FAB Online Banking and Mobile App – Complete Guide 2026

Think about the last time you actually had to go to a bank branch. For most FAB customers in 2026, the answer is probably months ago, or maybe never. That is because FAB has built one of the most complete digital banking experiences available in the UAE. Almost everything you could do at a branch, from checking your balance to applying for a loan to sending money to your family back home, you can now do from your phone in under two minutes.

This guide is a complete walkthrough of FAB’s digital banking tools. We cover the FAB Mobile app and FAB Online Banking, explain the difference between the two, show you how to register and log in, and walk through every major feature in plain language. Whether you are a new FAB customer who just opened an account or an existing customer who has never explored what the app can actually do, this guide will help you get the most out of it.

FAB stands for First Abu Dhabi Bank. It is the largest bank in the UAE, with its headquarters in Abu Dhabi. FAB serves millions of personal and business banking customers across the country and in over 20 countries worldwide. Its digital banking platforms are regulated and monitored by the Central Bank of the UAE and follow strict security and data protection standards.

FAB Mobile App vs FAB Online Banking: What Is the Difference

FAB gives you two ways to do your banking digitally. The FAB Mobile app works on your smartphone. FAB Online Banking works through any web browser on your laptop or desktop computer. Both connect to the same account and show the same information. The features are mostly the same, but there are a few differences worth knowing.

For most everyday banking needs, the FAB Mobile app is the better choice. It is faster, available everywhere on your phone, and has features like biometric login and real-time push notifications that the website does not offer. The website is better when you want to view detailed account statements, print documents, or make large and complex transfers on a bigger screen.

This guide covers both platforms. Most of the steps and features described below apply to both unless we specifically note that a feature is only on the app or only on the website.

How to Download and Install the FAB Mobile App

The FAB Mobile app is free to download. It works on iPhones running iOS 14 or later and on Android phones running Android 8.0 or later. Almost all smartphones bought in the last four years will support it.

To download it on an iPhone, open the Apple App Store, search for ‘FAB Mobile’, and tap Get. Make sure the app shown says it is published by First Abu Dhabi Bank before you download it. To download it on an Android phone, open the Google Play Store, search for ‘FAB Mobile’, and tap Install. Again, confirm the publisher is First Abu Dhabi Bank. There are scam apps with similar names, so always check the publisher name before installing any banking app.

Once the download is complete, the app installs automatically. Tap the FAB icon to open it. The first time you open it, you will be taken through a short registration process.

How to Register for FAB Mobile Banking for the First Time

If you are a brand new FAB customer who just opened an account, or if you have an existing FAB account but have never set up mobile banking before, here is how to register.

Step 1: Open the FAB Mobile App

Tap the FAB Mobile app icon on your phone. On the welcome screen, you will see two options: Log In and Register. Tap Register if this is your first time setting up the app.

Step 2: Enter Your UAE Mobile Number

Type in your UAE mobile number. This must be the number that is linked to your FAB account. If you just opened your account, this is the number you provided during account opening. You will receive a One Time Password (OTP) on this number by SMS. Enter the OTP in the app to confirm your identity.

Step 3: Verify With Your Emirates ID

The app will ask you to scan your Emirates ID. Hold the physical Emirates ID card in front of your phone camera. The app scans the front and back of the card. Your personal details are automatically read from the card. A digital copy or photo of the Emirates ID will not work here. The physical card must be present.

Step 4: Complete a Video Selfie or Liveness Check

FAB now uses a video selfie as part of its registration process for added security. The app will ask you to look into the camera and sometimes perform a simple action like slowly turning your head. This usually takes about 10 to 15 seconds. It confirms that you are the same person as on the Emirates ID. This is powered by the UAE PASS biometric verification system that is used across many UAE government and banking apps.

Step 5: Create Your PIN

Choose a 6-digit PIN for logging into the app. Do not use obvious numbers like your birthday, 123456, or 000000. This PIN is what you will use every time you log in. After setting your PIN, you will also be given the option to enable fingerprint login or Face ID if your phone supports it. Setting up biometric login is strongly recommended because it is faster and more secure than typing a PIN every time.

Step 6: You Are In

Once your PIN is set, your account is ready. You will be taken to the app home screen, which shows all your FAB accounts, balances, and recent transactions. Your mobile banking is now active and you can use all features immediately.

How to Register for FAB Online Banking Through the Website

If you prefer to use the website instead of or in addition to the app, here is how to register for FAB Online Banking.

Go to bankfab.com on your browser. Click on the Personal Banking tab. Then look for the Online Banking login button in the top right area of the page. Click it. On the login page, you will see an option that says Register Now. Click that.

