Umrah app download – plan your pilgrimage easily with trusted guides
Search Umrah app in either app store and you'll get dozens of results, some official, plenty made by third parties with no connection to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah at all. If this is the first time you've downloaded an app specifically for travel, here's a straightforward walkthrough for finding the genuine one and setting it up properly the first time, rather than working it out through trial and error once you're already overseas.
Finding the genuine app, not a copycat
The official platform is called Nusuk, and it's published by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, sometimes listed as Ministry of Hajj and Umra. On Google Play, it shows over ten million downloads and a developer listing that links back to official government domains. On the Apple App Store, the same developer name appears, along with a privacy policy link pointing to the Nusuk website itself. If a listing has a similar name, a generic looking icon, and far fewer downloads or reviews, it's very likely not the one you want, even if it appears near the top of your search results.
What to check before you install anything
Before tapping install, check three things: the developer name matches the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the app has a large number of reviews consistent with an official government platform rather than a handful, and the privacy policy or support link in the listing points to a nusuk.sa or haj.gov.sa domain rather than something unrelated. It takes under a minute and rules out almost every copycat.
Storage space, permissions and keeping it updated
The official app is a genuinely large download, several hundred megabytes, so it's worth checking you've got enough free storage and a decent connection before you start, rather than having it stall halfway through at the airport. It will ask for location access, since some features rely on knowing whether you're near the Haram, and for notification permissions if you want alerts about timed entries. Keep the app updated in the weeks before you travel rather than assuming an old version will still work the same way, since the ministry pushes fairly frequent updates.
Setting up your account the first time
You'll need your passport details and an email address to register. If you've already got an Umrah booking or permit arranged through Nusuk, directly or through an accredited agency, linking that during setup means your permit and travel details show up inside the app automatically rather than you re-entering everything. Take your time on this step. If account verification hiccups happen, and reviews suggest they sometimes do, a rushed re-entry with slightly different details can cause more confusion than it solves. If you're registering more than one family member, use the exact spelling and passport number shown on each passport rather than a shortened or anglicised version of a name, since a small mismatch here is one of the more common causes of linking issues later.
What the app is actually useful for once it's set up
Beyond holding your permit, the app is genuinely useful for prayer times and Qibla direction wherever you are, notifications about your registered arrival and departure, and during busy periods, managing timed entry for places like Rawdah, where access is scheduled through the app rather than open queueing. It's worth exploring the notification settings early so you're not caught out by a time sensitive alert you missed while your phone was on silent.
A simple backup in case the app lets you down
No app is flawless, and this one has had its share of login and verification issues based on user reviews. Before you travel, take screenshots of your permit, booking confirmation and any Rawdah reservation, and keep a second copy in email as well as on your phone. If the app glitches at a critical moment, having your details somewhere that doesn't depend on the app working perfectly saves genuine stress, particularly in a crowded, high pressure environment where a working phone battery isn't guaranteed.
If you get stuck
If you're not confident setting this up alone, or something isn't linking up the way it should, message us on WhatsApp and we'll help you sort it before you're relying on it at the airport. Our guide also covers more on what to expect once you land.
Using the app once you've actually landed
Once you're in Saudi Arabia, keep the app updated if you get a prompt, since features tied to Rawdah bookings and crowd management are adjusted during busy periods and an outdated version can behave unpredictably. Turn on notifications rather than leaving them off, since timed entry slots and any changes to your registered details are usually communicated that way first. If you're travelling in a group, it's worth having at least one other person able to access the relevant bookings too, in case one phone runs out of battery or loses signal at the wrong moment.
