Independent guide · Updated October 2026
Update Emirates ID in Etisalat (e&): Steps, Rules and Deadlines 2026
Update Emirates ID in Etisalat as soon as your new card arrives, because your mobile line is registered against the old one. Etisalat now trades as e&, and it calls this job “Mobile Registration Renewal”. You can do it in the e& UAE app, on the e& website, or at an outlet, and this guide walks you through each route.
We are not ICP, e& or any UAE government body. We never ask for your ID number, and you renew your registration only on e&’s own app, website and outlets.
You have renewed your card, and now a message says your mobile registration is about to expire. Your SIM is tied to the ID you showed when you bought it, so the operator needs the new card’s details before the old ones lapse.
When you update Emirates ID in Etisalat, you are really renewing that registration with e&. Below you will find the two digital routes e& describes, the outlet route, the deadlines set by the telecom regulator TDRA, and what to do when the request fails. Steps and timings come from e&’s own pages and TDRA’s FAQ. Where they are silent, we say so.
In This Guide
What Does It Mean to Update Emirates ID in Etisalat?
It means replacing the expired ID details on your e& mobile account with the details of your new, valid card. e& names the service “Mobile Registration Renewal”. Most people still type Etisalat, and etisalat.ae now forwards to eand.ae.
Why this matters:
💡 Tip: Not sure the new card has been issued yet? You can track your Emirates ID status first, then come back to e& once the card is active.
What You Need Before You Start
| Item | Why you need it | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Valid, renewed Emirates ID | e& reads the new card number and expiry date | All routes |
| Verified UAE Pass with the new ID added | e& pulls your documents from it after you approve | UAE Pass route |
| Phone with a working camera | To scan the card and your face | Facial recognition route |
| Your registered e& number | Receives the OTP used to log in | Facial recognition route |
| Email and contact number | e& asks for primary contact details before you submit | All digital routes |
| Original Emirates ID card | TDRA says copies and scanned images are not accepted in person | Outlet |
⚠️ Warning: An expired card cannot renew anything. Finish the ICP renewal first. Our guide to renewing your Emirates ID in the UAE covers the fees and the AED 20 per day late fee.
Ways to Update Emirates ID in Etisalat: Which One Fits You?
There are three methods by which you can renew your registration, according to e&: the e& UAE app, the e& website, and outlets and payment machines. On the app and website you verify yourself in one of two ways, UAE Pass or facial recognition.
| Route | What you need | Where | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Pass | Verified UAE Pass holding your new ID | e& UAE app or website | Most residents and citizens |
| Facial recognition | New card, camera, OTP on your number | e& UAE app or website | People without UAE Pass |
| Outlet or payment machine | Original Emirates ID | e& stores and machines | People of determination, business and government accounts |
So, UAE Pass is the best method because nothing has to be photographed. e& says this route takes a couple of minutes and that the request is generally approved within 2 hours.
How to Update Emirates ID in Etisalat with UAE Pass
These are the steps e& lists on its Mobile Registration Renewal page. You need a verified UAE Pass account with your valid card already inside it.
Step 1: Sign in with UAE Pass
Open the e& UAE app or the e& website, go to My Account, choose Sign In and pick the UAE Pass login. Approve the login on your phone.
Step 2: Open Mobile Registration Renewal
On the dashboard, find Quick Access and select Mobile Registration Renewal. Older guides mention an “Update Now” banner. Menu names change, so look for the registration renewal wording.
Step 3: Select the account
Choose the account you want to renew with your new card. If several lines sit under your name, check each one.
Step 4: Approve document sharing
e& sends a request to your UAE Pass app. Open it, review what is being shared, and confirm.
Step 5: Add contact details and submit
Enter your primary contact details, agree to the terms and conditions, and submit the request.
A little more detail (so it never fails): open UAE Pass before you start and check that the Emirates ID shown there is the new one, with the new expiry date. If it still shows the old card, refresh your documents inside UAE Pass first. You can also keep a digital copy handy with our Emirates ID download guide.
💡 Tip: Gulf News reported in 2023 that e& sends a confirmation SMS with a request ID after you submit. e&’s page does not describe this message, so take a screenshot of the final screen as your own proof.
How to Renew with Facial Recognition (No UAE Pass)
No UAE Pass? e& describes a second digital route that needs only your valid card and a camera.
Step 1: Log in with an OTP
Sign in to My Account with the one-time password sent to your registered number.
Step 2: Choose the service and the account
Go to Quick Access, select Mobile Registration Renewal, then pick the account to renew.
Step 3: Scan your Emirates ID
Upload or scan the front and back of the card. Allow camera access when the app or browser asks.
Step 4: Complete the face scan
Follow the on-screen instructions for the facial scan.
Step 5: Submit
Enter your contact details, accept the terms and conditions, and submit the renewal request.
⚠️ Warning: Scan the card only inside the e& UAE app or on eand.ae. Never send photos of your ID to a number that messages you about an “expired registration”. Scammers use that exact line.
Renewing at an e& Outlet or Payment Machine
e& lists outlets and payment machines as the third channel. It points people of determination and government or business entities to this route.
e& does not publish step-by-step instructions for its payment machines, so follow the on-screen menu or ask staff at the store.
💡 Tip: Do you own a business in the UAE but hold no residence visa? e&’s FAQ says you can email [email protected] with proof of the business and a valid passport.
