How to Transfer Your Number to Mobily in Saudi Arabia: Keep Your Number, Switch Networks
Unhappy with your current mobile network but do not want to lose the number everyone knows you by? You do not have to. Mobile Number Portability lets you switch to Mobily and keep your existing number exactly as it is — no need to tell your contacts, update your bank, or change the number on your accounts. This guide explains how to transfer your number to Mobily, what you need before you start, how long it takes, and what happens to your old balance and packages.
Number portability has been available in Saudi Arabia since 2006, under the supervision of the Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST). Mobily’s own user-rights page confirms that every user has the right to request a transfer of their number from one provider to another. The process is handled by the new provider — in this case Mobily — so you never need to visit your old provider to start it.
Before You Start: 6 Requirements to Check
Check these six points first. Most rejected porting requests fail on one of them.
| Requirement | What it means |
|---|---|
| Your number must be active | The SIM you want to port must be working. Suspended or deactivated lines cannot be ported. |
| No unpaid bills or debts | Settle any postpaid bill, device instalment or other amount owed to your current provider first. Unpaid balances are the most common reason a request is rejected. |
| Voice line only | Prepaid and postpaid voice lines can be ported. Data-only SIMs typically cannot be ported. |
| 90 days since your last port | If you already ported this number recently, you must wait at least 90 days before porting again. |
| Valid ID in your name | Expatriates need an Iqama; Saudi nationals need a National ID. The number must be registered under your own name. |
| Only the account holder can apply | You cannot port a number that is registered under someone else’s name. |
One more thing to do before you start: use up the balance on your old SIM. Your remaining prepaid credit does not transfer to Mobily, and your active packages with the old provider are cancelled once the port is complete. See how to check your Mobily balance and data for the codes you will use once you are on Mobily. If you are still under a contract with your old provider, check whether an early termination fee applies — you can still port, but you may have to pay that fee afterwards.
Method 1: Transfer Your Number Through the Mobily App
This is the easiest way, and it is free. Do it from home — no branch visit needed.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Download the Mobily App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. |
| 2 | Tap the Store icon. |
| 3 | Select Transfer your number (shown in the app as “Bring your existing number to Mobily”). |
| 4 | Choose your plan type — prepaid or postpaid. |
| 5 | Enter the mobile number you want to port and select your current provider. |
| 6 | Complete the registration with your Iqama details, verified through Nafath. |
| 7 | Your new Mobily SIM will be delivered to your address. |
For help with the app itself, see how to use the Mobily app. If your phone supports eSIM, you can also port your number to a Mobily eSIM instead of a physical SIM — the process runs through the same app flow and activation is usually faster, since there is no delivery wait. Check how to activate a Mobily eSIM first to confirm your phone is compatible.
Method 2: Transfer Your Number at a Mobily Branch
If you prefer to do it in person, walk into any Mobily branch with your original Iqama (or National ID for Saudi citizens) and tell the staff you want to port your number. They will register the request, give you a new Mobily SIM, and handle the paperwork for you. Keep using your old SIM until it stops working — once the old SIM is disconnected, insert the new Mobily SIM and you are on Mobily with the same number.
If you need Mobily’s contact details or branch help, see how to contact Mobily customer care.
How Long Does It Take?
| Situation | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Most requests | Within 24 hours |
| Online requests | Sometimes within a few hours |
| Documentation or verification problems | An extra 1 to 2 business days |
| Peak periods (Hajj season, Ramadan, public holidays) | May take slightly longer |
There may be a brief service interruption during the switchover, so plan for it: let important contacts know, and make sure you have Wi-Fi access as a backup during the transition. Your number, calls and SMS move with you — but your old provider’s data packages, call rates and coverage do not. Before you switch, compare what you will pay on Mobily: see Mobily prepaid vs postpaid compared and Mobily data bundles compared.
Watch Out for the Retention Call
After you submit your porting request, your current provider will probably call you with a counter-offer — free minutes, bonus data, or a discounted plan — to try to keep you. If you accept their offer, your porting request is automatically cancelled. So if you have already decided to move to Mobily, politely decline and stick with your decision.
What If Your Request Is Denied?
A porting request is usually rejected for one of these reasons: unpaid bills with your current provider, the number is not registered in your name, you ported within the last 90 days, the SIM is suspended or inactive, or a technical error in the system. Fix the cause and apply again. If you believe your request was wrongly denied, you can file a complaint with the CST through the CST app or at cst.gov.sa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my STC or Zain number to Mobily and keep the same number?
Yes. Mobile Number Portability lets you move your number from STC, Zain, Lebara, Virgin Mobile, Jawwy, Red Bull Mobile or any other Saudi provider to Mobily without changing the number. Start the request through the Mobily app or at a Mobily branch.
How long does it take to transfer a number to Mobily?
In most cases the port completes within 24 hours, and online requests sometimes finish within a few hours. Documentation problems can add 1 to 2 business days, and processing may be slower during peak periods such as Hajj season or Ramadan.
Does my balance transfer when I port my number to Mobily?
No. Your remaining prepaid credit does not move to Mobily, and your active packages with your old provider are cancelled once the port is complete. Use up your balance before you start the transfer.
Is there a fee to transfer my number to Mobily?
Porting your number to Mobily through the Mobily app is free. If you port at a branch, ask the staff about any applicable fee before they start the request.
Can I port my number to a Mobily eSIM?
Yes. Most major Saudi operators, including Mobily, support eSIM porting. The process runs through the Mobily app, and activation is usually faster than waiting for a physical SIM delivery. Make sure your phone supports eSIM before choosing this option.
Last updated: 11 November 2026
Edited by Ali.