Whether you want to hire a car, do your laundry, find a fitness class or order a taxi, these must-have Abu Dhabi apps will literally save your life (well, not literally, but they are useful).
Abu Dhabi Police
Pay traffic fines, renew or replace driving licences, pay parking and perform as many as 35 police services from your smartphone. There is even a nifty way of alerting another driver if they’ve gone rogue and blocked you in your parking space. This is one of the must-have Abu Dhabi apps to have on your phone.
Android, Apple, play.google.com.
Abu Dhabi Taxi
Newcomers and trendy web firms have come along to compete in the transportation market, but this group still has a large fleet of cars and detailed city knowledge. Book taxis, trace your journey, save information and map routes from your phone.
Android, Apple, play.google.com.
Amazon.ae
Honestly speaking, the trouble with an everything-on-demand app like this is the impulse order. It’s easy enough to hold yourself back from going to the mall and ogling store windows, but when the shop is in your pocket at all times, it’s all too easy to have a quick browse and mysteriously manage to buy the same pair of jeans in three colours, teeth-whitening strips and a trampoline in just a few scrolls. Now that the global company has taken over the locally owned Souq.com, it’s more unstoppable than ever. The Prime membership also means you can expect your parcels in less than a day.
Android, Apple, amazon.ae.
Bayt
We’re not saying you should, but this nifty employment app lets you browse and apply for literally thousands of jobs while sitting in a meeting with your boss and pretending to check the time. Also good for uploading your CV and networking in your industry. Looking to find a job? This is one of the must-have Abu Dhabi apps to have to help you settle.
Android, Apple, play.google.com.
BeIn Sports
Watch live sports streaming directly to your tablet or smartphone with BeIN Sports giving access to football, basketball, motorsports and more as well as highlights packages and exclusive content. If you wanted to watch your team score during life’s less sporting moments – parent-teacher night, a distant relative’s funeral, a particularly long labour – you totally could.
Android, Apple, play.google.com.
Careem
Private taxi-booking apps have been both big business and hotly debated in recent years, with this Dubai-grown brand sporting decent promotions, neat ideas (kids’ seats and luxury cars) and a growing good reputation. Track precisely how long it will take for your car to arrive and plan with confidence. This is one of the best Abu Dhabi apps to have downloaded on your phone.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Carrefour
You can’t do your big shop inside this shopping app but you can keep track of every aspect of the deal-icious MyCLUB card loyalty programme. There is a lot of point-checking to be done as well as the chance to get new discounts, create shopping lists and locate stores. This is one of the most handy Abu Dhabi apps to have on your phone.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Circ
Want to pick up an e-scooter and give it a whizz? Well, this is the app for that. As of August 2019 there were scooters dotted around the Corniche, Reem Island and a few other places in the capital. Download the app, add some credit and away you go. You can leave them anywhere within the geo-tagged area for the next person to pick up. Now that the weather is cooling down, this is one of the best Abu Dhabi apps to have.
Andoid, Apple, play.google.com.
ClassPass
If you can’t decide which gym to join, then this handy app is here to help. It lets you try out a whole range of classes including yoga, pilates, spinning, circuits and even kayaking, at loads of studios placed all over the city. It means you never get bored of the same old routine, and that you can check out all the best studios before thinking about committing to a gym membership anywhere.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Cyacle
You’ll find docking stations with bikes available to rent throughout the city. Whether you’re exploring Yas Island, the Corniche or anywhere in between, Cyacle will show you where the nearest docking stations are and how many bikes are available, map out a route and even access some local offers. Now that we’re entering October, this is one of the best Abu Dhabi apps to have downloaded.
Android, Apple, play.google.com.
Darb
Looking for the best Abu Dhabi apps to download? Abu Dhabi’s “intelligent transport service in the palm of your hand” is extremely useful when planning journeys across the city. Like a well-informed friend, it has live data on traffic conditions, road works and estimated journey length to reduce the time you spend in traffic jams.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Deliveroo
What a time to be alive. Within just a few seconds and a couple of flicks of your thumb, you can be getting food delivered to your door from swanky restaurants, all without having to put on trousers. Plus you can monitor the progress on your phone the whole way. This is one of the best Abu Dhabi apps to have wherever you go.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
du
If you have a mobile, landline or TV package with du, this app should find a space in a corner of your smartphone. Whether you pre- or post-pay your du bills, you can settle your account, analyse usage and even arrange appointments with the du team direct from the app. Who wouldn’t want one of the best Abu Dhabi apps on their phone?
