Direct Answer / Quick Summary:

You cannot change your mobile phone number directly inside the Qiwa user settings. Because the Qiwa platform is integrated with the National Information Center (NIC) and the National Unified Access (Nafath) system, Qiwa automatically inherits your mobile number directly from your Absher profile.

The Verified 3-Step Fix:*

1. Update Mobile Number in Absher: If your old SIM card is active, update your number via the Absher Web Portal (absher.sa). If your old SIM card is lost, cancelled, or inactive, you must visit an Absher Self-Service Kiosk (جهاز الخدمة الذاتية) to verify your identity via physical fingerprint authentication.

2. Allow Government Sync Window: Wait 15 to 60 minutes for the Ministry of Interior database to synchronize with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD).

3. Re-Authenticate Qiwa via Nafath: Log into Qiwa Individuals using the Nafath app linked to your new mobile number. All future Qiwa security codes and contract alerts will arrive on your new number immediately.

The Centralized Architecture: Why Qiwa Has No "Edit Phone" Button

A widespread source of frustration among expatriate workers and HR managers in Saudi Arabia is searching through Qiwa profile settings for an "Edit Mobile Number" option and finding none.

This design is intentional. Under Saudi Arabia’s national digital identity framework:

Step 1Single Source of Truth

Ministry of Interior (Absher)

Core master identity database where your SIM card is biometrically bound to your Iqama

Step 2Data Exchange

National Information Center (NIC)

Centralized data replication highway connecting government digital platforms

Step 3Dynamic Consumer

MHRSD / Qiwa Platform

Digital labor portal that dynamically fetches your verified contact info via Nafath SSO

Allowing users to edit phone numbers independently inside Qiwa would introduce massive fraud vulnerabilities:

Rogue HR managers could change an employee's registered number to intercept transfer requests or resignations.
Disgruntled employees could change numbers to evade official ministerial notices.

Therefore, your mobile number in Qiwa is an exact mirror of your mobile number in Absher. To update Qiwa, you must update the master source.

Method 1: Updating via Absher Web Portal (If Old SIM Card Is Still Active)

If you still have physical possession of your old registered SIM card and can receive an SMS verification code on it, you can update your mobile number online in less than 5 minutes:

Step 1: Login to Absher Individual

1Open your web browser and navigate to the official portal: https://absher.sa.
2Click on Individuals (أفراد) and switch the language to English.
3Enter your Iqama Number / Username and Password.
4Enter the verification code sent to your current mobile number.

Step 2: Access User Profile Settings

1Once logged in, look at the upper-right corner of the dashboard screen.
2Click on the User Icon / Account Settings menu.
3Select Update User Information (تحديث معلومات المستخدم).

Step 3: Enter the New Mobile Number

1Click the button labeled Change Mobile Number (تعديل رقم الجوال).
2Read the statutory requirements:

- The new SIM card must be registered under your own 10-digit Iqama Number with a licensed Saudi telecom provider (STC, Mobily, Zain, Virgin Mobile, or Red Bull Mobile). Numbers registered under another person's name will be rejected.

3Enter your new mobile number in international format (starting with +966 or omitting the leading zero: e.g., 5XXXXXXXX).
4Click Save.

Step 4: Dual Verification

1Absher will send an OTP to your old phone number to confirm authorization.
2Absher will then send a confirmation code to your new phone number.
3Once both codes are entered, your Absher profile updates instantly.

Method 2: Updating via Absher Self-Service Kiosks (If Old SIM Card Is Lost or Inactive)

If your old SIM card was lost, disconnected due to non-payment, or belongs to a former employer, you cannot update your number online because you cannot receive the security authorization SMS.

In this scenario, biometric verification at an Absher Self-Service Kiosk (أجهزة الخدمة الذاتية) is mandatory:

Statutory Safeguards & Rights Protection

Mandatory protections enforced by MHRSD & Saudi Labor Law

1
Locate a KioskSelf-service machines are permanently stationed at all international airports (Riyadh RUH, Jeddah JED, Dammam DMM), major shopping malls (Mall of Arabia, Riyadh Park, Red Sea Mall), and Jawazat immigration headquarters.
2
Select LanguageTap the interactive touchscreen and choose English.
3
Input Iqama NumberType your 10-digit Iqama number.
4
Biometric Fingerprint ScanPlace your right index finger, followed by your left index finger, on the optical scanner to verify identity against the Ministry of Interior biometric database.
5
Enter New Mobile NumberInput your newly purchased Saudi SIM card number.
6
Real-Time ActivationThe kiosk sends a 4-digit code to the new phone. Enter the code on the screen. The update is finalized instantly without paperwork or fees.

