When you renew your Emirates ID, your du SIM registration does not update itself. You need to update Emirates ID in du separately, or your number can be flagged for ID expiry and, if left unresolved, suspended. The process is free through du own channels, and it can be done in the du app, on the du website, or in a du store.
This guide covers all three routes, what you need before you start, how long validation takes, and the common reasons an update fails. It is the du counterpart to our guide on how to update your Emirates ID in Etisalat, so if you use Etisalat instead, use that guide, as the steps and portals are different.
Before You Start
- A valid Emirates ID. If your Emirates ID itself has expired, renew the card first through ICP at icp.gov.ae, then update your du SIM. Du cannot validate an expired card.
- Your active du mobile number. You need access to that number to receive an OTP and SMS confirmations.
- UAE Pass, for the app route. The du app route needs a UAE Pass account with your renewed Emirates ID added as a document. If your new ID is not yet in UAE Pass, add it first or use the website route instead.
- A clear photo of your Emirates ID, for the website route. A blurry or cropped photo is one of the most common reasons for delay.
If several numbers are registered under one Emirates ID, each line may need to be selected separately. Check every number you hold, not just your main line, as a secondary number can be flagged while the main one is already updated.
Method 1: Update Emirates ID in the du App with UAE Pass
- Open the du app. Log in with UAE Pass. Make sure your renewed Emirates ID is already added as a document in UAE Pass.
- Open the menu. Tap the menu icon at the bottom of the screen, then tap Update ID.
- Choose Update ID with UAE Pass. Select the mobile numbers you want to renew, and tap Continue with UAE Pass.
- Allow document sharing. You will be taken to the UAE Pass app. Tap Allow Document Sharing, so du can access your renewed Emirates ID information.
- Return to the du app and tap Proceed. Wait for the notification that your request is being processed.
- Wait for SMS confirmation. You will receive an SMS when the request is submitted, and another SMS when validation is complete.
This is the fastest route when UAE Pass is already set up, as du pulls the ID details directly from UAE Pass instead of asking you to upload a photo. If the UAE Pass step fails, check that the renewed ID is actually added in UAE Pass, as an old ID document there is a common cause.
Method 2: Update Emirates ID on the du Website
- Open myaccount.du.ae. Go to the official du website and find Update ID in the menu.
- Enter your mobile number. You will receive an OTP by SMS. Enter it to verify the number.
- Upload a copy of your Emirates ID. Upload a clear, uncropped photo of the front and back where requested.
- Choose the account linked to your number. Select the account that matches your mobile number and Emirates ID.
- Submit and wait for SMS. You will receive one SMS confirming submission, and a second SMS once validation is finished.
Use this route if you do not have UAE Pass set up, or if the app upload keeps failing. If you prefer not to upload photos, or the upload keeps failing, a store visit with your original Emirates ID is the fallback.
Method 3: Update Emirates ID in a du Store
Visit a du store with your original Emirates ID and your du mobile number. Staff will verify your ID and update the registration for you. This route suits cases where the online routes fail, where you hold several numbers, or where your UAE Pass document is not yet updated. Bring the physical card, not just a photo, as store verification uses the original.
How Long Does du Validation Take
Du validation commonly takes up to 48 hours after submission, which is longer than the few hours mentioned in some summaries, so submit well before any deadline shown on your account. Do not wait until the last day shown for ID expiry, as a validation delay at that point can still leave the number flagged.
If 48 hours have passed with no confirmation SMS, check the du app for the request status, then contact du support with your submission reference and mobile number. Do not submit the same update repeatedly in the meantime, as duplicate submissions can slow validation rather than speed it up.
Common Reasons a du Emirates ID Update Fails
- Blurry or cropped ID photo. Re-upload a clear, full photo of the card, with all edges visible.
- New ID not yet in UAE Pass. Add the renewed Emirates ID as a document in UAE Pass first, then retry the app route.
- Wrong account selected. Submit under the account actually linked to your mobile number, not a different du account you hold.
- Expired Emirates ID. Renew the card through ICP first, as du cannot validate an expired ID.
- Several numbers on one ID. Select each number separately, as updating one line does not automatically update the others.
What Happens If You Do Not Update
Du, like Etisalat, must keep SIM registrations tied to a valid Emirates ID under UAE telecom regulations. If your ID expiry is not updated, du will flag the number, send reminders, and can suspend the line if the update remains outstanding. Restoring a suspended line usually means completing the same Update ID step, plus any reactivation step du shows on your account, so updating promptly avoids that extra hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I update my Emirates ID in du online?
Use the du app with UAE Pass, or myaccount.du.ae on the website. In the app, tap Update ID, choose your numbers, allow document sharing in UAE Pass, and tap Proceed. On the website, enter your number, verify the OTP, upload your Emirates ID, choose the linked account, and submit.
How long does du take to validate an Emirates ID update?
Up to 48 hours after submission. You will receive an SMS on submission and another SMS once validation is complete, so submit well before any ID expiry deadline.
Do I need UAE Pass to update Emirates ID in du?
Yes, for the du app route, where du pulls your renewed ID from UAE Pass. The website route does not need UAE Pass, as you upload a copy of your Emirates ID instead, and the store route uses your original card.
Can I update Emirates ID in du without the app?
Yes. Use myaccount.du.ae on the website, or visit a du store with your original Emirates ID. Both routes are official du channels.
Why is my du Emirates ID update still pending?
Common causes are a blurry ID photo, a new ID not yet added to UAE Pass, the wrong account selected, or an expired Emirates ID. Check those first, allow the full 48 hours, then contact du support with your submission reference.
Do I need to update each du number separately?
Yes, where several numbers are registered under one Emirates ID. Select each number in the Update ID flow, as updating one line does not automatically update the others.
Conclusion
To update Emirates ID in du, use the du app with UAE Pass for the fastest route, myaccount.du.ae if you prefer to upload your ID, or a du store with your original card as a fallback. Allow up to 48 hours for validation, and check every number registered under your ID.
Next steps: if your Emirates ID itself is close to expiry, read our guide on Emirates ID renewal, or if you use Etisalat as well, see how to update your Emirates ID in Etisalat.