You will be asked to enter your Customer Identification Number (CID), which is a unique number assigned to every FAB customer. You can find your CID on your welcome letter, account statement, or by calling FAB customer care on 600 52 5500. You will also need your FAB debit or credit card number and your registered UAE mobile number. Enter these details and you will receive an OTP on your phone. After verifying the OTP, you create a username and password for your online banking account.

Once registered, you can log in to FAB Online Banking from any browser by visiting bankfab.com and entering your username and password. Every login also requires OTP verification through your registered mobile number for security.

A Full Tour of the FAB Mobile App Features

The FAB Mobile app is packed with features. Most people only ever use a fraction of what it can do. Here is a complete walkthrough of everything available.

Account Overview and Balance Check

The home screen of the app shows all your FAB accounts in one place. This includes your current account, savings accounts like the iSave, credit cards, and any fixed deposits or loans. For each account, you can see the current balance in real time. Tap on any account to see a detailed list of transactions going back several months. You can filter transactions by date, amount, or type to find a specific payment quickly.

Salary credits appear instantly in the app the moment they are received. You do not need to wait for a notification or refresh the page. The balance updates in real time throughout the day.

Fund Transfers Within the UAE

The Transfers section of the app covers all types of money movement within the UAE. FAB to FAB transfers between your own accounts or to another FAB customer are instant and completely free. There is no fee and no minimum amount.

To send money to a customer at another UAE bank, you use the IBAN system. An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is a standard format that all UAE banks use. Every FAB customer has an IBAN, which you can find in the app under your account details. To transfer to another bank, tap Add Beneficiary, enter the recipient’s IBAN and name, and confirm with OTP. The first time you add a beneficiary, there may be a short holding period for security. After that, transfers to that beneficiary go through using UAEFTS (UAE Funds Transfer System) within a few hours during banking days.

You can also schedule transfers for a future date or set up standing instructions for recurring transfers. This is useful for rent payments, monthly allowances to family members, or regular bill payments that are not available as direct billers.

International Money Transfers and Remittances

For many expatriates living in the UAE, sending money back home to family is one of the most important banking needs. FAB has a dedicated remittances section in both the app and the online banking portal.

Transfers to Pakistan, India, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka are particularly convenient because FAB offers free remittances to these countries with near-instant processing. This is a significant benefit because many other banks charge AED 20 to AED 50 per international transfer. The monthly limit for these instant transfers is AED 450,000. For amounts above this limit, you use the SWIFT transfer option instead.

For transfers to the UK, European Union countries, and the United States, FAB supports Mastercard Send, which processes transfers in seconds in some cases. For all other countries, transfers go through the SWIFT banking network and typically arrive within 1 to 2 working days.

When you send money internationally, the app shows you the exchange rate and any fees before you confirm. Always review these before sending. Exchange rates change throughout the day, so the rate you see is only valid for a short time.

Bill Payments

The Bill Payments section of the FAB app covers hundreds of UAE government and private billers. You do not need to log in to separate websites or download multiple apps to pay your bills. Everything is in one place.

To pay a bill, tap on Pay in the app. Search for the biller by name or browse by category. Enter your customer reference number, which is printed on your bill or invoice. The app will show you the exact amount due and the due date before you confirm. Tap Pay and authenticate with your PIN or fingerprint. You receive an instant confirmation and the payment appears in your transaction history immediately.

You can save your biller details so that next time you only need to enter the amount. You can also set up automatic bill payments by enabling standing instructions. The app will pay a specific biller on a set date every month automatically. This is very useful for DEWA, Etisalat, or du bills that you pay every month without fail.

Card Management

The card management features in the FAB app give you full control over all your FAB debit and credit cards without ever needing to call customer service or visit a branch.

Activate a new card: When your physical card arrives by post, open the app, go to Card Services, tap Activate Card, enter the card number and CVV, and confirm with an OTP. The card is active immediately.

Freeze your card instantly: If you lose your card or think it has been stolen, go to Card Services, tap Freeze Card, and confirm. The card stops working for any new transactions within seconds. You can unfreeze it just as easily if you find the card.

Change your card PIN: Go to Card Services, tap Change PIN, enter your old PIN, then set a new one. You do not need a branch visit or a phone call.

Request a replacement card: If your card is physically damaged or worn out, you can request a new one from the app. The replacement card is mailed to your registered address.

Set spending limits: You can adjust the daily spending limit and ATM withdrawal limit on your debit card directly in the app up to the maximum set by your account type.

View card statements: See a full list of all transactions on your credit card, including the current balance, minimum payment due, and payment due date.

Credit Card Features

For FAB credit card holders, the app has a dedicated credit card management section. Here you can see your current credit limit, available credit, statement balance, and minimum payment due date all on one screen.

You can pay your FAB credit card bill directly from the app. Tap Pay Credit Card, choose whether to pay the minimum amount, the full statement balance, or a custom amount, select your FAB account to pay from, and confirm. Payments made from your FAB current account to your FAB credit card are instant. You can also set up auto-pay so your credit card bill is paid automatically from your account every month. This removes the risk of ever missing a payment and incurring late fees.

