Moving to a new country comes with a long list of questions. How do you book a ride? Where do you order groceries? Which app holds your digital documents? And how do you find out what is happening over the weekend?
The good news is that everyday life in Saudi Arabia is highly digital. Once the right apps are on your phone, getting around, ordering food, managing official services and discovering the Kingdom becomes much simpler.
This guide brings together more than 30 useful apps across eight everyday categories. You will not need every app on day one, but this is a helpful list to save, revisit and share with anyone settling into Saudi.
A quick note: App features, prices, supported banks and service coverage can change. Availability may also differ by city, neighbourhood and phone operating system, so check the latest details in your app store before downloading.
- Transport apps: getting around made easier
Whether you drive, use taxis or rely on Riyadh’s public transport, these apps can take much of the stress out of travelling around Saudi.
Careem
Careem is more than a ride-hailing app. Depending on your location, it can also provide food, grocery and other delivery services. It is useful if you prefer keeping several everyday services within one familiar app.
Uber
Uber is widely recognised, straightforward to use and especially helpful for airport transfers or everyday journeys. The app shows your estimated fare, driver details and live trip progress before and during the ride.
Bolt
Bolt gives you another ride-hailing option to compare when booking a trip. Prices, promotions and vehicle availability can vary, so it is worth checking it alongside other taxi apps before confirming a ride.
Jeeny
Jeeny is a ride-hailing service operating in Saudi Arabia with several ride categories. It is useful as an additional option when comparing fares or looking for a nearby driver.
Darb
Darb is useful for travelling on the Riyadh Metro and public bus network. Use it to plan routes, understand connections and manage public-transport journeys around the capital.
Google Maps
Google Maps is an everyday essential for directions, estimated travel times and live traffic information. It is particularly helpful in Riyadh, where traffic can significantly affect how long a short-looking journey takes.
Yours Truly tip: Keep at least two ride-hailing apps on your phone. Fares and waiting times can change throughout the day, especially during peak hours and major events.
- Food-delivery apps: meals at your fingertips
Saudi Arabia has a huge variety of restaurants, and food-delivery apps make exploring them very easy- from local favourites to familiar international chains.
HungerStation
HungerStation offers a large selection of restaurants and stores across Saudi Arabia. In addition to meals, you may find groceries, flowers and pharmacy items depending on your area.
Jahez
Jahez is a Saudi-grown delivery platform with a wide selection of restaurants and frequent in-app offers. It is worth comparing with other apps because delivery fees and promotions can vary.
Keeta
Keeta is another food-delivery option with restaurant choices, introductory deals and rotating discounts. Check whether it covers your neighbourhood and compare the final checkout price- not only the menu discount.
ToYou
ToYou works as a broader delivery app for food, groceries, flowers, gifts and other items. It is useful when you want several kinds of errands handled in one place.
Talabat
Talabat is a familiar name across the GCC and offers restaurant delivery in supported Saudi locations. Its range, fees and availability will depend on your city and neighbourhood.
Yours Truly tip: The same restaurant can have a different price, delivery charge or offer on each platform. Compare the total—including service and delivery fees—before ordering.
- Grocery-delivery apps: stock the kitchen without the queues
For a full weekly shop or one missing ingredient, grocery delivery can be a lifesaver—especially during busy days or the hotter months.
Ninja
Ninja focuses on quick delivery for groceries, snacks, household supplies and last-minute essentials. It is best suited to smaller, urgent orders when service is available in your area.
Careem Market
Careem Market brings grocery shopping into the Careem app. In parts of Riyadh, Careem also offers products through its partnership with Tamimi Markets, although coverage depends on the neighbourhood.
LuLu Hypermarket
LuLu’s app is helpful for larger grocery orders and gives access to a broad range of fresh food, pantry items and household essentials. Look out for bulk packs and supermarket promotions.
Carrefour
Carrefour offers groceries, home supplies and regular promotions through its online store and app. It is a practical option for a planned weekly shop when delivery is offered in your area.
Amazon Saudi
Amazon.sa is useful for pantry staples, household products and items that do not need immediate delivery. It is particularly convenient when you want to combine groceries with other home purchases.
Yours Truly tip: For fresh produce, check the app’s replacement and refund policy before placing a large order. For urgent items, use a quick-commerce app; for a full shop, compare supermarket prices and delivery slots.
- Government apps: your essential digital companions
Saudi Arabia provides many official services digitally. These are among the most important apps for residents, citizens and visitors to understand.
Absher
Absher is essential for many Ministry of Interior services. Residents commonly use it for access to digital documents and services connected to residency, visas, driving and traffic matters. The exact options available depend on your profile and status.
Tawakkalna
Tawakkalna is a unified national app that connects users to a wide range of government services and digital documents. It is useful for residents and visitors, with available services continuing to expand.
Nafath
Nafath provides secure digital identity verification when signing in to participating government and private platforms. You may be asked to approve a login or verify your identity through the app.
Nusuk
Nusuk supports Hajj and Umrah journeys, including permits and services related to visiting the Two Holy Mosques and Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah. It also includes planning tools and guidance for pilgrims and visitors.
Najm
Najm is important for drivers. It supports traffic-accident reporting and insurance-related follow-up for eligible incidents. If you drive in Saudi Arabia, it is sensible to install it before you ever need it.
Yours Truly tip: Download official government apps only through verified app-store listings or links from .gov.sa websites. Never share verification codes or approve a Nafath request you did not initiate.
