Most pilgrims first meet Nusuk when they book a permit. But the app keeps working after you land. The official Nusuk website describes it as the platform overseen by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, with more than 100 services for the journey.
This guide looks at the tools that are useful once you are in Makkah or Madinah: getting around, prayer times, qibla, crowding and keeping your bookings in one place. For the permit itself, see our guide to booking an Umrah permit on Nusuk.
Quick answer
Short answer: Keep the official Nusuk app on your phone for the whole trip. According to the Nusuk services page, it includes interactive maps of the Two Holy Mosques, prayer times, a qibla finder, live prayer-hall crowding at the Prophet’s Mosque, the Digital Mutawwif, a Nusuk Card ID, companion management and connectivity packages. Service names and features can change, so check inside the app.
Why keep Nusuk open after you arrive
Your permits live in the app, including any Rawdah appointment. So do your bookings and the people travelling with you. Having one official app for these saves a lot of searching on a busy day.
The Nusuk homepage also gives a simple safety tip: official Saudi websites for these activities end in “.sa”. That is a useful check before you tap any link sent to you.
What the Nusuk services page lists
- Nusuk maps: interactive maps of key sites in the Two Holy Mosques, prayer areas and facilities.
- Prayer-hall crowding: live crowding status of prayer halls in the Prophet’s Mosque.
- Prayer times and qibla: daily times and a phone-based qibla direction.
- Digital Mutawwif: locates you in the Haram and shows supplications and guidance during Umrah.
- Nusuk Card: a unique digital ID inside the app linking your data, services and permits.
- Companions: add and link companions and follow their bookings.
Getting around with Nusuk maps
The Haram is large, with many gates, floors and prayer areas. The services page says Nusuk maps help users reach prayer areas, services and facilities. Use it alongside the signs, not instead of them.
Save the gate you enter by, and agree a meeting point with your group. Our guide to finding your way in Masjid al-Haram has more on gates and landmarks.
Prayer times, qibla and crowding
Prayer times and the qibla finder are listed among the daily tools in the app. They are handy in your hotel room or when you pray away from the mosques.
In Madinah, the services page lists a live view of crowding in the prayer halls of the Prophet’s Mosque. Checking it before you walk over can help you choose a less crowded area, especially with elderly family or children. For wider planning, see prayer times and crowds at the Two Holy Mosques.
| Before you arrive | During your stay |
|---|---|
| Create your account and add companions | Keep everyone’s permits easy to show |
| Book your Umrah permit | Use maps to find gates and prayer areas |
| Check Rawdah availability | Check prayer-hall crowding in Madinah |
| Consider a connectivity package | Use prayer times and qibla in your hotel |
The Digital Mutawwif
The services page describes the Digital Mutawwif as a helper that locates you in the Haram and shows supplications and guidance while you perform Umrah. Some pilgrims find it reassuring to have the steps on screen.
It is a guide, not a replacement for learning. Read the steps before you travel, and ask a knowledgeable person if you are unsure about anything.
Setting up before you fly
Five checks before your trip
1
Download the official app from your phone’s official app store, and confirm the publisher is the official Nusuk platform.
2
Sign in and check your profile matches your passport details.
3
Add your companions so their bookings sit with yours.
4
Find the maps, prayer times and qibla tools and try them once at home.
5
Plan for data: a local SIM, eSIM or the in-app packages, so the app works when you need it.
Warning
Use only the official Nusuk app and websites ending in “.sa”. Do not share your login or one-time codes with anyone, including people who offer to “help” with permits.
Tip
Keep your phone charged. A small power bank in your bag means maps and permits stay available during a long day. Check what to carry into the Haram first.
FAQ
Is Nusuk only for booking permits?
No. The official services page lists many tools for the journey, including maps, prayer times, qibla and companion management.
Does the app work without internet?
Plan on needing data. Arrange a SIM, eSIM or a package before you rely on it.
Is there a fee for these tools?
Some services may have costs, such as connectivity packages. Fees are as listed on the official page or in the app; check before you pay.
This article is practical guidance only and is not a religious ruling. Last checked 19 October 2026 (Asia/Riyadh) against the official Nusuk homepage and services page (Arabic). Features change; confirm in the official app.
