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For many Dubai commuters, forgetting your physical nol card can disrupt an otherwise smooth journey on the Metro, buses, or tram. Thankfully, the Roads and Transport Authority has rolled out RTA updates that let you carry a virtual nol card on select smartphones, eliminating the need for a plastic pass. Regardless of which device you own, here’s your step-by-step guide to going fully digital.

Why Go Digital with Your NOL Card?

• Never Forget or Misplace It: Your phone is always in hand, no more panic at the turnstile when your wallet is elsewhere.

• Unified Mobility Wallet: Manage top-ups, travel history, and balance checks all within one app.

• Seamless Entry: Simply tap your phone on the reader at Metro gates, bus terminals, or tram stations, just like a Nol card.

• Broader Usage: Digital nol can also pay for parking, taxi fares, and even retail purchases where nol is accepted.

This is part of recent Dubai RTA digital initiatives, reflecting the emirate’s push toward a cashless, paperless transit experience.

Steps to Digitize Your nol Card on a Samsung Device

Dubai RTA partnered with Samsung in 2023 to launch virtual nol cards on select Galaxy phones. To transition from a plastic card to a digital version:

Update and Open nol Pay

Before you begin, check that your nol Pay app is up to date from the Galaxy Store or Google Play.

Start Card Digitisation

Launch the app, go to Get My nol Card, and choose Digitise My Physical nol Card to proceed.

Confirm Eligibility

Only Silver and Gold nol cards qualify. Tap Next to continue.

Transfer with NFC

Hold your nol card against the back of your phone. The app will scan it through NFC to get your balance and any active travel passes. Make sure your phone stays still during the scan..

Invalidate the Physical Card

After data transfer, you will be prompted to remove the card. The physical version is then deactivated, so keep it safe in case you need it reversed.

Finalize Digitisation

Tap Continue and wait a few minutes while your digital nol card is issued. You will receive an in-app notification once the process is complete.

When you are at a Metro station or boarding a bus, just open the nol Pay app, go to the card screen, tap Pay, and hold your phone to the reader. If you have turned on quick-access in settings, you won’t need to unlock the app.

Using a Huawei Phone? Here's How to Digitize Your nol Card

Since 2020, Huawei users have been able to use virtual nol cards via the Huawei Wallet app. If you have a supported phone or smartwatch (like the Watch 3 or Watch 3 Pro), follow these steps to add yours:

Open Huawei Wallet

Start by launching the Wallet application on your Huawei phone or smartwatch.

Add Transportation Card

Tap the + button, go to Transportation Cards, and pick Digital nol from the list.

Sync Your Physical Card

Select Digitise an Existing Physical Card. Follow on-screen prompts to hold your plastic card against the back of your phone.

Wait for Confirmation

Once the data transfers, your screen shows a confirmation. The physical card is now inactive.

Your Huawei Wallet-based nol functions identically to a plastic card—tap and go at readers across Dubai’s transport network.

Checking Balance and Top-Ups on Your Phone

Managing your digital nol balance is straightforward:

• In-App Top-Up: Link a credit/debit card or enable auto top-up when the balance falls below a threshold.

• Transaction History: Review recent trips and fare deductions at any time.

• Notifications: Receive alerts when your balance drops below a set level or when auto top-up triggers, part of the RTA’s ongoing RTA updates for commuter convenience.

Conclusion

Switching to a digital nol card on your Samsung or Huawei smartphone brings much-needed convenience to everyday travel in Dubai. With a few taps, you can replace your plastic pass, manage top-ups, and breeze through turnstiles, all while keeping your wallet lighter. Although Apple devices aren’t yet supported, RTA’s commitment to digital excellence means mobile nol is only the beginning.