Best Apps for Umrah: What to Download Before You Fly

Quick answer: The most useful apps for Umrah are Nusuk (the official Saudi platform for Umrah and Rawdah permits), a ride-hailing app such as Careem or Uber, an offline-capable maps app, a prayer-times and Qur'an app, and a translation app. Download them in the UK, set up your accounts before you fly, and always get them from the official App Store or Google Play listing.

Why do apps matter so much for Umrah now?

A few years ago you could do Umrah with nothing more than a paper itinerary. Today, several important parts of the trip run through your phone. Permits for visiting the Rawdah in Madinah are booked digitally, train tickets are bought online, and taxis are usually ordered by app.

That does not mean you need dozens of downloads. A small, well-chosen set covers almost everything. The key is to install and test them at home, where you have time, good Wi-Fi and someone to help if a verification code does not arrive.

Apps and their features change often, so treat this guide as a checklist of what kind of app you need rather than a fixed list. Always check the developer name in the store before you download, because copycat apps exist.

What is the Nusuk app and do you need it?

Nusuk is the official Saudi platform for pilgrims, run by the authorities rather than a private company. Depending on the current rules, it is used for things like issuing permits for Umrah and for visiting the Rawdah at Masjid an-Nabawi, and it also offers information and services for visitors.

For most of our pilgrims, the most important use is booking a slot to pray in the Rawdah. Slots can be limited at busy times, so it pays to set up your account early and check availability as soon as you are allowed. Our step-by-step Rawdah permit guide walks through the process.

A few tips for Nusuk:

• Download it only from the official store listing, or go via nusuk.sa.
• Register with the same passport details used on your visa.
• Keep screenshots of any permits in case you lose signal at the mosque.
• Permit rules change, so check the app itself for the latest requirements. We confirm the current position when you book.

Which apps help with getting around Makkah and Madinah?

Ride-hailing apps are the easiest way to get around if you are not on a transfer. Careem and Uber both operate in Saudi Arabia, and there are local alternatives as well. They show the fare before you book, which saves arguments over prices, and you can pay by card in the app.

A few things to know:

• Pick-ups near the Haram are tricky. Roads close to the mosque are often restricted, especially around prayer times. Walk a few streets away and set your pin there.
• Prices rise at busy times. Straight after Jumu'ah or Taraweeh, fares can surge and waits get longer.
• Women travelling in groups may prefer to book through one phone and share the trip details with family.

For airport runs and intercity journeys, a pre-booked transfer is usually calmer than an app, especially with luggage, elderly parents or a late arrival. Our guide to getting from Jeddah airport to Makkah compares the options.

How do you book the Haramain train?

The Haramain High Speed Railway links Makkah, Jeddah (including the airport station) and Madinah. The journey between Makkah and Madinah takes about 2.5 hours, compared with about 4.5 to 5 hours by road.

Tickets are sold through the railway's official website and app. Search for the Haramain High Speed Railway in your app store and check the developer before installing. Book ahead for busy periods, as trains can sell out, and note that the stations are not right next to the Harams, so you will need a taxi at each end.

If you would rather not manage the train, stations and luggage yourself, a road transfer from Makkah to Madinah takes you door to door from one hotel to the next.

Which maps app works best in Makkah and Madinah?

Google Maps and Apple Maps both work well in Saudi cities for walking routes, finding restaurants and checking how far your hotel is from the Haram. The most useful trick is to download offline maps of Makkah and Madinah before you leave, so navigation still works if your data is patchy.

Inside and around the Haram, maps are less helpful. The mosques are huge, and gates are the main landmarks. We suggest:

• Save your hotel as a favourite place in your maps app.
• Note the gate number or name you use most and take a photo of the sign.
• Agree a fixed meeting point with your group, such as a numbered gate, rather than relying on live location.
• Share your live location with family using WhatsApp or your phone's built-in feature.

Which prayer, Qur'an and dua apps are worth having?

You do not need a prayer-time app for the five daily prayers in Makkah or Madinah, because the adhan is heard everywhere. These apps are still useful for:

• The Qur'an with translation and audio, for reading in the Haram without carrying a heavy copy.
• Duas and the talbiyah, so you have the words to hand during tawaf and sa'i.
• A tawaf counter or simple tally counter to keep track of rounds. A tasbih works just as well.
• Qibla direction and prayer times for travel days, airports and Ziyarat trips.

Choose well-reviewed apps from reputable developers, and turn off ads or notifications that could distract you in the mosque. Our page of Umrah duas and the talbiyah is easy to save to your phone's home screen too.

What about translation and communication apps?

Arabic is the main language, but many shopkeepers, drivers and hotel staff speak some English or Urdu. A translation app is still handy for medicine labels, menus and conversations with drivers. Download the Arabic language pack for offline use before you fly.

WhatsApp is widely used in Saudi Arabia and is the easiest way to keep in touch with family and your group. Voice and video calls on some apps may be restricted or unreliable, so have a backup plan for important calls.

Your banking app is also worth checking. Make sure you can log in from abroad, know how to freeze a card, and have notifications turned on.

How do you stay connected in Saudi Arabia?

None of these apps work without data. Your main options are:

• UK roaming. Simple but can be expensive. Check your network's Saudi rates before you fly.
• An eSIM. Bought online before you travel and activated on arrival, if your phone supports it.
• A local SIM. Available at the airport and in shops, usually needing your passport for registration.

Hotel Wi-Fi varies a lot, and signal inside the Haram can drop when crowds are huge. Carry a power bank, as navigation, photos and calls drain batteries quickly. Our Umrah packing list includes the chargers and adaptors to bring.

What should you set up before you leave the UK?

Run through this short checklist a week before you fly:

1. Install Nusuk and create your account with your passport details.
2. Install a ride-hailing app and add a payment card.
3. Download offline maps of Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah.
4. Install a Qur'an and dua app and download the audio you want.
5. Download the offline Arabic pack in your translation app.
6. Save copies of your passport, visa, tickets and hotel bookings in a secure folder.
7. Check your banking app works abroad and switch on alerts.

When you travel with us, our team gives you contact details for help on the ground, so you are never relying on apps alone. If you have any questions about your trip, feel free to get in touch.

Related guides: Best Time to Perform Umrah from the UK · Umrah Flights from the UK: Direct, Ihram & Baggage Tips · Zamzam Water Guide: History, Dua and Bringing It Home

Frequently asked questions

Is the Nusuk app free?

The app itself is free to download from the official stores. Some services offered through the platform may have their own conditions, so read the details in the app before you book anything.

Do Careem and Uber work in Makkah and Madinah?

Yes, both operate in Saudi Arabia, including Makkah and Madinah. Expect longer waits and higher fares around prayer times, and walk a little away from the Haram for an easier pick-up.

Can I use my UK phone in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, as long as roaming is enabled or you use an eSIM or local SIM. Check your network's charges before you fly, as roaming outside Europe can be costly.

Do I need an app to pray in the Rawdah?

Under the current system, visits to the Rawdah are booked through Nusuk. The rules have changed several times, so check the app close to your travel date.

Are there fake Umrah apps?

Copycat apps do appear in stores. Always check the developer name, read recent reviews and, for official services, follow the link from the official website.