- Payment apps: simple, secure everyday transactions
Saudi Arabia is highly card- and contactless-payment friendly. The best setup for you will depend on your bank, cards and phone.
STC Bank (formerly stc pay)
stc pay has transitioned into STC Bank. The service retains familiar digital-payment features while adding broader digital banking capabilities, including transfers, bill payments and card services. Existing users should follow the official migration guidance shown in the app.
urpay
urpay is a Saudi digital wallet for transfers, bill payments, mobile recharge, online purchases and other supported services. Features and rewards can change, so check the current app terms.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay allows users with supported Apple devices and eligible cards to make contactless payments in stores, apps and online. Add your card through Apple Wallet and confirm support with your bank.
mada Pay
mada Pay is designed for contactless payments using supported mada cards on compatible Android devices. Device, bank and card compatibility should be confirmed before relying on it as your main wallet.
Google Pay and Google Wallet
Google Pay officially launched in Saudi Arabia through the national mada payment system in 2025. Android users can add eligible cards to Google Wallet for supported contactless payments. Bank support is being expanded gradually, so check whether your card is eligible.
Yours Truly tip: Keep your physical bank card available when you are newly settled. Digital-wallet support can depend on your bank, card type and device.
- Healthcare apps: care just a tap away
From official health records to prescription delivery and mental-wellbeing support, these apps can help you manage everyday healthcare needs.
Sehhaty
Sehhaty is the Ministry of Health’s unified health platform for citizens and residents. Its services include appointment booking, consultations, health records, reports, prescriptions, vaccination information and tools for dependants.
Labayh
Labayh connects users with mental-health and wellbeing professionals through online sessions. Review the available specialists, languages, qualifications, pricing and appointment formats before booking.
Nahdi
Nahdi’s app is useful for ordering pharmacy products, personal-care items and eligible medicines for delivery. Prescription requirements and delivery availability may vary.
Chefaa
Chefaa helps users order medicines and pharmacy essentials, including prescription-upload services where available. Always check the pharmacy details and follow local prescription requirements.
Al-Dawaa Pharmacies
Al-Dawaa’s app supports medicine refills, health and beauty shopping, pharmacy offers and delivery in covered locations. Loyalty features may also be available.
Yours Truly tip: For emergencies, do not rely on an app or delivery service. Call the appropriate emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department.
- Shopping and home apps: everyday essentials in one place
Whether you are furnishing a new apartment or replacing something small, these apps cover a wide range of budgets and delivery speeds.
Noon
Noon carries electronics, groceries, beauty, fashion and home essentials. It often runs local promotions and can be convenient for quick delivery on eligible products.
Amazon Saudi
Amazon.sa offers a broad product range and familiar ordering experience. Prime-eligible products can be useful when delivery speed matters, but always check the seller, warranty and expected arrival date.
IKEA Saudi
IKEA Saudi is ideal for home setup, furniture browsing and checking measurements before buying. Depending on the item and location, you may be able to select delivery or click-and-collect.
SHEIN
SHEIN offers budget-friendly fashion, accessories and home décor. Check the size chart, fabric details, customer photos and return terms before ordering.
Temu
Temu carries inexpensive gadgets, kitchen accessories, organisers and everyday items. Product quality and delivery time can vary, so reviews and seller details matter.
Yours Truly tip: When ordering from a marketplace, look beyond the headline discount. Check the seller rating, product reviews, warranty, return window and final delivery date.
- Entertainment and discovery apps: find things to do
One of the nicest parts of living in Saudi Arabia is how much there is to explore—from concerts and sporting events to museums, seasonal festivals and cinema releases.
Webook
Webook is a useful platform for discovering and booking concerts, sports, festivals, attractions and experiences across Saudi Arabia. Major events can sell out quickly, so turn on relevant notifications if there is something you do not want to miss.
Visit Saudi
Visit Saudi is an official tourism resource for discovering destinations, attractions, itineraries and travel inspiration across the Kingdom. It is especially useful when planning a weekend outside your home city.
Platinumlist
Platinumlist lists tickets for concerts, attractions, sporting events and other experiences in Saudi Arabia and across the region. Compare the event details and ticket terms before purchasing.
MDLBEAST
The MDLBEAST app and official channels are useful for festival announcements, line-ups, tickets and updates connected to MDLBEAST music events.
VOX Cinemas
VOX Cinemas lets you check film times, choose seats, book tickets and access cinema offers or loyalty benefits where available.
Yours Truly tip: For large events, buy only through the official organiser or an authorised ticketing platform. Be cautious with resale links shared through social media.
Which apps should you download first? If you have just arrived and the full list feels overwhelming, begin with these essentials:
- Absher, Tawakkalna and Nafath for official digital services and identity verification.
- Google Maps plus one or two ride-hailing apps for getting around.
- Your bank app and the compatible wallet for your phone.
- Sehhaty for Ministry of Health services.
- One food-delivery and one grocery app that cover your neighbourhood.
- Webook or Visit Saudi when you are ready to start exploring.
You can then add the rest as you discover what works best for your city, routine and budget.
Final thoughts: The right apps make settling into Saudi Arabia feel far less complicated. They help with the practical parts of daily life- documents, transport, payments and healthcare—while also making it easier to explore restaurants, events and destinations across the Kingdom.
Save this guide for your first weeks in Saudi, and share it with someone who is moving here soon.
Which app do you use the most? Is there another app you think deserves a place on this list?
Yours truly, Saudi 🌴
Yours truly,
Saudi