How do I get a digital nol Card in Dubai on my smartphone?

Dubai: If you often forget your nol card, you might find it easier to carry a digital version on your smartphone. This option is available to Huawei and to Samsung users, allowing commuters to pay for public transport and more without needing a physical card.

The nol card is widely used in Dubai for accessing Metro, buses, and trams, and can also be used for parking, grocery payments, and taxi fares.

Digital nol cards can be stored on select smartphones through the official ‘nol Pay’ app from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The app allows users to manage their nol card and link it with their Emirates ID for personalisation.

Digital nol Card for Samsung users

In 2023, an agreement between Samsung and RTA enabled nol card digitisation on compatible Samsung devices. If you use a Samsung phone and wish to switch to a digital nol card, take note:

• Only Silver and Gold nol cards can be digitised.

• Once digitised, your physical card becomes invalid and cannot be used again.

How to digitise your nol card on a Samsung phone

Before starting, make sure your nol Pay app is up to date. Then, follow these steps:

1. Open the nol Pay app and tap ‘Get my nol card’.

2. Select ‘Digitise my physical nol card’.

3. A notice will confirm that only Silver or Gold cards are eligible. Tap ‘Next’.

4. Place your physical nol card on the back of your Samsung phone. The balance and any travel passes will be transferred using Near Field Communication (NFC).

   • Keep the phone still until the app reads the card.

5. When successful, you will be prompted to remove the card. The app will inform you that the physical card is now invalid. Tap ‘Continue’ to complete the process.

6. Wait a few minutes while the digital nol card is issued. The app will notify you once it is ready.

At Metro or bus stations, simply open the nol Pay app and tap your phone on the entry gate’s reader to travel.

How to save a digital nol card on Huawei phones

Huawei users have had access to digital nol cards since 2020. The virtual card can be used via the Huawei Wallet app on compatible phones and the Huawei Watch 3 or Watch 3 Pro. Once your nol card is digitised, the physical version becomes inactive.

Steps to digitise your nol card on Huawei devices:

1. Open the Huawei Wallet and tap the ‘+’ icon next to transportation cards.

2. Select either the nol Silver or nol Gold card.

3. Tap on ‘Digitise an existing physical card’ and follow the on-screen prompts to sync the card’s data.

4. Tap ‘Continue’ and wait a few minutes for the card to be saved to your mobile wallet.

Can iPhone users Use a digital nol card?

Currently, RTA has not introduced digital nol card support for Apple Wallet. However, iPhone users can still store their Dubai-registered driving licence and vehicle registration card on the iPhone Wallet app.