Why eSIM in the UAE? Three good reasons
You land at the airport, touching down in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, and your phone is already out. In the past, you'd have an hour to find a mobile store, explain to an employee what you need, and wait in line. Today? Within three minutes, your eSIM is connected and you're already getting messages and searching for restaurants on Google Maps.
Second, your Israeli line stays active. You can receive messages from your bank, family, and work at any moment. nRed's eSIM works simultaneously with your Israeli line – no need to swap cards or connect to WiFi to stay in touch with home.
Third – there's no physical card. No worry about forgetting it, no hassle with different card types, and no need to clean sand out of the card slot from Dubai.
Step one: Preparation before your flight
While still in Israel, it's best to download your eSIM. Here's why: WiFi at Dubai airport can be congested, and you want the installation to be smooth. At nRed's eSIM store, you'll choose the right data package for the UAE – duration in days, amount of data – and receive a QR code via email.
Here's the first checkpoint: make sure your phone supports eSIM. Most newer phones (iPhone 12 and above, Pixel series, Samsung Galaxy S20 and above) do. If you have an older phone, it won't work – so better to know now.
Step two: Installation in the first minute in Dubai
When you land, open the SMS messages on your phone. You'll find the QR code you received from nRed. Go to your phone's settings → Cellular → Add Cellular Plan (or "Add Cellular Data"). Scan the QR code and within seconds, your eSIM is installed.
Now, the important step: choose which line to use for data and which for calls. If you want your Israeli line to stay active (to receive messages), select the eSIM for data and WhatsApp, and keep your Israeli line for emergency calls. If you want to be completely abroad, select the eSIM for both.
Step three: Connection check and basic troubleshooting
After installation, you need to verify the connection works. Open Chrome and try browsing a website. If browsing doesn't work right away, turn your phone off for three seconds and turn it back on. Usually that's enough.
If you still have no connection, check two things: first, make sure the eSIM is enabled in your phone's settings (it should show "green"). Second, check that you're in range of one of the networks abroad – typically Etisalat or Ooredoo in the UAE.
Tips for saving and smart usage
Use WiFi at your accommodation, hotel, and shopping mall when you're not traveling. This way you'll save data for moments when you really need it – when you're heading to the beach or searching for a restaurant in northern Dubai.
Second, if you're traveling to multiple cities in the UAE, one eSIM covers them all. No need to swap cards between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
What if something goes wrong?
If your eSIM malfunctions or you run out of data before returning to Israel, you can purchase an additional package through the nRed website or their app – all without leaving your hotel.
In short: eSIM isn't technology from the future, it's the present. In Dubai, it's simply the smart way to travel.
