Saudi Arabia has added a zero-data access feature to the Nusuk app, allowing pilgrims to use its core services without an internet connection or consuming mobile data. The update is aimed at worshippers who lose signal or run low on data inside the crowded holy sites, where reliable connectivity has long been a challenge during peak worship times.

How zero-data access works

The feature lets citizens, residents and visitors who hold a Saudi-issued SIM card open the Nusuk app and reach its services without using mobile data or Wi-Fi. According to reports on the rollout, it was implemented in cooperation with the Kingdom's telecom operators STC, Mobily and Zain. For pilgrims, that means essential functions such as permits and in-mosque navigation remain available even when networks are congested or a data plan has run out.

Connectivity has been a recurring difficulty at the Grand Mosque and the surrounding sites, where hundreds of thousands of people gather in a small area. By removing the dependence on data for basic functions, the update is designed to keep pilgrims oriented and able to access their documents at the moments they need them most.

A widening digital toolkit

Nusuk has become the central platform for booking and managing Umrah and Hajj. The app handles Umrah permits, Rawdah reservations at the Prophet's Mosque, and route guidance within the holy sites. It has also expanded into payments through the Nusuk Wallet, a digital wallet developed for pilgrims and approved by the Saudi Central Bank, which lets travellers manage money without carrying large amounts of cash.

The platform also supports crowd management. Interactive guidance and real-time indicators help direct worshippers toward less congested gates and routes, part of a broader push to use technology to smooth the flow of people through the mosque. The zero-data feature strengthens this system by ensuring guidance still functions when a pilgrim's connection drops.

Practical tips

  • Update the app before you travel. Install the latest version of Nusuk so the offline features are available when you arrive.
  • Buy a local SIM. Zero-data access is tied to a Saudi-issued SIM card, so obtaining a local number on arrival is worthwhile.
  • Download your permits. Save Umrah and Rawdah permits within the app so you can show them even without a signal.
  • Learn the navigation tools. Familiarise yourself with the in-mosque route guidance before entering, when connectivity is still strong.
  • Keep your phone charged. Offline features are only useful if your device has power, so carry a portable charger for long days at the holy sites.

The addition of offline access continues Saudi Arabia's drive to make the pilgrimage experience more self-service and digital, reducing the friction pilgrims face as they move through some of the most crowded spaces in the world.