The app also lets you apply for credit limit increases, request balance transfers from other bank credit cards, convert large purchases into Easy Payment Plans at 0% interest, and apply for the Quick Cash service which gives you cash against your credit card limit.

Your FAB Rewards points balance is visible in the app at all times. You can see how many points you have earned this month, your total accumulated balance, and tap straight into the redemption section to use your points for cashback, vouchers, or airline miles.

Loan and Finance Management

If you have an existing personal loan or home finance with FAB, the app shows you the full picture in one place. You can see your current outstanding balance, the next EMI due date and amount, your repayment schedule for the entire loan tenure, and the total amount you have already paid.

You can also apply for new loans and credit cards from within the app. For existing FAB customers, the application forms are pre-filled with your personal and financial information, which saves time significantly. You upload any additional documents needed and submit. Loan decisions are often communicated within 24 hours.

FAB Rewards Management

The app is where you track and use your FAB Rewards points. The Rewards section shows your total points balance, a history of how and when you earned points, and the full catalogue of redemption options. You can redeem points for cashback that is credited to your account instantly, shopping vouchers from popular UAE retailers, airline miles with partners including Etihad Guest, bill payments, dining credits, and more.

The minimum redemption amount and value per point varies by category. Cashback is the simplest redemption because the points value is fixed and the cash appears in your account quickly. If you are saving points for a specific purpose like a flight upgrade, the Rewards section lets you see exactly how many more points you need.

Spending Insights and Financial Tools

One of the more useful but often overlooked features in the FAB app is the spending insights dashboard. The app automatically categorises every transaction you make into groups like groceries, dining, utilities, transport, and shopping. This gives you a visual breakdown of where your money goes each month.

You can set a monthly budget for any spending category and the app will alert you when you are getting close to or over the limit. Over several months, the insights section builds up a picture of your spending habits that can help you decide whether you could benefit from a different type of account or card.

Zakat and Charity

The FAB app includes a dedicated section for making charitable donations and Zakat payments. Zakat is the Islamic obligation of giving 2.5% of eligible savings to charity. FAB has integrated a Zakat calculator into the app so you can calculate your Zakat amount based on your savings, then donate directly to approved charities with a few taps. This feature is available alongside donations to the UAE Red Crescent and other approved organisations.

Security Features of FAB Digital Banking

Security is one of the most important things to understand about any banking app. FAB uses multiple layers of protection to keep your account and money safe.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Every login and every significant transaction requires both your PIN and an OTP sent to your registered mobile number. For new devices, FAB sends an additional verification alert.

Biometric authentication: You can enable fingerprint login or Face ID on the app. This is faster and more secure than a PIN because your biometric data is unique to you.

Device binding: The FAB app is bound to your specific phone. If someone tries to log in to your account from a different device, they cannot do so without going through the full re-registration process.

SSL encryption: All data transmitted between the app and FAB’s servers is encrypted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology. This means even if someone intercepts the data in transit, they cannot read it.

Real-time fraud monitoring: FAB’s fraud detection system monitors every transaction for unusual patterns. If it detects something suspicious, it may temporarily block the transaction and alert you.

Instant card freeze: If you think your card is compromised, you can freeze it instantly from the app to prevent any new transactions while you investigate.

There are also things you should never do to stay safe. Never share your OTP with anyone, including people claiming to be FAB staff. FAB will never call you and ask for your OTP. Never use the same PIN for the app as you do for other accounts. Never access your online banking from public Wi-Fi networks without a VPN. If you receive a suspicious message, email, or call claiming to be from FAB, hang up and call FAB directly on 600 52 5500 to verify.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Forgot Your PIN or Password

On the FAB Mobile app login screen, tap Forgot PIN. Enter your registered mobile number. You will receive an OTP. Enter the OTP and you will be prompted to set a new PIN. The whole process takes about 2 minutes and does not require a branch visit or phone call.

For FAB Online Banking, click Forgot Password on the login page at bankfab.com. Enter your Customer ID (CID) and registered mobile number. Verify with the OTP. Create a new password. You regain access immediately.

App Not Opening or Crashing

If the FAB app stops working or crashes when you open it, first check whether there is an update available in the App Store or Google Play. FAB releases regular updates that fix bugs and add security patches. Keeping the app updated is important. If updating does not help, try clearing the app cache on your Android phone by going to Settings, then Apps, then FAB Mobile, then Clear Cache. On an iPhone, deleting and reinstalling the app usually solves persistent issues. You will not lose any data because your account information is stored on FAB’s servers, not on your phone.