Deadlines If You Do Not Update Emirates ID in Etisalat
TDRA’s FAQ sets the timeline for citizens and residents. It counts from the day your registration expires.
| Stage | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Notice | 24 hours before suspension | The operator must notify you |
| Suspension | 60 days after registration expiry | Outgoing calls are disabled. Incoming calls and SMS still work |
| Disconnection | 90 days after registration expiry | All calls and SMS stop and the SIM is permanently disconnected |
e&’s own FAQ words it a little differently. It says a line that is not renewed “will be deactivated for three months and then ceased”. Renew before the first deadline and neither version applies to you.
TDRA adds that there is no periodic update duty. You update when something changes, such as a new card.
⚠️ Warning: Visitors are treated differently. TDRA says a visitor must update within 48 hours of the subscription’s expiry or the line is fully disconnected.
How Long Does Approval Take, and Is There a Fee?
2 hours is the only official figure. e& says a UAE Pass request is generally approved within that time. It publishes no time for the facial recognition route or for outlets.
e&’s renewal page lists no fee for this service. It also does not use the word “free”, so we will not promise it. If a charge appears on screen, stop and call e& before paying.
How Many Numbers Can Sit Under One Emirates ID?
TDRA’s FAQ sets the limit per service provider: up to five SIM cards for a resident and up to two for a visitor. e& adds that the account holder can log in to the e& UAE app from any device and renew all accounts under the primary Party ID.
Want to see which numbers carry your name? TDRA lists three ways: the operator’s app, a branch visit with your original Emirates ID, or TDRA’s “My Numbers” service.
💡 Tip: Found a number you do not recognise? Report it to e& at once and ask for a reference number. TDRA requires the operator to log the complaint and tell you the outcome.
Common Problems When You Update Emirates ID in Etisalat
Most failed requests come from the same few causes. e& does not publish error messages, so these fixes come from the requirements it does state.
What About du and Virgin Mobile?
The TDRA rules above apply to every UAE operator, so the same deadlines and SIM limits cover du and Virgin Mobile lines. We have not verified their current steps, so check each operator’s official site.
Tips for a Smooth Renewal
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I update Emirates ID in Etisalat online?
Sign in to the e& UAE app or website, open Quick Access, select Mobile Registration Renewal, pick your account and verify with UAE Pass or a face scan.
What is Etisalat called now?
The operator’s brand is e&, and etisalat.ae forwards to eand.ae. Its app is the e& UAE app.
Can I update Emirates ID in Etisalat without UAE Pass?
Yes. e& describes a facial recognition route where you log in with an OTP, scan the card front and back, and complete a face scan.
How long does the Etisalat Emirates ID update take?
e& says the UAE Pass process takes a couple of minutes and the request is generally approved within 2 hours.
Is there a fee to update Emirates ID in Etisalat?
e&’s renewal page lists no fee for the service. It does not state that it is free, so check the final screen before you submit.
What happens if I do not update Emirates ID in Etisalat?
TDRA says outgoing calls are suspended 60 days after the registration expires, and the SIM is permanently disconnected at 90 days.
Can I still receive calls on a suspended line?
Yes. TDRA says incoming calls and SMS still work during suspension. They stop after disconnection.
Can I update Emirates ID in Etisalat from outside the UAE?
e&’s page does not say. The digital routes need UAE Pass approval or an OTP on your e& number, so test both before you travel.
Can I renew at an e& store?
Yes. e& lists outlets and payment machines as a channel. Take your original Emirates ID.
How many SIM cards can I have on one Emirates ID?
TDRA allows a resident up to five SIM cards per service provider, and a visitor up to two.
Can I renew a Five prepaid SIM online?
Yes. e&’s FAQ says a Five prepaid SIM can be registered online using your Emirates ID.
Can I renew with an expired Emirates ID?
No. e& asks for a valid card. Renew it with ICP first, then renew your mobile registration.
What is the e& customer care number?
Call 101 from an e& line or 800 101 from another line. You can also write to [email protected].
Official Contacts
These are the authorities’ and the operator’s details, not ours. We cannot renew a registration or reactivate a line for you.
| Body | What it handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| e& (Etisalat) | Mobile registration renewal, suspended lines | 101 from an e& line, 800 101 from other lines, [email protected], eand.ae |
| TDRA | SIM registration rules, My Numbers service | tdra.gov.ae |
| ICP | Issuing and renewing the Emirates ID | 600522222, icp.gov.ae |
Final Thoughts
I really suggest you update Emirates ID in Etisalat on the same day the new card shows up in UAE Pass. The UAE Pass route takes a couple of minutes, e& generally approves it within 2 hours, and you never get near the 60-day suspension line.
If UAE Pass is not an option, use the face scan or walk into an outlet with the original card. Noticed a menu name that has changed? Tell us through the contact page.
Sources and Last Updated
e&: Mobile Registration Renewal page and mobile customer registration FAQ (eand.ae). TDRA: consumer FAQs on mobile SIM registration (tdra.gov.ae). UAE Government portal: Emirates ID page (17 February 2026). ICP: contact page (icp.gov.ae). Confirmation SMS detail: Gulf News, 28 September 2023, as marked. Last reviewed: 7 October 2026.
Ismail Ahmad, Emirates ID Status Check Online writer
Ismail Ahmad (Writer of Emirates ID Status Check Online)
Ismail Ahmad is the writer behind Emirates ID Status Check Online. His work covers the Emirates ID services run by ICP, including status checks, renewal, replacement, fines and the UAEICP app.
Ismail builds each guide from the official ICP and u.ae pages, walks readers through the steps as they appear on screen, and flags the errors people hit most often. He reviews the guides when the official rules change.
