maps navigation, basic browsing. Data-hungry activities to do on WiFi only: YouTube, Netflix, video calls, OS updates, cloud backups. Tip: set your phone to ask before using mobile data for each app. On iPhone: Settings → Mobile Data. On Android: Settings → Network → App data usage.

Switching plans and SIM registration

You can upgrade a prepaid plan online without visiting a store. Both du and Etisalat apps allow top-ups and plan changes. To switch from prepaid to postpaid (needed after getting Emirates ID): visit a store with Emirates ID + passport. Your number can be kept. Note: you can only have one active SIM registered per passport in the UAE.