Must-Have Apps for Expats Living in Saudi Arabia

When I first arrived in Saudi Arabia in 2024, I was so amazed that almost everything here is electronic and digitized.

I found myself completing A LOT of tasks via mobile phone, from government paperwork to ordering food, grocery, and even a cleaning service via an app!

So I’m gonna be sharing with you must-have apps you can download in your mobile to make your life easier in Saudi Arabia.

Government-Related App

One thing I love most about Saudi Arabia is that most government paperwork can be done digitally via their apps.

It would be very helpful for you to download these three apps as soon as you move to Saudi:

Absher

Think of this as your main portal for government services.

While it does have a digital ID feature, its primary use is for performing certain actions like renewing your driving license, checking traffic violations, issuing Exit/Re-Entry visas for travel, and managing official documents.

Tawakkalna

Tawakkalna app acts as your official digital wallet. It displays your Digital Iqama (Residency ID) and Digital Driving License.

When you are stopped at a checkpoint, entering a government building, or picking up a package, you just open this app to show your ID (Iqama).

Nafath

This is one of the most important app to set up first. Nafath is a unified national access app used for biometric verification.

Whenever you try to log into your bank account, Absher, or get into the Ejar system (rental system in Riyadh), you will get a notification on your phone asking you to verify your identity through the Nafath app.

It is a very important app to have on your phone as it acts as your digital key to unlock almost every essential service in the Kingdom.

Without it, you basically cannot sign up for anything.

Nusuk

If you are a Muslim living in Saudi Arabia, this app is an absolute blessing.

It is the official platform for booking permits to perform Umrah in Makkah and to visit the Rawdah in Madinah.

I love how streamlined the process is compared to the old days.

You can just pick your date and time, and book your slot. The permit appears instantly on your phone.

Just a heads-up that slots for Rawdah fill up incredibly fast, so I recommend checking the app frequently if you are planning a trip to Madinah.

You can also use this app to register for the “Domestic Hajj” if you are residents in Saudi Arabia.

Communication App in Saudi Arabia

Whatsapp is the primary communication app here in Saudi Arabia.

When you are waiting for food or parcel delivery, the delivery partner will give you a call or send a Whatsapp message to get your accurate location and delivery instructions.

However, Whatsapp call and video are not available in Saudi Arabia. Only Whatsapp text is available.

You can’t make a Whatsapp call or receive one while you’re here unless you’re using a VPN.

Best Food & Grocery Delivery Apps in Riyadh

The best part about living in Riyadh is everything is at your fingertips.

You can order takeout and it will reach your doorstep in less than an hour.

You can order online grocery delivery (at no extra cost) and it will arrive within 15 mins.

Food Delivery App

Hungerstation

This is one of the most popular apps for food delivery here. When I first started using it, I was a bit surprised by the high delivery fees, which often start at 15 SAR.

However, the trick is to sign up for their monthly or yearly subscription called HPlus. It offers free delivery on most restaurants and gives you extra discounts.

It honestly saves me so much money since I order quite a bit. If you’re wondering how much is the cost of living as an expat in Riyadh, I wrote an independent article on that.

Jahez

This is a proud Saudi unicorn app and a huge favorite among locals.

What I love about Jahez is its reliability and coverage. It seems to find my location better than other apps.

They have a special section for home businesses and productive families, so you can order authentic, home-cooked Saudi meals that you won’t find in regular restaurants.

Keeta

This is the new kid on the block in Riyadh, and they are aggressively winning people over with amazing (and crazy) deals.

They are famous for their On-Time Guarantee, meaning if your food is late, they actually compensate you with vouchers!

Unlike other apps that require a high minimum spend like 50 SAR to get free delivery, Keeta is very generous with free delivery on smaller orders.

It’s perfect when you just want a quick coffee or a sandwich for yourself without paying a fortune in fees.

Online Grocery App

Keemart (by Keeta)

Since Keeta disrupted the food delivery market, they decided to take on groceries too with Keemart.

It is integrated right into the main Keeta app, so you don’t need to download anything extra.

They basically set up stores all over Riyadh to ensure grocery delivery in about 15 minutes.

And I really love ordering groceries from them, it’s way faster than me going out to buy things myself.

It is perfect for when you are cooking and realize you are missing one ingredient, like onions or milk.

They are also very generous with welcome coupons, so check if you have any vouchers waiting for you.

Keeta is offering SAR 150 welcome vouchers for new user who downloaded the app through referral. Don’t miss this out as you can spend a lot using their vouchers.

👉 Sign up to Keeta and get SAR 150 welcome vouchers

Careem Market

You will find this inside the Careem app under the “Market” button.

I used to buy my groceries from them before I found Keemart. They promise delivery in under 20 minutes, and they rarely miss that target.

What I really appreciate about Career Market is their fresh produce quality. They seem to pick better fruits and vegetables than I would pick myself.

If anything arrives damaged or spoiled, their refund process is instant, which gives me huge peace of mind.