Step-by-Step Guide: Synchronizing Your New Number with Qiwa

Once your mobile number is successfully updated in Absher, follow this protocol to refresh your Qiwa Individuals profile:

Step 1: Observe the 15-to-60 Minute Government Cache Latency

Do not attempt to log into Qiwa immediately. The National Information Center synchronizes data across ministerial portals in batch queues. Waiting 15 to 60 minutes ensures that MHRSD servers have refreshed your identity token.

Step 2: Re-link the Nafath Application

1Open the Nafath App on your smartphone.
2If the app is still signed in with your old session, go to Settings → Log Out.
3Sign back into the Nafath app using your Iqama number and your newly registered mobile number.
4Verify your biometrics (Face ID / Fingerprint).

Step 3: Log into Qiwa Individuals

1Visit https://qiwa.sa/en.
2Click Sign In → Individual Account.
3Select Nafath (نفاذ).
4When prompted with the two-digit code on Qiwa, approve the notification in your newly authenticated Nafath app.
5Once inside your dashboard, navigate to Profile Settings. You will see your new mobile number displayed as your verified contact channel!

Top 5 Absher & Qiwa OTP Sync Errors & How to Fix Them

1. "Mobile Number Not Registered Under This National Identity"

Root Cause: You purchased a prepaid or postpaid SIM card, but the telecom provider (STC, Mobily, Zain) registered the SIM under a temporary border number, passport number, or another person's Iqama.
Resolution: Under CITC (CST) regulations, an Absher mobile number must be legally registered under your exact 10-digit Iqama. Open your telecom provider's app (mystc, Mobily App, Zain App) or visit a branch with your physical Iqama card to ensure the line is officially authenticated under your identity.

2. Qiwa Still Sending SMS Alerts to the Old Number

Root Cause: Browser cookie cache retaining an outdated ministerial session token.
Resolution: Clear your browser cache and cookies, close all browser tabs, open an Incognito/Private window, and log into Qiwa via Nafath. This forces the server to fetch a fresh identity object from the NIC.

3. "Service Temporarily Unavailable / Sync Timeout"

Root Cause: Scheduled maintenance on the Ministry of Interior National Unified Access gateway.
Resolution: Avoid updating contact information during daily maintenance windows (typically 1:00 AM to 3:30 AM KSA time). Re-attempt during standard business hours.

4. Nafath App Not Receiving Login Push Notifications

Root Cause: The Nafath app was not updated after switching to the new phone number, or smartphone operating system notification permissions are disabled.
Resolution: Go to phone Settings → Apps → Nafath → Allow Notifications. Ensure background data refresh is enabled.

5. Expatriates Stranded Outside the Kingdom

Root Cause: An expatriate on vacation outside Saudi Arabia lost their local Saudi SIM card and cannot receive Absher or Qiwa OTPs to verify contracts.
Resolution: Absher supports roaming SMS for major Saudi networks. If the physical SIM is lost, you can install an authorized Saudi telecom eSIM via provider apps (such as the mystc app or Mobily app) authenticated through the Absher online portal, restoring your Saudi number abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can my employer change my Qiwa mobile number through Qiwa Business?

No. An employer or HR administrator has zero technical access to modify an employee's personal contact information. Only the employee can change their mobile number through Absher and Nafath.

Is there any fee to update a mobile number in Absher or Qiwa?

No. Updating your mobile number through the Absher portal, Absher self-service kiosks, Nafath, and Qiwa is 100% free of charge.

Will changing my mobile number affect my active contract or transfer requests on Qiwa?

No. Your active contract, past employment history, and pending sponsorship transfer workflows are permanently tied to your 10-digit Iqama number, not your phone number. Changing your number merely updates where OTPs and SMS alerts are routed.

Can I register an international (foreign) mobile number in Qiwa?

No. The National Information Center and Qiwa require a licensed Saudi telecom mobile number (starting with the country code +966). International numbers cannot be used for standard Absher authentication.

How do I know if my new mobile number is successfully linked to Qiwa?

The next time you log into Qiwa Individuals via Nafath, check your Account Settings. If your new number appears and you receive automated ministerial SMS notifications on it, the synchronization is complete.

Need Specialized Legal Advice on Digital Labor Compliance?

Whether you are an enterprise managing corporate GRO portal authentications or an expatriate executive resolving complex government identity deadlocks, explore our authoritative Qiwa Platform Master Manual or consult our regulatory legal team for expert assistance.