Android, Apple, play.google.com.
Dubizzle
Still looking for some of the best Abu Dhabi apps? Sell your sofa, buy a car, chat and negotiate directly with a vendor, save customised searches (handy when looking for property) or share your sale items directly on Facebook. This app is like having a giant souq in your pocket at all times.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Entertainer
Read Time Out Abu Dhabi to discover the best restaurants and things to do in the city, then check this app to see if you can score a buy-one-get-one-free deal or further discounts with your Entertainer account. Monitor how much money you save over the course of the year, it’s really quite satisfying. This is one of the best Abu Dhabi apps for great deals and discounts.
Android, Apple, play.google.com.
Etihad Airways
Buy tickets, choose your seats, monitor your air miles and even track flights and luggage directly on your smartphone. Having the nifty app on your phone makes airport visits and travel plans easier than ever, so all you have to do is pack and hail that taxi. Get on top of your airmiles on one of the best Abu Dhabi apps available to download now.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Etisalat
This is one of most important Abu Dhabi apps to have. Like the du app, this only really makes sense if Etisalat is your telecoms provider. It’s a convenient hub for paying bills, checking account balances, updating details and even tracking down a Wi-Fi hotspot so that you can save some of your data.
Android, Apple, play.google.com.
Health Authority Abu Dhabi
Nobody plans to be sick, but keeping this Government app lurking on your phone has you prepared for when you are. Search for doctors, learn about medication, make appointments and payments or just verify your sick leave. Best used cocooned in your duvet while watching Netflix in bed and sniffling. This is one of the best Abu Dhabi apps to keep your health in check.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Holiday Me
A travel app designed for holidaymakers in the Middle East. Rather than tap away at the latest game, you could be booking a holiday at one of hundreds of thousands of hotels around the world. A price guarantee on rates and simple package-building makes this a travel agent in your pocket. If you’ve ever tried putting an actual travel agent in your pocket, you will appreciate the convenience. This is one of the best Abu Dhabi apps for travel.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Mawaqif
Park in any of the seven emirates and pay your bill from this app. You don’t need cash in your pocket to avoid a fine – just punch in your deets and money is deducted from your phone credit, to keep you legal and secure. This is one of the best Abu Dhabi apps to have.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Mr Usta
Finding the right person for a job around your home can be tricky. Would you know where to get a painter for your walls, a reliable mechanic or a good plumber? This app connects people in need with service providers in their neighbourhood. Just port your job to the wall and wait for the offers to come directly to you. Also a good place if you have loads of laundry that needs doing, as you can send a bag for a set price.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Mumzworld
Buy nappies, baby food, cuddly toys and clothes as well as thousands of other family essentials at 3am. Families waking up for a feed at all hours will appreciate the secure and easy anytime shopping portal. One of the best Abu Dhabi apps to download.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Namshi
Claiming to be the Middle East’s largest online fashion destination, this style-lover’s app gives you access to more than 10,000 fashion buys. Save your preferred outfits and buy them there and then, or with a useful cash on delivery payment option.
Android, Apple, play.google.com.
Novo Cinema
Book movie tickets for Novo Cinemas, watch trailers or just verify start times. All that while queueing for popcorn. This is one of the easiest Abu Dhabi apps to use for great deals and screenings.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Sell Any Car
Without being naming specifics, we reckon you’ll be able to work out this app’s bread and butter. However, if you are looking to trade in your motor, this app claims to guarantee the purchase of any vehicle and take care of all the paperwork and valuations while at it. This is one of the most useful Abu Dhabi apps.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Shedd
Sell pre-loved clothes and accessories and make a few dollars back on your over-stuffed closet. Just snap a pic of your items and have them up for sale in under a minute. Or shop someone else’s stash to find a bargain. This is one of the best Abu Dhabi apps for a great deal.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Sivvi
Free delivery and international shipping (good for gifts) on dozens of brands in the UAE. The likes of Nike and Billabong can be purchased with handy features for style inspiration and hassle-free returns. New products are added all the time so if you know your size and don’t like malls, you need never go out again.