Ninja

This app is an absolute lifesaver for late-night cravings or urgent essentials. Ninja specializes in ultra-fast delivery, usually less than 20 minutes and they operate 24/7.

It is hugely popular here for ordering coffee, energy drinks, and snacks when you have guests over.

Transport, E-hailing, & Navigation Apps

Google Maps vs. Waze

Driving in Riyadh can be an adventure, so you absolutely need a reliable navigator.

I generally use Google Maps for finding restaurants and checking reviews because their database is huge.

But when driving, you can switch to Waze. It is accurate at spotting Saher (the speed cameras) and real-time traffic jams. Trust me, avoiding those speeding fines will save you lots of money.

Uber, Careem & Bolt

You will never struggle to find a ride here. Uber works exactly as it does globally, so it’s a safe reliable bet. However, Careem is the local favorite and super app of the region.

If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, you can try Bolt. I’ve used Bolt a few times during peak hours because Uber will markup the price like crazy during the rush hour traffic.

Bolt is usually much cheaper during those busy times, and while the cars might be a bit simpler than what you get with Uber or Careem, it saves you a lot of money.

Finance & Digital Wallets

STC Pay / Urpay

Cash is becoming almost obsolete here. When you go out for dinner with friends, nobody calculates cash to split the bill anymore.

We just transfer the money instantly using STC Pay or Urpay. These digital wallets are essential for daily life in Saudi Arabia.

They act like a bank account on your phone where you can pay bills, transfer to local banks, and even send money internationally to family back home with very competitive rates.

Mada Pay / Apple Pay

It honestly shocks me how cashless this society is. You don’t even need to carry a physical wallet.

Whether you are buying a luxury bag at the mall or grabbing a 2-riyal water from a small convenient store, their accepted payment methods are almost always digital.

Just make sure you have Apple Pay or your card set up on your phone, and you are good to go anywhere.

Cleaning Services in Riyadh

Justlife

One of the most convenient luxuries of living here is how easy it is to get help around the house.

You don’t need to worry about the complex sponsorship process if you just need occasional help.

I use apps like Justlife (recommended by a local friend) to book hourly maid service in Riyadh. It is completely legal, safe, and professional.

You just book a slot on the app, and a uniformed cleaner shows up at your door. It’s a total lifesaver when you are busy with work.

Just keep in mind that there is a strict regulation here: a woman above 18 years old must be present in the house while the cleaner is working.

Justlife is also available inside the Careem app, and when I booked my cleaning service through Careem, I got extra discounts.

Online Shopping in Saudi Arabia

Noon & Amazon SA

For online shopping, we have two giants. Amazon SA is fantastic and reliable, especially if you have Prime.

Amazon in Saudi Arabia is fantastic for small appliances and decor. However, for bigger items like beds and sofas, check out my guide on how to furnish your apartment in Riyadh on a budget.

But you will quickly become familiar with Noon. You will see their yellow delivery vans everywhere. I love Noon because they deliver incredibly fast, sometimes even the same day.

And their “Noon Minutes” service can bring you groceries and essentials in just 15 minutes. It is dangerous for my wallet, but so convenient.

Home Spa Services

Hello App

Ladies, this is going to be your favorite section. In Riyadh, you don’t go to the spa, the spa comes to you. I use the Hello App to book everything from relaxing massages to manicures and pedicures right in my living room.

It is honestly the ultimate luxury. The therapists are incredibly professional and bring everything with them, portable massage beds, towels, oils, and even a full nail kit with hundreds of polish colors.

You just set the time, and they transform your home into a 5-star salon. The best part? You don’t have to ruin your relaxed “post-massage” vibe by driving home in traffic afterwards.

Health & Wellness App in Riyadh

Nahdi

You probably know Nahdi as the big blue pharmacy on every street corner, but their app is a total game-changer for healthcare.

My husband and I recently used it to book a full blood test package, and I was blown away by the convenience. Instead of waiting in a hospital queue, a nurse came directly to our house to collect the samples.

A few days later, we received a detailed report and were even assigned a doctor to explain the results to us.

We managed to grab this comprehensive blood test for just 399 SAR per person thanks to a massive discount we found when visiting the pharmacy physically, though they always have great offers on the app too. Be sure to download Nahdi app on your mobile.

Aside from checkups, I also rely on the app to stock up on my daily vitamins and essentials and my Korean skincare products without ever leaving the house.

Entertainment App in Saudi Arabia

Webook

If you are living in Riyadh, you will quickly realize that Riyadh Season is a huge part of life here.

To get into any of the cool zones, concerts, or events, you absolutely need Webook. It is the official app for booking literally everything entertainment-related.

I recently used it to buy my tickets for Boulevard World, and the process was super smooth.

You just pick your date, pay, and the ticket sits right in your digital wallet on the app, no need to print anything.

I also love that if your plans change, they have an official resell feature where you can sell your tickets securely to other users.

You definitely don’t want to be the one stuck outside the gate while your friends are inside enjoying the show, so make sure to download this app!