OTP Not Received

If you are not receiving the OTP on your registered mobile number, first check that you have a good mobile signal. OTPs are sent by SMS and will not arrive if you have no signal or your phone is in airplane mode. Also check whether your number has run out of SMS storage. If your message inbox is full on some older phones, new SMS messages cannot be received. Delete some old messages and try again. If none of these solutions work, call FAB on 600 52 5500 to check whether your registered mobile number on file is correct.

Transaction Declined

If a payment or transfer is declined, there are a few common reasons. Your account may not have enough funds. Your daily transaction limit may have been reached. The beneficiary’s IBAN may have been entered incorrectly. The transaction may have been blocked by FAB’s fraud monitoring system because the amount or destination was unusual for your account. Check each of these in the app. If the issue is not clear, call 600 52 5500 for immediate help.

FAB Online Banking and Mobile App FAQs

Is the FAB Mobile app free to download and use?

Yes. The FAB Mobile app is completely free to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Using the app to check your balance, transfer money between FAB accounts, and manage your cards is also free. Some transactions like international SWIFT transfers or certain bill payments may carry their own fees, but the app itself has no usage charges.

Can I use FAB Mobile Banking from outside the UAE?

Yes. The FAB Mobile app works from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection. You can check balances, make transfers, and pay bills from any country. One important thing to note is that OTP verification is sent to your registered UAE mobile number by SMS. If you are travelling and your UAE SIM is not active, you may not receive OTPs. Consider keeping your UAE SIM active or setting up a data roaming plan when you travel.

How do I add a new beneficiary for transfers?

In the FAB Mobile app, go to Transfers and tap Add Beneficiary. Select the transfer type (FAB to FAB, UAE bank, or international). Enter the recipient’s IBAN or account number, their full name, and the bank details. Confirm the new beneficiary with an OTP. On your first transfer to a new beneficiary, FAB may apply a short holding period as a security measure. After that, future transfers to that beneficiary are immediate.

What is the daily transfer limit on FAB Mobile Banking?

Daily transfer limits vary by account type and transaction method. Standard UAEFTS transfers to other UAE banks typically have a daily limit of AED 50,000 through the app for most account types. FAB to FAB transfers have a higher limit. For large transfers above your daily limit, you can either increase the limit through the app settings up to the maximum for your account, or use FAB Online Banking on the website which may support higher limits, or visit a FAB branch.

Is FAB Online Banking the same as the mobile app?

They access the same account and show the same information, but they are different platforms. FAB Online Banking works through a web browser at bankfab.com and is better for detailed account management, large transfers, and printing statements. The FAB Mobile app works on your smartphone and is better for daily use, quick transfers, bill payments, and on-the-go banking. The app also has features the website does not, like biometric login, real-time push notifications, and instant card controls.

How do I pay my DEWA bill through the FAB app?

Open the FAB app and tap Pay on the home screen. Search for DEWA or browse the Electricity and Water category. Select Dubai Electricity and Water Authority. Enter your DEWA customer account number, which is printed on your DEWA bill. The app will automatically fetch the outstanding amount and due date. Review the details and tap Pay. Confirm with your PIN or biometric. You receive an instant confirmation. You can save your DEWA account number in the app for faster payments next time.

Can I open a new FAB account through the mobile app?

Yes. Existing FAB customers can open additional accounts like the iSave Account directly through the app without any paperwork. New customers can also open a FAB One Account or Personal Current Account using the app with just their Emirates ID scan, a liveness check, and a few minutes of their time. The app guides you through each step.

How do I check my FAB Rewards points balance?

Open the FAB Mobile app and look for the Rewards section, which is accessible from the home screen or through the main menu. Your current points balance is displayed at the top. You can also see this month’s earnings, your total accumulated balance, and the full list of redemption options. Alternatively, FAB Rewards can be viewed and redeemed through FAB Online Banking on the website.

What should I do if I see a transaction I did not make?

Act immediately. Open the FAB app, go to Card Services, and freeze the card that was used for the suspicious transaction. This stops any further unauthorised payments. Then call FAB’s customer care immediately on 600 52 5500 (within the UAE) or +971 2 681 1511 (internationally). FAB has a fraud team available around the clock. Report the transaction as fraudulent. FAB investigates and refunds confirmed fraudulent transactions in line with its zero liability policy for unauthorised card use.

Does FAB offer a business banking app?

Yes. FAB has a separate app called FAB Business designed for business and corporate customers. It allows business owners and company finance teams to manage multiple accounts, initiate bulk payments, approve transfers, pay suppliers, and manage business cards. The FAB Business app is available on both iOS and Android. It supports bill payments for DEWA, SEWA, du, Etisalat, FEWA, Red Crescent, Salik, and TAQA among others.

All information in this article is based on data available as of April 2026. FAB updates its digital platforms regularly. Always use the latest version of the FAB Mobile app for the best experience. For support, call 600 52 5500 within the UAE or visit bankfab.com.