Android, Apple, play.google.com.
Snappcard
A wallet bulging with loyalty cards tends not to have much room left for actual cash. Snappcard is a loyalty scheme which groups together an ever-growing list of venues and lets you earn points on purchases. These can be used for food and fashion discounts at coffee shops, boutiques and malls displaying the company logo, and best of all, free coffee once you’ve accumulated enough points.
Android, Apple, play.google.com.
Strava
Okay, so this one is not exactly an Abu Dhabi-specific app, but for fitness enthusiasts in the city, it’s a must-download. Strava syncs with your GSP and heart-rate monitoring devices to track and map your fitness goals and achievements. Feeling competitive? You can also compare your results with other joggers, runners and cyclists in your community. This is one of the best Abu Dhabi apps for fitness right now.
Android, Apple, strava.com.
Styck
Fitness apps are among the most engaging in the smartphone world and we’ve been particularly taken by this homegrown effort. It counts steps, monitors goals and is a real part of the movement, well, movement. What is special about this app is how it makes a game out of physical activity. The more you move, the better your rewards, which can include free food and exercise classes in the UAE.
Android, Apple
Uber
This international car booking service has been a significant factor in streamlining taxi-ordering. Track your driver’s progress and don’t worry about having to give directions once in the car, with the precise details of your location synced from the app booking. You don’t even have to remember to get cash out either. This is one of the best Abu Dhabi apps for easy transport if you don’t drive.
Android, Apple, play.google.com.
U-Drive
If you haven’t got a car sorted yet, this app lets you rent cars for single journeys. The first thirty minutes are free for first-time users and the app helps you to locate your nearest U-Drive vehicle in a flash. Once you’re done you can leave it any public parking place in Abu Dhabi. It’s an environmentally-friendly way of getting about too.
Android, Apple, play.google.com.
Visit Abu Dhabi
When you haven’t got your head stuck in a copy of Time Out Abu Dhabi you can find out about all the best tourist attractions, cultural sites, malls, hotels and basically everything there is to see in one app. There’s an interactive map which shows you points of interest near you, trip planning tools, booking services and much more. It’s available in 10 different languages as well. This is one of the best Abu Dhabi apps for when you want to discover something new.
Android, Apple, visitabudhabi.ae.
Vox Cinemas
Search by actor, cinema class, time or film name to easily book your tickets for Vox Cinemas in Abu Dhabi. By registering as a Vox member, you’ll gain access to exclusive offers and information of advanced screenings.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Wally+
An internationally-acclaimed app, which was actually built and developed in Dubai. Get to grip with finances, set budgets and track expenditure. Useful graphics will display just how much is being spent on essentials and exactly how quickly all those orange mocha frappuccinos add up. This is one of the best Abu Dhabi apps for finance and budgeting.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Washmen
If you’re washing machine has broken, you haven’t got round to buying one yet or you really would much rather be at brunch instead of doing your laundry, you can enlist the help of Washmen. The app for the laundry and dry-cleaning service lets you arrange pick up and drop off in a matter of seconds, and it’s all so easy and seemless.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Yas Mall
While not a comprehensive app, the full store directory and search options can be useful if you’re overwhelmed by choice. It’s a shame it doesn’t include a map of the centre, but you can get some details about in-mall events and offers while you take a much-needed breather in the food court. This is one of the best Abu Dhabi apps to navigate one of the largest malls in the UAE.
Android, Apple, apps.apple.com.
Zomato
This handy app makes it all too tempting to never bother cooking anything again. When you’re not trying out one of the amazing deals that you found on timeoutabudhabi.com, you can relax in your own home and order from restaurants throughout the city. You can also browse menus, read reviews and check the opening times. Upgrading to Zomato Gold also gets you more offers.
Android, Apple, play.google.com.
