Etisalat is the UAE’s oldest telecom operator. It traded as e& from 2022 and announced in October 2026 that it was going back to the Etisalat name, so you may see either name on apps, bills and web pages. On a prepaid line, dial *121# for your balance, *170*1# for data left and *101# for the self-service menu. Customer care is 101, free from an Etisalat line and open 24 hours a day.
Do this next on Etisalat
- Low on data? Dial *170# for the data pack menu, or check Deals for You in the Etisalat app.
- Out of credit? Dial *108*1# to subscribe to Reserve Credit if your line is eligible.
- New Emirates ID? Use Mobile Registration Renewal in the app with UAE PASS so the line is not suspended.
Etisalat short codes at a glance
| Code | What it does |
|---|---|
| *121# | Shows your prepaid balance |
| *101# | Self-service menu, including Know My Number |
| *170# | Data pack menu |
| *170*1# | Shows data left |
| *100* | Sends credit to an Etisalat prepaid number |
| *108*1# | Subscribes to Reserve Credit |
| *108# | Manages Reserve Credit (*108*2# unsubscribes) |
| 101 | Customer care from an Etisalat line |
Short codes do change. If one stops working, the Etisalat app shows the same balance, usage and plan details.
Balance, number and credit
You can send credit from a prepaid or postpaid line to another Etisalat prepaid number, but not to another network. Reserve Credit lends up to AED 50 when your balance runs out, if you have been a prepaid user for at least 3 months and use at least AED 10 a month. It is taken back from your next recharge, and on a single-account SIM you pay a 20% service fee on what you use.
- Check your Etisalat balance and data
- Find your own Etisalat number
- Transfer Etisalat balance: code, app and limits
- Borrow credit with Reserve Credit
Data packs, plans and call offers
Packs and prices change often, so treat the app and the *170# menu as the final word before you buy. Some daily packs renew until you cancel them, while one-time packs simply end after 24 hours.
- Current Etisalat data offers
- AED 30 monthly data package
- AED 50 monthly data package
- 100 GB for 90 days
- Unlimited data for one day
- Cancel a daily data plan
- Activate the 9 fils international call offer
- 2 fils per minute call package
SIM, eSIM and your Emirates ID
You can activate a SIM or switch to an eSIM in the app after verifying your Emirates ID, usually with UAE PASS. When your Emirates ID is renewed, renew the registration on your lines too, because unverified lines can be suspended.
- Activate an Etisalat SIM or eSIM
- Renew your SIM registration
- Update your Emirates ID with Etisalat
- See every SIM registered on your Emirates ID
Home internet and Wi-Fi
Home plans are sold under the eLife name. You can change your Wi-Fi password in the app under home internet, or from the router page, which is usually 192.168.1.1.
FIVE prepaid
FIVE is a separate low-cost prepaid line that runs on the Etisalat network, billed per second, with its own Five app and a helpline on 800 544. Dial *121# for your balance, and recharge with any Etisalat voucher by calling 120.
Customer care
Call 101 from an Etisalat line, or 800 101 from another network. Quick Pay lets you pay a bill or recharge a prepaid number without logging in, which also works for family and colleagues.
Related guides
- UAE Telecom Guide: every network and brand side by side
- du UAE Guide
- du vs Etisalat: which network suits you
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Is Etisalat the same as e&?
Yes. The company rebranded to e& in 2022 and announced on 6 October 2026 that it would go back to the name Etisalat. You may still see e& on some apps, bills and web pages.
How do I check my Etisalat balance?
Dial *121# on a prepaid line, or open the Etisalat app and go to usage. For data left, dial *170*1#.
How do I find my Etisalat number?
Dial *101# and follow the menu to Know My Number, or open the Etisalat app, where your number shows on your profile.
Can I transfer Etisalat balance to du?
No. Local credit transfers only work within one network. Etisalat transfers go to Etisalat prepaid numbers.
How do I get emergency credit on Etisalat?
Dial *108*1# to subscribe to Reserve Credit. It gives up to AED 50 to prepaid users of at least 3 months who use at least AED 10 a month, and is repaid from your next recharge.
What is the Etisalat customer care number?
101 from an Etisalat line, free and open 24 hours a day. From another network, call 800 101.
Last updated: November 2026
Reviewed by: DubaiHowTo Editorial Desk
Disclaimer: Information reflects operator pages on the date above. Codes, prices and eligibility can change without notice. DubaiHowTo is not affiliated with Etisalat.